With Street Plate Patents (Class 305/51)
  • Patent number: 11932331
    Abstract: A traction improvement device provides increased traction to a tracked vehicle. The traction improvement device has two opposing brackets that are connected to opposite edges or flanges of a track of a tracked vehicle. A chain extends between the brackets. At least one of the brackets is a tensioner bracket that is configured to adjust the tension of the chain. The tension adjustment provides tension to the chain extending between the brackets, securing the traction improvement device on the outer surface (or gripping surface) of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Chains for Tracks, Inc.
    Inventor: James Paul Hamblin
  • Patent number: 11560191
    Abstract: A traction device for an elastomeric track comprises a first bracket comprising a first portion comprising a tapered surface and a second portion configured to be removably coupled to the first portion to define a U-shaped channel configured to receive at least a portion of an elastomeric track, a first chain coupled to the first bracket at a first end of the first chain, a second bracket coupled to a second end of first chain opposite the first bracket, and a plate coupled to the first chain between the first bracket and the second bracket, the plate configured to substantially prevent the first chain from entering the recesses of the elastomeric track. Related traction devices and methods of attaching a traction device to an elastomeric track are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Performance Kennels & Stables LLC
    Inventor: Gregory White
  • Patent number: 11390341
    Abstract: A device for use with a continuous track of a tracked vehicle to enhance the traction of the vehicle. The device has an elongate body having a surface and a longitudinal axis. A bracket is arranged to secure the elongate body to the continuous track. A first ground engaging feature and a second ground engaging feature are operatively attached to the elongate body and project beyond the surface of the elongate body. The first ground engaging feature has a plurality of teeth arranged in a line and the second ground engaging feature has a plurality of teeth arranged in a line. The line of the first ground engaging feature extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body and at an angle relative to the line of the second ground engaging feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: JB Innovations Limited
    Inventor: John Menzies Burling
  • Patent number: 11370500
    Abstract: A wear pad that is adapted to be attached to a grouser plate of a track-type machine includes a polyurethane pad having a first surface region that is adapted to engage a contact patch between the polyurethane pad and a ground region, the first surface region having a first area. A reinforcing member is at least partially embedded within the polyurethane pad and has a second surface region that faces the first surface region, wherein a second area of the second surface region is greater than fifty percent of the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Gallagher Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Gallagher, Shaun Gosselin
  • Patent number: 7901015
    Abstract: A cleat for releasable clamped engagement to a continuous rubber track on a mobile construction unit for improving traction. The cleat includes (i) a body with downwardly extending, inwardly facing and laterally spaced end hooks, wherein at least one of the end hooks is laterally repositionable relative to the other end hook as between an open position and a closed position, (b) at least one projection extending upward from the body effective for biting engagement with a supporting surface, and (c) a manually operable repositioning assembly for reversibly driving the at least one laterally repositionable end hook towards the other end hook, whereby the body may be clamped onto a rubber track on a mobile construction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Deloren E. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20090278402
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: WIRTGEN GMBH
    Inventor: Peter Busley
  • Patent number: 7156473
    Abstract: An elastic track shoe is provided wherein loosening of bolts is prevented by use of a rigid core bar and the thickness of an elastic body subjected to a load can be increased irrespective of grousers. To this end, the core bar is integrally formed by casting, forging or precutting, a ground engaging side of the core bar is covered with the elastic body, and a portion of the core bar defined by projection of a ground engaging face of the elastic body is divided into two parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Hori, Hiroaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6820948
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a crawler shoe wherein a shoe member is simply and conveniently attached, and members employed are prevented from loosening, without changing the basic structure of shoe plate main body even when not being constructed very accurately. The structure of the crawler shoe having shoe plates, to which shoe members having rubber pads are attached on ground contacting surfaces of the shoe plates, the shoe plates being connected with each other by connecting links on the shoe plates with coupling pins in an endless form is characterized by containing hook parts formed at first ends of the shoe members and configured to be engaged with first side parts the shoe plates, side plates provided on the second ends of the shoe members for retaining the second side parts of the shoe plates, and retaining members provided on the side plates for holding and fixing the second side parts of the shoe plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo Katoh
  • Patent number: 6574711
