US3630580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cushioned track with lateral restraining means
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
•
Filing: 1970-06-22
•
Granted: 1971-12-28
•
Expires: 1990-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A resilient spacer means, such as a pneumatic rubber tire, has a circumferentially disposed groove formed on the periphery thereof. An endless track assembly is entrained around the tire and comprises a plurality of closely coupled ground-engaging track shoes connected together by two annular and articulated link assemblies positioned on opposite sides of the tire. Restraining means are secured to the shoes to engage the tire groove to restrain relative lateral movements therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E Grawey
- 👤 Robert N Stedman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:39
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C27/00; B60C27/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An annular resilient spacer means mounted for rotation about its central axis and having means forming at least one groove on the periphery thereof, said groove at least partially extending circumferentially about said central axis, an endless track assembly mounted completely around the periphery of said spacer means, said track assembly comprising a plurality of closely coupled ground-engaging shoes circumferentially surrounding said spacer means and annular connecting means attached to said shoes and positioned on opposite sides and exteriorly of said spacer means to closely couple said shoes together, and restraining means secured to said track shoes and engaging said groove to restrain lateral movement of said track assembly relative to said spacer means in the direction of said axis, said restraining means positioned between said connecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
An annular resilient spacer means mounted for rotation about its central axis and having means forming at least one groove on the periphery thereof, said groove at least partially extending circumferentially about said central axis, an endless track assembly mounted completely around the periphery of said spacer means, said track assembly comprising a plurality of closely coupled ground-engaging shoes circumferentially surrounding said spacer means and annular connecting means attached to said shoes and positioned on opposite sides and exteriorly of said spacer means to closely couple said shoes together, and restraining means secured to said track shoes and engaging said groove to restrain lateral movement of said track assembly relative to said spacer means in the direction of said axis, said restraining means positioned between said connecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein each of said connecting means comprises an articulated link assembly, each link assembly comprising a plurality of links and pivot means pivotally connecting each circumferentially adjacent pair of links together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said spacer means comprises an air-inflated, rubberlike tire member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein each of said link assemblies comprises a plurality of single links with each circumferentially adjacent pair of links being overlapped and connected together by said pivot means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein each of said links comprises a fork end portion and an opposite blade end portion, the blade end portion of one link of each adjacent pair of links being pivotally mounted within the fork end portion of the second link thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said shoes have widths defining outboard portions extending a substantially equal lateral distance beyond a respective one of said portions, each of said connecting means attached to a respective one of said shoe''s outboard portion in spaced relationship relative to a respective one of said portions of said spacer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the radially inner surface portions of each of said shoes are flat, substantially all of the periphery of said spacer means between said groove and said connecting means being maintained solely in compressed intimate contact with the flat inner surface portions of said shoes to form substantially circumferentially continuous and polygonal-shaped surface contact therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein at least one grouser is secured to radially outer surface portions of each of said shoes to extend radially outwardly therefrom and away from said central axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said restraining means solely comprises at least one lug secured to radially inner surface portions of at least some of said shoes and extending a substantial distance across the width thereof transversely relative to said central axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein all of said lugs substantially lie on the said plane, said plane being disposed transversely relative to said centrAl axis, and said lugs being positioned at least substantially midway between opposite lateral sides of said spacer means in the direction of said central axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein each of said lugs and groove are pyramidal shaped with the apexes thereof positioned to point radially inwardly toward said central axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein each of said lugs is cross-shaped and comprises a first lug portion disposed transversely to said central axis and a second lug portion disposed transversely to said first lug portion and further comprising additional means forming another transverse groove on the periphery of said spacer means transversely intersecting said first-mentioned groove for receiving said second lug portion therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said restraining means solely comprises an articulated link assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said first-mentioned groove is circumferentially continuous about said central axis and a plurality of said transverse grooves are equally spaced about said central axis, the second lug portion of a lug being positioned in each of said transverse grooves and the first lug portions of said lugs being positioned in said circumferentially extending groove.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said first-mentioned groove comprises a plurality of spaced groove segments circumferentially disposed about said central axis, each of said groove segments intersecting one of said transverse groove to accommodate one of said cross-shaped lugs therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein said groove comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced groove segments each accommodating one of said lugs therein and further comprising an additional and separate lug positioned between and transversely relative to a pair of adjacent first-mentioned lugs and means forming another transverse groove for accommodating each of said additional lugs.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein said lugs are staggered laterally and circumferentially relative to said central axis and said groove comprises groove segments with each groove, said lugs all extending in the same direction circumferentially about said central axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said restraining means comprises at least two circumferentially spaced lugs secured to radially inner surface portions of each of said shoes to engage said groove.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 18 wherein each of said lugs comprises annular bushing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 18 wherein each of said lugs comprise the shank of a bolt threadably secured to a respective track shoe.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |