Resilient support pad for crawler type vehicles

Claim 2

A unitary resilient support pad (22) for use on a vehicle (10), the support pad (22) comprising: a base portion (24), an intermediate portion (26), and a cap portion (28) each of a generally round horizontal cross sectional configuration and defining an overall height Ht, the base portion (24) being of a columnar configuration and having a preselected height Hb, the intermediate portion (26) having outer annular walls (34) sloping generally inwardly, the cap portion (28) being of a general domed configuration, and the preselected height Hb of the base portion (24) being in a range of about 3.5% to about 26% of the overall height Ht; and wherein the base portion (24) has a bottom surface (25) having a preselected area defined by the expression "Area = T/C" wherein: C = a constant in a range of about 3500 to about 8300 kPa. T = total weight of the vehicle (10) upon which the pad (22) is to be used.

Claim 3

A unitary resilient support pad (22) for use on a vehicle (10), the support pad comprising: a base portion (24), an intermediate portion (26), and a cap portion (28) each of a generally round horizontal cross sectional configuration and defining an overall height Ht, the base portion (24) being of a columnar configuration and having a preselected height Hb, the intermediate portion (26) having outer annular walls (34) sloping generally inwardly, the cap portion (28) being of a general domed configuration, and the preselected height Hb of the base portion (24) being in a range of about 3.5% to about 26% of the overall height Ht; and wherein the support pad (22) is of a dimension sufficient for deflection of substantially the entire cap portion (28) to a substantially planar surface in response to the support pad (22) being installed on the vehicle (10) and experiencing a standing loading.

Claim 4

A unitary resilient support pad (22) for use on a vehicle (10), the support pad comprising: a base portion (24), an intermediate portion (26), and a cap portion (28) each of a generally round horizontal cross sectional configuration and defining an overall height Ht, the base portion (24) being of a columnar configuration and having a preselected height Hb, the intermediate portion (26) having outer annular walls (34) sloping generally inwardly, the cap portion (28) being of a general domed configuration, and the preselected height Hb of the base portion (24) being in a range of about 3.5% to about 26% of the overall height Ht; and wherein the support pad (22) is of a dimension sufficient for deflection of substantially the entire cap portion (28) to a substantially planar surface in response to the support pad (22) being installed on the vehicle (10) and experiencing a standing loading.

Claim 5

A unitary resilient support pad (22) for use on a vehicle (10), the support pad comprising: a base portion (24), an intermediate portion (26), and a cap portion (28) each of a generally round horizontal cross sectional configuration and defining an overall height Ht, the base portion (24) being of a columnar configuration and having a preselected height Hb, the intermediate portion (26) having outer annular walls (34) sloping generally inwardly, the cap portion (28) being of a general domed configuration, and the preselected height Hb of the base portion (24) being in a range of about 3.5% to about 26% of the overall height Ht; and wherein the support pad (22) has a preselected load deflection curve in use on the vehicle (10) and is of dimensions sufficient for providing load-deflection properties at which the load deflection curve of the support pad (22) at maximum expected load is substantially vertical.

Claim 6

A unitary resilient support pad (22) for use on a vehicle (10), the support pad comprising: a base portion (24), an intermediate portion (26), and a cap portion (28) each of a generally round horizontal cross sectional configuration and defining an overall height Ht, the base portion (24) being of a columnar configuration and having a preselected height Hb, the intermediate portion (26) having outer annular walls (34) sloping generally inwardly, the cap portion (28) being of a general domed configuration, and the preselected height Hb of the base portion (24) being in a range of about 3.5% to about 26% of the overall height Ht; and wherein the support pad (22) has a preselected load deflection curve in use on the vehicle (10) and is of dimensions sufficient for providing load-deflection properties at which the load deflection curve of the support pad (22) at maximum expected load is substantially vertical.

Claim 7

A crawler type vehicle (10) comprising: a frame (14); an arm (18) pivotally connected to the frame (14); a plate (30) releasably connected to one of the frame (14) and the arm (18); and a resilient support pad (22) bonded to the plate (30) and disposed at a location between the frame (14) and the arm (18), the resilient support pad (22) having a base portion (24), an intermediate portion (26), and a cap portion (28) each of a generally round horizontal cross sectional configuration and defining an overall height Ht, the base portion (24) being of a columnar configuration and having a preselected height Hb, the intermediate portion (26) having outer annular walls (34) sloping generally inwardly, the cap portion (28) being of a general domed configuration, and the preselected height Hb of the base portion (24) being in a range of about 3.5% to about 26% of the overall height Ht.

