Abstract: State of art techniques utilize active systems for stronger suction in surface crawlers while the passive approaches have limitation in providing consistent grip while moving across curved surfaces or dents. Embodiments herein provide an autonomous surface crawling robot for crawling over surfaces using electro-mechanical assembly for creating strong suction force and enabling the robot to smoothly crawl over flat surfaces, horizontal/vertical/inclined surfaces, curved surfaces, and surfaces with dents. Battery powered motors are used for only mobilization, while mechanical assembly generates suction to provide consistent grip across different type of surfaces. A dual flexible cam profile assembly including a cam profile and a guide rail generates required suction and addresses the technical challenge of maintaining suction across varying surfaces without using external power for suction generation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a running gear chain (2), in particular a bogie chain (2), having a flexible body (20), preferably an elastomer body (20), which is closed in endless fashion, or closable in endless fashion, in a running direction (A). The running gear chain (2) according to the invention is characterized by a multiplicity of rigid transverse elements (24) which are connected to the outer side of the flexible body (20) and extend substantially transversely with respect to the running direction (A), wherein at least some of the rigid transverse elements (24), preferably all of the rigid transverse elements (24), are arranged so close together in the running direction (A) that, with a planar extent of the flexible body (20), two immediately adjacent rigid transverse elements (24) make contact in the running direction (A).

Abstract: A cross-link for a track of a tracked vehicle, in particular a snow groomer, configured to advance along delicate ground, and which extends along a designated plane and has a mounting member comprising a wall configured for being arranged in contact with the delicate ground; a blade, which protrudes from the wall, is fixed to the wall and has a free edge, wherein the wall and the blade are configured so as to define two support surfaces extending on opposite sides of the blade to enable the sinking of the blade into the delicate ground and prevent the sinking of the mounting member.

Abstract: An endless track belt for a submersible, autonomous vehicle is disclosed. The track belt includes an outer surface with raised track elements that are configured to both engage a supporting surface and selectively receive external grip elements configured to engage the supporting surface. The track belt also includes an inner surface with continuous, annular ridges. The continuous ridges are configured to secure the endless track belt to a drive pulley in a manner that prevents lateral movement while allowing for some longitudinal slip during rotational movement of the belt.

Abstract: An attachable track overlay apparatus that includes a parallelepiped member sized appropriate to fit into a track bed of an extant track machine track, said parallelepiped member securable therein by hooked engagement of a first end around an interior side of said track, and rotational engagement of a lock member disposed at a second end of said parallelepiped member for selective engagement around an outer side of said track, whereby a rubberlike pad disposed atop the parallelepiped member is secured in a plane parallel with the track bed and elevated relative each of a pair of extant grouters disposed upon the track, whereby a tractable surface is installable covering a track for operation of a particular track machine over ground surfaces otherwise susceptible to damage by operation of the track machine thereupon.

Abstract: A segmented track made of a plurality of elastomeric track segments is disclosed. Each track segment is made of reinforced elastomeric material and is provided, at each end thereof, with a joint element adapted to be connected to the joint element of adjacent track segments. Each track segment generally comprises alternating series of substantially rigid sections and substantially flexible sections. The joint elements of the track segments are substantially located within rigid sections located at the extremities of the track segments. The segment track also comprises inner and outer plates configured to secure the joint elements of adjacent track segments together.

Abstract: A continuous flexible track for extending about a plurality of aligned wheels on a vehicle or track module, the track includes an outer ground-engaging surface and an inner wheel-engaging surface having inwardly-projecting wheel-engaging lugs. Each lug has a proximal end, a distal surface, front and back surfaces and opposite side surfaces. Each lug further includes a flex-groove extending between the side surfaces and from the distal surface toward the proximal end, thereby dividing the lug into two portions to allow around-wheel hinging motion. In most preferred embodiments, a lug-receiving cap may be positioned over and replaceably secured with respect to each lug. A method for prolonging the useful life of such a track is provided.

Abstract: A crawler track device includes a plurality of crawler track pads, each coupled to form a continuous crawler track, wherein each of the plurality of crawler track pads includes at least one mounting hole configured to removably receive at least one of a plurality of caulk devices that each protrude from an upper surface of the crawler track pad.

Abstract: An endless track comprising a plurality of links which are releasably, rotatably coupled together to form an endless track, and wherein each of the links has a male linking end, an opposite female linking end, and an outwardly facing surface, and wherein the male linking end of a first link releasably couples and decouples from the female linking end of an adjacent second link when the angular relationship between the first and second links as measured between the outwardly facing surfaces thereof lies in a range of greater than about 45 degrees to less than about 110 degrees, and wherein the first and second links freely rotate one relative to the other when the angular relationship between the first and second links lies in a range of greater than about 110 degrees to less than about 270 degrees.

Abstract: A detachable crawler (1, 20) capable of increasing the durability thereof on a rubber belt part (4) body side, wherein each of a metal core (6) and a track shoe (21) of a detachable pad (5) is formed so that tightening force in a specific range (approx. 4.90 to 78.5 MPa per unit area) can be applied to a rubber elastic body (4a) including a tensile reinforcing layer (2) sandwiched between a core bar (3) in the rubber belt part (4) and the metal core (6) or steel track shoe (21) of the detachable paid (5).

Abstract: A crawler web for crawler belts of crawler vehicles, in particular for ski slope vehicles or cross-country trackers, is proposed, which is fastened, transversely to the running direction, to mutually parallel bands oriented in the direction of travel. The bands being an elongate basic body which has a sheet-like support connected in the direction of the bands. The object of the invention is to provide a crawler web which can be adapted individually for different applications and can be produced at comparatively low costs. The object is achieved in that the basic body encompasses, in cross section, two side legs with a connecting web arranged between them, at least one side leg approaching the other in such a way that a cutting edge can be inserted between the legs.

Abstract: In the operation of a track type machine in highly abrasive material, premature wear of the track shoes has been a common occurrence. The present invention provides a track shoe that has a grouser that defines a plurality of grooves that extend in a direction that is substantially the same as that of the grouser. The grooves are formed on both the leading and trailing sides of the grouser and are filled with an abrasion resistant material. The grooves are arranged such that the strips of abrasion resistant material on the first side are aligned with the spaces between the strips on the opposite side and vice versa.

Abstract: Endless loops spaced lengthwise of elongated grouser-mounting plates of a tractor endless tread in which each loop includes two side-by-side stretches of wire rope having the interstices between the strands of both wire rope stretches filled with elastomer material, and both stretches of wire rope being embedded in elastomer material integrating the two stretches into a single embedment, the two wire rope loops being secured to the grouser-mounting plates by spaced U-shaped bends of clamping strips bolted to the grouser-mounting plates, and spacer plates bridge between adjacent grouser-mounting plates and make loose tongue-and-groove joints therewith for enabling the grouser-mounting plates and the spacer plates to tilt relatively as the endless tread travels around a tractor wheel, but the straight tread portion of the tread extending between tractor wheels spaced lengthwise of the tractor is substantially inflexible inward.

Abstract: A snowmobile stud (12) having a tip (18) which permits adjustment of the degree of protrusion of the tip beyond the bottom surface (10) of the track (1). The stud (12) can be installed with the aid of a nut (20) placed within an oversized bore (19). Alternatively, the stud (12) can be mounted within an undersized bore (27) without the use of a nut. In either method, an undersized hole is drilled in the existing laterally extending track stiffening bar (7), the hole being enlarged and self tapped by the advancement of the stud (12). The stud (12) may be fully retracted for use on snow or extended to the desired extent for use on ice.