US8784002B2
Active / In Force
US
⏱️ 5.7 years remaining
Track system for use with vehicles and methods regarding same
Assignee: Dica Marketing Co
•
Filing: 2012-07-20
•
Granted: 2014-07-22
•
Expires: 2032-07-20
Abstract
Abstract A track system may include a plurality of connected slat members that may form rollable tracks. The rollable tracks may be used in moving vehicles across sensitive ground. The rollable track may be deployed using various methods and/or apparatus such as, e.g., deployment apparatus including one or more spool portions for rolling and unrolling the rollable tracks.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary J. Ringus
- 👤 Michael PESCHEL
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:55
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01C; E01C9/00; E01C9/02; E01C19/00; E01C19/52; E01C19/522; E01C23/00; E01C5/00; E01C5/14; E01C9/08; E01C9/083; E01C9/086; E01C2201/00; E01C2201/16; E01C2201/167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
307 words
A track system along which, when deployed, a vehicle may move, wherein the track system comprises first and second rollable tracks, wherein each of the rollable tracks comprises: a plurality of connected slat members forming a track length of the rollable track, wherein each of the plurality of connected slat members is formed of solid material and comprises: a slat length extending from a first end to a second end, a slat width perpendicular to the slat length extending from a first connection interface to a second connection interface, wherein the slat width is less than the slat length, wherein the first connection interface of each slat member is slidably connectable to the second connection interface of a different slat member, wherein the first connection interface of each slat member comprises a tongue portion and the second connection interface of each slat member comprises a groove portion, wherein the tongue portion of the first connection interface of each slat member is receivable within the groove portion of the second connection interface of a different slat member to slidably connect the first connection interface to the second connection interface along a connection axis such that the connected slat members are partially rotatable relative to each other about the connection axis to allow the plurality of connected slat members to be rolled up into a roll, a slat thickness perpendicular to the slat width and the slat length, wherein the slat width is greater than the slat thickness, and at least one strap element coupled along the track length of the rollable track, wherein the at least one strap element is coupled to each of the plurality of connected slat members at a pivot point such that the connected slat members allow for a limited slidable movement relative to each other along the connection axis between connected slat members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
307 words
A track system along which, when deployed, a vehicle may move, wherein the track system comprises first and second rollable tracks, wherein each of the rollable tracks comprises: a plurality of connected slat members forming a track length of the rollable track, wherein each of the plurality of connected slat members is formed of solid material and comprises: a slat length extending from a first end to a second end, a slat width perpendicular to the slat length extending from a first connection interface to a second connection interface, wherein the slat width is less than the slat length, wherein the first connection interface of each slat member is slidably connectable to the second connection interface of a different slat member, wherein the first connection interface of each slat member comprises a tongue portion and the second connection interface of each slat member comprises a groove portion, wherein the tongue portion of the first connection interface of each slat member is receivable within the groove portion of the second connection interface of a different slat member to slidably connect the first connection interface to the second connection interface along a connection axis such that the connected slat members are partially rotatable relative to each other about the connection axis to allow the plurality of connected slat members to be rolled up into a roll, a slat thickness perpendicular to the slat width and the slat length, wherein the slat width is greater than the slat thickness, and at least one strap element coupled along the track length of the rollable track, wherein the at least one strap element is coupled to each of the plurality of connected slat members at a pivot point such that the connected slat members allow for a limited slidable movement relative to each other along the connection axis between connected slat members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the slat width of each slat member of the plurality of connected slat members is greater than at least twice the slat thickness of each of the plurality of connected slat members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein each pivot point located along the length of the plurality connected slat members comprises a fastener placed through the at least one strap element and into the slat member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein each rollable track comprises a first side and a second side along the track length, wherein the at least one strap element comprises a first strap element and a second strap element, wherein the first strap element is coupled along the track length between the midpoint of the slat length of connected slat members and the first side of the rollable track and the second strap element is coupled along the track length between the midpoint of the slat length of connected slat members and the second side of the rollable track.