Abstract: A grouser assembly is selectively attachable to an endless track having a carcass, side edges and traction lugs. The grouser assembly includes a body having top and bottom faces. The body includes a recess defined in the bottom face that is shaped to receive a traction lug of the endless track. The grouser assembly further includes ground-contacting projections connected to the body and extending away from the top face, and first and second attachment assemblies connected to the body. The second attachment assembly has an attached configuration and a released configuration, and is positioned relative to the first attachment assembly such that when (i) the traction lug is received in the recess, (ii) the first attachment assembly attaches the grouser assembly to the carcass, and (iii) the second attachment assembly is in the attached configuration, the second attachment assembly attaches the grouser assembly to the endless track.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a caterpillar track wheel with division of work between track and chain, methods for fitting unit track with flexible chain ring, methods for buffering prestress, and an open-dose type axle housing. Since a structure that each unit track is separated from a flexible chain ring is adopted, the thickness of the unit tracks does not influence the winding stress of the flexible chain ring and the unit tracks without thickness limitation can effectively disperse stress from the ground to more supporting wheels. Since the thinner flexible chain ring is only responsible for serially connecting the unit tracks and transmitting power, the winding stress and the tension change are reduced.

Abstract: A track shoe is disclosed for use with a mobile machine. The track shoe may have a base plate with an inner surface and an outer surface, and a grouser bar extending from the outer surface away from the base plate. The track shoe may also have a vibration damping coating applied to opposing ends of the base plate at the inner surface. The vibration damping coating may have a thickness about equal to a thickness of the base plate.

Abstract: A track for a snow groomer having a plurality of grousers spaced apart, extending crosswise to the traveling direction of the track, and each having a grip portion configured to grip the terrain, and a blunt edge opposite the grip portion. A chain is connected to the blunt edges of the grousers so as to be engaged, in use, by a drive sprocket of a snow groomer.

Abstract: A replaceable wear pad apparatus for a crawler track of a construction machine includes an elongated reinforcing element having first and second sides. The reinforcing element includes first and second holes disposed therethrough and includes first and second polygonal cross section sockets defined therein on the first side of the reinforcing element co-axial with the first and second holes, respectively, each socket including a socket floor and multiple sides. First and second polygonal cross section nuts are received in the first and second sockets, each nut having a threaded bore co-axial with one of the holes. A wear pad is molded from a wear pad material, the reinforcing element and the nuts being embedded in the molded wear pad material so that the wear pad material holds the nuts in place within the sockets.

Abstract: A track for a snow groomer having a plurality of grousers spaced apart, extending crosswise to the traveling direction of the track, and each having a grip portion configured to grip the terrain, and a blunt edge opposite the grip portion. A chain is connected to the blunt edges of the grousers so as to be engaged, in use, by a drive sprocket of a snow groomer.

Abstract: A replaceable track pad for use on a track chain of a crawler-type tracked machine reduces damage to a travel surface while providing traction and support to the tracked machine. The replaceable track pad includes a tread supported by a backing plate. The replaceable track pad may be mounted to a track link on a track chain using a mounting plate, forming a track pad mounting assembly. The mounting plate includes a substantially flat mounting surface. A worn or damaged track pad may be removed from the track chain without removing the mounting plate. The worn track pad can be refurbished by removing the worn tread material from the backing plate and attaching a new tread to the backing plate.

Abstract: A replaceable wear pad for a crawler track of a tracked vehicle includes base plates for fastening thereto wear pads in a detachable manner, the wear pad includes a tread and a bottom side lying opposite to the tread and facing the base plate, the wear pad containing at least one reinforcing element, and the reinforcing element being molded-in by the wear pad material, the reinforcing element includes at least two holes and the wear pad includes cavities that run coaxially to the holes of the reinforcing element and, coming from the bottom side, end above the reinforcing element and at a distance to the same with the cavities serving the purpose of accommodating fastening devices which are fastened to the reinforcing element of the wear pad.

