GB1372249A - Vehicle tracks - Google Patents

Abstract

1372249 Vehicle tracks CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO 5 Nov 1971 [12 Nov 1970] 51589/71 Heading B7C A track shoe, for an endless track assembly mounted in use around the circumference of a resilient annular spacer means (e.g. a pneumatic tyre or air-bag), is substantially rectangular and has a substantially flat and uninterrupted inner surface for contacting the spacer means, the shoe comprising at least one primary ground engaging grouser, e.g. 32, formed integrally therewith to extend fully or substantially fully along the shoe parallel to the longer edges thereof, which edges lie parallel to the axis of the spacer means in use, and the shoe being provided with at least one secondary ground engaging grouser, e.g. 31, attached thereto to extend at an angle to the or each primary grouser thereby to resist movement of the track assembly parallel to the axis of the spacer means in use. In one embodiment, Fig. 2, substantially triangular support plates 30, each having a secondary grouser 31 formed integrally therewith, are bolted to the shoe adjacent its shorter edges such that the grousers 31 lie at 70 degrees to the primary grouser 32. The Fig. 2, embodiment may be modified by replacing each plate 30 and associated grouser by a plate 30a, Fig. 5, which has a secondary grouser 31a integrally formed therewith and can, as shown, be bolted to the shoe in two alternative positions; or by a rectangular plate having a secondary grouser formed integrally along each of its longer edges (Fig. 7, not shown); or by any angle section bar which has one limb bolted or welded to the inner surface of the shoe and whose other limb forms a secondary grouser (Fig. 12, not shown); or by a disc 30f, Fig. 14, welded to the shoe and carrying a member providing a secondary grouser 31f and also a tertiary grouser 31f<SP>1</SP> parallel to the primary grouser 32f. In all of the above described modifications of the Fig. 2, embodiment the secondary grousers are perpendicular to the primary grouser. In an alternative embodiment, Fig. 10, a secondary grouser 31c, perpendicular to the primary grouser 32c and extending between two frusto. conical supports 30c riveted, as shown, or bolted to the shoe, is provided adjacent each shorter edge of the shoe. Yet another embodiment (Fig. 15, not shown) is similar to the Fig. 14, embodiment except that the disc 30f is omitted and grousers corresponding to those 31f, 31f<SP>1</SP> are provided by two pieces of angle section bar welded together at their corners and directly to the shoe. The or each primary grouser may project further from the shoe than the or each secondary grouser. A plurality of the shoes are connected together to form the track assembly by means of links 25, Fig. 2, secured two to each shoe, each link having a blade portion 28 which engages in a fork portion 27 of an adjacent link and is connected thereto by a pivot pin. Curved lugs may be formed along the longer edges of each shoe whereby in the track assembly one lug of one shoe overlaps the adjacent lug of the adjacent shoe so that in use the periphery of the spacer means is completely masked by the track assembly.