Patent ID: 6247547
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A vehicle for traversing a surface comprising:a frame and an undercarriage a first suspension mount attaching the undercarriage to the frame;a first end axle and a second end axle fixedly attached to the undercarriage,a flat track further comprising:an inner surface, said inner surface including a plurality of driving lugs; andan outer surface having a pattern for gripping;a driver sprocket for said track, said driver sprocket fixed with respect to the undercarriage, said driver sprocket engaging at least some of said plurality of driving lugs;said driver sprocket, said first end axle, and said second end axle fixed with respect to each other;a plurality of wheels in contact with the inner surface of the track as the track engages the surface;additional suspension mounts attaching at least some of the plurality of wheels to the undercarriage, wherein at least some of said wheels are not fixed with respect to said first end axle, said second end axle, and said driver sprocketat least some of said plurality of wheels attached to said first axle and at least some of said plurality of wheels attached said second axle;wherein said flat track is held in substantially constant tension about said driver sprocket and said plurality of wheels; and,wherein the driver sprocket is located remote from the portion of the track in contact with the surface traversed by the vehicle.