Apparatus for converting a wheeled vehicle to a tracked vehicle

摘要

The invention relates to track systems 14, 14′ that may be used to convert steerable, all-wheel drive construction equipment to steerable, multi-track construction vehicles 10. A preferred embodiment of the track system 14, 14′ includes a frame 60, 182 having a reinforcing enclosure 150, 230, a plurality of track engaging rollers 82-86, 202-206, a sprocket 102, 214, and an endless track 76, 198 operatively connected to the frame 60, 182. Tension on the endless track 76, 198 is maintained with two tensioning members 170, 244 operatively connected to the forwardmost roller 82, 202. The track system 14, 14′ preferably includes a limiting apparatus 300 that is configured to restrict the rotational movement “r” of the frame 60, 182 relative to a vehicle axle 16 to which it is attached. The limiting apparatus 300 has a first component 40, which is associated with the vehicle axle 16, is configured and arranged to interact with a second component 262, which is associated with the frame of the track system 14, 14′. Preferably, the limiting apparatus 300 is adjustable such that the range of rotational movement “r” can be varied.

主权项

1. A track system comprising:
a frame having a first end and a second end, the frame having inboard and outboard frame assemblies that extend between the first and second ends of the frame, the outboard frame assembly including two spaced-part plates and a top wall that interconnects the two spaced-apart plates; a drive sprocket mounted between the inboard and outboard frame assemblies such that the inboard frame assembly is inboard of the drive sprocket and the outboard frame assembly is outboard of the drive sprocket, the drive sprocket being rotatable relative to the frame about an axis of rotation; a first end roller mounted at the first end of the frame; a second end roller mounted at the second end of the frame; a track routed in a generally triangular path about the drive sprocket and the first and second end rollers, the track being driven by the drive sprocket about the generally triangular path when the drive sprocket is rotated about the axis of rotation; inboard and outboard cylinders for moving the first end roller relative to the frame to tighten the track, the outboard cylinder being mounted between the spaced-apart plates of the outboard frame assembly, and the inboard cylinder being mounted to the inboard frame assembly; the generally triangular path of the track having an apex, and the drive sprocket engaging the track adjacent the apex to drive the track about the generally triangular path; and the track defining a bottom side of the generally triangular path that extends between the first and second end rollers, the track system including first, second, third and fourth intermediate rollers for supporting the track along the bottom side of the generally triangular path, the first, second, third and fourth intermediate rollers being positioned between the inboard and outboard frame assemblies, the first, second, third and fourth intermediate rollers being respectively mounted on first, second, third and fourth cantilevered shafts, the first and third cantilevered shafts being supported by the inboard frame assembly and the second and fourth cantilevered shafts being supported by the outboard frame assembly, and the drive sprocket being sized and shaped to pass between the first and second intermediate rollers and between the third and fourth intermediate rollers as the drive sprocket is rotated about the axis of rotation.