Endless belt power transmission systems or components – Positive drive pulley or guide roll – With particular belt
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-07
2001-11-27
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Endless belt power transmission systems or components
Positive drive pulley or guide roll
With particular belt
C474S061000, C474S901000, C474S902000, C474S211000, C474S196000, C474S200000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322473
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to drive sprocket for a track type work machine and more specifically to a drive sprocket for a track type work machine which uses a rotating member to engage a track.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Work machines which utilize a track type drive mechanism have several advantages over wheel type work machines. The tracks give the work machine excellent traction while spreading the weight of the machine over a large area. Thus, the track type work machine has enhanced off road capabilities.
A typical undercarriage of a track type drive mechanism consists of a track made of a number of shoes linked together, a sprocket which drives the track, and a number of rollers which distribute the weight of the work machine along the track.
In a conventional track type drive, a tooth of the sprocket engages a stationary bushing in the shoe of the track. This type of engagement causes considerable wear as the teeth of the sprocket advance the track around the sprocket. A disadvantage to this type of track drive is that the bushings of the track must be replaced as they wear out. Replacing the shoes of the track and the teeth of the sprocket is costly and time consuming.
One method of reducing track wear is to mount a rotating bushing on the shoes of the track type work machine. The rotating bushing eliminates much of the friction between the shoes and the teeth of the drive sprocket as the sprocket engages and disengages the track as the track is advanced around the drive sprocket. Mounting a rotating bushing on the shoe greatly reduces wear on the shoes. A disadvantage of mounting a rotating bushing on each shoe is the cost of the large number (typically 30 to 50) of bushings needed in order to place a bushing on each shoe of the track assembly.
What is needed therefore is an apparatus and method for reducing wear in a track type drive system which overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a drive mechanism for a work machine. The drive mechanism includes a drive shaft, a hub mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, a first side support secured to the hub, a second side support secured to the hub, and a plurality of engagement members each interposed between the first side support and the second side support. Each of the plurality of engagement members is rotatably secured to each of the first side support and the second side support. The drive mechanism further includes a plurality of shoes which are secured to one another to form a track, and a plurality of drive lugs which are mounted to the plurality of shoes. The drive lugs engage the engagement members when the hub is driven by the drive shaft.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a drive mechanism for a work machine which includes a sprocket drive assembly. The sprocket drive assembly includes a hub, a first side support secured to the hub, a second side support secured to the hub, and a plurality of engagement members each interposed between the first side support and the second side support, each of the plurality of engagement members is rotatably secured to each of the first side support and the second side support. The drive mechanism further includes a track assembly which is driven by the sprocket drive assembly. The track assembly has a plurality of shoes which are secured to one another to form a track, and a plurality of drive lugs which are mounted to the plurality of shoes.
In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a drive mechanism for a work machine. The drive mechanism includes a drive shaft and a sprocket drive assembly. The sprocket drive assembly includes a hub mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, a first side support secured to the hub, a second side support secured to the hub, and a plurality of engagement members each interposed between the first side support and the second side support. Each of the plurality of engagement members is rotatably secured to each of the first side support and the second side support. The drive mechanism further includes a track assembly which has a plurality of shoes which are secured to one another to form a track, and a plurality of drive lugs which are mounted to the plurality of shoes. Each of the plurality of drive lugs has a first grasping notch and a second grasping notch defined therein. The plurality of drive lugs includes a first drive lug and a second drive lug which are adjacent to each other. The first grasping notch of the first drive lug and the second grasping notch of the second drive lug cooperate to engage one of the plurality of engagement members when the hub is driven by the drive shaft.
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Rotating Busing Track for Cat D5M & D6M Track-Type Tractors, Caterpillar Product Information, Dec. 1998.
Burdick J. Scott
Dester Delbert D.
Egle Kevin M.
Oertley Thomas E.
Bucci David A.
Caterpillar Inc.
Charles Marcus
Maginot Addison & Moore
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