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor integrated circuit having a chip layout that reduces line length to achieve faster processing. A cache comprises a TAG memory module and a cache data memory module. The cache data memory module is divided into first and second cache data memory modules which are disposed on both sides of the TAG memory module, and input/output circuits of a data TLB are opposed to the input/output circuit of the TAG memory module and the input/output circuits of the first and second cache data memory modules across a bus area to reduce the line length to achieve faster processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaya Sumita
  • Patent number: 6557954
    Abstract: A crawler pad to be mounted on the tread board of a crawler track shoe includes an elastic pad body (1) and a metal core (2) buried in the elastic pad body (1). The metal core (2) includes a locking member (4) movably inlaid therein, a fixed hook (6) rigidly secured to its one end, and a detachable hook (5) detachably secured to its other end. The locking member (4) and the detachable hook (5) have ratchet teeth (4a), (5a) on their mutual surfaces which are inclined to permit the detachable hook (5) to slide in its inserting direction and intermesh with one another in its withdrawing direction, thereby allowing the detachable hook (5) to be locked. The detachable hook (5) has preferably a groove (5b) for inserting a releasing pin (9) on its surface where the ratchet teeth are formed. The releasing pin (9) is operable to unlock intermeshing between the ratchet teeth of the locking member and the detachable hook (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Tomitaro Hattori
  • Patent number: 6412888
    Abstract: Fitting and exchanging operations are easily performed without using bolts. In a rubber pad 2 to be equipped to an iron crawler belt 1, a vulcanized rubber material 6 is adhered to a second surface of a flat metal core 5 having a first hook 7 and second hook 8 formed at opposite ends of the metal core 5. The length of the second hook 8 is longer than that of the first hook 7, and the length of concavity 9 formed on a first surface of the metal core 5 opposite the longer second hook 8 is no more than one fifth of the length of the metal core 5 in the cross direction of the iron crawler belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Steel Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuo Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 6213573
    Abstract: A rubber pad comprises a support plate having substantially the same shape as an outer surface of an iron shoe plate provided on its outer surface with lugs, a rubber block vulcanized and adhered to the support plate, wherein the support plate is provided with a bolt or a female member fixed to at least one side face of the support plate, a hook member fixed to the support plate at a position opposite to the bolt or female member. Further, the rubber pad is provided with a fastening member securing the rubber pad to the iron shoe plate through another female member or bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5769511
    Abstract: A road surface protection cover for covering the metal blade of a crawler track shoe. The cover comprises a main body (1) and a pair of fixtures 3 and 4 to be fixed on the left and right ends of the main body of the cover. In the interior of the main body 2 of the cover, there are embedded steel pipes 7 and 8 on the sides of fixture 3 and 4, there are side boards 3a, 3b and 4a, 4b, there are female screw threads 7a, 7b and 8a, 8b in the pipes 7 and 8. Through these bolts 9, 10 and 11,12 penetrate holes 3a, 3b and 4a, 4b for screwing purpose. On the faces of the ends there are depression 3e, 3f and 4e, 4f to conceal the best threads. In addition, the side boards 3c and 4c have their interior faces 3g and 4g formed in taper shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Art Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomitaro Hattori
  • Patent number: 5482365
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Peterson, Larry K. Rhodes, Thomas C. Robertson, David L. Skinner
  • Patent number: 5429429
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cushioned track section adapted to be linked to a plurality of similar cushioned track sections to form a flexible track belt for wrap around mounting on a vehicle tire, each cushioned track section having a rigid ground engaging base pad, a pair of spaced apart side wall structures that include a side plate, and a track bolster comprising a substrate and a cushion attached thereto, the cushion including a ground engaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventors: George A. Loegering, Steven W. Loegering
  • Patent number: 5388900
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Suzuki Shoji
    Inventor: Tatsuo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5330019
    Abstract: A towing vehicle having power-driven entered rear drive wheels. A towed attachment frame with lateral trailing wheels is coupled to the towing vehicle. A continuous belt on each side of the vehicle is trained over a drive wheel and a trailing wheel. A row of cleat structures is secured to the outer surface of a belt. A cleat structure includes a central expanse and elongate extension sections extending outwardly from opposite ends of a central section. Extension sections protrude beyond opposite lateral margins of a belt. A cleat structure includes an element plastic clear body, and spline elements secured by fasteners to a belt clamp against shoulders in a cleat body to hold it in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: II-Tracker, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Cartwright
  • Patent number: 5261733
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Hara
  • Patent number: 5255964
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Hara
