Patent ID: 6135220
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A modular track-laying suspension system for attachment to a vehicle designed for moving loads over terrain, said vehicle having (a) a load-bearing frame and (b) a drive train including an engine for delivering a driving torque to a vehicle drive shaft, said suspension system comprising:a right-side endless track and a left-side endless track;two drive units associated with each said endless track, each said drive unit having (a) a pair of tandem wheels in contact with said endless track and (b) a respective drive-unit axle positioned intermediate said tandem wheels;each wheel of each said tandem pair being (a) independently movable in a perpendicular vertical plane about the axis of said respective drive-unit axle and (b) resiliently biased in the direction of the terrain;a central drive assembly, positioned for attachment to and rotation by said vehicle drive shaft, for dividing and delivering said driving torque to said respective left-side and right-side endless tracks;at least one wheel of one of said drive units of each said endless track being driven by said respective drive-unit axle; andstructural members for supporting each said endless track and said central drive assembly, said structural members being provided with connection elements for aligning said modular suspension system with and fixing said suspension system to said load-bearing frame of said vehicle to position said endless tracks in supporting relation to said vehicle.