US3897980A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sprocket tooth engaging track noise suppression means
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1974-04-05
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1994-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A noise attenuating system for the tracks of a track-laying vehicle. A plurality of noise attenuating devices are disposed about the track chain of a track-laying vehicle, one device mounted upon each track shoe. Each device is comprised of a preloaded spring means in the form of a block or pad of elastomeric material and each device is mounted upon the inner circumferential portion of an individual track shoe. A wear plate means is included for directly engaging the radially outermost portions of the teeth of the driving sprocket of the track-laying vehicle. The devices are disposed so that the outermost edges of the sprocket teeth engage the wear plates prior to engagement of the track bushings with the sprocket notches and are also disposed so that metal-on-metal contact between the leading and trailing edges of each respective link shoe is preceeded by contact between each respective leading edge and the elastomeric material from which the spring means are composed.
Inventors
- 👤 Delbert D Dester
- 👤 Roger L Boggs
- 👤 Harold L Reinsma
- 👤 Maurice E Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:03
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D55/00; B62D55/08; B62D55/096
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A track chain for a track-laying vehicle having a plurality of link means articulately coupled together by pin and bushing means, said bushing means being adapted to be driven by sprocket means to drive said track chain at least one of said link means including noise attenuating means for reducing the noise associated with driving said track chain, said noise attenuating means including resilient spring means mounted upon said one link means between its associated bushing means, said noise attenuating means further including wear plate means directly engaging said spring means and adapted for directly engaging the radially outermost teeth portions of said sprocket means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A track chain for a track-laying vehicle having a plurality of link means articulately coupled together by pin and bushing means, said bushing means being adapted to be driven by sprocket means to drive said track chain at least one of said link means including noise attenuating means for reducing the noise associated with driving said track chain, said noise attenuating means including resilient spring means mounted upon said one link means between its associated bushing means, said noise attenuating means further including wear plate means directly engaging said spring means and adapted for directly engaging the radially outermost teeth portions of said sprocket means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said at least one link means include a ground engaging shoe portion attached to said bushing means by at least one link member, said noise attenuating means being mounted upon said shoe portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 2 further including holding means for holding said noise attenuating means upon said shoe portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said holding means exerts a predetermined compressive force upon said spring means to preload said spring means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said sprocket means include notches for engaging and driving said bushing means, said noise attenuating means being disposed upon said shoe portion in relation to said bushing means such that said outermost teeth portions of said sprocket means engage said wear plate means prior to successive engagements of said bushing means and said notches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said holding means include at least one threaded bolt engaging said wear plate means and said shoe portion to hold said spring means between said plate means and shoe portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said holding means include a holding clamp member attached to said shoe portion and adapted to engage said wear plate means to permit only a predetermined amount of expansion of said spring means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said holding means include a pair of flange means extending laterally outwardly from said wear plate means in the directions of said bushing means for directly engaging said bushing means to limit the possible expansion of said spring means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said spring means is comprised by a pad of elastomeric material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein each of said plurality of link means include said noise attenuating means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3567294A
Cited
US3563614A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |