Cable Connected Treads Patents (Class 305/40)
  • Patent number: 11913520
    Abstract: Two embodiments of a false tooth limit the damage to a toothed belt and of a bearing layer of a base of the toothed belt, which in general comprises cables or textiles. The false tooth comprises a longitudinal bar and a bushing which extends transversally from the longitudinal bar. In the first embodiment the longitudinal bar is tapered towards a free end of the bushing while in the second embodiment the longitudinal bar is profiled, i.e., has a flank for contacting the toothed belt which is convex towards the outside when viewed in transversal section. The false teeth are advantageously applied on toothed belts comprising grooves which cut the teeth, enabling a reduction of the thickness of the tooth during the winding. A method and a semi-finished workpiece are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Vision Tech S.R.L
    Inventor: Attilio Rubino
  • Patent number: 11383775
    Abstract: Track assemblies (242; 300) for power machines (100; 200) include a track frame (243; 302), including a primary portion (304) and a second portion (306) moveable with respect to the primary portion. A plurality of rollers (248; 316) are positioned along the primary portion of the track frame relative to each other and the center of gravity of the power machine to provide an improved capability to compensate for vibration generated as the power machine moves over a support surface. In some aspects, a portion of a tensioning idler (e.g., 310) is positioned within a cylinder defined by one of the plurality of rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Craig R. Roske, Scott J. LaCoe
  • Patent number: 10793210
    Abstract: Track assemblies for power machines include a track frame, including a primary portion and a second portion moveable with respect to the primary portion. A plurality of rollers are positioned along the primary portion of the track frame relative to each other and the center of gravity of the power machine to provide an improved capability to compensate for vibration generated as the power machine moves over a support surface. In some aspects, a portion of a tensioning idler is positioned within a cylinder defined by one of the plurality of rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Craig R. Roske, Scott J. LaCoe
  • Publication number: 20140225427
    Abstract: A mobile machine track shoe includes a ground engaging surface including a first grouser bar and a second grouser bar substantially parallel to the first grouser bar. The track shoe further includes a base opposite the ground engaging surface. The base includes a first relief disposed opposite the first grouser bar, and a second relief disposed opposite the second grouser bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Meyer, Mark Steven Diekevers, Gregory Jerome Kaufmann, William Jay Ulrich, IV
  • Patent number: 8798576
    Abstract: A revenue management system for telecommunication systems is disclosed. The revenue management system can have multiple integrated modules. The modules can include a revenue generation module, a revenue capture module, a revenue collection module, a revenue intelligence module, and others. The revenue management system can also be configured to simultaneously manage revenue for prepaid, postpaid, now-paid payment models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Jayaprakash Krishnamoorthy, David S. Labuda, James R. Haddock
  • Patent number: 8628151
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for identifying potential short sale transactions that can be bundled or combined to produce a beneficial result to the financial institutions involved. Embodiments are directed to the identification of properties matching certain criteria that make them likely candidates for a short sale transaction. Other embodiments disclosed herein assess the value of identified properties and associated mortgages to facilitate short sale transactions, so that mortgage holders can have an accurate assessment of potential losses involved in short sale and foreclosure situations where multiple mortgages are involved. One embodiment provides an assessment of estimated potential losses realized by secondary mortgage holders and/or losses avoided by primary mortgage holders in proposed short sale situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Corelogic Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Susan Harper Allen, Frank McKenna, Jacqueline Marie Doty
  • Patent number: 8628150
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method that facilitates the more fully informed and efficient trading of items of value, including securities. According to the present invention, certain embodiments permit a customer to determine the merits of and to execute a trade from a single screen. One embodiment of the present invention provides a single option chain trading screen enabling a customer to view a matrix of all available options for a given security, including the various strike prices, expiration dates, and whether they are calls or puts. Another embodiment provides a customer with a single option chain trading screen allowing a customer to “hover” at or near various icons to obtain supplemental information without leaving the trading screen, and use a triple-action selection component to ultimately execute a trade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: optionsXpress Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Kalt
  • Publication number: 20130002009
