Crawler web

Abstract

A crawler web for a crawler chain of a crawler vehicle, in particular a snow vehicle, is proposed, wherein the crawler web comprises a base rail which is attachable releasably to the crawler chain, a track bracket which is provided for guiding the crawler chain on a chassis of the crawler vehicle, and a tread element which is provided for arrangement on a ground contact side of the crawler chain and for engagement in an underlying surface. According to the invention, the track bracket and the tread element are formed integrally, wherein the tread element is extended over a large part of a length in the longitudinal direction of the base rail.

Claims

1. A crawler web for a crawler chain of a crawler vehicle comprising: a base rail which is attachable releasably to the crawler chain, a track bracket which is provided for guiding the crawler chain on a chassis of the crawler vehicle, and a tread element which is provided for arrangement on a ground contact side of the crawler chain and for engagement in an underlying surface, wherein the track bracket and the tread element are formed integrally, wherein the tread element is extended over a part of the length in the longitudinal direction of the base rail, and wherein the tread element is delimited on the ground contact side by an at least enveloping profile line which has a downwardly precurved profile along a longitudinal axis of the tread element.

2. The crawler web according to claim 1, wherein the track bracket and the tread element are cast onto the base rail.

3. The crawler web according to claim 1, wherein the track bracket and the tread element are connected to the base rail by vulcanization.

4. The crawler web according to claim 1, further comprising at least two tread profile portions, which protrude outwards, formed on the tread element and arranged in an angled manner with respect to each other and with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tread element.

5. The crawler web according to claim 4, wherein the tread profile portions protrude outward and downward from the tread element, and are arranged in an angled manner with respect to a longitudinal axis of the base rail.

6. The crawler web according to claim 1, further comprising a penetrating element attached to the crawler web.

7. The crawler web according to claim 6, further comprising a plurality of pointy projections arranged separately next to one another and protruding in a common direction from one end of the penetrating element for ground contact.

8. The crawler web according to claim 7, wherein the projections are positioned substantially at the same height.

9. The crawler web according to claim 6, further comprising an attachment sleeve, for attaching the penetrating element to the tread element, cast into the tread element.

10. The crawler web according to claim 9, wherein the attachment sleeve is arranged in the tread element in such a manner that the attachment sleeve is spaced apart from the base rail by an elastically flexible material of the tread element.

11. The crawler web according to claim 9, wherein the attachment sleeve has an internal thread on an outwardly directed opening.

12. The crawler web according to claim 9, wherein the attachment sleeve has a groove of a bayonet catch on an outwardly directed opening.

13. The crawler web according to claim 9, wherein the attachment sleeve is produced from a metal.

14. The crawler web according to claim 6, wherein the penetrating element is an ice spike.

15. The crawler web according to claim 1, further comprising at least one reinforcing element formed on the base rail for at least partially stiffening the track bracket.

16. The crawler web according to claim 1, wherein the base rail is produced from a metal.

17. The crawler web according to claim 1, wherein the base rail further comprises an attachment device for a crawler belt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described and explained below with the aid of the drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a ground contact side of a crawler chain with crawler webs according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a ground contact side of a crawler web according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a crawler web according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a longitudinal side of the crawler web;

(6) FIG. 5a shows a schematic view of a chassis side of a web rail;

(7) FIG. 5b shows a schematic view of an end side of the web rail;

(8) FIG. 5c shows a schematic view of a cross section of the web rail in the region of a blind hole bore for a clamping pin; and

(9) FIG. 5d shows a schematic view of a cross section of the web rail on a sectional plane running centrally through a metal sleeve for an ice spike.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) FIG. 1 shows a crawler chain 1 to which a first exemplary embodiment 2a and a second exemplary embodiment 2b for crawler webs according to the invention are attached. For example, in each case three crawler webs 2a can be arranged here one behind another in a rolling direction R between every two crawler webs 2b.

(11) The crawler webs 2a and 2b have an identical width C and are formed with an identical length D perpendicularly to the running direction R. The webs are connected to one another here via flexible belts 3a, 3b and 3c. The belts 3a, 3b and 3c can be screwed here onto the crawler webs 2a, 2b. For a comparatively light and wear-free construction, the elastic belts 3a, 3b and 3c are arranged at distances from one another, wherein, for example, the belts 3a and 3b are placed at a distance A.sub.2 and the belts 3b and 3c at a distance A.sub.1. The distance A.sub.1 between the belts 3b and 3c is coordinated here with a chassis (not shown), in particular a drive wheel (not shown) of a crawler vehicle, which drive wheel can engage with a toothing (not shown) between the crawler webs 2a and 2b in order to drive the crawler chain 1.

