CA2182845C - Snowmobile drive track with noise reducing thread pattern - Google Patents

Snowmobile drive track with noise reducing thread pattern

Info

Publication number
CA2182845C
CA2182845C CA002182845A CA2182845A CA2182845C CA 2182845 C CA2182845 C CA 2182845C CA 002182845 A CA002182845 A CA 002182845A CA 2182845 A CA2182845 A CA 2182845A CA 2182845 C CA2182845 C CA 2182845C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
profiles
receiving areas
crossbar receiving
profile
successive
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
CA002182845A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2182845A1 (en
Inventor
Denis Courtemanche
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Camso Inc
Original Assignee
Camoplast Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=4158708&utm_source=***_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=CA2182845(C) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Camoplast Inc filed Critical Camoplast Inc
Priority to CA002182845A priority Critical patent/CA2182845C/en
Publication of CA2182845A1 publication Critical patent/CA2182845A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2182845C publication Critical patent/CA2182845C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62DMOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D55/00Endless track vehicles
    • B62D55/08Endless track units; Parts thereof
    • B62D55/18Tracks
    • B62D55/24Tracks of continuously flexible type, e.g. rubber belts

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Tires In General (AREA)

Abstract

The snowmobile drive track described consists of an endless body having a ground engaging outer side on which is displayed, on every three successive crossbar receiving areas, a tread pattern which is repeated over the entire outer side. This profile configuration allows for a reduction of rubber material on the track and, therefore, a reduction of noise produced by the track as it rotates.

Description

'- 21 82845 TITLE OF THE INVENTION

Snowmobile drive track.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a snowmobile drive track 5 and, more particularly, to a track for snowmobiles having an improved tread configuration on its outer side.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Snowmobile tracks are formed of an assembly of a molded rubber base having, embedded therein, one or more layers or reinrorcing 10 fabric and a series of bars that extend crosswise of the track in central andlateral portions thereof. These crossbar portions display a series of raised profiles, each defining a ground engaging projection which provides traction and control to the track. These projections are a source of noise at certain rotational speeds of the endless track. Indeed, at speeds of between 40 and 15 70 mph, noise produced by the track is heard; above 70 mph, the motor noise usually overtakes the track noise.

OBJECT AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

It has been found that this track noise can be greatly reduced if the noise frequency generated by the track profiles is decreased thus 20 providing comfort to the driver and to the environment.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide the outer side of a snowmobile drive track with a tread configuration that includes profile-free regions to reduce this frequency and effect noise reduction.

The present invention therefore relates to a snowmobile drive track which consists of an endless body having a ground engaging outer side and a suspension supporting inner side; the body defines a central portion and opposite lateral portions interconnected by a plurality of longitudinally spaced suspension bearing portions; the body also displays 0 a plurality of longitudinally spaced crossbar receiving areas extending crosswise of the body in its central, lateral and suspension bearing portions, each crossbar receiving area displaying, on the outer side of the body, integrally formed pr~,e~ting profiles; the profiles of three successive crossbarreceiving areas define a tread pattern which is identically repeated on all sllccessive threesome of crossbar receiving areas. The profiles of at least one of the three successive crossbar receiving areas differ in configuration from the profiles of the other while each crossbar receiving area includes a profile-free region thereon.

Most snowmobile tracks are presently configured with a 48 or a 54-pitch design; hence, the tread pattern of the present invention is adaptable to such tracks.

Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be unde,~lood, however, that this detailed description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, is given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

21 û2~45 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a snowmobile track bearing a tread design made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view showing part of the ground 5 engaging outer side of the track; and Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of figure 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to figure 1, there is shown, in part, an endless 10 snowmobile track, generally denoted 10, for propelling a snowmobile over snow, ice, or other similar ground structure. The mounting of this track to a snowmobile is well known and needs not be detailed. The track has a ground engaging outer side 12 and an inner side 14 that receives and supports, on the lower run thereof, a suspension which may consist of a 15 wheel assembly or a slide rail assembly, both of which are also well known in the art.

Conventionally, the track rotates by means of a motor driven sprocket unit at the forward end of the vehicle and idle drive wheels are mounted at the aft end of the vehicle to support the rear end of the track.
2 o Sprockets engage a series of lugs 15 integrally formed with the inner surface of the track.

As illustrated in figure 2, the track defines a pair of opposite lateral portions 16 and 18 and a central portion 20. These portions are " 21 82845 interconnected by a plurality of longitudinally spaced suspension bearing po, lions 22 and 24 which are each partially covered by metallic clips 26, 28.
These clips may have various forms; however, they are structured so that, in the case of a slide rail suspension system, the rails that support the 5 chassis of the snowmobile slide on the rear faces 26', 28' of the clips. Such clips may be found described in U.S. patent No. 4,474,414 issued October 2,1984 to Tokue.

The snowmobile track 10 also defines a plurality of crossbar receiving areas 30 that extend through the central, lateral and suspension 10 bearing portions of the track. Referring to figure 3, these areas incorporate a crossbar 32 which preferably consists of a rod, made of composite material, having a shape as illustrated with rounded corners. In the track illustrated in figure 2, six crossbar receiving areas have been identified as 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e and 30f.

