A track shoe includes a ground engaging surface, and a track link engaging surface. A hole extends through the shoe from the ground engaging surface to the track link engaging surface. The ground engaging surface includes a first region disposed adjacent the hole, and a second region extending from the first region away from the hole having a different surface roughness than the first surface roughness.

A track shoe includes a ground engaging surface, and a track link engaging surface. A hole extends through the shoe from the ground engaging surface to the track link engaging surface. The ground engaging surface includes a first region disposed adjacent the hole, and a second region extending from the first region away from the hole having a different surface roughness than the first surface roughness.

A track chain link includes a front side and a rear side with a distance therebetween and a base having a width. The base is coupled to an end of the front side and a corresponding end of the rear side. The width of the base is greater than the distance between the front side and the rear side. The base includes at least one extension having a combined length equal to the difference between the width of the base and the distance between the front side and the rear side. The at least one extension may be positioned beyond the front side of the track chain link. A track chain assembly includes the track chain link coupled to a track shoe. At least a portion of the base of the track chain link engages the track shoe.

A track chain link includes a front side and a rear side with a distance therebetween and a base having a width. The base is coupled to an end of the front side and a corresponding end of the rear side. The width of the base is greater than the distance between the front side and the rear side. The base includes at least one extension having a combined length equal to the difference between the width of the base and the distance between the front side and the rear side. The at least one extension may be positioned beyond the front side of the track chain link. A track chain assembly includes the track chain link coupled to a track shoe. At least a portion of the base of the track chain link engages the track shoe.

A novel sprocket for a track drive of a mobile robot may allow for some deformation of the track so that the track better conforms to the surface on which the robot travels. The novel sprocket also may prevent excessive track deformation or deflection that may result in undesirable de-tracking.

An amphibious caterpillar vehicle includes a central body of a second buoyancy material of a track shoe is disposed between a pair of wheels. An engagement body of the second buoyancy material of the track shoe is inserted into a buoyancy material engagement groove of each of the wheels so that a driving force is transferred from a driving sprocket to a caterpillar track. A coupling force between driving sprockets and track shoes forming a caterpillar track increases so that the caterpillar track is able to stably receive the driving force without slipping from the driving sprockets.

An amphibious caterpillar vehicle includes a central body of a second buoyancy material of a track shoe is disposed between a pair of wheels. An engagement body of the second buoyancy material of the track shoe is inserted into a buoyancy material engagement groove of each of the wheels so that a driving force is transferred from a driving sprocket to a caterpillar track. A coupling force between driving sprockets and track shoes forming a caterpillar track increases so that the caterpillar track is able to stably receive the driving force without slipping from the driving sprockets.

A tracked vehicle including a chassis, a drive train coupled to the chassis, and at least one track driven by the drive train. The at least one track having a plurality of stamped metal links each being pivotally coupled to corresponding adjacent metal links, and an elastomeric member coupled to all of the plurality of stamped metal links. The elastomeric member covers most of each of the stamped metal links.

A tracked vehicle including a chassis, a drive train coupled to the chassis, and at least one track driven by the drive train. The at least one track having a plurality of stamped metal links each being pivotally coupled to corresponding adjacent metal links, and an elastomeric member coupled to all of the plurality of stamped metal links. The elastomeric member covers most of each of the stamped metal links.

A drive track for a tracked vehicle has an endless belt having an inner surface and an outer surface. The belt defines a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. A plurality of external lugs project outwards from the outer surface of the belt. Each of the plurality of external lugs has a height in a direction normal to the outer surface. The plurality of external lugs forms a plurality of lateral rows. A longitudinal spacing between consecutive lateral rows of the plurality of lateral row is an external lug pitch. The height of at least some of the plurality of external lugs is greater than the external lug pitch. Drive sprocket and drive track assemblies and vehicles having the drive track are also presented.