Abstract: A technique for steering a tracked vehicle includes controllably deforming at least a portion of a vehicle's track into a curved shape, causing the vehicle to follow a curve-shaped path as it drives. As the vehicle naturally tends to follow a curved path defined by the track's curvature, steering is accomplished with greatly reduced skidding against the ground.

Abstract: A novel sprocket for a track drive of a mobile robot may allow for some deformation of the track so that the track better conforms to the surface on which the robot travels. The novel sprocket also may prevent excessive track deformation or deflection that may result in undesirable de-tracking.

Abstract: The invention relates to a travel system for cylindrical and/or conical surfaces, in particular for the outer surface or the inner surface of a pipe or mast (1), having: an assembly platform (4a, 4b); a plurality of connected undercarriage elements (6), preferably identical undercarriage elements (6), which form a closed ring in a circumferential direction, in particular together with the assembly platform (4a, 4b) integrated between two undercarriage elements (6); a clamping system (7) which connects at least the undercarriage elements (6) to each other and with which the distance between the connected undercarriage elements (6) can be changed; at least one other undercarriage element (8) which is situated on the assembly platform (4a, 4b) at an axial distance from the ring of connected undercarriage elements (6); wherein at least the undercarriage elements (6) connected to the ring, preferably also the undercarriage element (8) axially spaced therefrom, are each in the form of a continuous track system.

Abstract: A robot R includes a pair of crawler devices 2 supported by a body 1. Each of the crawler devices 2 includes a crawler unit 3 supported by the body 1 such that the crawler unit 3 is rotatable about a first rotational axis L. The crawler unit 3 includes a support 10 extending along the first rotational axis L1 and a pair of crawler parts 20A, 20B mounted on the support 10. Each of the crawler device 2 includes a rolling driving member 46 connected to the support 10 of the crawler unit 3, a rolling motor 60 that rotationally drives the rolling driving member 46, a crawler drive shaft 41 extending along the first rotational axis L1 through a gap between the pair of crawler parts 20A, 20B, a crawler motor 50 that rotationally drives the crawler drive shaft 41 and a torque transmitting mechanism 42 that transmits rotary torque of the crawler drive shaft 41 to the pair of crawler parts 20A, 20B, The crawler motor 50, as well as the rolling motor 60, is disposed outside of the crawler unit 3.

Abstract: A preassembled traction mechanism drive having at least two drive wheels (1, 2) around which an endless traction mechanism (3) is wrapped, and a tensioning device (6) that has a housing (4) and is supported on the internal side of the endless traction mechanism (3). In the housing (4), at least two fixation elements (5) are provided that are fixedly connected to the housing (4) and that fix the drive wheels (1, 2), around which the endless traction mechanism (3) is wrapped, at an operational distance from one another.

Abstract: A steerable track system for steering a vehicle with a main frame and a track includes an undercarriage with pivoting links connected to the main frame; a bendable flexible track to provide a vehicle-surface interface for propelling the vehicle; a plurality of idler wheels which engage the track and are connected to the undercarriage; and a plurality of bogie wheels which engage the track and are connected to the undercarriage.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a wheel replacing traction assembly which uses, for propulsion, a longitudinally extending endless track disposed around and cooperating with a sprocket wheel, idler and/or road wheels and a supporting frame. The endless track generally comprises an inner wheel-engaging surface and an outer ground-engaging surface, the latter being provided with traction lugs. The outer surface further comprises at least one laterally extending portion which also extends along the circumference of the track; the traction lugs located on this laterally extending portion being generally higher than the traction lugs located on the remainder of the outer surface.

Abstract: A gasoline engine powered snowboard having an endless track trained about a support frame containing driven and idler wheels. Engine operation is directed from an upright operator support column. A molded chassis is hinge coupled to pivot about alternative contoured track support pan assemblies. The pan support assemblies cooperate with flexible track surfaces (e.g. fringe or pleat members) and foot supports to enable steering with foot and body movements. A lower support pan exhibits convex edge surfaces that contact track pleats or fringe pieces and includes an elliptic longitudinal channel. Alternative upper support pans provide a reciprocating wheeled steering plate, longitudinal drive lug channels and contoured snow diversion surfaces and/or an agitator. Internal track surfaces include UHMW pieces at or aligned to the drive lugs. Ground contact lugs exhibit traction promoting and snow clearing contoured profiles, shapes and recesses.

Abstract: A gasoline engine powered snowboard having an endless track trained about a support frame containing driven and idler wheels. A molded chassis having a contoured track support pan cooperates with a fringed track and forward and rear foot supports to enable steering with foot and body movements. Engine operation is directed from operator directed servos coupled to the engine. The support pan exhibits a beveled contour and includes a recessed center region. The track is divided into center and right and left fringe portions defined by seriatim, lateral slits. Alternating rows of transverse, laterally offset drive lugs and ground contact lugs project from internal and external surfaces of the track. The drive lugs rotate within a contoured recess provided in the support pan. The ground contacting lugs exhibit contoured thickness profiles and provide transverse horizontal and obtuse extending portions that exhibit elongated, inverted V-shapes.

Abstract: The single-foot drivable skate and skateboard is constituted of the simultaneously steering-driving mechanism, synchronous differential driving mechanism, wheel and board. The simultaneously steering-driving mechanism comprises a universal pedal, the driving-steering rod and the single pole truck. The single pole truck pivotally supports the board with a pivot joint or ball joint. The driving-steering rod slides in the slot passing through the pivotal joint and the truck. The synchronous differential driving mechanism made of the noncontact gripping force or the upper-bounded gripping force includes the engaging drums shifted by the shift screws. The shift screws are knotched at the ends of the crankshaft axis. With the manipulation of a sole or heel, the skate or skateboard can twist the pedal to skate, tread the pedals to skate forward and backward, accelerate, decelerate, free-run, brake, turn right and left.

Abstract: There is disclosed an all-terrain vehicle having a front and a rear body frame connected by an articulated joint for allowing relative lateral oscillation of the frames about an oscillation axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the front body frame and located above both frames. The joint simultaneously allows for relative pivoting movement of the frames about a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the oscillation axis. The vehicle is driven by four pressure-fluid operated motor assemblies of which the motor output shafts are coaxial two-by-two and are mounted to extend laterally outwardly of the frames and on which shafts are operatively mounted endless track assemblies for winter use, particularly, or pneumatic tires. The motors are fed in pressure-fluid by piping connected to pumps actuated by an engine mounted on the front body frame. At least that part of the piping that traverses the body frames, at the articulated joint, is flexible.

Abstract: An endless crawler chain capable of driving machinery across a surface. The endless crawler chain includes a plurality of first links interconnected with a plurality of second links to form the endless chain. Each of the second links has a pair of openings to accommodate adjacent first links. The openings allow the first links to move a predetermined amount in the longitudinal direction thereby allowing the chain to collapse while not under tension. The second links also include a pair of holes for rigidly attaching two halves of a crawler pad to each side of the second link. The entire crawler chain is so designed to be capable of being driven in an orbit to thereby propel the machinery across the surface.

Abstract: A vehicle especially adapted for traveling on snow, which has a single endless track made bendable laterally in order to change direction of travel. The vehicle has a main body assembly which is separated and supported above the track by a special suspension arm. A motor is located in the body assembly, and a drive train is connected between the motor and track. The drive train extends through the suspension arm. The steering control system also passes through the suspension arm and causes the track to flex laterally into a curve in a manner which positions the rider over the flotation centerline of the curved track and thereby maintains balance while negotiating turns. One end of the suspension arm is sprung from the track, and the body is sprung from the other end of the suspension arm.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle having a narrow, single, endless track centrally located and guided about a plurality of wheels which support the vehicle main body. The vehicle main body is comprised of a plurality of body sections, each pivotally connected to one another in series relationship to enable each of the body sections to be laterally bent along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A wheel is suspended from each body section and is captured by the track so that when the vehicle is laterally bent along the longitudinal axis thereof, the endless track is likewise laterally bent, thereby causing the vehicle to change the direction of its course. The track is made from a plurality of series connected cleats. The cleats are made of two pivoted members which admit the endless track to bend concurrently with the pivoting of the body sections. A steering mechanism comprised of diagonal linkages cause each of the body sections to simultaneously move in a pivotal manner.

Abstract: A machine carriage, for example for a mine roof support, has a beam with rounded ends around which an articulated track runs in a guide path which defines lateral clearance at each side of the track on the straight part of the path. The track is guided without play around the rounded ends of the beam.

Abstract: A vehicle or a conveyer has a pair of rolls which are spaced from each other and provided with central axes of rotation situated in a given common plane. An endless belt extends between and is guided around these rolls with this belt having on opposite sides of the above plane a pair of runs which respectively travel in opposite directions during rotation of the pair of rolls. This endless belt has a pair of opposed endless side edge regions and midway between the latter an elongated endless central region which is flexible but substantially non-stretchable. Between the central region and each of its side edge regions the endless belt has a lateral endless elastic portion which is capable of stretching and contracting longitudinally.

Abstract: An endless track structure for a vehicle has opposed side edge regions which are elastic and capable of stretching and contracting. When not mounted on the vehicle, the opposed side edge regions of the endless track structure, in their unstressed condition, have a length shorter than their length when the endless track is mounted on a pair of opposed end rolls of the vehicle. Thus, when mounted on the vehicle the opposed side edge regions of the endless track are stretched to a given degree so as to have an initial prestress therein. Thus, when the vehicle executes a turn, the endless track structure will automatically contract at the inside of the turn while becoming stretched to a greater degree at the outside of the turn.

Abstract: A small, personal, all terrain vehicle is disclosed of the articulated, multi-unit type. A first and second unit, having track members pivotably mounted thereto, are also pivotably and rotatably interconnected to each other. A motor is provided in the second unit for driving the track members of the first and second units. The first unit includes a seat for a driver and a steering mechanism causing the pivoting of the second unit with respect to the first unit. The all terrain vehicle is of a small size, in the preferred embodiment being four feet wide and eight feet long, for the personal transportation of the driver. The all terrain vehicle provides advantageous weight distribution in that the weight of the driver of the all terrain vehicle is located in the first unit to provide substantial traction to the track members of the first unit and the weight of the motor is located in the second unit to provide substantial traction to the track members of the second unit.

Abstract: An amusement device comprising a closed loop formed of a plurality of hingedly connected slats connected at facing edges to permit a user to walk along the top of the loop which moves in an opposite direction or to move the vehicle from inside the loop; another aspect resides in a user supporting roller-sled supported to roll over the lower surface of the interior of the loop to permit riding movement of the device down inclined surfaces while another embodiment employs a composite loop consisting of two relatively movable loops joined by a continuous slide bearing with either loop being movable to provide a steering effect.

Abstract: A vehicle which has a pair of end rolls and an endless track guided around the end rolls is provided at its endless track with a central substantially non-stretchable region cooperating with the endless track structure to render the latter substantially rigid at the ends of the track which extend around the end rolls to prevent any slipping of the track with respect to the end rolls particularly when at least one of the end rolls is swung about an upright axis to enable the vehicle to execute a turn.