GB2437018A

GB2437018A - Track for underside of vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2437018A
Application number: GB0713782A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yaragi Abdulaev
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-04
Filing date: 2007-07-16
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2024-06-04
Also published as: GB2437018B; GB0713782D0

Abstract

A device (131) for facilitating the movement of a vehicle (130) across ground comprises a surface which may be in the form of a track (60) able to move around a body (10). Brackets (101) may be provided for attaching the body (10) to a vehicle (130). The track (60) is movable independently of the movement of the vehicle (130) in at least the reverse direction relative to the vehicle's direction of movement. Track (60) is able to move around body (10) by means of cylinders (31) arranged in the form of a belt (30) extending around body (10) between body (10) and track (60). The cylinders are mounted on transverse spindles and cylinders on adjacent spindles are staggered relative to one another. The device (131) can be used to facilitate movement of off-road vehicles (130) across obstacles. It can also be used to provide snow-free sledges (200, figure 20) and skis (210, figure 21). It is also envisaged that the device (131) may be incorporated into a trolley, which can be used on uneven surfaces.

Description

2437018

1

DEVICE FOR FACILITATING THE MOVEMENT OF A VEHICLE

The present invention relates to a device for facilitating the movement of a vehicle across ground, and which is particularly useful for facilitating movement across uneven surfaces 5 and for the carrying of awkward loads.

Wheeled transport is used in a wide variety of functions and pastimes. However, in some circumstances wheels do not work as well as desired. Wheeled transport is not an effective way of moving loads on uneven, loose or soft ground. In particular, problems 10 can arise where movement across an uneven surface is required.

Off-road vehicles are designed for driving on ground that is uneven and which can be muddy. They include several features that make them suitable for this, such as four wheel drive. However, off-road vehicles are still liable to become stuck if they hit an 15 obstacle, such as a rock, a tree trunk or a rut in the terrain.

The underside of a vehicle is generally protected by a sheet of steel. This only offers partial protection to the vehicle since impacts are unable to glance off. Such impacts impede movement (even stopping a vehicle moving altogether) and are liable to damage a 20 vehicle. There is therefore a need for a way of facilitating movement of off-road vehicles across such obstacles, and for providing improved protection to the vehicle.

Wheeled trolleys are often used to enable heavy loads to be moved. However, these can be difficult to use if the surface is anything other than smooth and firm. An improved 25 trolley having the ability to traverse uneven surfaces is needed.

Skiing and sledging are popular winter pastimes, but they require a certain amount of snow fall. It is often not possible to continue with these pastimes in countries having little snow fall, unless specially constructed dry ski slopes are visited. Moreover, it is

2

not possible to pursue these activities in the summer in most places. A means of skiing or sledging on a snow-free surface is desirable.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for 5 facilitating movement of a vehicle across ground, including a surface for contacting the ground, the surface being mounted on a body, and means for attaching the body to the underside of a vehicle, wherein the surface is movable independently of movement of the vehicle in at least the reverse direction relative to the vehicle's direction of movement.

10 This arrangement facilitates movement of a vehicle across ground since the surface is able to contact the ground and remain stationary relative to the ground. The body, and the vehicle move relative to the surface and hence are able to continue to move across the ground even though the surface is stationary relative to the ground. The means for attaching the device to the underside of a vehicle preferably holds the body away from 15 the vehicle so as to allow the surface to contact the ground before the underside of the vehicle. They also serve to hold the body in stationary relationship with respect to the vehicle.

Preferably the surface is a belt looped around the body so as to be movable around the 20 body. The surface thus is able to move between the body and the ground and between the body and the underside of the vehicle. This is assisted by the means for attaching the device to the vehicle holding the body away from the underside of the vehicle. This feature provides a surface capable of continuous movement relative to the vehicle.

25 The surface preferably has a width substantially equal to the width of the body. This provides the best support to the surface.

The means for attaching the device to a vehicle preferably comprises at least one bracket. The brackets may be L-shaped and may be fixed along opposite sides of the body.

3

The surface is preferably formed by a plurality of panels. The panels are preferably hinged with respect to one another along an axis transverse to the axis of movement of the surface. In the preferred embodiment, the panels are able to fold with respect to one another in one direction only.

5

Preferably friction-reducing components are provided between the surface and the body. These allow the surface to move in relation to the body with less resistance.

The friction-reducing components may be configured to reduce the area of contact 10 between the surfaces that move relative to one another. By the surfaces that move relative to one another it is meant either the surface and the friction-reducing components or the friction-reducing components and the body, depending on whether the friction reducing components move with the surface, with the body, or with a combination of both. This allows the surface to move with respect to the body more easily, since instead 15 of the whole of the surface being in contact with the body the surface is in direct contact only with the friction-reducing components.

Preferably the friction-reducing components are mounted on a plurality of spindles extending transversely across the body. The spindles provide support to the friction-20 reducing components and where the components are rotatable they allow the to rotate freely.

The spindles may be fixed to the body. This allows the surface to move across the friction-reducing components.

25

In the preferred embodiment, the friction-reducing components are arranged to be able to move around the exterior of the body, between the body and the surface. The surface is in contact with the friction-reducing components and a force applied to the surface causes movement of the friction-reducing components about the exterior of the body.

4

The friction-reducing components could be arranged in a movable belt, said belt looping around the body. This arrangement retains the friction-reducing components in place with respect to their direction of movement.

5 In the preferred embodiment, the belt includes a plurality of friction-reducing components, each separated by a chain. The chain preferably comprises links, said links attaching each spindle to adjacent spindles. The chains ensure that the friction-reducing components remain in place and prevent lateral movement of the friction-reducing components.

10

Preferably more than one friction-reducing component is mounted on each spindle. In the preferred embodiment the friction-reducing components on adjacent spindles are in a staggered arrangement with respect to one another. This enables adjacent spindles to be closer together and therefore provides the best support for the surface.

15

Preferably the friction-reducing components are arranged such that they have a fixed relationship to one another. This ensures that they travel in the same direction at the same speed, thereby increasing the efficiency of the movement between the surface and the body.

20

The friction-reducing components could comprise a plurality of rotatable elements.

These not only reduce the contact area of the surface, but also aid movement of the surface with respect to the body through rotation. Where the rotatable elements are also movable, this enables the surface to move relative to the body to a greater extent than the 25 friction-reducing components due to their rolling between the surface and the body.

In the preferred embodiment, the friction-reducing components are cylinders. These allow the most efficient arrangement of friction-reducing components thereby providing the greatest support to the surface, whilst still providing the necessary movement 30 between said surface and the body.

5

The body may be a substantially rectangular board, with opposite ends of the board being rounded off. This allows the friction-reducing components to roll smoothly and continuously about the exterior of the body.

5

The panels of the surface preferably have a width substantially equal to the width of at least twice the diameter of each friction-reducing component. This arrangement provides the best support to the panels of the surface.

10 The surface is preferably fabricated from steel. It preferably has a cover extending around its ground-contacting surface. Said cover is preferably plastic or rubber. The interior of the surface is preferably smooth.

Preferably, the body has at least one guide channel and the surface has hooks for co-15 operating therewith. The hooks may have rollers and/or there may be space between the hooks and the edges of the guide channel. These arrangements help to reduce friction between the hooks and the guide channel, thereby allowing the surface to move freely with respect to the body.

20 In the preferred embodiment, the surface includes at least one brush. Preferably these extend substantially at a right-angle from the end of each panel of the surface. Such brushes prevent dirt or debris entering the device.

In the preferred embodiment, the body is fabricated from steel. Preferably the friction-25 reducing components are fabricated from plastic. This combination has low friction and eliminates the need for lubrication.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle including one or more devices as defined above.

