Deformable Guide Rail and Track System Comprising the Same

摘要

A guide rail configured to be mounted in a track system used to support and drive an endless track comprises at least one resilient deformable portion which is rigid enough to guide the track during normal operation of the track system but which is flexible enough to temporarily deform under the impact of hard or immovable obstacles. The at least one resilient deformable portion of the guide rail can be made thinner than the remaining of the guide rail, can be made of a material more flexible than the material of the remaining of the guide rail, or both. During operation of the vehicle on which the track system is mounted, the at least one resilient deformable portion of the guide rail will allow the track system to absorb at least some shocks and vibrations without transmitting them to the vehicle and its operator.

主权项

1. A track system comprising:
a drive wheel; a support structure comprising a guide rail, the guide rail comprising at least one resilient deformable portion configured to temporarily deform with respect to relief of the ground; front idler wheels pivotally mounted to the support frame; rear idler wheels pivotally mounted to the support frame; at least one road wheel pivotally mounted to the support structure; wherein the endless track is disposed about the wheels.