Endless drive system

Claim 2

An endless drive system comprising: a plurality of endless drive sections, each section including a substantially closed contact surface and inwardly sloped, substantially closed side surfaces extending from first and second sides of said contact surface toward the center of the endless drive system and forming therewith a body portion having a substantially closed periphery; connecting means for pivotally connecting the portions of said endless drive sections adjacent the center of the drive system to enable movement of said endless drive system in an endless path; and shield means extending from each body portion and overlapping an adjacent endless drive section for maintaining a substantially closed structure between adjacent endless drive sections as said endless drive system travels in an endless path.

Claim 3

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 1 in which non-adjacent endless drive sections extend from said contact surface a first distance and intervening ones of said endless drive sections extend from said contact surface a second distance less than the first distance.

Claim 4

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a wheel about which said endless drive system travels in an endless path, the periphery of said wheel being indented different depths for fittingly engaging said non-adjacent and intervening ones of said drive sections as they travel in said endless path.

Claim 5

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of wheels, said endless drive sections being connected about said plurality of wheels; and control means for controlling the relative positioning of said plurality of wheels to permit alteration of the alignment thereof.

Claim 6

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 4 in which said plurality of wheels include first and second end wheels and at least one wheel intermediate said end wheels; and said control means includes means for adjusting the longitudinal spacing of said end wheels and the vertical position of said intermediate wheel.

Claim 7

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 1 in which the body portion has a recess in the surface thereof opposite the closed contact surface for receiving a drive pin from a drive wheel.

Claim 8

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 1 in which the body portion includes a drive pin extending from the surface thereof opposite the closed contact surface for insertion into a recess in a drive wheel.

Claim 9

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a plurality of wheels at least one of which is a drive wheel, each wheel having a peripheral surface notched at an angle to mate with the sloped side surfaces of the endless drive sections, the notch of at least said drive wheel including a recess to receive an endless drive section drive pin.

Claim 10

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 1 in which each body portion includes a triangular segment, made up of the closed contact surface and the sloped side surfaces, and a second segment extending from the corner junction of the triangular segment opposite the closed contact surface.

Claim 11

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 9 in which the second segments of alternate ones of said endless drive sections extend from said triangular segment a first distance, and the second segments of the intervening ones of said endless drive sections extend from the triangular segments a second distance less than the first distance.

Claim 12

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a wheel about which said endless drive system travels in an endless path, the periphery of said wheel being indented different depths for fittingly engaging said alternate and intervening ones of said second segments as said endless drive system travels in the endless path.

Claim 13

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 1 in which said shield means comprises a plurality of rigid shield means, each rigid shield means connected to one of said endless drive sections and telescopingly engaging an adjacent endless drive section.

Claim 14

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising drive means extending from at least one of said sloped side surfaces.

Claim 15

An endless drive system comprising: a plurality of endless drive sections each including a substantially closed contact surface having an axis and each further including first and second substantially closed, sloped side surfaces extending from first and second sides of said contact surface to form a body portion, said first and second sides being substantially parallel with said axis; a plurality of fastening means for pivotally connecting said plurality of endless drive sections for movement in a direction of travel as an endless drive system, with each endless drive section axis substantially parallel to said direction of travel; shield means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless drive system, said shield means extending between adjacent endless drive sections and within each body portion adjacent said sloped side surfaces for shielding the interiors of said body portions from entry of foreign objects; and in which each body portion has a connection hole through each of the two sloped side surfaces thereof; each shield means comprises a shield portion extending from an associated body portion and having a substantially triangular cross-section with a connection hole passing through each of the two sloping surfaces thereof and adapted for mating with the body portion of an adjacent endless drive section to align the connection hole of the shield portion with the connection hole of the adjacent endless drive section body portion; and each fastening means passes through the connection hole of an endless drive section body portion and the connection hole of an adjacent endless drive section shield portion to pivotally connect the plurality of endless drive sections in an endless drive system.

Claim 16

An endless drive system comprising: a plurality of endless drive sections each including a substantially closed contact surface having an axis and each further including first and second substantially closed, sloped side surfaces extending from first and second sides of said contact surface to form a body portion, said first and second sides being substantially parallel with said axis; a plurality of fastening means for pivotally connecting said plurality of endless drive sections for movement in a direction of travel as an endless drive system, with each endless drive section axis substantially parallel to said direction of travel; shield means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless drive system, said shield means extending between adjacent endless drive sections and within each body portion adjacent said sloped side surfaces for shielding the interiors of said body portions from entry of foreign objects; and in which each body portion has a connection hole through each of the two sloped side surfaces thereof; each shield means comprises a shield portion extending from an associated body portion and having a substantially triangular cross-section with a connection hole passing through each of the two sloping surfaces thereof and adapted for mating with the body portion of an adjacent endless drive section to align the connection hole of the shield portion with the connection hole of the adjacent endless drive section body portion; and each fastening means passes through the connection hole of an endless drive section body portion and the connection hole of an adjacent endless drive section shield portion to pivotally connect the plurality of endless drive sections in an endless drive system.