As can be seen in figure 3, the track is formed of an assembly of a molded rubber base 34 and two layers of reinforcing fabric 36 and 38.
Some tracks may also include a plurality of longitudinally extending cords.
The reil,rorc;ng fabric is a woven fabric of synthetic fibers while cords,when present, may be plastic or metal.

Referring to figure 2, the crossbar receiving areas 30a-30f each display an arrangement of a trapezoidal-shaped profile region and a profile-free region. For example, the crossbar receiving area 30a displays two profiles 42 and 44; the crossbar receiving area 30b also displays two crossbars 46 and 48 while the crossbar receiving area 30c displays three profiles 50, 52 and 54. A profile-free region 56 is present between the profiles 42 and 44 while a second profile-free region 58 is provided between the two profiles 46 and 48. On the other hand, there are two profile-free regions 60 and 62 between the profiles 50 and 52 and the profiles 52 and 54.

This arrangement of profiles and profile-free regions defines a tread pattern which is repeated identically on the three successive s crossbar receiving areas 30d, 30e and 30f as well as on the remaining crossbar receiving areas.

In the embodiment illustrated, profiles 42 and 44 have the same width but their width is different from that of profiles 46 and 48 so that the profile-free region 56 is less wide than the profile-free region 58 of the crossbar receiving area 30b. The profiles 50 and 54 of the crossbar receiving area 30c extend only in the lateral portions 16 and 18 of the track while the profile 52 extends in the central region of the track where are also provided the two profile-free regions 60 and 62.