    Abstract: A mobile machine track shoe includes a ground engaging surface including a first grouser bar and a second grouser bar substantially parallel to the first grouser bar. The track shoe further includes a base opposite the ground engaging surface. The base includes a first relief disposed opposite the first grouser bar, and a second relief disposed opposite the second grouser bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Lee Meyer, Mark Steven Diekevers, Gregory Jerome Kaufmann, William Jay Ulrich, IV
  • Patent number: 7658455
    Abstract: An enhanced traction device for use with a vehicle having dual tandem wheels includes a series of generally parallel track pads, each track pad having an alignment portion and a traction portion defining first and second ends. Each traction portion includes an inner surface for contacting the vehicle wheels and an outer surface for contacting ground. Each alignment portion extends away from a respective traction portion outer surface and is configured to pass between the dual wheels. The alignment portions maintain proper positioning of the track pads upon the dual tandem wheels of the vehicle. The traction device further includes a first chain coupled to each respective track pad first end for maintaining a predetermined spacing between said track pad first ends. Similarly, the traction device includes a second chain coupled to each track pad second end for maintaining a predetermined spacing between the track pad second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. A. Crooks
  • Publication number: 20090102280
    Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to track segments for track vehicles and, more specifically, to a track segment having an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EP(D)M) rubber based backer, and a method of making. In one embodiment, the track segment includes an EP(D)M rubber based backer including a rubber compound having 100 phr EP(D)M rubber wherein the diene component is optionally present, a peroxide curing agent, and one or more acrylic and/or methacrylic coagents. The track segment further includes a track pad and a track body. The track pad and backer cooperate with the track body to define the track segment for use in a track for a track vehicle. The EP(D)M rubber based compound provides a desirable balance of low heat build-up under heavy dynamic cyclic compression conditions, and also has a desirable load carrying capability, high heat resistance, and good cut/tear strength in hot climates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas George Burrowes, Kathy Ann Folk, David Joseph Maguire
  • Patent number: 6030057
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Tyman H. Fikse
  • Patent number: 5741052
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventor: Tyman H. Fikse
  • Patent number: 5641213
    Abstract: The rubber tire traction device comprises two lengths of transversely spaced apart link chains and a plurality of cross members extending between the chains. Each cross member has a central portion to contact a tire tread portion and a pair of end portions, each of which has at least one tongue which is secured to a particular single link. In one embodiment, each end portion of the cross member has a second tongue to provide with the first tongue a pair of outwardly extending tongues, a recess being located between the tongues. One side portion and portions of generally arcuate end portions of the particular single link are secured to edges of the recess. Adjacent links interconnecting the particular link also enclose reinforced portions of the particular link and tongue secured together with sufficient clearance to permit hinging thereabouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: Armand Joseph Arsenault
  • Patent number: 5186526
    Abstract: A one piece crawler pad has a substantially rectangular body portion having first and second narrow ends and first and second major surfaces. The interior space of a centrally located protrusion is sized to receive a portion of a chain link. Bolts passing horizontally through the central protrusion affix the crawler pad to the chain link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: General Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: John H. Pennington
  • Patent number: 5165766
    Abstract: A connection link for coupling together the first and second chain links of a tram chain normally used to propel mobile articulating mining conveyors. The first and second tram chain links are hooked through a "U"-shaped member and are captively held in a relatively static position by a retaining member. The ends of the "U"-shaped member are threaded and extend through the retaining member to engage corresponding fastening nuts to thereby enable the retaining member to be separated from the "U"-shaped member. A tram chain crawler pad, similarly adapted to engage the "U"-shaped member, may also serve as a retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Joy Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Terry M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5020865