Claim 8

A crawler type vehicle (10) comprising: a frame (14); an arm (18) pivotally connected to the frame (14); a plate (30) releasably connected to one of the frame (14) and the arm (18); and a resilient support pad (22) bonded to the plate (30) and disposed at a location between the frame (14) and the arm (18), the resilient support pad (22) having a base portion (24), an intermediate portion (26), and a cap portion (28) each of a generally round horizontal cross sectional configuration and defining an overall height Ht, the base portion (24) being of a columnar configuration and having a preselected height Hb, the intermediate portion (26) having outer annular walls (34) sloping generally inwardly, the cap portion (28) being of a general domed configuration, and the preselected height Hb of the base portion (24) being in a range of about 3.5% to about 26% of the overall height Ht.

Claim 9

The crawler type vehicle (10) of claim 4 wherein the intermediate portion (26) is a frustum.

Claim 10

The crawler type vehicle (10) of claim 4 wherein each of the base, intermediate, and cap portions (24,26,28) has a circular horizontal cross sectional configuration.

Claim 11

The crawler type vehicle (10) of claim 4 wherein the base portion (24) has a bottom surface (25) having a preselected area defined by the expression "Area = T/C" wherein: C = a constant in a range of 3500 to about 8300 kPa. T = total weight of the crawler type vehicle (10).

Claim 12

The crawler type vehicle (10) of claim 4 wherein the resilient support pad (22) is of a dimension sufficient for deflection of substantially the entire cap portion (28) to a substantially planar surface at the installed position of the resilient support pad (22) on the vehicle (10) in a standing mode of operation.

Claim 13

The crawler type vehicle (10) of claim 4 wherein the cap portion (28) has a generally arcuate outer surface having a center (c) and an outer edge (38), the support pad (22) being of a configuration and positioned at a location sufficient for contacting the other of the frame (14) and arm (18) at a location on the cap portion (28) spaced from the center (c) and the outer edge (38) in response to pivoting of the arm (18).

Claim 14

The crawler type vehicle (10) of claim 4 including another resilient support pad (22) connected to the other one of the frame (14) and the arm (18), each of the resilient support pads (22) contacting and loading one another in response to pivoting of the arm (18).

Claim 15

The crawler type vehicle (10) of claim 10 wherein the cap portion (28) of each resilient support pad (22) has an arcuate outer surface defining a center (c) and an outer edge (38) and the resilient support pads (22) are of a construction sufficient for contacting the cap portions (28), one with the other at locations spaced from their respective centers (c) and outer edges (38) in response to pivoting of the arm (18).

Claim 16

A unitary resilient support pad (22) for use on a vehicle (10) and connection to a plate (30), the support pad comprising: a base portion (24), an intermediate portion (26), and a cap portion (28) each of a generally round horizontal cross sectional configuration and defining an overall height Ht, the base portion (24) being of a columnar configuration and defining a peripheral outer wall surface (23) and a bottom surface (25) and having a preselected height Hb, the intermediate portion (26) having outer annular walls (34) sloping generally inwardly, the cap portion (28) being of a general domed configuration, and the preselected height Hb of the base portion (24) being in a range of about 3.5% to about 26% of the overall height Ht; and wherein the bottom surface (25) is bonded to plate (30) and the outer wall surface (23) remains substantially straight in vertical cross section and pivots at the connection of the outer wall surface (23) and the bottom surface (25) in response to the application of a partial load on the cap portion (28).

Claim 17

A unitary resilient support pad (22) for use on a vehicle (10) and connection to a plate (30), the support pad comprising: a base portion (24), an intermediate portion (26), and a cap portion (28) each of a generally round horizontal cross sectional configuration and defining an overall height Ht, the base portion (24) being of a columnar configuration and defining a peripheral outer wall surface (23) and a bottom surface (25) and having a preselected height Hb, the intermediate portion (26) having outer annular walls (34) sloping generally inwardly, the cap portion (28) being of a general domed configuration, and the preselected height Hb of the base portion (24) being in a range of about 3.5% to about 26% of the overall height Ht; and wherein the bottom surface (25) is bonded to plate (30) and the outer wall surface (23) remains substantially straight in vertical cross section and pivots at the connection of the outer wall surface (23) and the bottom surface (25) in response to the application of a partial load on the cap portion (28).

Claim 18

The support pad (22) of claim 12 wherein the maximum compression travel is in the range of about 20% to 40% of the overall height Ht.

Claim 19

A vehicle (10) comprising: a frame (14); an arm (18) pivotally connected at one end to the frame (14); a pair of plates (30) releasably connected to a respective one of the frame (14) and (arm); a pair of resilient support pads (22) individually bonded to the plates (30), each resilient support pad (22) having a domed cap portion (28), an intermediate portion (26) having generally inwardly sloping walls (34), and a columnar base portion (24) each of a generally round horizontal cross sectional configuration and defining an overall height Ht, the columnar base portion (24) having a preselected height Hb in a range of about 3.5% to about 26% of the overall height Ht, and the resilient support pads (22) contacting and loading one another in response to pivoting of the arm (18).

