Patent ID: 7267414
Filing Date: 2007-09-11
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A track driven device having a plurality of belts, wherein each of the plurality of belts encompass a drive wheel and an idler wheel, said drive wheel for rotating the belt and idler wheel with the belt, the track driven device comprising: a plurality of positive drive belt systems for positively driving the plurality of belts, each of the plurality of positive drive belt systems having the drive wheel and the idler wheel encompassed by the belt, wherein the drive wheel and the idler wheel have apertures in their outer circumference, wherein the belt has a ground engaging surface and a wheel engaging surface, said wheel engaging surface having lugs thereon for mating with the apertures in the drive wheel and the idler wheel such that when the drive wheel rotates, the belt is positively driven; a plurality of suspension systems for absorbing load stresses, each of the plurality of suspension systems having a lower suspension bracket, said lower suspension bracket having a first end toward a front end of the track driven device and operatively mounted to a suspension cylinder and a distal end toward a middle section of the track driven device, each of the plurality of suspension systems operatively and pivotably mounted to a track frame pivot on a main frame of the track driven device, the idler wheel rotatably mounted between a first side and a second side of the lower suspension bracket such that when the idler wheel encounters an object or depression, the lower suspension bracket moves in a vertical direction and pivots about the track frame pivot thereby allowing the idler wheel to move vertically without moving the main frame proportionally vertical, and the vertical movement of the idler wheel dampened by the suspension cylinder; and a plurality of belt tensioning systems for maintaining tension on the plurality of belts, each of the plurality of belt tensioning systems having a track tension cylinder operatively mounted between an axle of the idler wheel and a cylinder bracket mounted to the main frame, wherein the track tension cylinder maintains tension on the belt by moving the axle of the idler wheel in a horizontal direction.