Belt traction vehicle

Claim 2

In a traction vehicle, a traction frame, front and rear laterally spaced sets of wheels journalled on said frame, low pressure doughnut-type tires on said wheels having generally flat peripheral surfaces, power means on said frame for driving at least two of said wheels, endless flexible traction belts trained about said tires of said front and rear wheels and having relatively flat tire engaging surfaces, means taking up tension on said belts comprising a tension idler for each belt, means biasing said tension idlers to maintain said belts under tension, said tension idlers being spaced longitudinally from an associated set of wheels, said tires driving said belts solely by the frictional resistance between said tires and belts, and said belts laying a track for said tires to effect propulsion of the vehicle along the ground, the distance between the axes of rotation of the front and rear wheels of each set approximating the distance between the transverse centers of said laterally spaced sets of wheels.

Claim 3

A traction vehicle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the means biasing said tension idlers to maintain said belts under tension comprise spring means, and wherein said tension idlers have radial flanges at their opposite ends maintaining the belts in alignment with said wheels.

Claim 4

A traction vehicle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the power means for driving said wheels comprise: an engine mounted on said frame, a differential driven thereby, shafts extending from opposite ends of said differential, drive connections from said shafts to two laterally spaced wheels, and drive connections from said two wheels to the longitudinally spaced wheels of each traction device.

Claim 5

A traction vehicle in accordance with claim 3, wherein the differential includes a casing containing change speed gearing, wherein the drive from said engine to said differential comprises: a fluid coupling drive by said engine, an input shaft driven by said fluid coupling and having driving connection with said differential, and brake means having braking connection with said input shaft and selectively operable to retard rotation of said input shaft and the change speed gearing in said casing to accommodate shifting thereof.

Claim 6

In an articulated traction vehicle, a power drive unit including a traction frame, front and rear laterally spaced sets of wheels journalled on said frame, tires on said wheels, power means on said frame, driving connections from said power means to at least two of said wheels and tires, a steering unit spaced in advance of said drive unit and including a steering frame having spaced axles, wheels on said axles, tires on said wheels, a platform mounted on said steering frame, means connecting said platform to said steering frame to accommodate movement of said steering frame relative to said platform about a vertical axis, and a draft connection between said traction unit and said platform, holding said platform longitudinally aligned relative to said traction frame but accommodating movement of said platform relative to said traction unit about an axis extending longitudinally of said traction unit and platform and a horizontal axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, and means for selectively turning said steering frame relative to said platform about said vertical axis to steer the vehicle.

Claim 7

In an articulated traction vehicle, a power drive unit including a traction frame, front and rear laterally spaced sets of wheels journalled on said frame, tires on said wheels, power means on said frame, driving connections from said power means to at least two of said wheels and tires, a steering unit spaced in advance of said drive unit and including a steering frame having spaced axles, wheels on said axles, tires on said wheels, a platform mounted on said steering frame, means connecting said platform to said steering frame to accommodate movement of said steering frame relative to said platform about a vertical axis, and a draft connection between said traction unit and said platform, holding said platform longitudinally aligned relative to said traction frame but accommodating movement of said platform relative to said traction unit about an axis extending longitudinally of said traction unit and platform and a horizontal axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, and means for selectively turning said steering frame relative to said platform about said vertical axis to steer the vehicle.

Claim 8

A traction vehicle in accordance with claim 5, wherein a steering column pivotally connects said platform to said steering frame, and wherein operative connections are provided between said steering column and said steering frame for turning said steering frame relative to said platfoRm upon turning movement of said steering column.

Claim 9

A traction vehicle in accordance with claim 6, wherein the steering column extends vertically and is spaced between said wheels, wherein a steering wheel has operative connection with said steering column, and wherein an operator''s seat is mounted on said platform in close proximity to said steering wheel.

Claim 10

A traction vehicle in accordance with claim 7, wherein the steering column is journalled on said steering frame for movement about a vertical axis disposed between said steering wheels, wherein a housing for said steering column extends upwardly of said platform, wherein bearing means are provided for journalling said steering column in said housing, wherein said housing has a pair of longitudinally spaced upwardly opening sockets therein, wherein gears are journalled coaxially of said sockets, wherein reduction gears mesh with said gears and have driving connection with said steering column, wherein the vehicle is reversable, and wherein the steering wheel is a removable steering wheel and has a shaft depending therefrom adapted to be removably mounted in either of said sockets into driving engagement with a selected of said gears coaxial with said sockets, in accordance with the direction of travel of the vehicle.

Claim 11

A traction vehicle in accordance with claim 6, wherein said steering column is journalled in said steering frame and said platform for turning movement about a vertical axis disposed between said wheels, wherein a steering wheel is provided for turning said steering column, wherein the steering connection from said steering column to said steering frame includes a drive sheave on said steering column between said steering frame and said platform, a cable clamped to said sheave and extending about said sheave, direction changing sheaves in axial alignment with the center of said drive sheave and spaced therefrom towards opposite ends of the vehicle, said cable being trained from said drive sheave with the runs thereof extending about said direction changing sheaves to the sides of said steering frame adjacent opposite ends thereof, and means securing the ends of said cable to said steering frame whereby turning of said steering wheel will turn said steering frame relative to said platform.

Claim 12

A traction vehicle in accordance with claim 9, wherein two cables are wrapped about and clamped to said drive sheave and extend therefrom in opposite directions toward the front and rear of said platform, and wherein the second cable is trained about said direction changing sheaves to opposite sides of the steering unit from the first cable and is secured to said steering frame adjacent opposite ends thereof.

Claim 13

A traction vehicle in accordance with claim 5, wherein the draft connection between said traction frame and said platform comprises a connection accommodating movement of said frames relative to each other about axes extending longitudinally and transversely of said frames and holding said platform from lateral movement relative to said steering frame.

Claim 14

A traction vehicle in accordance with claim 11, wherein the connection between said traction frame and platform comprises a longitudinally extending shaft extending along the center of the vehicle between said traction frame and said platform, a pivot bracket mounted for movement about the axis of said shaft and for movement about an axis extending transversely of said shaft, and a draft connection between said shaft and pivot bracket.

Claim 15

A traction vehicle in accordance with claim 11, wherein the connection between said traction frame and platform comprises: a longitudinally extending shaft extending along the center of the vehicle between said traction frame and said platform, spaced transverse shafts mounted on said platform rearwardly thereof and on opposite sides of said longitudinally extending shaft, a pivot bracket mounted on said longitudinally extending shaft and on said transverse shafts for pivotal movement about the axes thereof and movably engaging said traction unit to thereby hold said platform from lateral movement relative to said traction unit.

Claim 16

A traction vehicle in accordance with claim 13, wherein a relatively high plate extends across the front of said traction unit, and wherein antifriction means extending from said plate have engagement with said pivot bracket to accommodate movement of said pivot bracket about said longitudinal shaft and to hold said pivot bracket from lateral movement with respect to said steering frame.

Claim 17

A traction vehicle in accordance with claim 5, wherein the draft connection between said traction frame and said platform comprises: a longitudinal shaft extending forwardly from said traction frame along the axial center thereof, spaced transverse shafts disposed rearwardly of said platform and connected thereto on opposite sides of said longitudinal shaft, a pivot bracket mounted on said longitudinal shaft and on said transverse shafts for pivotal movement about the axes thereof, and a bearing engaging connection between said traction frame and said bracket and retaining said bracket from lateral movement with respect to said steering frame and thereby holding said platform from lateral movement with respect to said traction frame.