With this particular tread configuration, there is no profile-free region which is present at the same location when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the track. In both opposite lateral portions of the track 16 and 18, there is a profile for each crossbar receiving area while, in the central portion 20 of the track, the profile-free regions are located at different places so that the side edge 52a of trapezoidal profile 52 is closer to the sprocket receiving portion 24 than the side edges 46b and 42b of profiles 46 and 42.
On the other hand, the side edges 42a, 46a and 50a are ~ cent the side edge 10a of the track while the side edges 44b, 48b and 54b are ~rlj~cent the side edge 10b of the track. Referring to figure 3, each profile includes a leading wall and a trailing wall; for example, profile 42 has a leading wall 70 and a trailing wall 72. These walls include a series of vertical reinforcing ribs 74 and 76 respectively, the function of which is described and claimed in a copending application of applicant filed concurrently herewith.
Pleferably, the profiles include a V-shaped outline 78 with the apex being on the leading wall of the profile. Similarly, the top edge of the profiles in the area of the slide bearing portions 22 and 24 are preferably corrl~g~ted Although the invention has been described above with respect with one specific form, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that it 5 may be modified and refined in various ways. For example, it is possible to have a tread pattern where two of the three successive crossbar receiving areas have the same profile configuration, but which is different from that of the third crossbar receiving area. It is tt ,erefore wished to have it u nderslood that the present invention should not be limited in scope, except by the terms 10 of the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. A snowmobile drive track comprising an endless body having a ground engaging outer side and a suspension supporting inner side; said body defining a central portion and opposite lateral portions interconnected by a plurality of longitudinally spaced suspension bearing portions; said body displaying a plurality of longitudinally spaced crossbar receiving areas extending crosswise of said body in said central, lateral and suspension bearing portions; each said crossbar receiving area displaying, on said outer side of said body, integrally formed projecting profiles; the profiles of three successive crossbar receiving areas defining a tread pattern which is identically repeated in other areas of the ground engaging outer side of the endless body; the profiles of at least one of said three successive crossbar receiving areas differing in configuration from the profiles of the others each said crossbar receiving area including a profile-free region thereon but said track being free of profile free regions when viewed in a longitudinal direction, said configuration providing improved noise reduction when said track is driven at high speeds.
2. A snowmobile drive track comprising an endless body having a ground engaging outer side and a suspension supporting inner side; said body defining a central portion and opposite lateral portions interconnected by a plurality of longitudinally spaced suspension bearing portions; said body displaying a plurality of longitudinally spaced crossbar receiving areas extending crosswise of said body in said central, lateral and suspension bearing portions; each said crossbar receiving area displaying, on said outer side of said body, integrally formed projecting profiles; the profiles of three successive crossbar receiving areas defining a tread pattern which is identically repeated on all successive threesome of crossbar receiving areas; the profiles of at least one of said three successive crossbar receiving areas differing in configuration from the profiles of the others each said crossbar receiving area including a profile-free region thereon but said track being free of profile free regions when viewed in a longitudinal direction, said configuration providing improved noise reduction when said track is driven at high speeds.
3. A snowmobile drive track as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the profiles of each of said three successive crossbar receiving areas differ in configuration from one another.
4. A snowmobile drive track as defined in claim 3, wherein said profiles define a trapezoidal shape having a top edge and opposite side edges; each said opposite lateral portions of said body including a profile with an outer side edge thereof adjacent a side edge of said body.
5. A snowmobile drive track as defined in claim 4, wherein a first of said three successive crossbar receiving areas displays three laterally spaced profiles, two of which being located in said opposite lateral portions of said body and a third in said central portion of said body.
6. A snowmobile drive track as defined in claim 5, wherein a second and a third of said three successive crossbar receiving areas each display a pair of profiles separated by a profile-free region in said central portion of said body.
7. A snowmobile drive track as defined in claim 6, wherein the profile-free regions in said second and third crossbar receiving areas have differing width.
8. A snowmobile drive track as defined in claim 7, wherein the width of the third profile of said first of said three successive crossbar receiving areas is greater than the smallest of the widths of the profile-free regions of said second and third of said three successive crossbar receiving areas.
9. A snowmobile drive track as defined in claim 6, wherein said top edges of said pair of profiles display corrugations in the sprocket engaging portions of said body.
10. A snowmobile drive track as defined in claim 4, wherein the profiles have a V-shaped outline.
11. Apparatus, comprising: a drive track including an endless body having an outer side and an inner side, said endless body defining a central portion, a first lateral portion connected to said central portion with a first bearing portion, and a second lateral portion connected to said central portion with a second bearing portion, said endless body including a plurality of crossbar receiving areas extending 1) in a cross-wise direction relative to said endless body and 2) across said first lateral portion, said first bearing portion, said central portion, said second bearing portion, and said second lateral portion, each of said crossbar receiving areas including, on said outer side, 1) a series of integrally formed profiles extending in said x cross-wise direction and 2) a profile free region, the profiles of three successive crossbar receiving areas defining a tread pattern which is identically repeated on all successive threesome of crossbar receiving areas, the profiles of at least one of said three successive crossbar receiving areas differing in configuration from the profiles of the others, said drive track being free of profile free regions when viewed in a longitudinal direction, said configuration providing improved noise reduction when said drive track is driven at high speeds.
12. Apparatus, comprising: a drive track including an endless body having an outer side and an inner side, said endless body defining a central portion, a first lateral portion connected to said central portion with a first bearing portion, and a second lateral portion connected to said central portion with a second bearing portion, said endless body including a plurality of crossbar receiving areas extending 1) in a cross-wise direction relative to said endless body and 2) across said first lateral portion, said first bearing portion, said central portion, said second bearing portion, and said second lateral portion, each of said crossbar receiving areas including, on said outer side, 1) a series of integrally formed profiles extending in said crosswise direction and 2) a profile free region, the profiles of three successive crossbar receiving areas defining a tread pattern which is identically repeated in other areas of the ground engaging outer side of the endless body; the profiles of at least one of said three successive crossbar receiving areas differing in configuration from the profiles of the others, said drive track being free of profile free regions when viewed in a longitudinal direction, saidconfiguration providing improved noise reduction when said drive track is driven at high speeds.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 or 12, wherein the profiles of each of said three successive crossbar receiving areas differ in configuration from one another.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said profiles define a trapezoidal shape having a top edge and opposite side edges; each said opposite lateral portions of said body including a profile with an outer side edge thereof adjacent a side edge of said body.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a first of said three successive crossbar receiving areas displays three laterally spaced profiles, two of which being located in said opposite lateral portions of said body and a third in said central portion of said body.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a second and a third of said three successive crossbar receiving areas each display a pair of profiles separated by a profile-free region in said central portion of said body.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the profile-free regions in said second and third crossbar receiving areas have differing width.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the width of the third profile of said first of said three successive crossbar receiving areas is greater than the smallest of the widths of the profile-free regions of said second and third of said three successive crossbar receiving areas.
19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said top edges of said pair of profiles display corrugations in the sprocket engaging portions of said body.
20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the profiles have a V-shaped outline.
CA002182845A 1996-08-07 1996-08-07 Snowmobile drive track with noise reducing thread pattern Expired - Lifetime CA2182845C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002182845A CA2182845C (en) 1996-08-07 1996-08-07 Snowmobile drive track with noise reducing thread pattern

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002182845A CA2182845C (en) 1996-08-07 1996-08-07 Snowmobile drive track with noise reducing thread pattern

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2182845A1 CA2182845A1 (en) 1997-12-04
CA2182845C true CA2182845C (en) 1999-03-30

Family

ID=4158708

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002182845A Expired - Lifetime CA2182845C (en) 1996-08-07 1996-08-07 Snowmobile drive track with noise reducing thread pattern

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2182845C (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018114085A1 (en) * 2016-12-19 2018-06-28 Contitech Transportbandsysteme Gmbh Crawler track, in particular rubber crawler track

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2457999A1 (en) 2004-02-17 2005-08-17 Michel Paradis Track belt guide wheels assembly
CA2505307A1 (en) 2005-04-26 2006-10-26 Camoplast Inc. A multi-edge traction lug track

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018114085A1 (en) * 2016-12-19 2018-06-28 Contitech Transportbandsysteme Gmbh Crawler track, in particular rubber crawler track
US11370499B2 (en) 2016-12-19 2022-06-28 Loc Performance Products, Llc Crawler track, in particular rubber crawler track

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2182845A1 (en) 1997-12-04

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Effective date: 20160808