30

6

The vehicle may be a motor vehicle, a sledge, a ski or a load-carrying device, such as a trolley.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below, by way of example 5 only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a board used in a device for facilitating the movement of a vehicle;

Figure 2 is a cross section of a board used in the device;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a belt of cylinders used in the device; 10 Figure 4 is an enlarged portion of the belt of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side view showing how the belt is arranged around the board;

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a portion of a track used in the device;

Figure 7 is an enlarged portion of the track of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a cross-section of the track and guide channels;

15 Figure 9 is a cross-section through the device;

Figure 10 is s perspective view of a fully assembled device;

Figure 11 is an end view of the device;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a portion of a frame;

Figure 13 is a schematic view of the underside of a vehicle including the device; 20 Figure 14 is a schematic view of the underside of a vehicle including the device;

Figure 15 is a side view of a vehicle including the device;

Figure 16 is a side view of a vehicle including the device;

Figure 17 is an enlargement of part of Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a cross-section through a modified device for facilitating the movement of a 25 vehicle;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a modified device for facilitating the movement of a vehicle;

Figure 20 is a side view of a sledge including the device; and Figure 21 is a side view of a ski including several of the devices.

30

7

Figure 1 shows the board-like body 10 of a device for facilitating the movement of a vehicle in a preferred embodiment (guide channel (see below) omitted for clarity). It is rectangular in shape, having a length of 40 cm, a width of 23.5 cm and a thickness of 1.2 cm and being made from steel. Board 10 has two flat surfaces (one of which 11 can 5 be seen in Figure 1), two long sides 13, 14 and two short sides 15, 16. The two short sides 15, 16 of board 10 are rounded off so that cylinders 31 (see below) are able to roll smoothly and continuously from one surface 11 of board 10 to the other.

Turning to Figure 2, board 10 also includes a guide channel 20 extending along each 10 long edge of each surface 11 such that guide channel 20 loops around board 10

continuously from one surface 11 of the board to the other. Figure 2 shows board 10 in cross-section so that the structure of guide channel 20 can be seen. The guide channel comprises an upright wall 21 and a hooked wall 22. Hooked wall 22 covers the long sides 13, 14 and has an L-shaped overhang 23.

15

With reference to Figure 3, in this embodiment friction-reducing components are provided in the form of robust plastic cylinders 31, arranged in the form of a belt 30 that extends longitudinally around board 10. Belt 30 is positioned between upright walls 21 to constrain it transversely on board 10. Figure 3 shows a portion of belt 30. The 20 cylinders 31 are arranged in six rows 32, the six rows together forming belt 30. Each row 32 thus loops around the exterior of board 10, from one surface 11 to the other. Three cylinders 31 are mounted on each of several spindles 33 that extend across the width of belt 30. The cylinders 31 on adjacent spindles 33 have a staggered arrangement with respect to one another.

25

An enlarged portion of belt 30 is shown in Figure 4. It can be seen that each spindle 33 is connected to adjacent spindles 33 by links 41 forming a chain. The links 41 are located at each end of the spindles 33, and also in between each row 32 of cylinders 31.

8

Figure 5 shows a side view of the belt 30 of cylinders 31 arranged around board 10 (guide channel 20 omitted for clarity). The cylinders 31 enable belt 30 to move freely around board 10, so that each cylinder 31 is able to pass from one surface 11 of board 10 to the other around rounded ends 15, 16 in a smooth and continuous manner.

5

Figure 6 shows a portion of track 60. Track 60 includes a series of steel panels 61.

Each panel 61 has a length that is approximately the same as the width of board 10. The width of each panel 61 is such that it extends across the cylinders 31 of two adjacent spindles 33. Each panel 61 is attached to adjacent panels along one of its long edges 62. 10 Track 60 has an inner surface 63 (shown in Figure 6) and an outer surface (not seen in Figure 6). Brushes 64 are provided at each end of each panel 61. These are shown on one of the panels only in Figure 6, and extend perpendicularly, away from the outer surface of track 60.

15 Figure 7 shows that panels 61 are hinged so that they are able to fold inwards with respect to one another so that track 60 is flexible in one direction but not in the other. The outer surface of track 60 is covered with tough rubber or plastic. The inner surface 63 of track 60 is smooth. Each panel 61 of track 60 includes two hooks 71 (of which one is shown in Figure 7, a corresponding hook is also present at the other end of the 20 panel). Each hook 71 is fixed to the inner surface of each panel 61 of track 60, but extends laterally from track 60.

Figure 8 shows hooks 71 in more detail. Hooks 71 are L-shaped, and each includes a cylindrical roller on its downwardly extending part and also on its laterally extending 25 arm.

Track 60 is secured around board 10 in alignment with belt 30 of cylinders 31 by means of the hooks 71 and guide channel 20. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate how this is achieved. The dimensions of hooks 71 and guide channel 20 are such that there is some space 30 around hooks 71 within guide channel 20. As can be seen in Figure 9, track 60 serves to

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hold belt 30 of cylinders 31 against board 10 (i.e. it prevents belt 30 from hanging away from board 10 due to gravity), and between upright walls 21. When track 60 is in place, brushes 64 come into light contact with board 10.

5 Board 10 is further provided with two L-shaped brackets 101 extending along its long sides 13, 14 (Figures 10 and 11). Bolts 102 are used to attach brackets 101 along the sides 13, 14 of board 10. The dimensions of brackets 101 are such that track 60 does not come into contact with them. Brackets 101 provide a means of fixing board 10 in a stationary manner to a vehicle via flanges 112. The only movable parts of the device are 10 thus belt 30 of cylinders 31 and track 60. This results in the device having one side 103 that is immobile and that is attached to a vehicle 130, and an opposite side 111 that is able to move.

The device 131 can be fitted to the underside of a vehicle 130 by means of a suitable 15 frame 120. A portion of such a frame 120 is shown in Figure 12. The depth of frame 120 should be less than the thickness of the device 131 to prevent its hindering the effect of the device 131. The device 131 is secured to frame 120 in spaces 122 by bolts 105, which extend through flanges 112 into apertures 121. The device is cushioned by rubber pads (not shown). Frame 120 is bolted to the chassis of vehicle 130 and is cushioned by 20 rubber washers as shock absorbers (not shown).

The devices 131 can be arranged in any suitable manner on the underside of vehicle 130. Two examples are shown in Figures 13 and 14. The number of devices 131, and the manner in which they are arranged will depend on the type of vehicle 130 and the use to 25 which it is to be put. It is envisaged that for a typical off-road vehicle 130, devices 131 will be provided at least under an inclined surface 151 at the front of the vehicle 130 (see Figure 15).

The way in which the device for facilitating the movement of a vehicle works will now 30 be described.

10

If an off-road vehicle 130 hits an obstacle, the devices 131 described above can help the vehicle 130 to pass such an obstacle. For example, as shown in Figure 16, a vehicle 130 has entered a dip 161 on uneven ground, and the underside of inclined surface 151 at the 5 front of the vehicle 130 has hit the edge of dip 161 in trying to drive out. Without the device 131 the vehicle would be likely to get stuck. However, if provided with a device 131, the momentum of vehicle 130 due to its previous movement allows it to get over the edge of dip 161.

10 This is shown in more detail in Figure 17. As the underside of the inclined surface 151 at the front of vehicle 130 hits the obstacle, a glancing impact occurs between the obstacle and track 60. Board 10 is in a stationary relationship with vehicle 130 (due to fixing by brackets 101) and thus has the momentum of vehicle 130. The momentum of vehicle 130 as it hits the obstacle enables track 60 to move relative to board 10 due to the 15 rotation in an anticlockwise direction of cylinders 31 across board 10. (In Figure 17, Arrow A indicates movement of track 60, and Arrow B indicates movement of vehicle 130 over the obstacle.)

Vehicle 130 is therefore able to overcome an obstacle instead of becoming stuck. In 20 effect it is only movement of track 60 relative to the obstacle that is impeded due to friction between the obstacle and track 60. However, movement of board 10 (and hence vehicle 130) relative to stationary track 60 enables vehicle 130 to overcome the obstacle.

Even if the obstacle has a height greater than that of the wheels of vehicle 130, the front 25 wheels could rise and vehicle 130 could still pass over the obstacle driven by the rear wheels.

