Abstract: An endless track drive that can be coupled to a vehicle includes a plurality of track feet wherein each track foot is adapted to periodically contact a surface on which the vehicle is to travel as the endless track drive is rotated. At least one spring is coupled to each track foot. The spring(s) apply a biasing force to the track foot that positions the track foot in a neutral position relative to the endless track drive when the track foot is not in contact with the surface. The biasing force is less than a frictional force experienced by the track foot when the track foot is in contact with the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber crawler in which tooth skipping does not occur even if a large load acts on a rubber protrusion (5), and in which surface pressure on the rubber protrusion (5) is reduced. The coreless rubber crawler includes an endless rubber elastic body, a tensile material (3) buried in the longitudinal direction thereof, a rubber lug (4) formed at an outer circumferential surface of the rubber elastic body, and rubber protrusions (5) further formed at an inner circumferential surface of the rubber elastic body at a constant pitch in the longitudinal direction thereof, wherein raised step portions (6a) are formed to the right and left of the rubber protrusions (5) in the width direction of the rubber crawler, and a linear groove (7a) is formed between raised step portions that are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the rubber crawler so as to be continuous to base portions of the rubber protrusions when the rubber elastic body is seen in side view.

Abstract: An endless track is composed of a plurality of link sections embodying flexors which interconnect and permit flexure between adjacent links. Connected between confronting ends of the link sections outboard of the flexors are torsional restraint assemblies which include a combination of rigid and elastomeric members which resist forces tending to twist the flexors or tending to bend the flexors into an S-shape while permitting flexure between adjacent links about a normal center of articulation, as when the track passes around a drive sprocket, for example.

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.

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.

Abstract: The respective ends of the link and grouser of a track link section are shaped so that an enlarged middle portion of a flexor extending between adjacent track link sections is embraced by the link and grouser ends in such a way that the radius of flexure of the flexor is controlled and such that no open volumes ever exist, between the flexor and link and grouser ends, which would allow debris to enter and alter the desired controlled radius of flexure.

Abstract: Connecting elements for crawler track vehicle chains constructed pursuant to the dually-hinged pin principle, wherein the connector is arranged interiorly of the chain members. The connectors consists of two clamps each having arms which can be inserted offset into each other, and which are fastenable by means of screw connection to the link pins of adjacent chain link members, each clamp encompassing respectively one link pin and form-fittingly fixed thereto, the link pin having a cross-section in at least the region of the connectors deviating from a circular cross-section, and wherein the clamps lockingly interengage in each other.

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 bolts passing through holes provided adjacent the ends of the flexors. The flexors are generally flat rectangular members and the link and grouser have generally flat mounting surfaces which engage the opposite sides of the flexors adjacent their ends. A given flexor may be replaced by removing the bolts associated therewith and by then dislodging the flexor sideways from between the link and grouser. The neighboring flexor to the one removed keeps the track held together so that replacement may be accomplished without the need of tools to hold the track together.

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.

Abstract: A track section of a track-laying tractor drive track includes a track link having a sprocket-engageable member defined by a base in the form of a generally semi-cylindrical bar and a wear cap removably received on the bar. The wear cap is in the form of a cylindrical segment having its opposite ends separated by more than 180 degrees and when mounted in place on the base, the opposite ends of the wear cap are respectively located in close proximity to a grouser removably secured to the track link and adapted to be located in close proximity to a grouser of an adjacent link whereby the wear cap is retained in position as long as the grousers are in position.

Abstract: A track section of an endless traction drive track includes a track link including a wear component including rail portions for engaging support rollers and a sprocket-engaging portion for being engaged by the track drive sprocket. The track link includes a base portion, and the track link is secured to a grouser so that end portions of a pair of rectangular flexors are sandwiched between the link and grouser. The base and wear components are releasably held together by some of the fasteners which secure the track link and grouser together so that the wear component may be replaced without requiring the breaking of the drive track.

Abstract: A connecting spike (16, 17, 18) is used for flexibly interconnecting two chain links (1, 2) of a track, specifically for tanks. The spike comprises a metal bolt (8) with a vulcanized-on rubber sheathing (13). On inserting spike (16) into bores (5) of chain links (1, 2), it is elastically deformed. Sheathing (13) is one-part developed and has thicker and thinner points (14 resp. 15), the material strengths of which are higher (S.sub.o) resp. lower (S.sub.2) than is the difference between the radius of bolt (8) and that of bores (5). This improvement provides increased life and reduced chain expansion because the connecting spike completely fills up the bores.