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap element comprises flexible material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the tongue portion of each of the plurality of connected slat members defines a T-shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the connected slat members are partially rotatable such that one of the connected slat members is rotatable in a range of about 1 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to the adjacent connected slat member about the connection axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap element between connected slat members is flexible and the limited slidable movement between connected slat members is in a range of about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the slat length is more than twice the width of the vehicle's tires.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the tongue portion of the first connection interface of at least one connected slat member is not received within the groove portion of the second connection interface of a different slat member to define a gap between connected slat members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the rollable tracks further comprises at least one connector element coupled to a connected slat member proximate an end region of the track length, wherein the at least one connector element is configured to couple the rollable track to another rollable track.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
339 words
A method for deploying a track system comprising: at least one track roll, each track roll comprising: a plurality of connected slat members forming a track length of the rollable track, wherein each of the plurality of connected slat members is formed of solid material and comprises: a slat length extending from a first end to a second end, a slat width perpendicular to the slat length extending from a first connection interface to a second connection interface, wherein the slat width is less than the slat length, wherein the first connection interface of each slat member is slidably connectable to the second connection interface of a different slat member, wherein the first connection interface of each slat member comprises a tongue portion and the second connection interface of each slat member comprises a groove portion, wherein the tongue portion of the first connection interface of each slat member is receivable within the groove portion of the second connection interface of a different slat member to slidably connect the first connection interface to the second connection interface along a connection axis such that the connected slat members are partially rotatable relative to each other about the connection axis to allow the plurality of connected slat members to be rolled up into a roll, and a slat thickness perpendicular to the slat width and the slat length, wherein the slat width is greater than the slat thickness, and at least one strap element coupled along the track length of the rollable track, wherein the at least one strap element is coupled to each of the plurality of connected slat members at a pivot point such that the connected slat members have a limited mobility relative to each other along the connected axis, and loading the at least one track roll onto a deployment vehicle, and unrolling the at least one track roll such that the plurality of connected slat members of each roll are deployed in front of the wheels of the vehicle such that the vehicle may drive thereon.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
339 words
A method for deploying a track system comprising: at least one track roll, each track roll comprising: a plurality of connected slat members forming a track length of the rollable track, wherein each of the plurality of connected slat members is formed of solid material and comprises: a slat length extending from a first end to a second end, a slat width perpendicular to the slat length extending from a first connection interface to a second connection interface, wherein the slat width is less than the slat length, wherein the first connection interface of each slat member is slidably connectable to the second connection interface of a different slat member, wherein the first connection interface of each slat member comprises a tongue portion and the second connection interface of each slat member comprises a groove portion, wherein the tongue portion of the first connection interface of each slat member is receivable within the groove portion of the second connection interface of a different slat member to slidably connect the first connection interface to the second connection interface along a connection axis such that the connected slat members are partially rotatable relative to each other about the connection axis to allow the plurality of connected slat members to be rolled up into a roll, and a slat thickness perpendicular to the slat width and the slat length, wherein the slat width is greater than the slat thickness, and at least one strap element coupled along the track length of the rollable track, wherein the at least one strap element is coupled to each of the plurality of connected slat members at a pivot point such that the connected slat members have a limited mobility relative to each other along the connected axis, and loading the at least one track roll onto a deployment vehicle, and unrolling the at least one track roll such that the plurality of connected slat members of each roll are deployed in front of the wheels of the vehicle such that the vehicle may drive thereon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises controlling the rate of unrolling of the at least one track roll.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein loading the rolls comprises loading the at least one track roll in front of a cabin of the vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
