PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO TRACKED VEHICLES

Abstract

The present invention is directed to modifications to driving flexible tracks, typically of the type used on small excavators and tractors. The present invention provides a second outer sprocket arrangement to engage with outer guard teeth on the track, these being present on a number of proprietary flexible track arrangements to act as an antifouling measure.

Claims

1. A track drive wheel assembly for attachment to a hub comprising a first annular support separated from a second annular support by a radially distributed plurality of primary roller assemblies, the arrangement defining a first sprocket arrangement; there being a third annular support separated from said second annular support by a radially distributed plurality of secondary roller assemblies, the arrangement defining a second sprocket arrangement; there being included retaining means to maintain the components in said first and second sprocket arrangements.

2. A track drive wheel assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the rotational axes of said first and second sprocket arrangements are substantially coaxial.

3. A track drive wheel assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which said primary and secondary roller assemblies are substantially coaxial.

4. A track drive wheel assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which a retaining means comprises one or more support shafts extending between said annular supports.

5. A track drive wheel assembly as claimed in claim 4 in which either or both of a primary and secondary roller assembly can rotate about a retaining means comprising one or more support shafts.

6. A track drive wheel assembly as claimed in claim 4 in which one or more support shafts passing through the centre of a primary roller assembly contributes to securing said first and second annular roller supports to each other.

7. A track drive wheel assembly as claimed in claim 4 in which one or more support shafts passing through the centre of a primary roller assembly contributes to securing said first and second and third annular roller supports to each other.

8. A track drive wheel assembly as claimed in claim 6 in which where there is a plurality of support shafts through the centre of a roller assembly, these support shafts are arranged and connected longitudinally.

9. A track drive wheel assembly as claimed in claim 5 in which the rotational axes of said primary and secondary roller assemblies are coaxial.

10. A track drive wheel assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which in which a said annular roller support is substantially an annular plate.

11. A track drive wheel assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the distance of separation of the annular roller supports corresponds to the width and spacing of the teeth on a track with which the track drive wheel assembly is to be used.

12. A track drive wheel assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which at least two of said annular roller supports are positioned and configured to act as guides interacting with teeth on a track to restrict sideways movement of the track relative to the track drive wheel assembly.

13. A method for modifying an existing track drive wheel comprising first and second annular roller supports, separated by a plurality of primary roller assemblies, to a track drive wheel as claimed in claim 1, said method comprising steps: i) securing a radially distributed set of secondary roller assemblies to the existing track drive wheel; ii) affixing a third annular roller support thereto.

14. A method for modifying an existing track drive wheel as claimed in claim 13 in which the primary roller assemblies are secured in the existing track drive wheel assembly by a central primary bolt extending from the outside of the first annular roller support, through a said primary roller assembly, through the second annular roller support, and secured with a nut or equivalent threaded securing device, and wherein there are included steps of: (a) removing the nut or equivalent threaded securing device; (b) threading a secondary support shaft on to the exposed central primary bolt; (c) assembling a rotating secondary roller arrangement thereover; (d) securing the third annular with fastening devices to the secondary support shafts.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14 in which the primary roller assemblies are secured in the existing track drive wheel assembly by a central primary bolt extending from the outside of the first annular roller support, through a said primary roller assembly, through the second annular roller support, and secured with a nut or equivalent threaded securing device, and wherein there are included steps of: (a) removing the nut or equivalent threaded securing device; (b) replacing the central primary bolt with a longer bolt; (c) placing a hollow secondary support shaft over the extended bolt; (d) assembling a rotating secondary roller arrangement thereover; (e) securing the third annular roller support with nuts or equivalent fastening elements applied to said extended bolts.

16. A tractor unit with track assemblies, and including one or more track drive wheel assemblies as claimed in claim 1.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0056] FIG. 1 is a perspective diagrammatic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] FIG. 2 is a side diagrammatic view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and

[0058] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the same embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0059] According to one aspect of the present invention, and with reference to the drawings, there is provided a track drive wheel assembly (generally indicated by arrow 1) for attachment to a hub (2).

[0060] The wheel assembly (1) comprises a first annular support (3) separated from a second annular support (4) by a radially distributed set of primary roller assemblies (6). Known wheel sets are generally constructed this way and form a first sprocket arrangement for engaging the first inner set of teeth (32) on a track, but not the outer tooth set (31)these teeth in the prior art act primarily as a guard for reducing the amount of ground material finding its way into the sprocket roller assemblies (6).

[0061] According to this described embodiment a third annular support (5) is provided and separated from the second annular support (4) by a set of secondary roller assemblies comprising a roller (21) over a support shaft (22). In a wheel set manufactured from scratch the primary roller securing bolt (24) can extend all the way through to the outside of third annular ring (5). In the illustrated embodiment, an embodiment comprising a modified wheel set (1) is illustrated (see in particular FIG. 3). The support shaft (22) is threaded onto the end of primary securing bolt (24) after its nut (not shown) is removed. Loctite or a comparable securing compound may be employed. The roller (21) and any optional washers or packers are slid over the shaft (22) and an outer securing bolt (23) inserted and tightened to secure the secondary roller assemblies (7).

[0062] FIG. 3 clearly illustrates the resulting double sprocket arrangement which engages both teeth sets (31, 32) and more accurately guiding the track with respect to the wheel set assembly (1).

[0063] Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as described herein.

[0064] It should also be understood that the term comprise where used herein is not to be considered to be used in a limiting sense. Accordingly, comprise does not represent nor define an exclusive set of items, but includes the possibility of other components and items being added to the list.

[0065] This specification is also based on the understanding of the inventor regarding the prior art. The prior art description should not be regarded as being authoritative disclosure on the true state of the prior art but rather as referencing considerations brought to the mind and attention of the inventor when developing this invention.