Abstract: A traction chain assembly for providing improved traction to elastomeric tracks is provided. The traction chain assembly comprises two side brackets adapted to be mounted on each side of the track and generally to the drive lugs thereof. The traction chain assembly further comprises generally two laterally extending chains which are attached to the side brackets and which further extend at least partially over the traction lugs located on the outer surface of the track and over which the assembly is disposed. Some of the chain links of the chains of the traction chain assembly are also generally equipped with outwardly projecting grousers for increasing the traction thereof.

Abstract: A replaceable wear pad apparatus for a crawler track of a construction machine includes an elongated reinforcing element having first and second sides. The reinforcing element includes first and second holes disposed therethrough and includes first and second polygonal cross section sockets defined therein on the first side of the reinforcing element co-axial with the first and second holes, respectively, each socket including a socket floor and multiple sides. First and second polygonal cross section nuts are received in the first and second sockets, each nut having a threaded bore co-axial with one of the holes. A wear pad is molded from a wear pad material, the reinforcing element and the nuts being embedded in the molded wear pad material so that the wear pad material holds the nuts in place within the sockets.

Abstract: A replaceable wear pad for a crawler track of a tracked vehicle includes base plates for fastening thereto wear pads in a detachable manner, the wear pad includes a tread and a bottom side lying opposite to the tread and facing the base plate, the wear pad containing at least one reinforcing element, and the reinforcing element being moulded-in by the wear pad material, the reinforcing element includes at least two holes and the wear pad includes cavities that run coaxially to the holes of the reinforcing element and, coming from the bottom side, end above the reinforcing element and at a distance to the same with the cavities serving the purpose of accommodating fastening devices which are fastened to the reinforcing element of the wear pad.

Abstract: A shoe for an endless track has an internal frame with an elastomeric coating. The frame includes tubular supports to receive a pivot pin for interconnection of adjacent shoes. The pin is located within the tubular supports by elastomeric bushings that accommodate relative pivotal movement by torsional deflection.

Abstract: A segment structure mounted on a wheel or an endless rubber track for increasing the driving force of off-road vehicles, civil engineering machines or construction machines is disclosed. A segment of a rubber elastic material mounted on the outer periphery of the wheels or the endless rubber track includes a bottom section adapted to be in contact with the wheel or the endless rubber track, a hollow section formed in the segment along the width of the wheel or the endless rubber track, and a stopper erected into the hollow section from the bottom section. The inner surface of the hollow section and the stopper are kept out of contact with each other under a static load.

Abstract: A crawler block rubber pad for a crawler which has an endless path of movement and which is used for a vehicle. Links are axially supported and connected by pins in an endless shape, and crawler blocks are attached to outer surfaces of the links. In the crawler block rubber pad, a rubber pad is formed integrally, by vulcanization and adhesion, to an outer side surface of a crawler block and to end portions of the crawler block as seen from a longitudinal direction of the links. Preferably, the rubber pad is vulcanized and adhered to both end portions of the crawler block in the longitudinal direction of the links.Even if a small stone or the like becomes caught in a space between crawler blocks which space widens when the crawler is trained around an idler or the like, because a thickness of rubber material is provided so as to be larger than a radius of a small stone, no unwanted force is applied to the pins and the links.

Abstract: A segment structure mounted on a wheel or an endless rubber track for increasing the driving force of off-road vehicles, civil engineering machines or construction machines is disclosed. A segment of a rubber elastic material mounted on the outer periphery of the wheels or the endless rubber track includes a bottom section adapted to be in contact with the wheel or the endless rubber track, a hollow section formed in the segment along the width of the wheel or the endless rubber track, and a stopper erected into the hollow section from the bottom section. The inner surface of the hollow section and the stopper are kept out of contact with each other under a static load.

