Track tensioning and recoil apparatus

Claim 2

In a vehicle having first and second rotatable members and a track entrained thereabout, with the first and second rotatabLe members being relatively movable toward and away from each other, track tensioning apparatus comprising: a a cylinder associated with the first rotatable member and having a cylinder wall and a head portion; b a piston disposed within the cylinder and defining with the cylinder wall and head portion a chamber; c a push rod separate from the piston and associated with the second rotatable member to move therewith, and having the extended end thereof disposed within the cylinder; d means for introducing pressurized fluid into the chamber to move the piston into contact with the extended end of the push rod to force the cylinder and push rod apart to extend the push rod from the cylinder; and, e means for transmitting the force on the cylinder forcing the cylinder and push rod apart to the first rotatable member, whereby introduction of such pressurized fluid extends the push rod from the cylinder to provide relative movement of the first and second rotatable members away from each other to thereby tension the track.

Claim 3

The track tensioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the force transmitting means comprise resilient means for allowing movement of the first and second rotatable members toward each other against the resiliency thereof, meanwhile urging the first and second rotatable members away from each other.

Claim 4

The track tensioning apparatus of claim 2 wherein the cylinder comprises a cylindrical body portion and a separate head portion fixed thereto.

Claim 5

The track tensioning apparatus of claim 3 wherein the fluid is substantially incompressible.

Claim 6

The track tensioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the push rod is guided in its movement by the cylinder.

Claim 7

In a vehicle having a track frame, a first rotatable member mounted to the track frame, and a second rotatable member associated with the track frame and movable toward and away from the first rotatable member, and a track entrained about the first and second rotatable members, track tensioning apparatus comprising: a a cylinder associated with the first rotatable member and having a cylinder wall and a cylinder head portion; b a piston disposed within the cylinder and defining with the cylinder wall and head portion a chamber; c a push rod separate from the piston and associated with the second rotatable member to move therewith toward and away from the first rotatable member, and extending rearwardly of the second rotatable member and having the extended end thereof disposed within the cylinder; d means for introducing pressurized fluid into the chamber to move the piston into contact with the push rod to force the cylinder and push rod apart to extend the push rod from the cylinder; and, e means for transmitting the force on the cylinder forcing the cylinder and push rod apart to the first rotatable member, whereby introduction of such pressurized fluid extends the push rod from the cylinder to move the first rotatable member away from the second rotatable member to thereby tension the track.

Claim 8

In a vehicle having a track frame, a first rotatable member mounted to the track frame, and a second rotatable member associated with the track frame and movable toward and away from the first rotatable member, and a track entrained about the first and second rotatable members, track tensioning apparatus comprising: a a cylinder associated with the first rotatable member and having a cylinder wall and a cylinder head portion; b a piston disposed within the cylinder and defining with the cylinder wall and head portion a chamber; c a push rod separate from the piston and associated with the second rotatable member to move therewith toward and away from the first rotatable member, and extending rearwardly of the second rotatable member and having the extended end thereof disposed within the cylinder; d means for introducing pressurized fluid into the chamber to move the piston into contact with the push rod to force the cylinder and push rod apart to extend the push rod from the cylinder; and, e means for transmitting the force on the cylinder forcing the cylinder and push rod apart to the first rotatable member, whereby introduction of such pressurized fluid extends the push rod from the cylinder to move the first rotatable member away from the second rotatable member to thereby tension the track.

Claim 9

The track tensioning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the cylinder comprises a cylindrical body portion and a separate head portion fixed thereto.

Claim 10

The track tensioning apparatus of claim 7 wherein the force transmitting means comprise resilient means for allowing movement of the first rotatable member toward the second rotatable member against the resiliency thereof, meanwhile urging the second rotatable member away from the first rotatable member.

Claim 11

The track tensioning apparatus of claim 8 wherein the force transmitting means further comprise plate means fixed to the track frame, with the resilient means comprising a helical spring disposed between the fixed plates and cylinder, so that the helical spring urges the second rotatable member away from the first rotatable member through the cylinder, the fluid in the chamber, the piston, and the push rod.

Claim 12

The track tensioning apparatus of claim 9 wherein the fluid is substantially incompressible.

Claim 13

The track tensioning apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second rotatable member is an idler.

Claim 14

The track tensioning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the push rod is guided in its movement by the cylinder.