Patent classifications
B62D55/205
Zippertank mobility vehicle
Current invention corresponds to a mobility vehicle that draws its properties from a special kind of a track that can change its rigidity. The track can become rigid on its lower part corresponding to a wheel shape with large diameter or become totally flexible as usual track on upper side for practical use. When rigid, the track correspond to circular wheel and thus plays a role of a wheel in contact with the ground. The upper part of the track remains flexible and allows to use space above a the track for practical reasons. More particularly, the invention relates to a mobile system including variable flexibility track and at least two rollers around which the variable flexibility track is wrapped, wherein the rollers are adapted to change the rigidity and the curvature of the track to adapt its shape to different functionalities as being a wheel or having a part of circular wheel with different curvature or being foldable. The variable flexibility track is composed of track elements and hinges linking the track elements so as to allow rotation of the track elements with respect to each other around the hinges. Each track element bears a locking mechanism that allows a rigid positioning of the track elements with respect to the adjacent ones at various angles. The rollers are in contact with the variable flexibility track and can contain mechanisms to lock a track elements thus changing track rigidity and/or mechanisms to change track curvature. The tracks also play a role of shock absorbers and bear mechanisms to perform turning of the vehicle by applying different speed and/or curvature to the tracks.
Undercarriage assembly for a work machine and method of use
A work machine includes an undercarriage assembly. The undercarriage assembly includes a chassis and a ground-engaging mechanism for rotating around the chassis to move the work machine. A pair of rails is coupled to the chassis. A pair of sliders is coupled to a front-assembly. The sliders are aligned with the rails and movable relative to the rails to facilitate movement of the front-end assembly relative to the chassis.
Undercarriage assembly for a work machine and method of use
A work machine includes an undercarriage assembly. The undercarriage assembly includes a chassis and a ground-engaging mechanism for rotating around the chassis to move the work machine. A pair of rails is coupled to the chassis. A pair of sliders is coupled to a front-assembly. The sliders are aligned with the rails and movable relative to the rails to facilitate movement of the front-end assembly relative to the chassis.
Vector steering for tracked vehicle
A technique for steering a tracked vehicle includes controllably deforming at least a portion of a vehicle's track into a curved shape, causing the vehicle to follow a curve-shaped path as it drives. As the vehicle naturally tends to follow a curved path defined by the track's curvature, steering is accomplished with greatly reduced skidding against the ground.
OMNIWHEEL TRACK SYSTEM AND PLATFORM USING THE SAME
An omniwheel track system comprising a frame comprising at least one supporting plate, an endless drive mechanism mounted to the frame, and a plurality of segment assemblies mounted to the frame and drivable by the endless drive mechanism, the plurality of segment assemblies forming an endless track rotatable about the frame, each segment assembly comprising a housing adapted to receive at least one load wheel, each load wheel mounted to a corresponding segment assembly and rotatable about an axis, each axis forming an angle with a side of the housing. There is also provided an omniwheel track system platform comprising a plurality of the omniwheel track systems described above arranged on a main frame such that the omniwheel track system platform is movable omnidirectionally.
Track pin and bushing retention design for a track chain
A track chain member includes a shoe member, and a first rail member extending from the shoe member. The first rail member includes a first lug defining a first bore defining a first longitudinal axis and including a first bushing retention shelf disposed in the first bore, as well as a second lug including a second bushing retention shelf disposed in the second bore. A third lug extends in a direction opposite that of the first lug and second lug and is disposed axially between the first lug and the second lug.
Track pin and bushing retention design for a track chain
A track chain member includes a shoe member, and a first rail member extending from the shoe member. The first rail member includes a first lug defining a first bore defining a first longitudinal axis and including a first bushing retention shelf disposed in the first bore, as well as a second lug including a second bushing retention shelf disposed in the second bore. A third lug extends in a direction opposite that of the first lug and second lug and is disposed axially between the first lug and the second lug.
Ground-engaging track shoe having weight relief channel
A ground-engaging track shoe in a track joint assembly includes a shoe plate having bolt holes extending through a middle plate section between a planar link-bolting surface and a ground-contact surface. A weight relief channel is formed in the middle plate section upon a link-bolting side of the track shoe, and extends inwardly from the planar link-bolting surface. The weight relief channel is arranged between a forward bolt hole set of the bolt holes and a back bolt hole set of the bolt holes in a fore-aft direction.
Ground-engaging track shoe having weight relief channel
A ground-engaging track shoe in a track joint assembly includes a shoe plate having bolt holes extending through a middle plate section between a planar link-bolting surface and a ground-contact surface. A weight relief channel is formed in the middle plate section upon a link-bolting side of the track shoe, and extends inwardly from the planar link-bolting surface. The weight relief channel is arranged between a forward bolt hole set of the bolt holes and a back bolt hole set of the bolt holes in a fore-aft direction.
ANTI-SKID CHAIN HAVING A ROTATION-BLOCKING ELEMENT BETWEEN ADJACENT CHAIN LINKS
The invention relates to an anti-skid chain (1) for tires (3), in particular for bogie axles, wherein the anti-skid chain (1) has two laterally stable guide chains (5) which, when installed, are arranged to the side of the treads (9) of the tires (3), wherein the anti-skid chain (1) has a flexible chain mesh (7) which extends between the two guide chains (5), and wherein at least one guide chain (5) has chain links (15, 17) which are interconnected in an articulated manner by means of joint pins (19) in the circumferential direction (U), and at least one rotation-blocking element (27) by means of which a maximum joint angle (35) between two interconnected chain links (15, 17) is a defined. In order to prevent lateral pulling of the anti-skid chain (1) and, at the same time, to provide an anti-skid chain (1) that is easy to produce, according to the invention, a part of the rotation-blocking element (27) is located on at least one of the joint pins (19).