Wheel substitutes for land vehicles – Combined or convertible
Patent
1991-03-29
1992-08-18
Stormer, Russell D.
Wheel substitutes for land vehicles
Combined or convertible
305 28, 305 58R, 180 67, 180 87, 180 91, B62D 55088, B62D 5510
Patent
active
051393174
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to a track guiding apparatus for maintaining an endless track in engagement with guide rollers and more particularly to a guiding apparatus having a plurality of guide bars which are adapted to contact the hardened rail portions of the track links.
2. Background Art
Earthmoving and construction vehicles which utilize endless track chains to support and propel the vehicle often experience disengagement of the track chain from the guide rollers. Although the guide rollers are generally provided with flanges to guide the track chain as it passes along the rollers, irregular ground conditions may allow the track chain to fall away from the rigidly positioned guide rollers. Additionally, debris is often trapped between the rollers and the track chain and forces the track chain to disengage from the rollers. This can disable the vehicle and cause damage to the undercarriage components. To prevent track chain disengagements, various types of track guides have been proposed.
One type of track guide and rock guard assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,940, issued on Feb. 8, 1977, to F. J. Halterman, Jr. The track guides in this patent include horizontal legs attached to the rock guards and positioned adjacent the track pins. Lateral movement of the track will cause the track pins to engage the guides and limit further lateral movement. Over extended periods of time, this engagement between the moving pins and the stationary guides damages the pins, making it difficult to remove the pins for servicing the track assembly.
Another type of track guide is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,336,087 issued on Aug. 25, 1967, to H. L. Reinsma. In this patent, the track guide bars are a portion of a resilient suspension system for a track-type tractor and serve to preload the shear path suspension elements as well as guide the track. The guide bars are positioned adjacent the ends of the track pins and engage the pins and the boss area of the track links when the track moves laterally. This engagement damages the ends of the pins and the boss area of the links and makes disassembly of the track assembly difficult. Such damage and wear on the pins and link bosses also increases track joint play, which decreases sealability of the track joints.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a track-type vehicle has a track roller frame and a moving undercarriage, including a plurality of interconnected links with each of the links having a rail portion, and a track guiding apparatus for the vehicle includes a support bracket assembly secured to the vehicle and a replaceable guide bar secured to the support bracket assembly and adapted to contact the rail portions of the links when the links move laterally.
Self-laying track-type vehicles are supported and propelled by endless track assemblies, including a plurality of interconnected track links, pins, and bushings. The links engage a plurality of rollers, and flanges associated with the rollers guide the moving track assembly. Guide bars spaced laterally from the pins and links are often used to prevent the track from separating from the rollers. Repeated engagement between the ends of the pins and the links and the guide bars damages the pins and links. Such damage makes disassembly of the track difficult and reduces the effectiveness of seals within the track assembly. The subject invention provides track guiding members which guide the track through contact with the hard rail portions of the track link. The pins, and the joints between the pins and the links, suffer no damage from the track guides, thereby extending the useful life of the track seals and simplifying disassembly of the track.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front elevational view, partly in section, of a track guide apparatus of the present invention, including portions of a track roller and a tr
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patent: 1318188 (1919-10-01), Tritton
patent: 2049693 (1936-08-01), Eberhard
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patent: 2810297 (1957-10-01), Drewrys
patent: 3336087 (1967-08-01), Reinsma
patent: 3601454 (1971-08-01), Reinsma
patent: 4006940 (1977-02-01), Halterman, Jr.
patent: 4082371 (1978-04-01), Werner et al.
patent: 4097093 (1978-06-01), Shelby et al.
patent: 4229053 (1980-10-01), Cline
patent: 4387779 (1983-06-01), Pisani
Larson Michael P.
Lonn Alan H.
Caterpillar Inc.
Stormer Russell D.
White Claude F.
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