Track end connector

Details Track end connector Track end connector

2000-05-22

2001-09-18

Stormer, Russell D. (Department: 3617)

Wheel substitutes for land vehicles

Tracks or treads

Separate transverse connector pin between treads

Reexamination Certificate

active

06290313

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
Track end connectors are used to secure pieces of track together in strands for tractive engagement with terrain by vehicles such as tanks. Several methods are used to secure the end connectors, the most common being that shown in FIG.
1
. In this case the track pins are milled locally for engagement with a wedge. A bolt holds the wedge in a complementary slot in the track pin, so that the connector retains the track pin. A problem exists with the
FIG. 1
design because if the bolt loosens, the wedge can disengage from the slot and the end connector can separate from the track. The track is thus broken and the tank is disabled. It is necessary to retorque the bolts often in order to avoid the problem. Experience has shown that retorquing the bolts causes the bolts' heads to break off, thereby leading to further difficulties.
SUMMARY
My improved track end connector eliminates the possibility that bolts will loosen and lead to track failure, and also eliminates the need to retorque bolts. My end connector includes a connector body, a specially designed bolt in the connector body, track pins held by the bolt, and a retainer ring engaging both the body and the bolt. The connector body defines a smooth bore having a relief groove, which holds a spring-like retainer ring. The bolt is inserted through the smooth bore until threads at one end of the bolt engage a second, threaded bore in the connector body. As the bolt screws into the threaded bore, a ramp near the bolt's head expands the retainer ring and subsequently a land adjacent the ramp maintains the ring in a fully expanded condition. Next, as the bolt screws further into the threaded bore a retention groove adjacent the land accepts the retainer ring, which contracts to its natural state when entering the retention groove. The retainer ring now prevents the bolt unscrewing from the threaded bore. One sidewall of the retention groove is also a second ramp adjacent the land. The second ramp allows the bolt to be unscrewed by an appropriate tool using a selected amount of torque. A smooth shank portion of the bolt seats with concave depressions in the track pins, so that the track pins do not escape from the connector body.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2957731 (1960-10-01), Backhaus
patent: 3467446 (1969-09-01), Seelbach
patent: 4583792 (1986-04-01), Erlenmaier et al.
patent: 4838623 (1989-06-01), Mineart
patent: 6223517 (2001-05-01), Bogdan et al.

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