  • Patent number: 5056306
    Abstract: In a process for producing a metal plate in such a way that it can be joined up to form a chain, use is made of a casting or forging tool, which forms a base part and a sole part of the plate, a specific sole part from several sole parts being associated with the base plate. The tool comprises at least one part forming the base part of the plate and another part forming the sole part of the plate. The resulting plate has reception rings on one plate side and an equal number of ring notches on the other plate side and side guides on the plate underside and at least one engagement gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventor: Hans-Rudolf Zepf
  • Patent number: 4880283
    Abstract: A composite tread member used in a track for a track-laying vehicle. The tread member is molded of a polymeric material reinforced with abrasion resistant fibers. It can be molded in a reaction injection molding process or in a resin transfer molding process by first placing a metal support member and a plurality of reinforcing fiber bundles in the mold and then inject a polymeric matrix material into the mold. The reinforcing fiber bundles used in or novel composite tread member can be first interwoven with polyester fiber bundles into narrow webbing and then rolled up in elongated rolls or pleated in pleats of predetermined width and thickness. The polymeric matrix material used in the composite tread member can be either a Nylon 6 RIM, a polyurethane RIM, or a polyurea RIM material. Our novel composite tread members have superior abrasion resistant properties and durability when compared to a conventional unreinforced tread member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Russell C. Savage, Gary P. Zeller, Martin D. Skirha
  • Patent number: 4844561
    Abstract: A composite tread member used in a track for a track-laying vehicle. The tread member is molded of a polymeric material reinforced with abrasion resistant monofilaments. It can be molded in a reaction injection molding process or in a resin transfer molding process by first placing a metal support member and a plurality of reinforcing monofilaments in the mold and then inject a polymeric matrix material into the mold. The reinforcing monofilaments used in our novel composite tread member can be a silicon carbide particle filled Nylon 12 monofilament or a monofilament formed by polyaramid fiber bundles extrusion coated with a polyamide material. The polymeric matrix material used in the composite tread member can be either a Nylon 6 RIM, a polyurethane RIM, or a polyurea RIM material. Our novel composite tread members have superior abrasion resistant properties and durability when compared to a conventional unreinforced tread member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Russell C. Savage, Gary P. Zeller, Martin D. Skirha
  • Patent number: 4842345
    Abstract: An adhesion pad assembly for tracked vehicles includes a resilient adhesion pad having a ground engageable face, the pad being laterally confined by an encasement having side walls of a material having greater tear strength and less abrasion resistance than the material of the pad. The encasement provides protection to the pad from tearing by stones as well as reducing deformation heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventors: James W. Elder, Robert A. Parker
  • Patent number: 4765694
    Abstract: An endless track (52) for a track laying vehicle has a construction that facilitates replacement and repair of track components as well as providing an extended lifetime of use as compared to conventional vehicle tracks. The components of the track which facilitate its construction and maintenance include a track shoe (60), a replaceable road pad (62) for the track shoe (60), a pin assembly (64) for connecting laterally aligned pairs of the track shoes (60), a hollow pin (66) of the pin assembly (64), a center guide (68) that guides the track on the associated vehicle roadwheels, an end connector (72) that connects ends of the pins (66) associated with adjacent shoe assemblies (70), and a center connector (74) that cooperates with the end connectors (72) in connecting the shoe assemblies (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Cory
  • Patent number: 4700992
    Abstract: An endless track (52) for a track laying vehicle has a construction that facilitates replacement and repair of track components as well as providing an extended lifetime of use as compared to conventional vehicle tracks. The components of the track which facilitate its construction and maintenance include a track shoe (60), a replaceable road pad (62) for the track shoe (60), a pin assembly (64) for connecting laterally aligned pairs of the track shoes (60), a hollow pin (66) of the pin assembly (64), a center guide (68) that guides the track on the associated vehicle roadwheels, an end connector (72) that connects ends of the pins (66) associated with adjacent shoe assemblies (70), and a center connector (74) that cooperates with the end connectors (72) in connecting the shoe assemblies (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Cory
  • Patent number: 4694556
    Abstract: The invention disclosed is that prefabricated wear pads are applied to the track link bodies of tracked vehicles by inserting projections of the pads through apertures in the link body from one side of the apertures and locking means co-acts with the projections to lock same to the body. Suitably, the locking means are push engagement with said projections to lock the pads to the link bodies as opposed to the conventional method of moulding the pad around and through the links. In an alternative arrangement, the locking means are cast in locking engagement with the projections as opposed to the push fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: George Blair P.L.C.
    Inventor: Paul Hewitt
  • Patent number: 4626046
    Abstract: A tank tread assembly having adjacent tank tread segments joined by a link bearing tapered pins retained by clips inserted through the tread shells perpendicular to the axes of the pins and having highway pads attached by a release rod bearing tapered, grooved cams which interlockingly engage tabs inserted into the tread shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Earl R. Collins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4597612
    Abstract: An improved attachment for an endless track vehicle or crawler, which is attached to shoe plates of the vehicle tracks for preventing the vehicle track running on a paved road from damaging the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Inventor: Michikazu Kaizaki
  • Patent number: 4588233
    Abstract: A padded rail plate for use on a tracked vehicle is provided having a track rail plate adapted to be affixed to a track of a tracked vehicle, a resilient pad affixed to a surface of the track rail plate in order to protect the track rail plate and a road surface to be contacted thereby from damage during operation of the tracked vehicle, an anchoring device which provides a bearing surface for the resilient pad and which anchors the resilient pad between the bearing surface and the track rail plate in order to prevent pad material from being ripped from the track rail plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Inventor: Leroy E. DenBesten
  • Patent number: 4587280
    Abstract: A tank tread pad and composition for making. A tank tread pad is formed from a polymeric material which is formed by an inter penetrating polymer network comprising a first urethane component and a second resinous component which cures under different conditions and is substantially unreactive with the urethane. A fiberous reinforcement is present in the cured resinous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Budd Company
    Inventors: Probir K. Guha, Kenneth A. Iseler, Robert C. Yen
  • Patent number: 4586757
    Abstract: Chain links of endless treads of heavy-duty vehicles are fitted with respective track shoes each having a frustopyramidal body of elastomeric material reinforced by steel profiles, i.e. a rectangular base plate rigid with an upstanding rib embedded in the body. The rib is flanked by elongate recesses accommodating countersunk screws by which each shoe is to be secured to a respective chain link, with its base plate extending transverse to the tread over the greater part of the length of that link. Major flanks of the body, extending transversely to the treads, are inclined to the base plate at angles not exceeding 60.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: H. Bloechlinger AG
    Inventor: Oskar Bloechlinger
  • Patent number: 4482193
    Abstract: A roadable track assembly (12) includes a plurality of track shoes (14) having a roadable grouser (20) bar attached to each shoe (14). The grouser bar (20) is of a size, shape, and material to provide good penetration and traction in most soils and also provides acceptable wear life. A vehicle (10) equipped with an endless track assembly (12) having the subject grouser bars (20) can travel on asphalt type roadways without causing permanent damage to the roads. Track-type vehicles having conventional metal track shoe grousers often cause permanent damage when traveling upon asphalt roads. The subject roadable track shoe grousers (20) have sufficient surface area and resilience to produce low ground pressure on the roads and eliminate damage while providing sufficient traction for agricultural work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Roger L. Boggs, Andrew J. Tonsor
  • Patent number: 4470641
    Abstract: In a tracked vehicle, especially a military vehicle, it is proposed to coruct individual track pads so that their terrain-engagement surfaces are formed by a series of laminations; individual laminations have their mating surfaces bonded together to interrupt and resist shearing forces. A particular aim of the invention is to improve the service life of the track pad, especially as regards prevention of fracture, cracks and chunking in the terrain-engaging surface of the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Richard L. Swarthout
  • Patent number: 4461516
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved track shoe for use on an endless track vehe, e.g., a military tank. The shoe includes an elastomeric pad equipped with an endless reinforcement band encircling the exposed peripheral edge surface of the elastomer to prevent such excessive pad deformation as would contribute to premature pad failure, i.e., cracking, pitting or chunking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Richard A. Lee