Claim 17

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 14 in which the body portion is a hollow triangular portion having the closed contact surface and the first and second sloped side surfaces and having an outer triangular cross-section and an inner triangular cross-section and in which the shield portion has a triangular cross-section substantially the same as the body portion inner triangular cross-section to permit insertion of the shield portion within the body portion of the adjacent drive section.

Claim 18

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 15 in which the shield portion has a first end extending from the body portion and a second closed end.

Claim 19

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a plurality of wheels at least one of which is a drive wheel, each wheel having its peripheral surface notched at an angle to mate with the sloped side surfaces of the endless drive sections, said endless drive sections being connected about said plurality of wheels.

Claim 20

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 17 in which each of said wheels is formed of two saucer-shaped members positioned back-to-back, shim means for conrolling the spacing between said saucer-shaped members, and fastening means for fastening said saucer-shaped members and said shim means together as a wheel.

Claim 21

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 17 in which the peripheral surface notch of each wheel includes a removable wear surface.

Claim 22

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 17 further comprising at least one drive pin extending from the notch of said drive wheel and in which the body portion of at least some of said endless drive sections has a recess in the surface thereof opposite said closed contact surface for receiving said drive pin.

Claim 23

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 17 in which the notch of said drive wheel has a plurality of recesses therein and in which the body portion of at least some of said endless drive sections has a drive pin extending from the surface thereof opposite said closed contact surface for insertion into one of the recesses of said drive wheel notch.

Claim 24

An endless drive system comprising: a plurality of endless drive sections, each endless drive section including a substantially closed contact surface having an axis and first and second substantially closed, sloped side surfaces extending inwardly of first and second sides of said contact surface to form a body portion, each body portion having a connecting hole passing therethrough, each endless drive section further including a second portion extending from the body portion and having a connection hole passing therethrough and adapted for mating with the body portion connection hole of an adjacent endless drive section to align the connection hole of the second portion with the connection hole of the adjacent endless drive section body portion; a plurality of fastening means, one fastening means passing through the connection hole of each endless drive section body portion and the connection hole of the adjacent endless drive section second portion, to pivotally connect the plurality of endless drive sections in an endless drive system for movement in a direction of travel with each endless drive section axis substantially parallel to said direction of travel; and sheld means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless drive system.

Claim 25

An endless drive system comprising: a plurality of endless drive sections, each endless drive section including a substantially closed contact surface having an axis and first and second substantially closed, sloped side surfaces extending inwardly of first and second sides of said contact surface to form a body portion, each body portion having a connecting hole passing therethrough, each endless drive section further including a second portion extending from the body portion and having a connection hole passing therethrough and adapted for mating with the body portion connection hole of an adjacent endless drive section to align the connection hole of the second portion with the connection hole of the adjacent endless drive section body portion; a plurality of fastening means, one fastening means passing through the connection hole of each endless drive section body portion and the connection hole of the adjacent endless drive section second portion, to pivotally connect the plurality of endless drive sections in an endless drive system for movement in a direction of travel with each endless drive section axis substantially parallel to said direction of travel; and sheld means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless drive system.

Claim 26

An endless belt system as claimed in claim 22 in which the body portions include a triangular segment having the closed contact surface and the first and second sloped side surfaces, and a second segment extending from the corner junction of the triangular segment opposite the closed contact surface, the second segment having the body portion connection hole passing therethrough and having a recess therein adjacent the body portion connection hole and adapted to receive the second portion of an adjacent belt section, and in which the second portion extends from the second segment opposite the recess thereof for insertion into the body portion second segment recess of an adjacent endless belt section.

Claim 27

An endless belt system as claimed in claim 22 in which the body portions include a triangular segment having the closed contact surface and the first and second sloped side surfaces, and a second segment extending and offset from one sloped side surface at the corner junction of the triangular segment opposite the closed contact surface, the second portion extending and offset from the other sloped side surface at the corner junction of the triangular segment opposite the closed contact surface, the offsets of the second portion and of the second segment being in opposite directions to permit the second portion of an endless belt section to overlay the second segment of an adjacent endless belt section.

