Terrain conforming track assembly

Abstract

An endless track assembly that mounts to a wheeled vehicle. The assembly provides 1) a track suspension having fixed or adjustable, independently biased sets of idler wheels to vary the track contour without affecting track tension, 2) an eccentric bearing housing at a drive sprocket controls track tension, 3) a contoured peripheral edge at the drive sprocket prevents ice and mud buildup, 4) rubber-coated, plastic idler wheels facilitate track movement, 5) a multi-vehicle compatible adapter mounting plate accommodates a variety of vehicles, 6) a rotation limited torsion coupler and / or rotation limiting coupler arms prevent track contact with the vehicle, 7) a locking steering arm coupler prevents loss of steering control, 8) shaped track lugs and channels clear and direct debris away fromthe track suspension and drive assembly, and 9) a center, spring biased coupling suspension stabilizes and enhances the contour following and load handling capabilities in the center region of the track. The improved suspension particularly supports sets of idler wheels in pivotal relation to the track support frame and resiliently biases a pre-tensioned rocker arm that links adjacent suspension arms mounted to the adjoining idler wheels. Suspension arm movement induces expansion and contraction of tension springs coupled to the rocker arms to augments shape changes at the track contact surface to optimize traction and steering control.

Description

[0001] Related U.S. Application [0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of US Serial No. 11 / 151,564, filed June 13, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of US Serial No. 10 / 348,156, filed January 21, 2003, which Application 10 / 348,156 is now patented as Patent No. 6,904,986. Background technique [0003] This invention relates to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and more particularly to an improved endless track assembly that can replace the drive wheels of a wheeled ATV or any two-, four-, or other multi-wheel drive vehicle. [0004] A variety of all-terrain vehicles have been developed for recreational, commercial, agricultural and military use. These vehicles may include wheels and / or endless track assemblies to achieve traction on off-road surfaces with low surface pressure on driveline contact surfaces. [0005] Snowmobiles represent an example of a track-based recreational vehicle for use on snow or ice. However, the tracks are difficult to use on other types...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Drivetrains of track-based ATV vehicles such as snowmobiles are usually designed for a dedicated purpose and not readily suitable for other applications

Wheel-based ATV vehicles backed by off-road tires work well in woodland conditions, but have difficulty traversing snow, swamps, and desert terrain

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