273 words
A deployment apparatus for use in a track system, wherein the track system comprises first and second rollable tracks, wherein the deployment apparatus comprises: a first and a second spool portion for the first and second rollable tracks, respectively, wherein each spool portion of the first and second spool portions is configured to hold the rollable tracks above a ground surface, wherein each spool portion extends along a spool axis and is rotatable about the axis to roll and unroll the unrollable tracks from the spool portion, wherein each spool portion of the first and second pool portions defines connector apparatus configured to be coupled to a rollable track; an axle portion coupled to each of the first and second spool portions and extending along the spool axis between the first and second spool portions; a mounting portion couplable to a vechile and configured to hold the axle portion and the first and second spool portions above the ground surface, wherein the mounting portion is further configured to control the rate of rolling and unrolling of the first and second rollable tracks; a first engagement wheel fixedly coupled to one of the axle and the first and second spool portions; and a second engagement wheel rotatably coupled to the mounting portion, wherein the second engagement wheel is positionable in an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration, wherein the second engagement wheel is in contact with the first engagement wheel to apply reverse tension to the first engagement wheel when in the engaged configuration, and wherein the second engagement wheel is not in contact with the first engagement wheel when in the disengaged configuration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
273 words
A deployment apparatus for use in a track system, wherein the track system comprises first and second rollable tracks, wherein the deployment apparatus comprises: a first and a second spool portion for the first and second rollable tracks, respectively, wherein each spool portion of the first and second spool portions is configured to hold the rollable tracks above a ground surface, wherein each spool portion extends along a spool axis and is rotatable about the axis to roll and unroll the unrollable tracks from the spool portion, wherein each spool portion of the first and second pool portions defines connector apparatus configured to be coupled to a rollable track; an axle portion coupled to each of the first and second spool portions and extending along the spool axis between the first and second spool portions; a mounting portion couplable to a vechile and configured to hold the axle portion and the first and second spool portions above the ground surface, wherein the mounting portion is further configured to control the rate of rolling and unrolling of the first and second rollable tracks; a first engagement wheel fixedly coupled to one of the axle and the first and second spool portions; and a second engagement wheel rotatably coupled to the mounting portion, wherein the second engagement wheel is positionable in an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration, wherein the second engagement wheel is in contact with the first engagement wheel to apply reverse tension to the first engagement wheel when in the engaged configuration, and wherein the second engagement wheel is not in contact with the first engagement wheel when in the disengaged configuration.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The deployment apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the second engagement wheel is movable along a movement axis parallel to the spool axis to engage the first engagement wheel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The deployment apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the mounting portion comprises at least one J-shaped bracket configured to interface with the axle portion to hold the axle portion and the first and second spool portions above the ground surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The deployment apparatus of claim 15 , wherein a spool width is defined between the first and second spool portions, wherein the first and second spool portions and the axle portion are configured to allow the spool width to be adjustable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US352146A
Cited
US1069045A
Cited
US1071091A
Cited
US2384395A
Cited
US2393655A
Cited
US3258800A
Cited
US3415013A
Cited
US3348459A
Cited
USRE27147E
Cited
US4024595A
Cited
US4277201A
Cited
US4488833A
Cited
US4645377A
Cited
US4645377B1
Cited
US4681482A
Cited
US4695502A
Cited
US4766020A
Cited
US5275502A
Cited
US5118542A
Cited
US5157804A
Cited
US5375369A
Cited
US5282692A
Cited
US5368416A
Cited
US5535545A
Cited
US5833386A
Cited
US6413013B1
Cited
USD416096S
Cited
US6685391B1
Cited
US6643977B1
Cited
US6592288B2
Cited
US7090430B1
Cited
US20050053429A1
Cited
US7849642B2
Cited
US7364383B2
Cited
US20060051161A1
Cited
US7344340B2
Cited
US7210876B2
Cited
US7399145B2
Cited
US7546654B2
Cited
US7774991B2
Cited
US20120121341A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2017-07-21 | 2018-01-20 | 2018-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2021-07-21 | 2022-01-20 | 2022-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2025-07-21 | 2026-01-20 | 2026-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |