Tracked Drag Force Generating Device

Abstract

A device for generating a pulling, or drag, force. The device consists of a single large track, powered by a power source located on a bottom wall above said track; of which the power source is an electric or combustion engine, mechanically connected with a multitude of rollers. The device additionally consists of an elongated handle with a generally t-shaped or generally u-shaped distal end so as to be received and grasped by a human user. Additionally, side walls and an optional front and/or overhead wall may be utilized to protect the power source from the elements.

Claims

1. A drag force generating device, comprising: a front sprocket roller having a first side and a second side; an axle disposed within the front sprocket roller and extending beyond the first side and the second side of the front sprocket roller; a rear sprocket roller having a first side and a second side, the rear sprocket roller generally positioned linearly with the front roller along on a longitudinal axis of the device; an axle disposed within the rear sprocket roller and extending beyond the first side and the second side of the front sprocket roller; a track disposed around the front sprocket roller and the rear sprocket roller; a first support arm having a first distal end and a second distal end, said first support arm coupled to the front sprocket roller axle on the first distal end of the first support arm; a second support arm having a first distal end and a second distal end, said second support arm coupled to the rear sprocket roller axle on the first distal end of the second support arm; a frame coupled to the second distal end of the first support arm, and wherein said frame is additionally coupled to the second distal end of the second support arm; a cab mounted on the frame, said cab having a front shield wall and a plurality of opposite side walls; a power source positioned within the cab, wherein the power source is mechanically connected to one of the front sprocket roller axle and the rear sprocket roller axle; an elongated handle pivotably connected to the frame; a throttle cable having a first end and a second end, wherein the throttle cable is mechanically connected to the power source at the first end; and a throttle control apparatus mechanically connected to the second end of the throttle cable, wherein the throttle control apparatus is mounted on the elongated handle.

2. The drag force generating device of claim 1, and wherein the track further comprises a plurality of treads thereon.

3. The drag force generating device of claim 2, and further comprising a middle sprocket roller having a first side and a second side, the middle sprocket roller generally positioned in between the front sprocket roller and the rear sprocket roller along the longitudinal axis of the device, and wherein the track is disposed additionally around said middle sprocket roller.

4. The drag force generating device of claim 3, wherein an axle is disposed within the middle sprocket roller and extending beyond the first side and the second side of the front sprocket roller.

5. The drag force generating device of claim 4, wherein the power source is an internal combustion engine.

6. The drag force generating device of claim 5, further comprising a headlight mounted on the cab.

7. The drag force generating device of claim 6, wherein the throttle control apparatus is an ergonomic shape.

8. The drag force generating device of claim 7, wherein the internal combustion engine further comprises a centrifugal clutch.

9. The drag force generating device of claim 4, wherein the power source is an electric motor.

10. A tracked powered machine comprising: a frame; a cab mounted on the frame, said cab having a plurality of opposing side walls; a first support arm having a first distal end and a second distal end, said first support arm coupled to the frame at the second distal end of the first support arm; a second support arm having a first distal end and a second distal end, said second support arm coupled to the frame at the second distal end of the second support arm; a front sprocket roller having a first side and a second side and additionally including an axle disposed within the front sprocket roller extending beyond the first side and the second side of the front sprocket roller, said axle coupled to the first distal end of the first support arm, wherein the front sprocket roller is disposed at a position below the frame opposite that of the cab; a rear sprocket roller having a first side and a second side and additionally including an axle disposed within the rear sprocket roller extending beyond the first side and the second side of the rear sprocket roller, said axle coupled to the first distal end of the second support arm, wherein the rear sprocket roller is disposed at a position below the frame opposite that of the cab; a track disposed around the front sprocket roller and the rear sprocket roller; a plurality of rollers positioned at a position between the front sprocket roller and the rear sprocket roller, said plurality of rollers disposed within the track; a power source mounted within the cab, wherein said power source is mechanically connected to the rear sprocket roller axle; an elongated handle pivotably connected to the cab; a skid plate disposed generally within the track; a throttle cable having a first end and a second end, wherein the throttle cable is mechanically connected to the power source at the first end; and a throttle control apparatus mechanically connected to the second end of the throttle cable, wherein the throttle control apparatus is mounted on the elongated handle.