Claim 20

A vehicle (10) comprising: a frame (14); an arm (18) pivotally connected at one end to the frame (14); a pair of plates (30) releasably connected to a respective one of the frame (14) and (arm); a pair of resilient support pads (22) individually bonded to the plates (30), each resilient support pad (22) having a domed cap portion (28), an intermediate portion (26) having generally inwardly sloping walls (34), and a columnar base portion (24) each of a generally round horizontal cross sectional configuration and defining an overall height Ht, the columnar base portion (24) having a preselected height Hb in a range of about 3.5% to about 26% of the overall height Ht, and the resilient support pads (22) contacting and loading one another in response to pivoting of the arm (18).

Claim 21

The vehicle (10) of claim 14 wherein said intermediate portion (26) is a frustum.

Claim 22

The vehicle (10) of claim 15 wherein the sloping walls (34) define an angle of about 55° in vertical cross section with respect to a horizontal plane.

Claim 23

A unitary resilient support pad (22) formed by a solid block of resilient material having an upright axis, a base portion (24), an intermediate portion (26), and a cap portion (28) each having cross sections normal to the axis with continuously rounded peripheries, the base portion (24) being of an upright columnar configuration and defining a peripheral wall surface (23) and a bottom surface (25), the intermediate portion (26) having an outer annular wall surface (34) sloping generally inwardly toward the axis from an intersection with the peripheral wall surface (23) of the base portion (24) to an intersection with the cap portion (28), the cap portion (28) being of a general domed configuration, and the support pad (22) being of a construction sufficient for radial outward deflection while maintaining a hinging action solely at the intersection of the peripheral wall surface (23) and the bottom surface (25) in response to an increasing load on the cap portion (28).

Claim 24

A unitary resilient support pad (22) formed by a solid block of resilient material having an upright axis, a base portion (24), an intermediate portion (26), and a cap portion (28) each having cross sections normal to the axis with continuously rounded peripheries, the base portion (24) being of an upright columnar configuration and defining a peripheral wall surface (23) and a bottom surface (25), the intermediate portion (26) having an outer annular wall surface (34) sloping generally inwardly toward the axis from an intersection with the peripheral wall surface (23) of the base portion (24) to an intersection with the cap portion (28), the cap portion (28) being of a general domed configuration, and the support pad (22) being of a construction sufficient for radial outward deflection while maintaining a hinging action solely at the intersection of the peripheral wall surface (23) and the bottom surface (25) in response to an increasing load on the cap portion (28).

Claim 25

The support pad of claim 17 wherein the intermediate portion (26) is a frustum and the annular wall surface (34) defines a preselected angle φ of about 55° in vertical cross section with respect to a horizontal plane.

Claim 26

The support pad of claim 17 wherein the maximum compression travel is in the range of about 20% to 40% of the overall height Ht.

Claim 27

The support pad of claim 17 wherein the support pad is of a construction sufficient for providing load deflection properties at which the load deflection curve at maximum expected load is substantially vertical.

Claim 28

The support pad (22) of claim 17 wherein the base portion (24) is about 9% of the overall height Ht, the intermediate portion (26) is about 68% of the overall height Ht, and the cap portion (28) is about 23% of the overall height Ht.

Claim 29

A unitary resilient support pad (22) formed by a solid block of resilient material having an upright axis, a base portion (24), an intermediate portion (26), and a cap portion (28) each having cross sections normal to the axis with continuously rounded peripheries, the base portion (24) being of an upright columnar configuration and defining a peripheral wall surface (23) and a bottom surface (25), the intermediate portion (26) having an outer annular wall surface (34) sloping generally inwardly toward the axis from an intersection with the peripheral wall surface (23) of the base portion (24) to an intersection with the cap portion (28), the cap portion (28) being of a general domed configuration, and the support pad (22) being of a construction sufficient for deflection of substantially the entire cap portion (28) to a substantially planar surface.

Claim 30

A unitary resilient support pad (22) formed by a solid block of resilient material having an upright axis, a base portion (24), an intermediate portion (26), and a cap portion (28) each having cross sections normal to the axis with continuously rounded peripheries, the base portion (24) being of an upright columnar configuration and defining a peripheral wall surface (23) and a bottom surface (25), the intermediate portion (26) having an outer annular wall surface (34) sloping generally inwardly toward the axis from an intersection with the peripheral wall surface (23) of the base portion (24) to an intersection with the cap portion (28), the cap portion (28) being of a general domed configuration, and the support pad (22) being of a construction sufficient for deflection of substantially the entire cap portion (28) to a substantially planar surface.

Claim 31

The support pad of claim 22 wherein the support pad is of a construction sufficient for radial outward deflection while maintaining a hinging action solely at the intersection of the peripheral wall surface (23) and the bottom surface (25) in response to an increasing load on the cap portion (28).

Claim 32

The support pad of claim 23 including a supporting plate (30), and wherein the bottom surface (25) of the base portion (24) is bonded to the supporting plate (30), and wherein the support pad and supporting plate are in use releasably connected to a vehicle frame member (14) as a unit.