(12) The distance B by which the crawler webs 2a and 2b are separated from each other in the running direction and are attached one after the other is likewise coordinated with the toothing of a drive wheel (not shown).

(13) On the ground contact side, the crawler webs 2a, 2b are preferably completely covered by the material of the tread element. Tread cleats 6a-6k in the form of web-shaped projections which protrude perpendicularly from the ground contact side and which are provided for additional support of the tread element during the engagement in an underlying surface being traveled over are formed on the tread element 5. A plurality of tread cleats 6a can run parallel to the longitudinal direction of the crawler webs and are used to reinforce traction for an acceleration and a braking of a crawler vehicle (not shown).

(14) In order to provide a crawler vehicle with lateral support, in particular during cornering, a plurality of tread cleats 6b, 6c, 6e, 6d, 6f, 6g, 6i, 6j and 6k are oriented at an angle of, for example, 45 with respect to a longitudinal axis of a crawler web in different directions, i.e. in and counter to a running direction R. The profile cleats 6b to 6k which are arranged in an angled manner provide increased resistance transversely with respect to the driving direction of a crawler vehicle, as a result of which increased driving safety is advantageously achievable with the crawler webs 2a, 2b according to the invention. For improved maneuverability, the tread cleats 6a-6k can protrude at a greater height from the tread element 5 in a central portion of the crawler web 2a, 2b, for example in the region of the track bracket 10, than at outer end regions with respect to a longitudinal axis of the crawler web 2a, 2b. By means of a correspondingly reduced height of the tread cleats 6a-6k at the outer end regions of the crawler web along the longitudinal axis, correspondingly reduced traction forces arise at the end portions during cornering and turning maneuvers of a crawler vehicle.

(15) The crawler webs 2a and 2b differ from one another, for example, in the arrangement of the cleats 6a to 6k. A further difference between the crawler webs 2a and 2b consists in that ice spikes 7 are additionally insertable on the crawler webs 2b, with which ice spikes 7 locomotion of a crawler vehicle (not shown) on a hard and smooth underlying surface, for example ice, is improved or is only possible at all.

(16) A crawler web 2b according to the invention is shown with further details in FIGS. 2 and 3. It can be seen in FIG. 3 that the crawler web 2b comprises a web rail 11, on the ground contact side of which a tread element 5 is formed and which completely covers the ground contact side of the web rail 11 over the entire length thereof in the longitudinal direction and over the width C thereof.

(17) A track bracket 10 is formed on a chassis side 11a of the web rail 11. The track bracket 10 comprises two separate track humps 10a and 10b which are connected to each other via a central portion 10c of the track bracket. The track humps 10a and 10b protrude here on the chassis side 11a of the web rail 11 and predetermine a guide track on the crawler chain 1 for a chassis (not shown) of a crawler vehicle (not shown). As a result, lateral movements of chassis parts (not shown), such as, for example, a drive wheel and, for example, a chassis roller, can be limited along the crawler webs if the chassis parts, for example, engage between the track humps 10a and 10b and are supported on the central portion 10c.

(18) The tread element 5 and the track bracket 10 are formed here with a continuous material connection, wherein the tread element and the track bracket can be produced, for example, from a single material, in particular by casting, for example injection molding, or by polymerization or by vulcanization.

(19) By means of the in particular integral connection of the tread element 5 to the track bracket 10, forces which are directed sideways and act parallel to the longitudinal axis of the web rail 11 can advantageously be transmitted directly from the track guide elements of the track bracket 10 to the tread element 5 and in particular to the tread cleats 6a-6k. In this manner, for example, displacements of the track bracket 10 and of the tread element 5 with respect to each other and with respect to the web rail 11 that, on previously used crawler webs corresponding to the prior art, may result, as wear progresses, to an increasing movement clearance between track guide elements with the chassis and the tread element 5, can be reduced or even avoided.

(20) In the event of use under wintry conditions at comparatively low temperatures, the properties of the underlying surface, in particular the flexibility thereof, can change comparatively greatly. Therefore, in addition to the profile cleats 6a to 6k, the tread element 5 additionally provides plug-in openings 8, into which bolt-shaped ice spikes 7 made of a hard material, in particular steel, can be plugged. In order to fasten the ice spikes 7 in the plug-in openings 8, metal sleeves 9, into which an ice spike 7 can be, for example, screwed for fastening purposes are embedded on the plug-in openings 8. In the region of the plug-in openings 8, the profile cleats are preferably reinforced by wall portions 6m, as a result of which the metal sleeves 9 and a large part of a surface of an ice spike 7 can be enclosed by a more flexible material of the tread element 5. This affords the advantage that, in the event of ground contact of the crawler rail 2b, an ice spike 7 can be adapted with respect to the position thereof to the underlying surface. Improved engagement of the ice spike 7 in a hard, in particular frozen, underlying surface is thereby possible.

(21) A plurality of teeth 7a are preferably formed on a point of the ice spikes 7, the teeth protruding individually at approximately the same height on the point of the ice spike. This affords the advantage that penetration of an ice spike into an underlying surface can be limited in order to restrict damage to an ecologically sensitive underlying surface.

(22) The web rail 11 is preferably cast into the tread element 5 and into the track bracket 10 in order, by means of corresponding adhesion forces, to avoid wear to the crawler web 2b by means of relative movements of the web rail with respect to the tread element and with respect to the track brackets.

(23) FIG. 4 illustrates the web rail 2b in semi-transparent form, as a result of which even concealed contours can be seen. Clamping pins 13 which are encased by the track humps 10a and 10b of the track bracket 10 are inserted on the upper side 11a of the web rail 11. This results in an improved transmission of transverse forces perpendicularly to the running or driving direction of a crawler vehicle (not shown).

(24) Furthermore, a plurality of bores 12 which are provided for the attaching of track belts 3a, 3b and 3c, for example by screwing the latter on, are formed on the upper side 11a of the web rail 11. A comparatively simple and rapid installation of a crawler chain 1 with the crawler webs 2a, 2b according to the invention is therefore possible.

(25) FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d show further details of the crawler web 2a, 2b and in particular of the web rail 11. It can be seen in FIGS. 5b and 5c that the web rail 11 is designed as a substantially rectangular, tubular metal profile rail. The ground contact side 11a and the chassis side 11b are delimited here in the running direction R by the front side 11c and counter to the running direction R by the rear side 11d. On the ground contact side 11b, the cross-sectional profile of the web rail 11 has, on the front side 11c, a web-shaped projection 11e projecting in the running direction R. On the rear side 11d, a further web-shaped projection 11f, which is directed counter to the web-shaped projection 11e, is formed on the ground contact side 11b. The web-shaped projections 11e and 11f on the ground contact side 11b enlarge a supporting surface of the crawler web 2a, 2b and permit a correspondingly enlarged design of the tread element 5, as a result of which, for example, a tendency of a crawler web 2a, 2b to buckle on an uneven underlying surface is reduced.

(26) A material strength of the cross section of the web rail 11 is reinforced in the region of the chassis side 11a. This affords the advantage of a comparatively stable anchoring of the clamping pins 13 in the fastening bores 14 (FIG. 5c) at which the clamping pins 13 can be, for example, knocked in. In addition, correspondingly deep bores 12, for example for internal threads, can be formed on the reinforced chassis side 11a. The depth of the bores 12 provides an increased contact surface for screw connections, with which the track belts 3a to 3c can advantageously be reliably fastened.

(27) FIG. 5d shows a cross section of the crawler web 2b in the region of one of the depressions 8 in the tread element 5 together with the metal sleeve 9 which is provided for the attachment of the ice spike 7. The depression 8 is formed in the elastic material of the tread element 5 in the region of the tread cleat 6i and of the wall portion 6m. The depression 8 reaches as far as a base 8a, from which the substantially hollow-cylindrical metal sleeve 9 reaches to just above half the height of the depression. The metal sleeve 9 has a raised edge 9a on the base 8a as a result of which an enlarged supporting surface is formed on the metal sleeve in the region of the base 8a. The base 8a is formed here from the elastic material of the tread element 5, with which elastic material the region between the base 8a of the depression 8 and the ground contact side 11b of the web rail 11 is filled. This affords the advantage that the metal sleeve 9 and an ice spike 7 mounted therein are mounted elastically in relation to the web rail 11 by the material of the tread element 5.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(28) 1 Crawler chain 2a Crawler web 2b Crawler web with plug-in receptacle, plug-in opening 3a Track belt 3b Track belt 3c Track belt 4 Chain link portion 5 Tread element 6a-6k Tread cleats 6m Wall portion 7 Ice spike 7a Tooth 8 Depression, hole 8a Base 9 Attachment sleeve, metal sleeve, ice spike bushing, steel bushing 9a Raised edge 10 Track bracket 10a Track hump 10b Track hump 10c Central portion 11 Web rail 11a Chassis side 11b Ground contact side 11c Front side 11d Rear side 11e Projection 11f Projection 12 Bore (for attaching a track belt) 13 Clamping pin 14 Bore (for knocking a clamping pin into)