Claim 28

An endless belt system as claimed in claim 22 in which the body portions include a triangular segment having the closed contact surface and the first and second sloped side surfaces, and a second segment extending from one sloped side surface at the corner junction of the triangular segment opposite the closed contact surface, the second portion extending from the other sloped side surface at the corner junction of the triangular segment opposite the closed contact surface, the second portion and the second segment being offset in opposite directions, with the closed contact surface angled to permit the second portion of an endless belt section to overlay the second segment of an adjacent endless belt section.

Claim 29

An endless belt system comprising a plurality of belt sections including an outer, substantially closed surface and substantially closed sides extending inwardly of first and second sides of said outer surface and forming therewith at least part of a body portion having a substantially closed periphery, connecting means for pivotally connecting said belt sections in said belt system to enable movement of said belt system in an endless path during portions of which said adjacent belt sections move apart, and flexible shield means extending between and attached to adjacent belt sections for maintaining a substantially closed structure between adjacent belt sections when said sections move apart as said belt system travels in an endless path.

Claim 30

An endless belt system comprising a plurality of belt sections including an outer, substantially closed surface and substantially closed sides extending inwardly of first and second sides of said outer surface and forming therewith at least part of a body portion having a substantially closed periphery, connecting means for pivotally connecting said belt sections in said belt system to enable movement of said belt system in an endless path during portions of which said adjacent belt sections move apart, and flexible shield means extending between and attached to adjacent belt sections for maintaining a substantially closed structure between adjacent belt sections when said sections move apart as said belt system travels in an endless path.

Claim 31

An endless belt system comprising: a plurality of endless belt sections including a substantially closed, outer contact surface having an axis and further including first and second substantially closed side surfaces extending inwardly of first and second sides of said contact surface to form at least a portion of a body portion, said first and second sides being substantially parallel with said axis; a plurality of fastening means for pivotally connecting said plurality of endless belt sections for movement in a direction of travel as an endless belt system, with the axis of said endless belt sections being substantially parallel to said direction of travel; and gas-filled, flexible shield means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless belt system.

Claim 32

An endless belt system comprising: a plurality of endless belt sections including a substantially closed, outer contact surface having an axis and further including first and second substantially closed side surfaces extending inwardly of first and second sides of said contact surface to form at least a portion of a body portion, said first and second sides being substantially parallel with said axis; a plurality of fastening means for pivotally connecting said plurality of endless belt sections for movement in a direction of travel as an endless belt system, with the axis of said endless belt sections being substantially parallel to said direction of travel; and gas-filled, flexible shield means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless belt system.

Claim 33

An endless belt system comprising: a plurality of endless belt sections including a substantially closed, outer contact surface having an axis and further including first and second substantially closed side surfaces extending inwardly of first and second sides of said contact surface to form at least a portion of a body portion, said first and second sides being substantially parallel with said axis; a plurality of fastening means for pivotally connecting said plurality of endless belt sections for movement in a direction of travel as an endless belt system, with the axis of said endless belt sections being substantially parallel to said direction of travel; and resilient foam-filled shield means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless belt system.

Claim 34

An endless belt system comprising: a plurality of endless belt sections including a substantially closed, outer contact surface having an axis and further including first and second substantially closed side surfaces extending inwardly of first and second sides of said contact surface to form at least a portion of a body portion, said first and second sides being substantially parallel with said axis; a plurality of fastening means for pivotally connecting said plurality of endless belt sections for movement in a direction of travel as an endless belt system, with the axis of said endless belt sections being substantially parallel to said direction of travel; and resilient foam-filled shield means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless belt system.

Claim 35

An endless belt system comprising: a plurality of endless belt sections including a substantially closed, outer contact surface having an axis and further including first and second substantially closed side surfaces extending inwardly of first and second sides of said contact surface to form at least a portion of a body portion, said first and second sides being substantially parallel with said axis; a plurality of fastening means for pivotally connecting said plurality of endless belt sections for movement in a direction of travel as an endless belt system, with the axis of said endless belt sections being substantially parallel to said direction of travel; and accordion fold shield means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless belt system and cooperating with said fastening means to permit pivoting of said endless belt system as it moves in an endless path.

Claim 36

An endless belt system comprising: a plurality of endless belt sections including a substantially closed, outer contact surface having an axis and further including first and second substantially closed side surfaces extending inwardly of first and second sides of said contact surface to form at least a portion of a body portion, said first and second sides being substantially parallel with said axis; a plurality of fastening means for pivotally connecting said plurality of endless belt sections for movement in a direction of travel as an endless belt system, with the axis of said endless belt sections being substantially parallel to said direction of travel; and accordion fold shield means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless belt system and cooperating with said fastening means to permit pivoting of said endless belt system as it moves in an endless path.

