Patent ID: 7600592
Filing Date: 2009-10-13
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A variable configuration articulated tracked vehicle comprising: a chassis; a pair of right drive pulleys and a pair of left drive pulleys rotatably attached to a right and a left side of the chassis, respectively, each pair of right drive pulleys and left drive pulleys defining a right plane and left plane, respectively; a right and a left planetary wheel movable relative to the chassis such that each of the right and left planetary wheel is in the same plane as the respective right and left planes of the pairs of right and left drive pulleys; a right and a left track belt, each track belt extending around the pair of drive pulleys and the planetary wheel on the respective side of the chassis, each track belt having a track length; a right and a left planetary wheel arm operably connecting the respective planetary wheels to the chassis, each planetary wheel arm being rotatably attached to the chassis with a cam, the cam defining the motion path of one end of the planetary wheel arm whereby the motion of the planetary wheel arm provides a track path for the planetary wheel such that the track path defined by the respective drive pulleys and the planetary wheel has a constant length wherein each planetary wheel arm has a track tensioning mechanism that includes a fixed cam, a crank and a follower whereby the crank is rotatably attached to the chassis and the follower is slidingly engaged in the crank, one end of the follower is rotatably attached to the cam and other end is attached to the planetary wheel; a drive means for the right and left track belt; and a means for positioning the right and left planetary wheels.