Wheel substitutes for land vehicles – With track support intermediate of end wheels – With roller support contacting lower track run
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-15
2001-05-22
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Wheel substitutes for land vehicles
With track support intermediate of end wheels
With roller support contacting lower track run
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234590
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to an undercarriage of an endless track laying work machine and more particularly to a suspension member that provides both rearward and upward resilience.
BACKGROUND ART
Typical agricultural work machines are commonly supported and propelled by pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires provide a great deal of natural cushion or bounce as these machines encounter disparities in the surface of the soil the machines are working. These machines have therefore not required or have not been provided with suspension systems.
Steel track laying machines have long been used in earthworking, construction, and agriculture, because of the benefits of improved traction and reduced soil compaction. However, these machines are heavy and much slower moving than the pneumatic tired machines and do not require suspension to any great degree.
With the introduction of endless track laying work machines equipped with elastomeric tracks in the agriculture industry, new challenges have arisen. These machines travel at much higher speeds not only while working in the field but also when the machine roads between fields. A work machine equipped with an endless elastomeric track laying system encounters disparities in the topography of the field being traversed during operation. Impacting these disparities transfers both rearward and upward force vectors to each track roller frame. Sever jolts are transmitted to both the machine and the operator due to the stiffness of the endless elastomeric track laying system. A trailing arm type suspension is preferred to overcome the stiffness of the endless elastomeric track laying system because the pivotal motion compensates for both rearward and upward forces. However, the choice of cushioning member is critical because coil springs, rubber pads, and fluid cylinders prefer linear motion.
The present invention is directed to overcome one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention a suspension arrangement includes a first member that has a planar portion attached thereto and defines a first axis. A second member has a planar portion attached thereto and defines a second axis spaced from and parallel to said first axis. The second member is pivotally connected to the first member. A first flexible member is connected to the planer portion of the first member. A second flexible member is connected to the planer portion of the second member. And a separating member is interposed the first and second flexible members.
In another aspect of the present invention a track roller frame assembly includes a longitudinal frame. A drive wheel and an idler wheel is attached to the longitudinal frame. An endless belt encircles the drive wheel and the idler wheel. A first member has a planar portion attached thereto and defines a first axis. A second member has a planar portion attached thereto and defines a second axis and a third axis. The second and third axes are spaced from and parallel to the first axis. The second member is pivotally connected to the first member along the third axis. The second member is also pivotally connected to the longitudinal frame along the second axis. A first flexible member is connected to the planer portion of the first member. A second flexible member is connected to the planer portion of the second member. And a separating member being interposed the first flexible member and the second flexible member.
In yet another aspect of the present invention a belt laying work machine includes a main frame having a longitudinal axis. A laterally extending beam having a first end portion and a second end portion is attached to the main frame. A roller frame assembly has a drive wheel and an idler wheel with an endless belt encircled thereabout. A first member has a planar portion attached thereto and defines a first axis. A first member is connected to each of the first end portion and the second end portion of the laterally extending beam. A second member has a planar portion attached thereto and defines a second axis and a third axis. The second and third axes are spaced from and parallel to the first axis. One second member is pivotally connected to each of the first end portion and the second end portion of the laterally extending beam. The second member is also pivotally connected to each of the first members along the third axis and pivotally connected to the track roller frame along the second axis. A first flexible member is connected to the planer portion of the first member. A second flexible member is connected to the planer portion of the second member. And a wedge member is interposed the first flexible member and the second flexible member.
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Caterpillar Inc.
Greene Jeff A.
Morano S. Joseph
Nguyen Long Bae
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