US3939930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle track retention device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-09-03
•
Granted: 1976-02-24
•
Expires: 1994-09-03
Abstract
Abstract A track-carrying frame is attached to a vehicle axle, preferably as a temporary replacement for the vehicle wheel, as is disclosed in application Ser. No. 413,443, filed Nov. 7, 1973 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,771. The present device comprises a track guide attached to the bottom of the frame which cooperates with lugs on the inner faces of the track to prevent the track from moving laterally off the frame and the sprockets, idlers and bogie wheels mounted thereon. Further, the device restrains the frame from movement relative to the vehicle from its normal horizontal position into an inoperative position when the frame momentarily is out of contact with the ground.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold S. Firstenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:40
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D55/00; B62D55/04; B62D55/08; B62D55/30; B62D55/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
For use with a vehicle track drive member suitable for attachment to a vehicle wheel drive wall to replace the vehicle wheel and wherein is provided a frame having a normally substantially horizontal bottom, a drive sprocket, idlers and bogie wheels rotatably mounted in said frame and an endless track extending around said sprocket, idlers and bogie wheels, said track having a plurality of sections pivotally connected together, each said section having on either side thereof a lug which protrudes inward on either side of said frame, the improvement which comprises an inverted channel extending longitudinally and having a web, means rigidly connecting said web flush with the underside of said bottom, and flanges on the underside of said web, said flanges disposed immediately inward of the path of travel of said lugs as said track is driven by said sprocket and holding said track sections spaced below said bottom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
For use with a vehicle track drive member suitable for attachment to a vehicle wheel drive wall to replace the vehicle wheel and wherein is provided a frame having a normally substantially horizontal bottom, a drive sprocket, idlers and bogie wheels rotatably mounted in said frame and an endless track extending around said sprocket, idlers and bogie wheels, said track having a plurality of sections pivotally connected together, each said section having on either side thereof a lug which protrudes inward on either side of said frame, the improvement which comprises an inverted channel extending longitudinally and having a web, means rigidly connecting said web flush with the underside of said bottom, and flanges on the underside of said web, said flanges disposed immediately inward of the path of travel of said lugs as said track is driven by said sprocket and holding said track sections spaced below said bottom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein each end of each said flange is severed from said web and bent inward, whereby lugs tending to be forced out of normal path of travel are deflected by said ends to the outsides of said webs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said frame comprises two longitudinal parallel plates, said web connected to the bottom edges of said plates to reinforce said bottom edges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The improvement of claim 1 which further comprises a flexible member, first means for attachment of one end of said flexible member to a fixed position on said vehicle, and second means for attachment of a second end of said flexible member to a position adjacent one end of said frame, whereby said flexible member restrains within fixed limits rotation of said frame about the axis of rotation of said sprocket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein said second means comprises first and second bracket means fixed to opposite sides of said frame and a second flexible member interconnecting said first and second bracket means, said second end of said first-mentioned flexible means connected to said second flexible member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement of claim 5 which further comprises a cross rod spanning the distance between said first and second bracket means and securing said bracket means in fixed spaced relation, said cross rod extending above the path of movement of said track.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein each said bracket means comprises a plurality of bracket members fixed to discrete areas of said frame and converging at their upper ends for attachment to said second flexible member, one end of one said bracket member being fixed to said frame adjacent said channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improvement of claim 4 which further comprises a bracket fixed to the inward side of said frame and having a substantially vertical upward extension, said second end of said flexible member connected to the upper end of said upward extension.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 4 which further comprises an extendable, resilient tightener cord connected to said flexible member to take up slack in said flexible member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
151 words
For use with a vehicle track drive member suitable for attachment to a vehicle wheel drive wall to replace the vehicle wheel and wherein is provided a frame, an endless track and drive means for said track rotatably mounted in said frame, the improvement which comprises a flexible member, first means for attachment of one end of said flexible member to a fixed position on said vehicle, and second means for attachment of a second end of said flexible member to a position adjacent one end of said frame, whereby said flexible member restrains within fixed limits rotation of said frame about the axis of rotation of said sprocket, said second means comprising first and second bracket means fixed to opposite sides of said frame and a second flexible member interconnecting said first and second bracket means, said second end of said first-mentioned flexible means connected to said second flexible member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
151 words
For use with a vehicle track drive member suitable for attachment to a vehicle wheel drive wall to replace the vehicle wheel and wherein is provided a frame, an endless track and drive means for said track rotatably mounted in said frame, the improvement which comprises a flexible member, first means for attachment of one end of said flexible member to a fixed position on said vehicle, and second means for attachment of a second end of said flexible member to a position adjacent one end of said frame, whereby said flexible member restrains within fixed limits rotation of said frame about the axis of rotation of said sprocket, said second means comprising first and second bracket means fixed to opposite sides of said frame and a second flexible member interconnecting said first and second bracket means, said second end of said first-mentioned flexible means connected to said second flexible member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement of claim 10 which further comprises a cross rod spanning the distance between said first and second bracket means and securing said bracket means in fixed spaced relation, said cross rod extending above the path of movement of said track.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
143 words
For use with a vehicle track drive member suitable for attachment to a vehicle wheel drive wall to replace the vehicle wheel and wherein is provided a frame, an endless track and drive means for said track rotatably mounted in said frame, the improvement which comprises a flexible member, first means for attachment of one end of said flexible member to a fixed position on said vehicle, second means for attachment of a second end of said flexible member to a position adjacent one end of said frame, whereby said flexible member restrains within fixed limits rotation of said frame about the axis of rotation of said sprocket, and a bracket fixed to the inward side of said frame and having a substantially vertical upward extension, said second end of said flexible member being connected to the upper end of said upward extension.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
143 words
For use with a vehicle track drive member suitable for attachment to a vehicle wheel drive wall to replace the vehicle wheel and wherein is provided a frame, an endless track and drive means for said track rotatably mounted in said frame, the improvement which comprises a flexible member, first means for attachment of one end of said flexible member to a fixed position on said vehicle, second means for attachment of a second end of said flexible member to a position adjacent one end of said frame, whereby said flexible member restrains within fixed limits rotation of said frame about the axis of rotation of said sprocket, and a bracket fixed to the inward side of said frame and having a substantially vertical upward extension, said second end of said flexible member being connected to the upper end of said upward extension.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
128 words
For use with a vehicle track drive member suitable for attachment to a vehicle wheel drive wall to replace the vehicle wheel and wherein is provided a frame, an endless track and drive means for said track rotatably mounted in said frame, the improvement which comprises a flexible member, first means for attachment of one end of said flexible member to a fixed position on said vehicle, and second means for attachment of a second end of said flexible member to a position adjacent one end of said frame, whereby said flexible member restrains within fixed limits rotation of said frame about the axis of rotation of said sprocket, and an extendable, resilient tightener cord connected to said flexible member to take up slack in said flexible member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
128 words
For use with a vehicle track drive member suitable for attachment to a vehicle wheel drive wall to replace the vehicle wheel and wherein is provided a frame, an endless track and drive means for said track rotatably mounted in said frame, the improvement which comprises a flexible member, first means for attachment of one end of said flexible member to a fixed position on said vehicle, and second means for attachment of a second end of said flexible member to a position adjacent one end of said frame, whereby said flexible member restrains within fixed limits rotation of said frame about the axis of rotation of said sprocket, and an extendable, resilient tightener cord connected to said flexible member to take up slack in said flexible member.
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) | 1979-02-23 | 1979-08-25 | 1980-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-23 | 1983-08-25 | 1984-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-23 | 1987-08-25 | 1988-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |