US3851931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reversible endless track for vehicles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-08-14
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1993-08-14
Abstract
Abstract A reversible endless track assembly for use with various types of vehicles and machines having an endless track arrangement incorporating a plurality of pivotally interconnected pads such as found on various earthworking machines, crawler type tractors and the like. The pads are attached to a pair of substantially spaced parallel rails with the rails being pivotally interconnected by pins to enable the rails to engage the various rollers and sprockets. The rails and the connection between the rails and pads are constructed in a manner to enable the pads to be disassembled from the rails, the rails then turned so that the inner edge becomes the outer edge and the pads then reassembled on the rails and the rails reconnected by the pins thereby enabling the endless track to be reversed so that the original outer edges of the rails which have not been worn by engagement with the rollers and sprockets will then be engaged by the rollers and sprockets thereby effectively prolonging the useful life of an endless track assembly thereby materially reducing the cost of maintenance of this area of vehicles of this type.
Inventors
- 👤 A Crisafulli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:19
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D55/00; B62D55/08; B62D55/18; B62D55/26; B62D55/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An endless track assembly for crawler type tractors of the type having supporting rollers and the like comprising a pair of substantially parallel links adapted to be pivotally connected to form an endless track chain, a track pad connected with each pair of links, and means removably connecting the track pads to the links to enable the links to be reversed and the endless track chain to be turned inside out, said means connecting the pad to the links including fastening means connected with the pad and connected with the links from either longitudinal edge of the links with equal facility whereby the links may be connected to the pads with either edge facing the supporting rollers for the track assembly, each link being provided with a longitudinally extending flange along each side thereof, said fastening means including bolts extending through each flange on each link and through the track pad, and spacer blocks disposed between the flanges and pads.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
An endless track assembly for crawler type tractors of the type having supporting rollers and the like comprising a pair of substantially parallel links adapted to be pivotally connected to form an endless track chain, a track pad connected with each pair of links, and means removably connecting the track pads to the links to enable the links to be reversed and the endless track chain to be turned inside out, said means connecting the pad to the links including fastening means connected with the pad and connected with the links from either longitudinal edge of the links with equal facility whereby the links may be connected to the pads with either edge facing the supporting rollers for the track assembly, each link being provided with a longitudinally extending flange along each side thereof, said fastening means including bolts extending through each flange on each link and through the track pad, and spacer blocks disposed between the flanges and pads.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said spacer blocks are continuous throughout the length of the link and constructed of resilient material and having a height slightly greater than the distance from the flange to the longitudinal edge of the link thereby spacing the track pads slightly from the edge of the link.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said flanges are of unitary construction with the link and extend substantially throughout the length thereof, said spacer blocks being commensurate in length to the flanges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
195 words
An endless track assembly for crawler type tractors of the type having supporting rollers and the like comprising a pair of substantially parallel links adapted to be pivotally connected to form an endless track chain, a track pad connected with each pair of links, and means removably connecting the track pads to the links to enable the links to be reversed and the endless track chain to be turned inside out, said means connecting the pad to the links including fastening means connected with the pad and connected with the links from either longitudinal edge of the links with equal facility whereby the links may be connected to the pads with either edge facing the supporting rollers for the track assembly, each of said links including a plurality of bores extending from the inner edge to the outer edge thereof, said fastening means including a bolt extending through the pad and through the bore in the link, said bore being countersunk on each end thereof, said bolt including an elongated nut received in the countersunk portion of the bore whereby the end of the elongated nut will terminate flush with the surface of the link.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
195 words
An endless track assembly for crawler type tractors of the type having supporting rollers and the like comprising a pair of substantially parallel links adapted to be pivotally connected to form an endless track chain, a track pad connected with each pair of links, and means removably connecting the track pads to the links to enable the links to be reversed and the endless track chain to be turned inside out, said means connecting the pad to the links including fastening means connected with the pad and connected with the links from either longitudinal edge of the links with equal facility whereby the links may be connected to the pads with either edge facing the supporting rollers for the track assembly, each of said links including a plurality of bores extending from the inner edge to the outer edge thereof, said fastening means including a bolt extending through the pad and through the bore in the link, said bore being countersunk on each end thereof, said bolt including an elongated nut received in the countersunk portion of the bore whereby the end of the elongated nut will terminate flush with the surface of the link.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said bore in the link is disposed along the centerline thereof with the bolt extending through the bore securing the pad directly to the edge surface of the link with the other edge surface of the link adapted to engage a track supporting roller and the like.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
137 words
A link adapted to be pivotally connected together in an end to end manner to form a track chain and adapted to support track pads, said link including an elongated rigid member having parallel longitudinal edges, one of said edges adapted to engage a supporting structure for the track chain, said rigid member including means for connecting a track pad in overlying relation to either longitudinal edge of the link with equal facility thereby enabling either edge of the link to engage a supporting structure so that both edges of the link become wear surfaces, said means including bores extending between the longitudinal edges for receiving pad mounting bolts, each end of each bore being counterbored to receive a nut on the bolt whereby the nut will wear along with the adjacent longitudinal edge of the link.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
137 words
A link adapted to be pivotally connected together in an end to end manner to form a track chain and adapted to support track pads, said link including an elongated rigid member having parallel longitudinal edges, one of said edges adapted to engage a supporting structure for the track chain, said rigid member including means for connecting a track pad in overlying relation to either longitudinal edge of the link with equal facility thereby enabling either edge of the link to engage a supporting structure so that both edges of the link become wear surfaces, said means including bores extending between the longitudinal edges for receiving pad mounting bolts, each end of each bore being counterbored to receive a nut on the bolt whereby the nut will wear along with the adjacent longitudinal edge of the link.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
136 words
A link adapted to be pivotally connected together in an end to end manner to form a track chain and adapted to support track pads, said link including an elongated rigid member having parallel longitudinal edges, one of said edges adapted to engage a supporting structure for the track chain, said rigid member including means for connecting a track pad in overlying relation to either longitudinal edge of the link with equal facility thereby enabling either edge of the link to engage a supporting structure so that both edges of the link become wear surfaces, said means including an elongated flange extending laterally from the link centrally between the longitudinal edges, and a spacer block engaging the surface of the flange facing a track pad, said flange and spacer block adapted to receive pad mounting bolts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
136 words
A link adapted to be pivotally connected together in an end to end manner to form a track chain and adapted to support track pads, said link including an elongated rigid member having parallel longitudinal edges, one of said edges adapted to engage a supporting structure for the track chain, said rigid member including means for connecting a track pad in overlying relation to either longitudinal edge of the link with equal facility thereby enabling either edge of the link to engage a supporting structure so that both edges of the link become wear surfaces, said means including an elongated flange extending laterally from the link centrally between the longitudinal edges, and a spacer block engaging the surface of the flange facing a track pad, said flange and spacer block adapted to receive pad mounting bolts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure as defined in claim 7 wherein both sides of the link include a flange and spacer block, said blocks being of resilient material and dimensioned to extend slightly beyond the adjacent longitudinal edge to space the pads from the edges of the links.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
141 words
A link adapted to be pivotally connected together in an end to end manner to form a track chain and adapted to support track pads, said link including an elongated rigid member having parallel longitudinal edges, one of said edges adapted to engage a supporting structure for the track chain, said rigid member including means for connecting a track pad in overlying relation to either longitudinal edge of the link with equal facility thereby enabling either edge of the link to engage the supporting structure for the track chain so that both edges of the link become wear surfaces, said means including flange means rigid with said link and projecting laterally outwardly therefrom equally between the longitudinal edges, said flange means including openings adapted to removably receive track pad mounting bolts therethrough for removably securing a track pad to the link.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
141 words
A link adapted to be pivotally connected together in an end to end manner to form a track chain and adapted to support track pads, said link including an elongated rigid member having parallel longitudinal edges, one of said edges adapted to engage a supporting structure for the track chain, said rigid member including means for connecting a track pad in overlying relation to either longitudinal edge of the link with equal facility thereby enabling either edge of the link to engage the supporting structure for the track chain so that both edges of the link become wear surfaces, said means including flange means rigid with said link and projecting laterally outwardly therefrom equally between the longitudinal edges, said flange means including openings adapted to removably receive track pad mounting bolts therethrough for removably securing a track pad to the link.
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) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |