Land vehicles: wheels and axles – Wheel – Traction increasing
Patent
1989-07-25
1992-10-13
Stormer, Russell D.
Land vehicles: wheels and axles
Wheel
Traction increasing
301 43, 301 5R, 152 5, 152308, B60C 708
Patent
active
051544903
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to means providing a running surface for wheels, endless tracks and the like.
The present invention seeks to provide a running surface for wheels, endless tracks and the like which can resiliently flex so as to offer some resistance to shock and which is not pneumatic in nature and thereby not susceptible to puncturing as is the case with pneumatic tires.
In one form the invention resides in means providing a running surface comprising a base and a plurality of elongated, hollow ground engaging elements carried on the base, the ground engaging elements extending transversely of the direction of travel of the running surface and being of a construction so as to resiliently deform under load.
While the ground engaging elements may extend in a direction orthogonal to the direction of travel of the running surface, it is preferable that they are inclined to such direction. Furthermore, while each ground engaging element may extent the full width of the running surface, it is preferable that the elements are arranged in a fashion which does not impose a resultant side thrust on the running surface (such as circumferential rows arranged to define a chevron pattern). With a chevron pattern, there is in use no resultant side thrust imposed upon the running surface as would be the case with tubular elements extending in an inclined fashion across the full width of the running surface.
In circumstances where a running surface according to the invention is for use with a wheel, the base may simply be the rim of the wheel or a band adapted to be fitted onto the rim. In circumstances where a running surface according to the invention is for use with an endless track, the base may comprise a flexible endless band passing around end rollers thereby to constitute the endless track.
The ground engaging elements may be formed integral with the base, but for preference are formed separately of the base and fixed thereto. Preferably, the ground engaging elements are detachably fixed to the base by removable fixing means.
The ground engaging elements may be in the form of tubular elements which are preferably open at their ends. By being open at their ends, the tubular elements are ventilated to facilitate dissipation of heat.
In one arrangement, the tubular elements may be of a cross-section which presents an outwardly facing convex surface. With this arrangement, it is convenient for the tubular element to be partly circular in cross-section, having an arcuate portion and a generally flat web portion. The arcuate portion defines said convex surface and the web portion facilitates fixing of the element to said base. The generally flat web portion may be profiled to conform with curvature of the base. Alternatively, the tubular elements may be circular in cross-section.
In another arrangement, the tubular elements may be of a cross-section which provides an inner longitudinal face for engagement against the base, an outer longitudinal face for contacting the ground and longitudinal side faces between the inner and outer faces, the side faces being constructed to be resiliently flexible under normal load conditions. Each side face may be of angular or other construction so as to provide a line about which it can flex. The outer face may be provided with a tread formation.
The tubular elements may be formed from rubber or other elastomeric material. The rubber or other elastomeric material may be provided with reinforcement.
In still another arrangement, the elongated hollow tubular elements may be in the form of loops which are preferably formed from a length of resilient material arranged in sinuous formation having alternating crests and troughs, the length of material being secured to the base at locations corresponding to at least some of the troughs.
There may be provided at least one further row of said loops, the loops of each row being staggered with respect to the loops in a neighbouring row. In this way, the ground engaging surface can travel over the ground in a more uniform manner.
Where the g
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patent: 2987347 (1961-06-01), Cook et al.
patent: 3427078 (1969-02-01), Parsons
patent: 4385652 (1983-05-01), Frank
patent: 4715668 (1987-12-01), Burmeister
Altrack Limited
Stormer Russell D.
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