Patent ID: 7464997
Filing Date: 2008-12-16
Classification: B62D,B65G

Abstract:
1. A crawler apparatus capable of being moved along a surface, the crawler apparatus comprising: a frame having first and second ends; a first end roller coupled to the frame and disposed adjacent the first end of the frame, the first end roller comprising a first material; a second end roller coupled to the frame and disposed adjacent to the second end of the frame, the second end roller comprising a second material; an idler roller comprising a third material, the idler roller being coupled to the frame and being disposed between the first and second end rollers, Wherein a space exists between any two rollers in the crawler apparatus; and a belt disposed about the first and second end rollers, the belt having an inner side capable of contacting each respective end roller, an outer side capable of contacting the surface, and a slack to permit the inner side of the belt to have first and second roller contacting portions that are in substantially continuous contact with first and second respective portions of the first and second end rollers and to permit the outer side of the belt to have a lower portion in substantially continuous contact with the surface; wherein the idler roller is disposed so as to remain spaced a distance away from the belt when the crawler apparatus is disposed on, is moving along, or being moved along a substantially flat surface and is not experiencing motion or shock normal to the substantially flat surface; wherein the frame, belt, first end roller, second end roller, and idler roller are constructed and arranged such that, when the crawler apparatus is placed upon or moved along the surface, bands of contact between the belt and the surface exist along the lower portion of the belt, the bands of contact each associated with a respective end roller wherein the frame, first and second end rollers, idler roller, and belt are constructed and arranged so that the bands of contact and the lower portion of the belt all lie in substantially the same plane when the crawler apparatus is placed upon or moved along the substantially flat surface and is not experiencing motion or shock normal to the substantially flat surface.