Land vehicles: wheels and axles – Wheel – Traction increasing
Patent
1992-11-13
1995-02-21
Stormer, Russell D.
Land vehicles: wheels and axles
Wheel
Traction increasing
301 43, 152308, 152324, B60B 1500, B60C 705
Patent
active
053909852
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a ground engaging means for vehicles and is particularly suitable as a tire or endless track for work vehicles of the skid-steer type.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A skid-steer vehicle is self-propelled vehicle which has drive wheels or tracks on two opposed sides of the vehicle and which achieves a steering function by controlled rotation of one of the opposed drive wheels or tracks relative to the other. Relative rotation between the opposed drive wheels or tracks results in a change in direction of the vehicle and so provides a steering function. With such vehicles it is important that the drive wheels or tracks each have a tread formation that provides good traction with the ground and good directional control both in straight-line travel and in turning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide a ground engaging means having a tread formation which provides good traction with the ground and good directional control.
In one form the invention resides in a ground engaging means comprising a body constructed to deform resiliently under load and a tread provided on the body, the tread comprising a plurality of raised portions disposed in circumferential relationship and defining grooves therebetween, each raised portion comprising a first central section and a pair of lateral sections each extending outwardly from the central section towards one side of the body, the lateral sections defining a V formation and the first central section extending from the V formation in a direction away from the outer ends of the lateral sections and towards the V formation of the next adjacent raised portion.
Preferably, the end of each first central section remote from the lateral sections converges to a point.
The first central section of each raised portion may include a pair of generally parallel edges and a pair of converging edges which define said point. For preference, each of the converging edges is generally parallel with a respective one of the lateral sections.
Each raised portion may also include a second central section extending from the V formation in a direction opposite to the first central section.
The end of each second central section remote from the lateral sections may define a tail formation having a recess.
The outer ends of each pair of lateral sections preferably each terminate adjacent the respective side of the body.
In one arrangement, the body is annular such that the ground engaging means is in the form of a tire. For preference, the annular body is of one-piece construction. In such a case, the first and second central sections may co-operate to form a central rib which extends around the body.
In another arrangement, the body is defined by a plurality of segments individually mountable onto a base. Where the ground engaging means is for a wheel, the base may be of any suitable form such as the rim of the wheel or a band adapted to be permanently or removably fitted onto the rim. Where the ground engaging means is for an endless track, the base may comprise a flexible endless band passing around end rollers of the track.
Preferably, each segment is configured in a V formation. For preference the V formation defined by the segment generally corresponds to the V formation defined by the lateral sections of the raised portion of the tread.
Each segment is preferably hollow. Conveniently, the segment is tubular and is open at its ends.
In another form the invention resides in a ground engaging segment comprising a hollow elongated body having an inner longitudinal face, an outer longitudinal face and longitudinal side faces extending between the inner and outer faces, a raised portion provided on the outer face, at least part of said raised portion being spaced inwardly of the longitudinal side faces, said raised portion comprising central section and a pair of lateral sections each extending outwardly from the first central section towards the ends of the body, the lateral sections defining a V formation and the firs
REFERENCES:
patent: D56911 (1921-01-01), Crow
patent: D106079 (1937-09-01), Youngloe
patent: D329413 (1992-09-01), Chandler
patent: 969889 (1910-09-01), Lighthouse
patent: 1062335 (1913-05-01), Husted
patent: 1455844 (1923-05-01), Lang
patent: 1494797 (1924-05-01), Nimschke
patent: 1658623 (1928-02-01), Wittkopp
patent: 5078454 (1992-01-01), Rollinson
patent: 5154490 (1992-10-01), Burns
Derwent Abstrat Accession No. 88-131375/19 Class Q11 SU 1342-748-A, 1342748 (Large Tyres Res Ins) Oct. 7, 1987.
AirBoss Limited
Stormer Russell D.
LandOfFree
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