Motor vehicles – Special driving device – Portable track
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-20
2001-11-20
DePumpo, Daniel G. (Department: 3611)
Motor vehicles
Special driving device
Portable track
C180S009100, C305S120000, C305S131000, C305S135000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318484
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to tracked vehicles having adjustable suspensions. More particularly, it relates to agricultural tractors with tracked suspensions having lateral adjustability and internal track strain absorption.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tracked vehicles have been provided for use in agricultural operations that provide a fixed track width. One of the reasons the tracked width is fixed is because the drive axle extending from the vehicle and coupled to the drive wheel is neither easily removable or adjustable since it must be strong enough to resist bending forces applied to it by the track spring tension. It is an object of this invention to provide an agricultural tractor that is more easily adjusted for lateral track width. It is an object of this invention to provide such a tractor by absorbing track tension stresses within the tracked suspension itself, and not transmitting them to the drive axle.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, a tracked suspension for a work vehicle is provided including an endless track, a suspension frame configured to be slidably and fixedly mounted to at least one suspension beam extending from a frame of the vehicle, a beam extending parallel to a direction of travel and pivotally coupled to the suspension frame about a first pivotal axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel, a first idler wheel coupled to a fore portion of the beam and rotatable with respect thereto, a second idler wheel coupled to a rearward portion of the beam and rotatable with respect thereto, a belt tensioner configured to tension the endless track, a drive wheel support fixed to the suspension frame, a drive wheel rotatably coupled to the drive wheel support and having a drive wheel rotational axis, and a drive wheel axle rotationally coupled to the drive wheel to drive the drive wheel in rotation, wherein the track tensioner is disposed to tension the track about the periphery of the drive wheel and the first and second idler wheels without transferring tension to the drive wheel axle.
Other principal features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description and the appended claims.
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Bock Timothy J.
Lykken Thomas G.
Stoltman Russell V.
Vik Brian D.
Case Corporation
DePumpo Daniel G.
Foley & Lardner
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