    Abstract: An assembly for joining ends of a drive track of an endless track drive system includes at least one connector member or connector member belt situated within the endless drive track, one or two retaining rods situated between abutting ends of the endless drive track, and a master link with a one-piece upper part and a one-piece lower part. The connector member(s) or connector member belt(s) is situated within the endless drive track in such a way that substantially parallel lengths of the connector member(s) or connector member belt(s) extend longitudinally of the endless drive track and loops of the connector member(s) or connector member belt(s) extend from ends of the endless drive track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Edwards, Harper, McNew & Company
    Inventors: John W. Edwards, Daniel R. Harper, Quinton B. McNew
  • Patent number: 5005922
    Abstract: An endless drive track for use on a track vehicle such as a bulldozer includes a plurality of polymeric endless track drive members, each drive member including a first lateral frictional drive face sloping inwardly with respect to a transverse direction of the endless drive track at a first angle with respect to horizontal and a second lateral frictional drive face sloping inwardly with respect to the transverse direction of the endless drive track at a second angle with respect to horizontal, and a reinforcement member for connecting the drive members to one another to form an endless track. Each drive member of the endless track preferably includes first and second lateral frictional drive faces sloping inwardly toward one another at the first angle with respect to horizontal and third and fourth lateral frictional drive faces, above the first and second drive faces, sloping inwardly toward one another at the second angle with respect to horizontal, the second angle being greater than the first angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Edwards, Harper, McNew & Company
    Inventors: John W. Edwards, Daniel R. Harper, Quinton B. McNew
  • Patent number: 4863420
    Abstract: A sprocket and drive assembly for a tracked vehicle which includes individual track segments. Each track segment includes a rounded portion in the form of a number of spheres or a single cylinder, which is secured to an endless cable. The sprocket has a number of circumferential recesses in the form of cylindrical troughs or concave pockets. Rotation of the sprocket drives the track segments via the drive members which are engaged within the complementary shaped recesses of the sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventor: Jessie T. Ivy
  • Patent number: 4861120
    Abstract: A modular endless track drive system for use on a track vehicle such as a bulldozer is made up of a number of polymeric drive modules interconnected with polymeric master links. Each drive module includes a plurality of drive members with lateral frictional drive faces for engagement with a drive wheel, each master link having similarly configured drive faces. The drive wheel is provided with drive surfaces shaped to match the shape of the lateral drive faces on the drive modules and master links and/or a sprocket for engaging with additional drive faces on the drive modules and master links. A drive module is made by molding a polymeric multiple drive member structure atop a plurality of base portions, encasing one or more connecting members therein with their ends exposed. The master links are made in a similar fashion, but with upper and lower base portion parts for fastening the drive module connector members therebetween to form an endless track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Edwards, Harper, McNew & Company
    Inventors: John W. Edwards, Daniel R. Harper, Quinton B. McNew
  • Patent number: 4844560
    Abstract: An assembly for joining ends of a drive track of an endless track drive system includes at least one connector member or connector member belt situated within the endless drive track, one or two retaining rods situated between abutting ends of the endless drive track, and a master link with a one-piece upper part and a one-piece lower part. The connector member(s) or connector member belt(s) is situated within the endless drive track in such a way that substantially parallel lengths of the connector member(s) or connector member belt(s) extend longitudinally of the endless drive track and loops of the connector member(s) or connector member belt(s) extend from ends of the endless drive track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Edwards, Harper, McNew & Company
    Inventors: John W. Edwards, Daniel R. Harper, Quinton B. McNew
  • Patent number: 4752105
    Abstract: A resiliently flexible endless articulated track member for a vehicle includes a series of transverse track elements held together bead-fashion in abutting relationship under compression by a plurality of tensile core elements under tension. The said track elements are of taper section defined by taper sides which converge inwardly of the tensile core element to permit resilient flexing of the track member around a drive or guide wheel. Adjacent transverse track elements have pressure faces disposed outwardly of the tensile core element, the said pressure faces being adapted in use to abut against each other, to limit reverse bending of the track member under load. The tensile core elements are in the form of endless steel wire ropes, accommodated in seats defined by resilient seat members. The track elements are made up of inner and outer parts. Clamp members are provided to clamp the inner and outer parts and their resilient seat members together, around the tensile core elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Inventor: Jan H. Barnard
  • Patent number: 4645273
    Abstract: A flexor for an endless track includes a tensile load-carrying core encapsulated in an elastomeric case and being in the form of a single plate wrapped lengthwise by a core having a tensile pre-load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: William P. Wohlford, LaVern B. Hovenga
  • Patent number: 4616883
    Abstract: An endless drive system suitable for use, for example, as a tracked vehicle drive system, an endless belt or an endless chain drive system. A number of endless drive sections are interconnected by cable connector sections. The cable connector sections include cables which can be encased in rubber. The cables can be provided with end retaining members which aid in retaining the cable connector sections and the endless drive sections together and which prevent expanding, fraying or unwinding of the cable ends. Special end retaining members can be utilized to aid self-alignment of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Edwards, Harper, McNew and Company
    Inventors: John W. Edwards, Daniel R. Harper, Quinton B. McNew
  • Patent number: 4615567
    Abstract: A flexor having its opposite ends clamped between respective link and grouser of adjacent track link sections includes a tensile load carrying core in the form of a pair of thin, generally rectangular plates. The ends of the plates where clamping bolts pass through are reinforced by a thickened section which diminishes in a direction toward the center of the plates. The opposite outer surfaces defined by the reinforcement is parabolic and terminates adjacent the midpoint between the opposite ends of the flexor. The reinforcements control the bending of the flexor so that the bend is a smooth circular curve, having the largest radius possible for a given length of flexor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: William P. Wohlford, Nicolae V. Orlandea
  • Patent number: 4569561
    Abstract: An endless drive system suitable for use, for example, as a tracked vehicle drive system, an endless belt or an endless chain drive system. A number of endless drive sections are interconnected by cable connector sections. The cable connector sections include cables which can be encased in rubber. The cables can be provided with end retaining members which aid in retaining the cable connector sections and the endless drive sections together and which prevent expanding, fraying or unwinding of the cable ends. Special end retaining members can be utilized to aid self-alignment of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: Edwards, Harper, McNew and Company
    Inventors: John W. Edwards, Daniel R. Harper, Quinton B. McNew
  • Patent number: 4451097
    Abstract: A track-laying tractor drive track is composed of a plurality of sections which each include a link and a grouser bolted together in sandwiching relationship to a pair of side-by-side disposed flexors. The flexors each include a plurality of superposed, resilient plates encased in an elastomeric material. A lost motion connection between the plates and the link and grouser acts such that tensile loads are simultaneously carried by at least two plates both when the flexor is flat and when the flexor is bent without the plates becoming overstressed when bent. Each link includes first and second transverse bars respectively, adapted for entering adjacent receptacles formed by the teeth of a drive sprocket. A wear cap is held in place on the first transverse bar by adjacent grousers of the track while the second transverse bar includes teeth for cleaning material from the sprocket receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: William P. Wohlford
  • Patent number: 4438982
    Abstract: A ground-engaging contact-element for endless-track vehicles in which the tracks comprise two separate drawing-elements (3) that run in parallel over wheels. A number of the contact-elements (1) are arranged between the drawing-elements (3). Each contact-element (1) is made of flexible material so that they are flexible as well in the driving direction as in the transverse direction. The corners of each element (1) are attached to a separate link (4) in the drawing-element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: Gislaved Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Helge Pettersson
  • Patent number: 3973807
    Abstract: A wire cable chain in which spaced links are connected by wire cables. Resilient cushion structures are provided extending between each pair of adjacent links. Each link has a transverse groove on the cushion structure side and each cushion structure has a metal flange at each of the fore and aft edges insertable in one end of said groove and slidable in the groove into fully inserted position. An abutment stops each cushion structure in inserted position in the chain and cams on the cushion structure cooperate with abutment shoulders on the chain links to lock each cushion structure in inserted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1976
    Assignee: DIEHL
    Inventors: Otto Korner, Fritz Benninghoff, Klaus Spies
  • Patent number: 3954308
    Abstract: A divisible guiding and connector arrangement for track laying chains of track laying vehicles, in which tubular bodies surrounding sections of successive chain bolts between the pertaining chain links are vulcanized onto the aforementioned chain bolt sections. The tubular bodies are firmly interconnected by connecting means, e.g., by screw means or by clamping elements interconnected by screw means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1976
    Assignee: Diehl
    Inventors: Otto Korner, Klaus Spies