Endless track and slide therefor

Claim 2

A slide bar for supporting a portion of the inner surface of an integrally molded polymeric track from a track laying vehicle, comprising: a hollowed bar having a track engaging surface with a plurality of spaced holes of predetermined size extending through the bar from the track engaging surface to the hollow; and thermally sensitive lubricant disposed in the hollow of the slide bar, said lubricant being tenacious at ambient temperatures and sufficiently fluid to emit from the holes at higher than ambient temperatures.

Claim 3

A slide bar as set forth in claim 1 wherein the fluidizing temperature of the lubricant is below the disintegration temperature of the polymeric track.

Claim 4

A slide bar as set forth in claim 1 and further including means for filling the slide bar with lubricant.

Claim 5

A slide bar suspension system for supporting an endless track from a track laying vehicle, comprising: at least two generally parallel and hollow slide bars each having a track engaging surface and at least one hole of predetermined size extending through the bar from the track engaging surface to the hollow; thermally sensitive lubricant disposed in the hollow of the slide bars, said lubricant being tenacious at ambient temperatures to be contained in the slide bars, and sufficiently fluid at higher temperatures to flow from the holes; and means for suspending the slide bars from the vehicle.

Claim 6

A slide bar suspension system for supporting an endless track from a track laying vehicle, comprising: at least two generally parallel and hollow slide bars each having a track engaging surface and at least one hole of predetermined size extending through the bar from the track engaging surface to the hollow; thermally sensitive lubricant disposed in the hollow of the slide bars, said lubricant being tenacious at ambient temperatures to be contained in the slide bars, and sufficiently fluid at higher temperatures to flow from the holes; and means for suspending the slide bars from the vehicle.

Claim 7

In combination, a track and track suspension for a track laying vehicle, comprising: an integrally molded polymeric belt having inner and outer surfaces; tensile and transverse reinforcements disposed within said belt; an insulating material disposed in the belt near and shrouding longitudinally at least part of the inner surface, said insulating material thermally stable above the destruction temperature of the polymeric; at least two generally parallel and hollow slide bars each having a track engaging surface and spaced holes of predetermined size extending through the bars from the track engaging surfaces to the hollow of the bars, said slide bars longitudinally arranged juxtaposed the insulating material near the inner surface of the belt; thermally responsive lubricant disposed in the hollows of the slide bars, said lubricant sufficiently tenacious at ambient temperatures to be retained in the slide bars, and sufficiently fluid at higher temperatures to flow through the holes and lubricate the track; and means for suspending the slide bars from the vehicle to support the track.

Claim 8

In combination, a track and track suspension for a track laying vehicle, comprising: an integrally molded polymeric belt having inner and outer surfaces; tensile and transverse reinforcements disposed within said belt; an insulating material disposed in the belt near and shrouding longitudinally at least part of the inner surface, said insulating material thermally stable above the destruction temperature of the polymeric; at least two generally parallel and hollow slide bars each having a track engaging surface and spaced holes of predetermined size extending through the bars from the track engaging surfaces to the hollow of the bars, said slide bars longitudinally arranged juxtaposed the insulating material near the inner surface of the belt; thermally responsive lubricant disposed in the hollows of the slide bars, said lubricant sufficiently tenacious at ambient temperatures to be retained in the slide bars, and sufficiently fluid at higher temperatures to flow through the holes and lubricate the track; and means for suspending the slide bars from the vehicle to support the track.

Claim 9

A slide bar for supporting endless track from a track laying vehicle comprising: a generally tubularly shaped member having a track engaging surface; a lubricant feed conduit attached to and fluidally communicable with the tubular means, and thermally responsive valve means disposed between the tubularly shaped member and conduit.

Claim 10

A slide bar for supporting endless track from a track laying vehicle comprising: a generally tubularly shaped member having a track engaging surface; a lubricant feed conduit attached to and fluidally communicable with the tubular means, and thermally responsive valve means disposed between the tubularly shaped member and conduit.