Abstract: Magnets 1 are pressed against a vehicle body (side plates, a rotary shaft, a supporting beam 12 of springs 10, etc.), which travels on an endless track comprising the magnets 1, a chain 5, etc., by auxiliary wheels 9 having a plurality of springs 10 which are different from a chain driving wheels 6a of the endless track, and also suspension function is given between each magnet 1 and the chain 5 by springs 4. When the idler wheels 8a with gears are pressed against the vehicle body by springs 8c, slacks are generated in the endless track in front of the traveling direction, thereby improving the traveling performance for traveling on the traveling surface having an uneven spot or curvatures. Further, a plurality of endless tracks each capable of traveling independently are combined to constitute the traveling device, which form the endless track magnetic traveling device fit for various uses.

Abstract: The present invention is an elastic-bodied crawler plate and crawler band which have a service life substantially equal to that of an integral rubber crawler band and are convenient to replace at the time when damaged or the like. To this end, an elastic-bodied crawler plate (10) integrally formed by embedding a core body (2) in an elastic body (1), is constructed so that a side surface in a longitudinal direction of a link is defined by an inversely-warped initial contact surface (1d) which extends from a link mounting surface side to a ground contacting surface side, and a subsequent contact surface (1e), which connects an end of the ground contacting surface side of the inversely-warped initial contact surface (1d) and an end of a ground surface (11). Further, an endless crawler band (100) is connected so as to provide a specified space (e) between rectangular parallelepiped elastic bodies (1A) of adjacent elastic-bodied crawler plates (10a, 10b).

Abstract: A crawler link used in an endless track vehicle having monolithic shoe portions made of iron and an elastomer. The link comprises a shoe portion, a bush, rails and hinge eyelets, and is cast in one piece to avoid the disassembling of components during replacement. An elastomer portion, with tapered surfaces for efficient gripping and traction, is directly applied by vulcanization to the lower surface of the shoe portion of the link.

Abstract: A crawler block rubber pad for a crawler which has an endless path of movement and which is used for a vehicle. Links are axially supported and connected by pins in an endless shape, and crawler blocks are attached to outer surfaces of the links. In the crawler block rubber pad, a rubber pad is formed integrally, by vulcanization and adhesion, to an outer side surface of a crawler block and to end portions of the crawler block as seen from a longitudinal direction of the links. Preferably, the rubber pad is vulcanized and adhered to both end portions of the crawler block in the longitudinal direction of the links. Even if a small stone or the like becomes caught in a space between crawler blocks which space widens when the crawler is trained around an idler or the like, because a thickness of rubber material is provided so as to be larger than a radius of a small stone, no unwanted force is applied to the pins and the links.

Abstract: An improved unit having a base and a plurality of teeth integral with the base and projecting outwardly therefrom. The teeth and base are formed of a suitable elastomeric material, such as natural rubber or urethane rubber. The teeth have conical outer surface and V-shaped notches or openings between adjacent teeth. The teeth have flat, angled surfaces. There are two rows of teeth on each base, respectively, and the teeth are aligned with each other front to back. The base is beveled so that each tooth will have maximum area at the root thereof.

Abstract: A long life rubber grousered track shoe for track-type machines is disclosed. The track shoe has a steel shoe portion and a rubber grouser portion that is molded in situ to the steel shoe portion between a pair of steel grouser bars to protect the rubber grouser from undue shear loads.

Abstract: An armored tracked vehicle is provided with traction-increasing grousers and a remotely controllable system for extending and retracting the grousers. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the grousers are extended by a hydraulic system formed of a plurality of radially arrayed pistons and cylinders. Conduits for the hydraulic system are located in protected positions within the vehicle's wheel axles. Preferably, the grousers are retracted in the absence of hydraulic pressure by springs located in each cylinder. Further, the grousers are arranged to align the track with respect to the wheels. This way, the track does not have to have a heavy center alignment guide.

