Patent ID: 7597162
Filing Date: 2009-10-06
Classification: B25J,B62D,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An articulated tracked vehicle comprising: a main section comprising a main frame having two sides and a front end, and comprising a pair of parallel main tracks, each track being coupled to a corresponding side of the main frame; a forward section comprising a pair of elongated arms each having a proximal end and a distal end, proximal ends of the arms being pivotally coupled to the main frame near the front end of the main frame allowing rotation of the arms around a transverse axis that is generally perpendicular to the sides of the main frame, the forward section comprising a pair of forward tracks, one of the forward tracks being coupled to each of the arms; on each side of the vehicle, a pair of drive pulleys for supporting and driving each of the main and forward tracks, respectively, the drive pulleys being coaxial with the transverse axis of rotation of the arms, and joined so that the main and forward tracks are driven together; a mast that is extendible relative to the main section and the forward section; a sensor mounted on the mast; a flexible continuous belt attached to each of the parallel main tracks; and a plurality of compliant longitudinal track supports coupled between the main frame and the flexible continuous belts, each longitudinal track support having a series of open slots forming a series of rib sections between upper and lower edges of a support.