Plural Lugs Or Projections Patents (Class 305/174)
  • Patent number: 10479426
    Abstract: A rubber crawler including: an endless belt shaped rubber belt; a main cord layer that is disposed within the rubber belt, that is configured by plural main cords extending along a crawler peripheral direction and arranged side-by-side in a crawler width direction, and that is formed with an overlapping portion where both end, sides in the crawler peripheral direction overlap one another in a crawler thickness direction; and a stretching and contracting portion that is formed at the overlapping portion of the main cords, and is capable of stretching and contracting more in the crawler peripheral direction than other portions of the main cords, wherein the stretching and contracting portion includes a curved portion where the main cords are curved with an amplitude in the crawler width direction as viewed along the crawler thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuichi Matsuo, Kiyoshi Ikehara
  • Patent number: 9381959
    Abstract: A rubber crawler having a metal core which comprises metal core extensions formed at predetermined intervals along the lengthwise direction of the metal core of the rubber crawler, thereby avoiding the phenomenon of wheel separation which occurs during crawler operation Wherein the metal core extensions are assembled on the mutually opposite surfaces of which are inclined at a predetermined angle, and the overlapped portion (center portion) surfaces of the metal core extensions are formed to have an angle of inclination to each other, thereby supporting the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis displacements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: DONG-IL RUBBER BELT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Ho Park, Kyu Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 9290218
    Abstract: Providing a crawler core member that can be coupled in a simple operation without employing dedicated coupling components, and that can suppress deformation due to input from a road surface. Coupling can be achieved by a simple operation without employing dedicated coupling components, and deformation due to input from a road surface can be suppressed in a crawler core member 20 that configures an endless crawler belt 13 when plural of the core members are disposed at uniform intervals along a peripheral direction S and the peripheral direction adjacent core members 20 are coupled together. The core member 20 includes a pin portion 22 extending in the width direction, a hooking groove 34 integrally formed to the pin portion 22 and hooking onto the pin portion 22 of an adjacent core member 20, and a pair of wing portions 30 integrally formed to the pin portion 22 and respectively disposed at both width direction sides of the pin portion 22, extending towards the width direction outsides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Mizusawa
  • Patent number: 9004618
    Abstract: An endless track for a track assembly providing traction to a work vehicle (e.g., an agricultural vehicle, a construction vehicle, etc.). The endless track comprises an elastomeric carcass having an inner side for facing wheels of the work vehicle and a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground. The endless track has a lug replacement capability to facilitate replacement of one or more drive/guide lugs on the inner side and/or one or more traction lugs on the ground-engaging outer side or portions of these lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Camoplast Solideal, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Delisle, François Leblanc, Patrice Boily, Martin Lunkenbein, Greg Thody, Dewaine Kautsch, Jeff Staab, Martin Denis, Jake Dalphond
  • Patent number: 8936324
    Abstract: A cross-link for a track that comprises belts spaced apart to accommodate a plurality of wheels of a tracked vehicle on which the track is mounted, the belts having a ground-facing side. In one embodiment, the cross-link comprises an elongate member for mounting to the belts to interconnect the belts, the elongate member having a belt-engaging face contacting the belts on the ground-facing side when the elongate member is mounted to the belts. The elongate member defines a channel including a bottom portion and a pair of sidewalls opposite one another on either side of the bottom portion. The cross-link also comprises a sole mountable in the channel for engaging a ground surface on which the tracked vehicle travels, the sole comprising a pair of sidewall-engaging surfaces for engaging the sidewalls when the sole is mounted in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Snowgrolic S.A R.L.