11. The tracked powered machine of claim 10, further comprising a front shield wall on the cab.

12. The tracked powered machine of claim 11, wherein the track is constructed out of metal.

13. The tracked powered machine of claim 11, wherein the track is constructed out of rubber.

14. The tracked powered machine of claim 11, wherein the power source is an internal combustion engine.

15. The tracked powered machine of claim 14, wherein the internal combustion engine further comprises a mechanical clutch.

16. The tracked powered machine of claim 14, wherein the internal combustion engine further comprises a centrifugal clutch.

17. The tracked powered machine of claim 16, further including a trailer hitch mounted on the frame.

18. A tracked powered machine to create drag force comprising: a front sprocket roller having a first side and a second side; an axle disposed within the front sprocket roller and extending beyond the first side and the second side of the front sprocket roller; a rear sprocket roller having a first side and a second side, the rear sprocket roller generally positioned linearly with the front roller along on a longitudinal axis of the device; an axle disposed within the rear sprocket roller and extending beyond the first side and the second side of the front sprocket roller; a track disposed around the front sprocket roller and the rear sprocket roller; a plurality of rollers disposed generally within the track between the front sprocket roller and the rear sprocket roller; a first support arm having a first distal end and a second distal end, said first support arm coupled to the front sprocket roller axle on the first distal end of the first support arm; a second support arm having a first distal end and a second distal end, said second support arm coupled to the rear sprocket roller axle on the first distal end of the second support arm; a frame coupled to the second distal end of the first support arm, and wherein said frame is additionally coupled to the second distal end of the second support arm; a cab mounted on the frame, said cab having a front shield wall and a plurality of opposite side walls; an internal combustion engine positioned within the cab, wherein the internal combustion engine is mechanically connected to the rear sprocket roller axle; an elongated handle pivotably connected to one of the frame and the plurality of opposite side walls of the cab; a throttle cable having a first end and a second end, wherein the throttle cable is mechanically connected to the internal combustion engine at the first end; and a throttle control apparatus mechanically connected to the second end of the throttle cable, wherein the throttle control apparatus is mounted on the elongated handle.

19. The tracked powered machine of claim 18, wherein the internal combustion engine further includes a centrifugal clutch.

20. The tracked powered machine of claim 18, wherein the internal combustion engine further includes a mechanical clutch.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] One or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout and in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the tracked drag force generating device while said device is pulling a human user who is wearing skis;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the elongated handle of the tracked drag force generating device containing a thumb throttle and having tilt capabilities;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of a preferred embodiment of the tracked drag force generating device containing a power source located within the cab;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the tracked drag force generating device wherein the tracked drag force generating device contains multiple sprockets, and features a skid plate; and

[0030] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the tracked drag force generating device wherein a headlight is shown with the power source contained therein, and additionally comprising a skid plate within the surface of the continuous track.

[0031] Before explaining one or more embodiments of the disclosed disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited in its application to the details or modes of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or previously disclosed illustrations. This disclosure is capable of multiple embodiments and modes, which can be practiced or carried out in many various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description, and should not be regarded as limiting, or used as an absolute.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0032] Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a tracked drag force generating device 10 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The tracked drag force generating device 10 is shown here emitting a drag force and pulling a human user 20, of whom is presently on runners 30. As described above, the runners 30 may be in the form of skis, a snowboard, skids, roller skates, ice skates, a sled, or the like. The tracked drag force generating device 10 has a continuous track 40, of which in this illustration also contains treads 60, which provide additional grip on the contact surface of the ground. The track 40 is contained within a frame that has side walls 50a, 50b. Attached to or near the side walls 50a, 50b at a connection point 90 are handle lower legs 70a, 70b. These handle lower legs are connected with handle upper legs 75a, 75b. At a distal end on the handle upper legs 75a, 75b away from the tracked drag force generating device 10 is a handle push bar 80, which is known herein as the part of the overall handle in which a human user 20 grasps, or connects an alternate device such as a rope, chain, clamp or the like thereto.