Abstract: A crawler shoe used in an endless track vehicle having metal shoes made of iron or the like. The metal shoe has two integral projections projecting toward the ground contact side of the shoe. An elastic shoe made of rubber or the like is integrally molded and fixed to the metal shoe around the projections. The elastic shoe is provided with tapered surfaces, stepped portions, or transverse grooves in areas opposite from the projections to reduce shearing stresses exerted on the end portions of the elastic shoe.

Abstract: A crawler shoe used in an endless track vehicle having metal shoes made of iron or the like. The metal shoe has two integral projections projecting toward the ground contact side of the shoe. A resilient shoe made of rubber or the like is integrally molded and fixed to the metal shoe around the projections. A reinforced member is embedded in the elastic shoe between two adjacent projections.

Abstract: An endless track (27) for tracked vaheicles comprising an endless flexible band (33) and a plurality of spaced elongated tread elements (41) provided on the outer surface of the band. Each tread element (41) is formed of resilient material and extends transversely of the direction of travel of the track. The tread elements (41) are each in the form of a loop having a ground engaging portion and a pair of side wall portions which are load supporting when the loop is in contact with the ground. The tread elements (41) may be formed integral with, or formed separately of and secured to, the endless flexible band (33). A track assembly is also described and claimed.

Abstract: A cleat is disclosed for mounting on the outer surface of an endless belt used as a track for a snowmobile. The cleat comprises a relatively narrow, elongate, essentially planar fin whose elongate length is no greater than about ten centimeters and whose width is no greater than about 4 centimeters. A relatively narrow, elongate, essentially planar flange extends along an elongate side edge of the fin. The flange has an elongate length which is substantially the same as the length of the fin and a width which is no greater than about 4 centimeters. An opening through the flange is used for attaching the flange to the outer surface of an endless belt used as a track for a snowmobile. A plurality of sharp projections extend from the broad side of the flange which faces away from the planar fin. The projections are adapted to engage the outer surface of the endless belt when the cleat is attached to the endless belt.

Abstract: A track used to drive a snowmobile over a terrain comprises an endless drive belt having an outer surface which engages the terrain. A plurality of longitudinally spaced cleats are securely mounted on the outer surface of said drive belt, each of said cleats comprising a relatively narrow, elongate, essentially planar fin which extends transversely across at least a portion of the endless belt. The planar fin slants rearward of the direction of travel of the track as the track is driven in its normal operation of propelling the snowmobile forward over the terrain, such that the planar fin makes an acute, included angle with the surface of the track of between about 30 and 75 degrees. The track and the fins of the cleats cooperate to provide forward traction for the snowmobile while simultaneously providing lift to the track and the snowmobile to avoid the tendency of the snowmobile to dig into the terrain and bog down in the terrain.

Abstract: A self propelled vehicle for traversing a surface of magnetic material having two or more endless tracks incorporating a plurality of permanent magnets spaced along each track to create a magnetic field of a strength to attach the vehicle to the surface being traversed. Each permanent magnet comprising a bar of magnetised ceramic magnetic material extending in a direction transverse of the track clamped between a pair of magnetic metal plates. The metal plates each extending beyond one face of the ceramic bar at opposite edges of that face to provide respective magnetic poles of opposite polarity so in use only these poles contact the surface being traversed and the ceramic bar is spaced from the surface being traversed.

Abstract: A suspension arrangement for a heavy crawler vehicle having plural supporting rollers which are constructed and mounted on elastomeric pad devices such that the overall loading characteristic of the pads is non-linear and terminates in a bulk modulus compression range. The roller assemblies and pad devices are disposed in cavities in free sliding contact with the cavity walls. The rollers and elastomeric pad devices are so constructed as to facilitate relative vertical movement of the rollers under load along the sideframe to enable the vehicle to operate on uneven surfaces with superior load distribution between the totality of load-supporting rollers. The present invention also includes a crawler vehicle having tracks mounted for rolling action in either parallel or converging planes, depending on the contour of the road surface. The present invention also contemplates roller units mounted for lateral rocking movement, and also four roller units.