Once a device 131 at the frontmost part of a vehicle 130 has enabled the vehicle 130 to start to pass over an obstacle, the provision of a plurality of devices 131 on the underside

11

of a vehicle 131 enables the vehicle 130 to keep moving over the obstacle until it has been fully overcome.

There are various advantages of the above-described arrangement.

5

The device 131 facilitates movement of a vehicle no matter what load is being carried. The effect can be achieved even on an inclined surface. The momentum of vehicle 130 allows it to keep moving forwards when an object is hit. It is able to keep moving for 10 m, although only a distance of around 1.5 m would be required to overcome most 10 obstacles.

The device 131 provides protection to the underside of vehicle 130 as well as being a means for traversing obstacles. It significantly increases a vehicle's ability to cross uneven terrain.

15

The staggered arrangement of cylinders 31 provides stable support for track 60 without affecting the movement of track 60 relative to vehicle 130. The above-described arrangement prevents track 60 from being pushed in towards board 10 when a force is applied to it.

20

The chains between each row 32 of cylinders 31 provide lateral stability to spindles 33 and belt 30. They keep spindles 33 at right angles to the direction movement of belt 30 * and prevent lateral movement of cylinders 31 so that they roll in the longitudinal direction only thereby increasing efficiency.

25

The steel and plastic combination for board 10 and cylinders 31 is a low friction arrangement and eliminates the need to lubricate the mechanism.

Covering of track 60 by a rubber or plastic coating provides protection, for example, 30 from impact, scratches, dust etc.

12

Panels 61 are close-fitting in order to prevent entry of debris into the mechanism.

Brushes 64 help prevent ingress of dirt and dust into the mechanism. If cylinders 31 are _ 5 kept clean there will be less friction between cylinders 31 and board 10, and the device 131 will have an improved performance.

The space around hooks 71 in guide channel 20 also serves to reduce friction. As track 60 is pushed towards belt 30 of cylinders 31 due to the force of an obstacle, hooks 71 are 10 pushed into free space and are able to move along guide channel 20 unimpeded.

The arrangement of devices 131 at the underside of vehicle 130 depends on the requirements of the manufacturer and the use to which vehicle 130 is likely to be put. The devices 131 could be fitted to selected parts or to all of the base of a vehicle (Figures 15 13 and 14), according to the wishes of the vehicle manufacturer or the designated purpose of the vehicle.

The provision of several separate devices 131 in frame 120 on the underside of vehicle 130 spreads the overall effort across the entire system. In practice, not all parts of the 20 underside of vehicle 130 would come into contact with obstacles, such as, for example, rocks, trees or uneven parts of cross-country terrain. This means that only some of the devices 131 would be necessary even in a worst-case scenario. Since any obstacle is likely only to hit any one individual device 131 at a time, or to hit individual devices 131 with differing amounts of force, wear and tear on the system can be uneven. Therefore, 25 movement is effected in the areas required, and wear is minimised. Having several separate devices 131 allows them to be replaced individually as and when required.

Use of frame 120 to attach the devices 131 to vehicle 130 maximises the strength of the system whilst minimising weight. Frame 120 allows the devices 131 to be fitted as close

13

as possible to one another, ensuring the entire underside of vehicle 130 has devices positioned where they will be most needed.

Rubber pads between the device 131 and frame 120 lessen the likelihood of deformation 5 of the frame. Rubber absorbers between frame 120 and vehicle 130 prevents the force of any impact being transferred to frame 120 and vehicle 130 and thereby reducing movement of track 60 across board 10.

There are various modifications that can be made to the above-described embodiment.

10

The device 131 may be any suitable shape. For example it may be flat, rounded or curved.

The rotatable elements 31 need not be cylinders: they may be any suitable shape, for 15 example, spheres. The rotatable elements 31 could be made from metal instead of plastic, although better movement between the track 60 and the body 10 is obtained where they are plastic.

Track 60 could be flexible outwardly as well as inwardly. In practice, once arranged 20 around board 10 only inward flexibility is material (and is advantageous should the width of panel 61 be less than the distance between adjacent spindles). However, if body 10 is not flat then track 60 should be flexible in both directions.

Track 60 need not have a plastic or rubber covering. Track 60 could be made 25 completely from a hard-wearing plastic or robust rubber. However, a steel inner surface 63 of track 60 in contact with cylinders 31 provides the best movement. The outer surface of track 60 need not be smooth and could be ridged.

Hooks 71 for co-operating with guide channel 20 and holding track 60 need not include 30 rollers. However, if there is no or little free space between hooks 71 and the edges of

14

guide channel 20, rollers are preferred since they reduce friction if hooks 71 come into contact with the edges of guide channel 20 under the force of an impact.

Upright wall 21 of guide channel 20 could be at the outer edge of board 10 with hooked 5 wall 22 positioned towards the centre of surface 11 of board 10. In this arrangement, hooks 71 would extend laterally inwards from the outer edge of each track panel 61.

Figure 18 shows a further alternative arrangement for guide channel 20 (belt 30 of cylinders 31 shown on upper surface 11 of board 10 only for clarity). In this 10 arrangement upright walls 21 still extend around board 10 at its long edges, but hooked walls 22 are positioned along the centre line of board 10 forming guide channel 20. A T-shaped roller hook 71 having one downwardly extending roller and two laterally extending rollers is fixed to the centre of each track panel 61. Roller hook 71 cooperates with guide channel 20. In this arrangement, two belts 30 of cylinders 31 loop 15 around board 10 in the spaces provided between guide channel 20 and each upright wall 21.

If the device 131 is intended to be attached to a surface that is not already flat, instead of individual brackets 101 being provided, a single bracket extending from one side of 20 board 10 to the other could be provided (Figure 19). Such a bracket forms a channel 191 through which belt 30 is able to move. Brackets 101 need not extend along the entire length of board 10.

The overall size of the device 131 can be varied depending on requirements. Typically it 25 has a width of 20-30 cm, a length of 40-50 cm and a thickness of 2-5 cm (preferably 3 cm). Board 10 can be of any suitable thickness depending on the requirements; it could be as thin as 5 mm and would be strong enough to function for most off-road vehicle's needs.

15

The exact size and useful life of the device 131 will depend to some extent on the material used to make the components. Plastic and metal is the best combination because there is less friction between the components.

5 The devices 131 could be secured to frame 120 by any other suitable means such as a clamp.

In certain cases, the device 131 could be independently motorised. Two axes could be fitted, one to each end of board 10. Each axis would have sprockets at both ends. To 10 one of the sprocket-wheeled axes would be fitted a drive. Track 60 would need to be modified so that the sprockets could drive it around board 10. This type of device 131 could be suspended under certain types of military vehicle or special-purpose cars.

Use of the definitions "long" and "short" with respect to the dimensions of the device 15 131 described above is arbitrary and is with reference to specific described embodiment. A device 131 could have belt 30 of cylinders 31 and track 60 extending from one surface 11 to the other around the longer sides of board 10.

The various described modifications may be interchanged as appropriate.

20

In a second embodiment of the present invention, instead of being fixed to the underside of an off road motor vehicle, a modified device 131 comprising several tracks 60 secured to a single bracket 101 forms the underside of a summer sledge (Figure 20). This could be used as a summer sledge 200 and would be suitable for use on a number of different 25 surfaces including, for example, grass, asphalt, gravel or sand, and would work even if the surface were uneven.

A single device 131 comprising several tracks 60 attached to the underside of the sledge 200 should be sufficient to provide the desired effects. However, it is possible to change

16

the dimensions of the device 131 and alter the number and arrangement of the devices 131 on the underside of the sledge 201 as desired.

In a third embodiment, a modified device 131, comprising several tracks 60 secured to a 5 single bracket 101 forms a summer ski (Figure 21). These are suitable for use on a number of different surfaces including, for example, grass, asphalt, gravel or sand, and would work even if the surface were uneven. In such a use, the device 131 would be approximately 6 cm wide and long enough to extend along the length of the ski 211.

10 Alternatively the ski 210 could include an appropriate number of several shorter devices 131.

The device 131 could be used to move any object that is difficult to move. It could be attached directly to an object to be moved, or it could be attached to a board, which 15 could then be used as a trolley-type device 131 for moving heavy or awkward loads. The device 131 could be further modified, for example, by the addition of handles to make it easier to use. It could be used to move loads over area in which using wheeled transport would be difficult, for example, if the area were uneven or if there were a lack of space.

20

The skilled addressee will appreciate that many of the modifications described above in connection with the preferred embodiment are appropriate to the second, third and fourth described embodiments, and that various items of the proposed embodiments may be varied or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

25

The disclosure of GB 0412523.3, from which the present application is derived, is incorporated herein by reference.

An aspect of the present invention provides a device for facilitating movement of a 30 vehicle across ground, including a surface for contacting the ground, the surface being

17

mounted on a body, and means for attaching the body to the underside of a vehicle, wherein the surface is movable independently of movement of the vehicle in at least the reverse direction relative to the vehicle's direction of movement.

5 Preferably, the surface is a belt looped around the body so as to be movable around the body.

Preferably, the surface has a width substantially equal to the width of the body. 10 Preferably, the means for attaching the device to a vehicle comprises at least one bracket. Preferably, the surface is formed by a plurality of panels.

Preferably, a brush extends substantially at a right-angle from the end of each panel of 15 the surface.

Preferably, the panels are hinged with respect to one another along an axis transverse to the axis of movement of the surface.

20 Preferably, the panels are able to fold with respect to one another in one direction only.

Preferably, friction-reducing components are provided between the surface and the body.

Preferably, the friction-reducing components are configured to reduce the area of contact 25 between the surfaces that move relative to one another.

Preferably, the friction-reducing components are mounted on a plurality of spindles extending transversely across the body.

30 In an embodiment, the spindles are fixed to the body.

18

Preferably, the friction-reducing components are arranged to be able to move around the exterior of the body, between the body and the surface.

5 Preferably, the friction-reducing components are arranged in a movable belt, said belt looping around the body.

Preferably, the belt includes a plurality of rows of friction-reducing components, each separated by a chain.

10

Preferably, the chain comprises links, said links attaching each spindle to adjacent spindles.

Preferably, herein more than one friction-reducing component is mounted on each 15 spindle.

Preferably, the friction-reducing components on adjacent spindles are in a staggered arrangement with respect to one another.

20 Preferably, the friction-reducing components are arranged such that they have a fixed relationship to one another.

Preferably, the friction-reducing components comprise a plurality of rotatable elements.

25 Preferably, the friction-reducing components are cylinders.

Preferably, the panels have a width substantially equal to the width of at least twice the diameter of each friction-reducing component.

30 Preferably, the surface has a cover.

19

Preferably, said cover is plastic or rubber.

Preferably, the interior of the surface is smooth.

5

Preferably, the body has at least one guide channel and the surface has hooks for cooperating therewith.

Preferably, the hooks have rollers.

10

Preferably, there is space between the hooks and the edges of the guide channel.

Preferably, the surface includes at least one brush.

15 A further aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle including one or more devices.

The vehicle may be a motor vehicle, a sledge, a ski, or a load-carrying device, for example.

20

Claims

20 CLAIMS

1. A device for facilitating movement of a vehicle across ground, including a surface for contacting the ground, the surface being mounted on a body, and means for attaching

5 the body to the underside of a vehicle, wherein the surface is movable independently of movement of the vehicle in at least the reverse direction relative to the vehicle's direction of movement, wherein friction-reducing components are provided between the surface and the body, wherein the friction-reducing components are mounted on a plurality of spindles extending transversely across the body, and wherein the friction-reducing components on 10 adjacent spindles are in a staggered arrangement with respect to one another.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein more than one friction-reducing component is mounted on each spindle.

15 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is non-driven.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the surface is a belt looped around an exterior surface of the body so as to be movable around the exterior of the body.

20 5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises a board having rounded ends around which the surface is able to move.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the surface has a width substantially equal to the width of the body.

25

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for attaching the device to a vehicle comprises at least one bracket.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the surface is formed by a 30 plurality of panels.

21

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein a brush extends substantially at a right-angle from the end of each panel of the surface.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the panels are hinged with respect to 5 one another along an axis transverse to the axis of movement of the surface.

11. A device as claimed in claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the panels are able to fold with respect to one another in one direction only.

10 12. A device as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the panels have a width substantially equal to the width of at least twice the diameter of each friction-reducing component.

13. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the friction-reducing

15 components are configured to reduce the area of contact between the surfaces that move relative to one another.

14. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the spindles are fixed to the body.

20

15. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the friction-reducing components are arranged to be able to move around the exterior of the body, between the body and the surface.

25 16. A device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the friction-reducing components are arranged in a movable belt, said belt looping around the body.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the belt includes a plurality of rows of friction-reducing components, each separated by a chain.

30

18. A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the chain comprises links, said links attaching each spindle to adjacent spindles.

22

19. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the friction-reducing components are arranged such that they have a fixed relationship to one another.

5 20. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the friction-reducing components comprise a plurality of rotatable elements.

21. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the friction-reducing components are cylinders.

10

22. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the surface has a cover.

23. A device as claimed in claim 22, wherein said cover is plastic or rubber.

15 24. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the interior of the surface is smooth.

25. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body has at least one guide channel and the surface has hooks for co-operating therewith.

20

26. A device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the hooks have rollers.

27. A device as claimed in claim 25 or 26, wherein there is space between the hooks and the edges of the guide channel.

25

28. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the surface includes at least one brush.

29. A vehicle including one or more devices as claimed in any preceding claim.

30

30. A vehicle as claimed in claim 29, said vehicle being a motor vehicle.

23

31. A vehicle as claimed in claim 30, said vehicle being a sledge.

32. A vehicle as claimed in claim 30, said vehicle being a ski.

5 33. A vehicle as claimed in claim 30, said vehicle being a load-carrying device.

34. A non-driven device for facilitating movement of a wheeled vehicle across ground, including a surface for contacting the ground, the surface being mounted on a body, and means for attaching the body to the underside of a vehicle, wherein the surface is movable

10 independently of movement of the vehicle in at least the reverse direction relative to the vehicle's direction of movement, wherein the surface is arranged to be attached to a vehicle only at a raised position relative to the ground-contacting portion of a vehicle's wheels and wherein in this raised position the surface is unable to contact ground that is at the same level as the ground-contacting portion of vehicle's wheels.

15

35. A device for facilitating movement of an off-road motor vehicle across uneven ground, including a surface for contacting the ground, the surface being mounted on a body, and means for attaching the body to the underside of a vehicle, wherein the surface is movable independently of movement of the vehicle in at least the reverse direction relative

20 to the vehicle's direction of movement, wherein friction-reducing components are provided between the surface and the body, the friction-reducing components being arranged to be able to roll around the exterior of the body between the body and the surface.

36. A device for facilitating movement of a vehicle across ground, including a surface 25 for contacting the ground, the surface being mounted on a body so as to be movable independently of movement of the vehicle in at least the reverse direction relative to the vehicle's direction of movement, and means for attaching the body to the underside of a vehicle, wherein friction-reducing components are provided between the surface and the body, wherein the friction-reducing components are mounted on a plurality of spindles 30 extending transversely across the body, and wherein the body has at least one guide channel and the surface has hooks for co-operating therewith.

24

37. A device for facilitating movement of a vehicle across ground, including a surface for contacting the ground, the surface being mounted on a body so as to be movable independently of movement of the vehicle in at least the reverse direction relative to the vehicle's direction of movement, and means for attaching the body to the underside of a

5 vehicle, wherein friction-reducing components are provided between the surface and the body, wherein the friction-reducing components are mounted on a plurality of spindles extending transversely across the body, and wherein the friction-reducing components are arranged to be able to roll around the exterior of the body, between the body and the surface.

10

38. A device for facilitating the movement of a vehicle across ground substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

39. A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as 15 illustrated in the accompanying drawings.