  • Patent number: 4359248
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Randall L. Kortering
  • Patent number: 4165906
    Abstract: An endless track for a tracked vehicle comprising a series of track shoes, ach having a cavity therein for removable reception of an elastomeric terrain-engaging pad or removable grouser, each pad or grouser being locked within its cavity by a mechanism which includes a swingable latch element having an inturned free end adapted to hook over one edge of the shoe to prevent outward dislocation of the pad from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1979
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Joseph O. Fix
  • Patent number: 4159856
    Abstract: A running pad for an endless track is disclosed, including resilient retaining projections which extend away from opposite sides of the running pad and are adapted to enter into locking engagement, at their free ends, in recesses formed in the respective chain links. The retaining projections are formed by the ends of a unitary resilient plate that extends through said running pad and is designed to yield elastically in a direction toward and away from the recesses of the chain link in order to allow simple and quick assembly of the running pad at the chain link in a direction vertical to the tread surface without the need of disassembly of the chain link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1979
    Inventors: Ludwig Pietzsch, Harald Kauer, Rudolf Hartmann
  • Patent number: 4139241
    Abstract: An endless track having chain links which comprise tubular bodies connected by connector links to the adjacent chain links, as seen in the direction of movement, is widened by at least one further tubular body and one further connector link, all tubular bodies and connector links preferably being of uniform basic dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1979
    Assignee: Ing. Ludwig Pietzsch
    Inventors: Gerd Huhne, Hans-Peter Stolz
  • Patent number: 4109971
    Abstract: Improvements in road-protecting devices for tracked vehicles which are removably secureable to individual elements of the tracks; heavy-duty road-protecting devices removably secureable to individual segments or elements of endless tracks which permit the tracked vehicle to be actually worked under heavy load without losing the removably secured device; improved apparatus for tensioning and connecting such road-protecting devices on and in engagement with the individual segments or elements of endless tracks where such apparatus permits a limited knuckle or working action of the device during securement; such improved road-protecting devices formed or composed entirely of resilient, deformable yet shape-retaining rubber or plastic, which do not require therewith conventional base or cover plates or the usual bolts or ties associated therewith; such devices having non-extensible elements of rigid or non-rigid character fully received within the bodies thereof, such elements, although within the load thrust zon
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1978
    Inventors: Chester A. Black, Lester A. Black
  • Patent number: 4068905
    Abstract: Improvements in road-protecting devices for tracked vehicles which are removably secureable to individual elements of the tracks; heavy-duty road-protecting devices removably secureable to individual elements of endless tracks which permit the vehicle to be actually worked under heavy load without losing the removably secured road-protecting devices; Improved tensioning and connecting elements for such road-protecting devices, which, in the portions thereof vulnerable to heavy load or impacts, are largely or entirely located out of the load thrust lines of use, whereby the said devices may be formed or composed entirely of resilient, deformable rubber or plastic without requiring therewith base or cover plates or bolts or ties associated therewith; nonextensible elements of rigid or non-rigid character adapted to be received fully within the bodies of resilient road-protective devices which are inside of or incorporated within the load thrust lines of use, yet which are of such character as not to be vulnerab
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Inventors: Chester A. Black, Lester A. Black
  • Patent number: 4027925
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Inventors: Chester A. Black, Lester A. Black