Motor vehicles – Special driving device – Portable track
Reissue Patent
1998-11-30
2001-03-20
Hurley, Kevin (Department: 3619)
Motor vehicles
Special driving device
Portable track
C180S009380, C180S009420
Reissue Patent
active
RE037098
ABSTRACT:
Further reissue of this patent is sought in a continuing reissue application, Ser. No.
09
/
577
,
261
, filed May
22
,
2000
.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to vehicles and, more particularly, to an earth-based carrier vehicle which is constructed and arranged to put all tractive forces to the ground, thereby permitting the vehicle to negotiate terrain having a variety of soil conditions.
Conventional vehicles such as loaders and/or bulldozers are usually driven by tracks or by wheels. Typical track vehicles employ a pair of spaced steel or rubber endless tracks which are driven to move the vehicle over the ground. Wheeled vehicles typically include a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels which are driven to propel the vehicle. The wheels are generally large and have tread designs which aid in moving the vehicle over sand, clay and mud. These conventional vehicles, although capable of moving over terrain having a variety of soil conditions, may often get stuck, since all of the tractive forces and propelling surfaces are not always put to the ground.
Recently, environmental concerns have been raised due to the disruption of the earth's crust by use of the conventional loader/dozer type vehicles. For example, in the tree harvesting industry, construction industry and/or the agricultural industry, the operation of vehicles of the type described may cause significant damage to the earth's crust. Damage can occur by the formation of ruts or by causing soil erosion.
Accordingly, there exists a need to provide an improved earth-based carrier vehicle which may traverse terrain having a variety of soil conditions with minimal disturbance of the earth's crust.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an earth-based carrier vehicle to fulfill the need referred to above. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this objective is obtained by providing a vehicle including a main frame structure, a track assembly mounted to the main frame structure and having an single, endless ground-engaging track extending in a longitudinal direction. A pair of steerable ground-engaging wheels are mounted with respect to the frame structure so that each wheel flanks the track. The wheels are constructed and arranged to exert a ground bearing pressure sufficient to change a direction of travel of the track in response to turning the wheels so as to steer the vehicle. Steering structure is operatively associated with the wheels for turning the wheels. Power drive structure is mounted with respect to the main frame structure and is constructed and arranged to drive the wheels and the track simultaneously so as to move the vehicle along the ground.
The wheels are constructed and arranged to be moved with respect to the main frame structure so as to change a position thereof with respect to the main frame structure, thereby permitting driving, steering and ground pressure of the vehicle to be adjusted in accordance with ground conditions.
Other objects, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of the parts and economics of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and appended claims, with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification.
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Hurley Kevin
Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP
Tract-A-Pillar Tractor Co.
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