Abstract: A ground support vehicle has a rear drive track. Cleats extending transversely of the outer surface of the track are outwardly curved to facilitate leaning of the vehicle and its rider as the vehicle travels around a curve. In a preferred embodiment the vehicle includes a ski mounted on front forks so that the vehicle can be used for recreational purposes in snow or directly on unpaved ground and tracks. A wheel can be fitted in place of the ski if desired.

Abstract: A roadable track shoe grouser is provided for track-type vehicles, for example, tracked farm tractors, to prevent damage to finished road surfaces when driving such tractors upon such road surfaces. The grouser includes a rubber grouser bar which is bonded to a mounting plate to facilitate replacement of the grouser after the rubber grouser bar is worn out by use. Owing to interruptions in the bond provided to accommodate the heads of track shoe retaining bolts underlying the grouser, the bond is subject to premature failure, resulting in the loss of the rubber grouser bar from the track shoe. The grouser 10 described herein solves this problem by using a mounting plate 32 having an aperture 45, the aperture 45 is of a size to receive a head 28 of a track shoe retaining bolt 25. A plug 50 is of a size and construction to be press fitted into and close the aperture 45 and to provide a continuous, uninterrupted bond interface across the mounting plate 32.

Abstract: A shoe for a crawler belt comprises a tray-like shoe plate, an elastic member in which fastener bushes are fitted, and a rigid tread plate affixed to one side of the elastic member. The elastic member is accommodated in the tray-like shoe plate in such a manner that the rigid tread plate is partly or wholly exposed out of the tray. The rigid tread plate and the elastic member are both detachably secured to the shoe plate by fasteners through the bushes.

Abstract: A shoe assembly of a continuous track of a crawler type vehicle has a cover plate and a shoe. The cover plate is of a configuration sufficient for spacing first and second end portions of the cover plate a preselected distance from the shoe in the installed position. Viscoelastic material is positioned between the shoe and the first and second end portions of the cover plate. An elevated seat of one of a middle portion of the cover plate or shoe contacts a middle portion of the other of said cover plate or shoe and maintains said preselected distance.

Abstract: In a tread for a power-driven ski type of device having a chain with a plurality of spaced propulsion cleats, an outwardly protruding propulsion cleat, constructed with a venting passage and with resiliency to enable it to bend and thereby withstand the dynamic forces associated with its protruding construction, and to vent snow which is continuously trapped between itself and the sprockets, when the cleat swings over and around these sprockets.

Abstract: Improvements in road-protecting devices for tracked vehicles removably securable to the individual elements of the tracks; road protecting devices having resilient tensioning devices associated therewith operable to strongly retain such on the tracks even when the track elements are aggregate loaded; improved tensioning and connecting means for road protecting devices which are largely located out of the load thrust lines of use whereby the devices may be entirely of resilient deformable rubber without basing or cover plates or bolts or ties associated therewith; high capacity tension devices of resilient character received within the bodies of resilient protective devices at least in part with track connecting means located out of the thrust line; improved track engaging means (connecting devices) which retain engagement on individual track elements despite temporary relief of tension thereon due to turning of the tracked vehicle.

Abstract: A crawler tractor track chain drive assembly including a drive sprocket and a track chain having links and a track plate. An elastomeric member is confined between the links and the plate, but free of any screws or other fasteners for holding the member in the chain, and presenting the member for engagement by the sprocket in driving the chain.

Abstract: A crawler pad to be mounted on a tread surface of a crawler plate forming a crawler for forming an elastic tread for protecting a road surface, comprises an elastic member forming the tread of the crawler pad, a reinforcement supporting the elastic member, a fixed hook member integrally formed with the reinforcement for engaging with one edge of the crawler plate, a detachable hook member detachably secured at the other end of the reinforcement for engaging with the other edge of the crawler plate, and a fastening member for firmly securing the detachable hook to the other end of the reinforcement, the fastening member having an outer end placed at an inwardly shifted position relative to the outer end portion of the detachable hook member.