Claim 37

An endless belt system comprising: a plurality of endless belt sections each including a substantially closed, outer contact surface having an axis and further including first and second substantially closed side surfaces extending inwardly of first and second sides of said contact surface to form a body portion, said first and second sides being substantially parallel with said axis; each of said endless drive sections further including a second portion extending from the surface of the associated body portion opposite the closed contact surface; fastening means enclosed within said endless drive sections for pivotally connecting said plurality of endless belt sections for movement in a direction of travel as an endless belt system, with the axis of said endless belt sections being substantially parallel to said direction of travel; and shield means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless belt system.

Claim 38

An endless belt system comprising: a plurality of endless belt sections each including a substantially closed, outer contact surface having an axis and further including first and second substantially closed side surfaces extending inwardly of first and second sides of said contact surface to form a body portion, said first and second sides being substantially parallel with said axis; each of said endless drive sections further including a second portion extending from the surface of the associated body portion opposite the closed contact surface; fastening means enclosed within said endless drive sections for pivotally connecting said plurality of endless belt sections for movement in a direction of travel as an endless belt system, with the axis of said endless belt sections being substantially parallel to said direction of travel; and shield means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless belt system.

Claim 39

An endless track system for a vehicle comprising: (a) a plurality of vehicle track sections, each comprising: (1) a substantially triangular portion having a ground contacting surface and two sloping surfaces, the substantially triangular portion having a connection hole passing therethrough, the substantially triangular portion being adapted to mate with the second portion of an adjacent vehicle track section; and (2) a second portion extending from the substantially triangular portion and having a connection hole passing therethrough, the second portion adapted for mating with the substantially triangular portion of an adjacent vehicle track section to align the connection hole of the second portion with the connection hole of the adjacent track section substantially triangular portion; and (b) a plurality of fastening means, each fastening means passing through the connection hole of a track section substantially triangular portion and the connection hole of the adjacent track section second portion to rotatably connect the plurality of track sections in an endless track.

Claim 40

An endless track system for a vehicle comprising: (a) a plurality of vehicle track sections, each comprising: (1) a substantially triangular portion having a ground contacting surface and two sloping surfaces, the substantially triangular portion having a connection hole passing therethrough, the substantially triangular portion being adapted to mate with the second portion of an adjacent vehicle track section; and (2) a second portion extending from the substantially triangular portion and having a connection hole passing therethrough, the second portion adapted for mating with the substantially triangular portion of an adjacent vehicle track section to align the connection hole of the second portion with the connection hole of the adjacent track section substantially triangular portion; and (b) a plurality of fastening means, each fastening means passing through the connection hole of a track section substantially triangular portion and the connection hole of the adjacent track section second portion to rotatably connect the plurality of track sections in an endless track.

Claim 41

An endless track system as claimed in claim 31 in which the substantially triangular portion connection hole passes through the two sloping surfaces and in which the second portion has a substantially triangular cross-section.

Claim 42

An endless track system as claimed in claim 32 in which the substantially triangular portion is a hollow triangular portion having an outer triangular cross-section and an inner triangular cross-section and in which the second portion has a triangular cross-section substantially the same as the substantially triangular portion inner triangular cross-section to permit insertion of the second portion within the substantially triangular portion of the adjacent vehicle track section.

Claim 43

An endless track system as claimed in claim 33 in which the second portion has a first end extending from the substantially triangular portion and a second closed end.

Claim 44

An endless track system as claimed in claim 31 in which the substantially triangular portion includes a first triangular segment and a second segment extending from the corner surface of the triangular segment opposite the ground contacting surface, the second segment having the substantially triangular portion connection hole passing therethrough and having a recess therein adjacent the substantially triangular portion connection hole and adapted to receive the second portion of an adjacent vehicle track section, and in which the second portion extends from the second segment opposite the recess thereof for insertion into the substantially triangular portion second segment recess of an adjacent vehicle track section.

Claim 45

An endless track system as claimed in claim 31 in which the substantially triangular portion includes a first triangular segment and a second segment extending and offset from one sloping surface at the corner surface of the triangular segment opposite the ground contacting surface, the second portion extending and offset from the other sloping surface at the corner surface of the triangular segment opposite the ground contacting surface, the offsets of the second portion and of the second segment being in opposite directions to permit the second portion of a vehicle track section to overlay the second segment of the adjacent track section.