    Inventors: Francois Paquet, Amine Khimjee, Patrick Bernard
  • Patent number: 8708432
    Abstract: A drive track of a tracked vehicle includes a belt having an inner side and an outer side. The belt has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. The inner side has a plurality of internal lugs forming at least one longitudinal row. The outer side has a plurality of external lugs forming a plurality of lateral rows. The plurality of lateral rows is disposed at a first pitch from each other. The plurality of internal lugs of the at least one longitudinal row is disposed so as to form a repeating sequence where some consecutive internal lugs are disposed at a second pitch from each other, and other consecutive internal lugs are disposed at a third pitch from each other. The second pitch is smaller than at least one of the first pitch and the third pitch. A sprocket wheel and drive track assembly is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Sébastien Pard
  • Patent number: 8567876
    Abstract: The tracks of the present invention utilize cut pieces of reinforcement which are associated with each individual drive lug. By using individual pieces the lugs can be easily built up with multiple layers of rubber and reinforcement. The cut pieces can be strategically shaped and placed to optimize their effect to realize improved performance and durability of the track. Incorporation of such inner fabric reinforcement layers adds stiffness to the lugs and thereby increases the torque capacity of the track. Additional layers also provide increased damage resistance after the outer layers of fabric are worn away, and added layers improve wear resistance on the sides of the lugs due to undercarriage misalignment and track-to-wheel contact when the vehicle turns during normal operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Veyance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Alan Wellman
  • Patent number: 8398181
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to the configuration of the inner surface of a traction band which increases the protection of the embedded reinforcing elements without reducing the flexibility of the band or increasing the generation of heat. The outer surface of the band generally comprises a plurality traction lugs while the inner surface generally comprises a plurality of drive and/or guide lugs. According to the present invention, each group of traction lugs, drive lugs and guide lugs, which are generally laterally aligned, defines generally non-flexible lug areas and each of these lug areas are separated by flexible and generally lug-less hinge areas. The lug areas, on the inner surface thereof, further comprise projections located between the drive lugs and the guide lugs and along the wheel paths defined therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Soucy International Inc.
    Inventors: Rémi Breton, Danny Roy, François Duquette
  • Patent number: 8186774
    Abstract: A rubber track (1) has formed in it simple means that can carry a part of abnormal tensile force acting on substantially the entire length in the circumferential direction of the rubber track (1). The construction secures smooth operation of the rubber track and reliably prevents cutting of a steel cord (s1) due to such abnormal tensile force. A core (3) has an engagement section (3b) located in the center region in the longitudinal direction of the core, guide projections (3a) on the outer sides of the guide projections (3a). The core (3) further has tensile force carrying sections (4a, 4b) arranged at positions that are located in the thickness direction of the core and are closer to the outer periphery of the rubber track than the outer peripheral-side d-surfaces of the wing sections (3c). The tensile force carrying sections (4a, 4b) carry tensile force acting in the lateral direction of the core and also carry pressing force acting in the thickness direction of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Fukuyama Gomu Kogyo Kabushiki Gaisha
    Inventors: Yusaku Kato, Tatsuya Norito
  • Patent number: 7914090
    Abstract: This invention relates to an endless elastomeric traction band that is used to propel tracked vehicles. The traction band generally comprises a main body defining an outer ground-engaging surface and an inner wheel-engaging surface. The outer surface is generally provided with ground-engaging traction lugs. The inner surface of the traction band is preferably provided with one or more row of longitudinally aligned guide lugs and one or more rows of longitudinally aligned drive lugs. Additionally, guide lug reinforcements are inserted into said guide lugs and said band body to laterally reinforce the guide lugs and minimize de-tracking occurrences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Soucy International Inc.
    Inventors: Gilles Soucy, Marc Delisle, André Deland
  • Publication number: 20080272648
    Abstract: A highly durable elastic crawler with a tensile cord having both ends thereof overlapped mutually in a crawler body thus being circumferentially wound around the crawler is provided. An elastic crawler includes; a crawler body including an endless belt-like elastic body; metal cores embedded in the crawler body, each of the metal cores including vanes and arranged at predetermined intervals circumferentially; and tensile cords transversely arranged, wound around the outer circumference side of the vanes, and embedded in the crawler body while vicinity portions of both ends of the tensile cords are overlapped mutually. An inner circumference side end is arranged at an outer circumference side of any one of the vanes. The distance between the vicinity portion of the inner circumference side end and the outer circumference side portion of the tensile cord overlapped there is increased from the vicinity portion toward the inner circumference side end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Satoru Kondo, Yoshio Ueno
  • Patent number: 7416266
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sprocket wheel used with endless tracks used to propel heavy track laying vehicles [i.e., vehicles which use endless tracks rather than tires to contact the terrain over which they are driven, e.g., tractors, tanks, bulldozers, etc.] and, more particularly, to an improved polymer sprocket wheel allowing the endless track to be driven more efficiently at highway speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Soucy International Inc.
    Inventors: Gilles Soucy, Claude Faucher, André Deland, Marc Delisle
  • Patent number: 7131709
    Abstract: A core bar for a rubber crawler includes: right and left wing parts; an engaging part for connecting the wing parts; right and left protrusions to guide a rolling wheel; and right and left outside rails that are formed on outer sides of the right and left protrusions, respectively, and have overhanging parts extending in the widthwise direction of the wing part. The overhanging part is formed on an edge portion thereof with a surface that slants downward from a top surface of the outside rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Ueno
  • Patent number: 6805416
    Abstract: A core bar for a rubber crawler includes: right and left wing parts; an engaging part for connecting the wing parts; right and left protrusions to guide a rolling wheel; and right and left outside rails that are formed on outer sides of the right and left protrusions, respectively, and have overhanging parts extending in the widthwise direction of the wing part. The overhanging part is formed on an edge portion thereof with a surface that slants downward from a top surface of the outside rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Ueno
  • Patent number: 6322172
    Abstract: An endless belt for use with a heavy duty track vehicle comprises a body made of polymeric material wherein a series of longitudinally spaced guide members are integrally formed to the inner surface thereof while two rows of longitudinally spaced tread members are integrally formed to the outer surface thereof. Each tread member in each row has an outer edge area adjacent the outer edge of the body and an inner edge area terminating substantially at mid-section of the body. Each tread member of the first row is longitudinally offset relative to an adjacent tread member of the second row. Each inner edge area of the tread members is in vertical alignment with a corresponding one of the guide members of the inner surface of the body. This particular geometry of tread members and drive members is such as to reduce slitting damages to the track when driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Camoplast, Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Lussier
  • Patent number: 6176557
    Abstract: An inner periphery driving type rubber crawler comprises: a plurality of core metals buried in series in the rubber crawler along the longitudinal direction thereof such that the longer sides of each core metal are in parallel with the transverse direction of the crawler; a plurality of steel cords buried in the rubber crawler such that they surround the outer periphery of the core metals; a pair of horns which protrude from each core metal toward the inner side of the rubber crawler and which have a shape longer in said transverse direction than said longitudinal direction; and rubber members which cover sides of said horn in said longitudinal direction. The paired horns and the associated rubber members form a pair of driving protrusions. A sprocket of a driving wheel is inserted between the driving protrusions and is engaged with the protrusions via driving pins for transferring driving force to the rubber crawler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Ono
  • Patent number: 5813733
    Abstract: The present invention is a metal core member for a rubber crawler belt, the rubber crawler belt, and a method of winding the same, and can prevent fall-off of the crawler belt, resulting from a flange portion of an idler wheel running on a rail surface of the metal core member. For this purpose, the metal core members (10, 20), which are buried equidistantly in the rubber crawler belt (5), are equipped with guide slopes for facilitating entry of the flange portion (4a) of the idler wheel at the time of a vehicle reversing, on the inner side surfaces of a pair of protuberances (13, 14, 23, 24) provided at the central portion of the rubber crawler belt (5) in its transverse direction. The slope angle (.theta.) of the guide slopes is in the range of 5.degree. to 15.degree., and the length (L.sub.R) of the guide slope is preferably as great as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Hori, Ryuichi Saiga
  • Patent number: 5593218
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly elastic rubber crawler mounted on a mobile working machine, the crawler having improved durability, easily passing around a drive wheel and inflicting no damage on a paved road surface. Specifically, a highly elastic rubber crawler defines engageable holes in the main body of the crawler into which the tops of teeth of a drive wheel are fitted, engageable portions between engageable holes for meshing with the roots of the teeth of the drive wheel, projections at both sides of the engageable portion for preventing the drive wheel from falling off the crawler, and lugs projecting from an outer peripheral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Fukuyama Gomu Kogyo Kabushiki Gaisha
    Inventors: Yusaku Katoh, Tsuyoshi Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 5522654
    Abstract: A core bar of a rubber crawler has right and left wing portions, an engaging part at the longitudinal center thereof, protruding parts to prevent disengagements of a wheel, the protruding parts projecting upwardly from the wing portions with a fixed height on both ends of the engaging part, and at least one horizontal projection provided within a width of the protruding part on respective widthwise side faces of a core bar, the horizontal projection protruding at almost the same level as the wing portions in a direction perpendicular to the widthwise side faces of the core bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Fukuyama Gomu Kogyo Kabushiki Gaisha
    Inventor: Yusaku Katoh
  • Patent number: 5522655
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber crawler wherein a core bar having an engaging part at the central position along its length is provided with at least one horizontal projection to each of widthwise side faces of the engaging part at the almost same level as wing portions of the core bar, said horizontal projections projecting in a direction normal to the side faces of the core bar, said core bars are embedded in the crawler main body at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the crawler so that confronting horizontal projections overlap each other in a widthwise direction of the core bar 1, and tips of the confronting horizontal projections between the embedded core bars are in a three-dimensionally overlapped state in which they overlap each other over a certain length thereof in left and right directions as well as upward and downward directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Fukuyama Gomu Kogyo Kabushiki Gaisha
    Inventor: Yusaku Katoh