Wheel substitutes for land vehicles – With means to remove or exclude foreign matter – With deflector plate – track guide means – or scraper
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-07
2001-03-06
Stormer, Russell D. (Department: 3617)
Wheel substitutes for land vehicles
With means to remove or exclude foreign matter
With deflector plate, track guide means, or scraper
C305S107000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196645
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of vehicles driven by continuous loop tracks. More particularly, this invention relates to a means and method for removing debris from the drive wheels of such track-driven vehicles.
2. Description of the Related Art
During recent years, the agricultural industry in the United States has seen an explosion in new technology aimed at reducing compaction in the fields. Track-driven tractors are rapidly gaining acceptance as alternatives to traditional wheeled tractors in order to reduce compaction. Although these track-driven tractors solved many of the problems of their wheeled counterparts, they present some disadvantages of their own.
One common obstacle to track efficiency is the buildup of cornstalks and other field debris in the power trains of the tractors. This impairs efficiency and produces premature wear on the power train and belt or track. Farmers currently remedy this situation by stopping the tractor and removing the chaff manually, which results in significant downtime. Manufacturers of track-driven tractors have been actively searching for a solution to this problem. One manufacturer has installed permanent, rigidly mounted shields to block the flow of chaff. However, these shields merely create a new area in which debris can be lodged. Other solutions have typically involved the use of a stationary blade which is mounted so as to engage the drive wheel. These stationary scraper blades or bars tend to clog, wear, require adjustment over time, and may present serious pinch hazards.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved means and method for removing debris from the drive wheel of a track-driven vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A device for removing debris from a tracked drive wheel rotatably mounted on a vehicle body and including an auxiliary wheel rotatably mounted on the body adjacent an outer peripheral surface of the drive wheel. The auxiliary wheel has a substantially circumferential surface for engaging the outer peripheral surface of the drive wheel and is rotated by the drive wheel in a direction opposite the direction of the drive wheel. The engagement of the auxiliary wheel with the drive wheel causes debris on the drive wheel to be dislodged therefrom and discharged away from the track mechanism of the vehicle. A selector mechanism can be provided to selectively move the auxiliary wheel out of engagement with the drive wheel. The auxiliary wheel can be mounted radially adjacent to the drive wheel so that it contacts the upper section of the drive wheel. This device makes possible a method of removing debris from a rotating tracked drive wheel which includes the steps of mounting a debris gathering wheel adjacent the drive wheel and bringing the rotatable debris gathering wheel into frictional contact with the drive wheel so as to remove debris from the drive wheel.
The auxiliary wheel can be mounted in a variety of different configurations so as to constantly or selectively engage the drive wheel.
Thus, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of a means and method for removing debris from the drive wheel of a track-driven vehicle.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a self-adjusting device for removing debris from the drive wheel of a track-driven vehicle.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a debris removing device which is mounted radially adjacent to the drive wheel.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a debris removing device which frictionally engages the drive wheel and is rotated thereby.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a method of removing debris from the drive wheel of a track-driven vehicle wherein a debris gathering wheel is rotatably mounted on the vehicle adjacent the drive wheel and brought into engagement therewith.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a debris gathering wheel that has a resiliently deformable outer layer thereon for engaging the drive wheel to remove debris therefrom.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a device which is easily retrofitted on existing track-driven vehicles.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a debris removing device which is economical to manufacture, durable in use, and reliable.
These and other objectives will be apparent from the drawings, as well as from the description and claims which follow.
REFERENCES:
patent: 598206 (1898-02-01), Nightengale
patent: 607014 (1898-07-01), Bostwick
patent: 1270725 (1918-06-01), Gratton
patent: 2582199 (1952-01-01), Gardner et al.
patent: 3861762 (1975-01-01), Freedy et al.
patent: 3976337 (1976-08-01), Vaughn
patent: 4134622 (1979-01-01), Krolak et al.
patent: 4235479 (1980-11-01), Puglise
patent: 4531787 (1985-07-01), Hart et al.
patent: 4763961 (1988-08-01), Parrott
patent: 4818040 (1989-04-01), Mezzancella et al.
patent: 4830439 (1989-05-01), Collins et al.
patent: 5226703 (1993-07-01), Norman
patent: 5443125 (1995-08-01), Clark et al.
patent: 5451100 (1995-09-01), Freeman
patent: 5725292 (1998-03-01), Keedy et al.
patent: 245847 (1987-11-01), None
patent: 2124568 (1984-02-01), None
Bergstrom Brian J.
Bergstrom Janice M.
Stormer Russell D.
Thomte Dennis L.
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
LandOfFree
Means and method for removing debris from the drive wheel of... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Means and method for removing debris from the drive wheel of..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Means and method for removing debris from the drive wheel of... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2470148