Claim 46

An endless track system as claimed in claim 31 in which the substantially triangular portion includes a first triangular segment and a second segment extending from one sloping surface at the corner surface of the triangular segment opposite the ground contacting surface, the second portion extending from the other sloping surface at the corner surface of the triangular segment opposite the ground contacting surface, the second portion and the second segment being offset in opposite directions with the ground contacting surface angled to permit the second portion of a vehicle track section to overlay the second segment of the adjacent vehicle track section.

Claim 47

An endless track system as claimed in claim 31 in which the substantially triangular portion includes a drive pin extending from the surface thereof opposite the ground engaging surface for insertion into a recess in a vehicle drive wheel.

Claim 48

An endless track system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising a plurality of wheels, at least one of which is a drive wheel, each wheel having a peripheral surface notched at an angle to mate with the sloping surfaces of the vehicle track sections, the notch including a recess to receive a vehicle track section drive pin.

Claim 49

An endless track system as claimed in claim 39 in which the ground contacting surface includes a tread surface.

Claim 50

An endless track system as claimed in claim 31 in which the substantially triangular portion surface opposite the ground engaging surface has a recess therein for receiving a drive pin from a vehicle drive wheel.

Claim 51

An endless track system as claimed in claim 31 in which the ground contacting surface includes a tread surface.

Claim 52

An endless track system as claimed in claim 42 in which the tread surface is a cleated surface.

Claim 53

An endless track system as claimed in claim 31 further comprising a plurality of wheels at least one of which is a drive wheel, each wheel having a peripheral surface notched at an angle to mate with the sloping surfaces of the vehicle track sections.

Claim 54

An endless track system as claimed in claim 41 in which the wheel peripheral surface notch includes a recess to receive the second portion.

Claim 55

An endless track system as claimed in claim 44 in which the wheel peripheral surface notch includes a removable wear surface.

Claim 56

An endless track system as claimed in claim 31 in which the ground contacting surface is cleated.

Claim 57

An endless drive system comprising: a plurality of endless drive sections including a substantially closed, outer contact surface having an axis and further including first and second substantially closed side surfaces extending inwardly from first and second sides of said contact surface to form a body portion, said first and second sides being substantially parallel with said axis; a plurality of fastening means for pivotally connecting said plurality of endless drive sections for movement in a direction of travel as an endless drive system, with the axis of said endless drive sections being substantially parallel to said direction of travel; a plurality of wheels over which said connected endless drive sections move; and shield means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless drive system, said shield means comprising a plurality of shield sections overlying respective ones of said plurality of wheels, said shield sections extending between said wheels to substantially cover the side of said wheels and the side of said endless drive sections.

Claim 58

An endless drive system comprising: a plurality of endless drive sections including a substantially closed, outer contact surface having an axis and further including first and second substantially closed side surfaces extending inwardly from first and second sides of said contact surface to form a body portion, said first and second sides being substantially parallel with said axis; a plurality of fastening means for pivotally connecting said plurality of endless drive sections for movement in a direction of travel as an endless drive system, with the axis of said endless drive sections being substantially parallel to said direction of travel; a plurality of wheels over which said connected endless drive sections move; and shield means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless drive system, said shield means comprising a plurality of shield sections overlying respective ones of said plurality of wheels, said shield sections extending between said wheels to substantially cover the side of said wheels and the side of said endless drive sections.

Claim 59

An endless drive system as claimed in claim 48 further comprising roller means connected to a plurality of said shield sections and adjacent said wheels for providing rolling contact between said shield sections and said wheels.

Claim 60

An endless drive comprising: a plurality of endless drive sections having a substantially closed, outer contact surface having an axis and further including first and second substantially closed sides extending inwardly from first and second sides of said contact surface to form a body portion, said first and second sides being substantially parallel with said axis; a plurality of fastening means for pivotally connecting said plurality of endless drive sections for movement in a direction of travel as an endless drive system, with the axis of said endless drive sections being substantially parallel to said direction of travel; a plurality of wheels over which said connected endless drive sections move; shield means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless drive systems; and roller means connected to said shield means and adjacent said wheels for providing rolling contact between said shield means and said wheels.

Claim 61

An endless drive comprising: a plurality of endless drive sections having a substantially closed, outer contact surface having an axis and further including first and second substantially closed sides extending inwardly from first and second sides of said contact surface to form a body portion, said first and second sides being substantially parallel with said axis; a plurality of fastening means for pivotally connecting said plurality of endless drive sections for movement in a direction of travel as an endless drive system, with the axis of said endless drive sections being substantially parallel to said direction of travel; a plurality of wheels over which said connected endless drive sections move; shield means for preventing entry of foreign objects into said endless drive systems; and roller means connected to said shield means and adjacent said wheels for providing rolling contact between said shield means and said wheels.