[0033] Looking at FIG. 2 is one embodiment of a handle device of the tracked drag force generating device 10 in which the handle is shaped as a “T.” This version has a handle lower leg 70 which additionally comprises a handle extension 150 device. This handle extension device gives the capability of extending the length of the handle lower leg 70 so as to extend the distance of the handle push bar 80 from the tracked drag force generating device 10 itself. Also illustrated here is a handle tilt knob 140, which allows for the adjustability of the handle upper leg 75 angle from the handle tilt knob 140 which is used as the vertex for adjustability purposes. Another feature in this embodiment is a handle extension 160 for the handle upper leg 75, and further allows for increasing or decreasing the distance of the handle push bar 80 from the tracked drag force generating device 10 itself. On the distal end of the handle upper leg 75 is the handle push bar 80, which contains a user-actuated throttle 110. The throttle 110 of the device may be in any shape or method as convenient under the circumstances but it is thought presently that it be best deployed on the handle push bar 80 itself. This embodiment also shows the presence of a starter handle 120 and starter cable 130, which allows for the activation of a power source 170, as shown in detail in FIG. 4.

[0034] Turning now to FIG. 3, a user perspective view from the back of the tracked drag force generating device 10 is illustrated. This particular view is that which a human user 20 would see while operating this embodiment. As shown, a power source 170 is depicted within the side walls 50a, 50b of the tracked drag force generating device 10. Connected to said side walls 50a,50b creating a device frame and located above the track 40 is a lower frame wall 180. This lower frame wall 180 is the base upon which said power source 170 is generally seated.

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of an embodiment of the tracked drag force generating device 10. The track 40 is shown in detail here, complete with multiple sprocket rollers 45, which are mechanically connected in a way with the power source 170, and the power source engages at least one sprocket roller 45, of which sprocket rollers 45 are in contact with the track 40 itself by way of the sprocket teeth. By inducing the sprocket roller 45 to move, the track 40 itself is mechanically induced to move, which provides the mobility. The track 40 additionally contains treads 60, and has a series of rollers 220, to provide extra stability to the track 40. Shown in this embodiment additionally is a skid plate 200, which allows for the dispersion of material such as snow, to be distributed in a location outside that of the track 40. In so doing, the track 40 is protected from buildup from outside materials. Also connected to a sprocket roller 45 are connection points which allow the frame to sit. The lower part of the frame, as previously described, is the lower frame wall 180, and as shown here the power source 170 sits thereon. Also located on the lower frame wall 180 in this embodiment is a tote 240, which is a basket or carrying device such that a human user 20 is able to bring additional items. The size and shape of the tote 240 can be adjustable based on the particular needs of the human user 20 themselves. The handle lower leg 70 is connected to the tracked drag force generating device 10 and is shown here with a handle tilt knob 140 connected to the handle upper leg 75. In this particular embodiment, the starter handle 120 is not shown as it is located on the power source 170 and therefore is not on the handle itself. On the handle push bar are two user-actuated throttles 110, for the human user 20 to utilize. A throttle cable 100 is shown, connected on one end to the power source 170 and on the other end of the cable to the throttle 110.

[0036] Lastly, we look at FIG. 5. In this illustration, a version of the tracked drag force generating device 10 is shown wherein the track 40 contains a skid plate 200. Most of the track 40 is covered by the side wall 50a, but enough is shown to highlight the present of rollers 220. The frame of the tracked drag force generating device 10 has a front shield wall 190, which is the same as a side wall 50, but located on the front of the tracked drag force generating device 10, a location known as the farthest distance from the handle push bar 80. On said front shield wall 190 is located a headlight 210. The headlight 210 naturally provides illumination in periods of low-light visibility. It is thought that the headlight 210 may be able to receive power from a stator within the power source 170, or from an external power source such as batteries. On the rear location of the tracked drag force generating device 10, closet to the handle push bar 80 is a trailer hitch 230. This allows for a human user 20 to attach a sled, trailer, or other similar device. Depending on the circumstances, in such a way a user may attach said device and sit thereon, while grasping the handle push bar 80 and actuating the throttle 110 to provide transportation of said device by way of the tracked drag force generating device 10.

[0037] Understandably, the tracked drag force generating device 10 has been described above in terms of one or more preferred embodiments or models. It is recognized that various alternatives and modifications may be made to these embodiments and methods that are within the scope of the present disclosure. Any and all various alternatives reasonably obvious to a person of skill in the art are contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that, although the foregoing description and drawings describe and illustrate in detail one or more preferred embodiments of the tracked drag force generating device 10, to those skilled in the art of which this disclosure relates, namely transportation by way of light vehicle, the present disclosure will suggest many modifications, models, and constructions, as well as widely differing embodiments and applications without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.