Self-cleaning endless track

An self-cleaning endless track which reduces slippage between the tires of a skid-loader and the endless track. The inventive device includes a plurality of track pads interconnected, wherein each track pad comprises a pair of grouser members extending parallel between a pair of opposing side members, a pair of slots on opposing sides of the side members for pivotally receiving a link member, and a corresponding pair of gripping members attached to an upper surface of the pair of grouser members. The gripping members reduce slippage between the tires of the skid-loader and the endless track, thereby extending the useful life of the skid-loader.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to endless tracks utilized on 
tractors such as skid-loaders, and more specifically it relates to a 
self-cleaning endless track which reduces the amount of slippage between 
the tires of the skid-loader and the inner portion of the track. 
Endless tracks have been utilized for years about the tires of 
skid-loaders. A common problem of this type of endless track is slippage 
between the tires and track. Since the spacing between the treads on 
modern tires has narrowed, the problem of slippage has increased. Further, 
when the endless track collects debris and fluids, the smooth upper 
surface of the grouser members become extremely slippery. Hence, there is 
a need for a self-cleaning endless track which reduces slippage between 
the tires and the grouser members. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
There are numerous endless track devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 
4,099,794 to Hoffart; U.S. Pat. No. 3,497,271 to Keller; U.S. Pat. No. 
2,680,421 to Baker; U.S. Pat. No. 1,931,522 to Barnes et al.; and U.S. 
Pat. No. 1,915,561 to Van Derveer are all illustrative of such prior art. 
While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which 
they address, they are not as suitable for reducing the slippage between 
the endless track and the tires of the skid-loader. The prior art does not 
disclose an endless track which provides increased traction for modern 
tires on skid-loaders. 
In these respects, the endless track according to the present invention 
substantially departs, from the conventional concepts and designs of the 
prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed which 
reduces slippage between the tires of the skid-loader and the endless 
track. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a endless track 
that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
Another object is to provide a self-cleaning endless track that reduces the 
amount of slippage between the tires of the skid-loader and the endless 
track. 
An additional object is to provide a endless track that extends the useful 
life of the tires by reducing slippage. 
A further object is to provide a endless track that extends the useful life 
of the drive-train and engine of the skid-loader by providing a consistent 
flow of power to the endless track. 
Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may 
be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, 
attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are 
illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific 
construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended 
claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference 
characters denote similar elements throughout the several view, FIGS. 1 
through 7 illustrate a self-cleaning endless track 10, which comprises a 
plurality of track pads 13 interconnected to form an endless track as best 
shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Each track pad 13 preferably comprises 
two grouser members 30, 32 extending between a second end 27a-b of a pair 
of opposing side members 20a-b, a cavity 22 within each of the side 
members 20a-b, and a pair of slots 26 on opposing sides of the side 
members 20a-b for pivotally receiving a link member 12. The side members 
20a-b have a first end 25a-b opposite of the second end 27a-b as shown in 
FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. The track pads 13 are constructed from 
conventional materials such as metal or plastic. 
As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the side members 20a-b are in 
opposition to one another. Each of the side members 20a-b has a cavity 22 
throughout exposed at opposing ends by the pair of slots 26 as best shown 
in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Each slot 26 receives a link member 12 
pivotally connected within by a fastener 16a, bushing 14 and nut 18 
combination as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. A pair of outer apertures 
21 and inner apertures 23 project through each of the side members as 
shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 of the drawings. The user may adjust the length 
of the track by positioning the link member 12 in the desired aperture 21, 
23. 
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings, preferably two grouser members 
30, 32 are attached to a second end 27a-b of the opposing side members 
20a-b. The grouser members 30, 32 are preferably parallel to one another 
and distally spaced apart for receiving the tire 19 of the skid-loader 11. 
As shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the first grouser member 30 includes an 
inner edge 38a, a first surface 44, an outer edge 36a, a wear surface 31a 
and a first gripping member 40. The second grouser member 32 includes an 
inner edge 38b, a second surface 46, an outer edge 36b, a wear surface 31b 
and a second gripping member 42. The wear surfaces 31a-b engage the ground 
surface and provide increased traction for the skid-loader 11 compared to 
conventional tires. The first and second gripping members 40, 42 extend 
along a substantial portion of the first and second surfaces 44, 46 
respectively as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings for gripping the tire 19 
of the skid-loader 11. Preferably, the first and second gripping members 
40, 42 are adjacent to the inner edges 38a-b as best shown in FIG. 4. The 
gripping members 40, 42 may be attached to the grouser members 30, 32 or 
they may be molded into the grouser members 30, 32 as one skilled in the 
art would know. 
The inner edges 38a-b are upwardly angled toward one another to form an 
inverted V-shaped cavity with an open upper end as shown in FIG. 4 of the 
drawings. This inverted V-shaped cavity allows accumulated debris between 
the inner edges 38a-b to easily be freed when the track pad 13 is 
disengaged from the ground surface. The tires 19 extend into the open 
upper end of the inverted V-shaped cavity to force the accumulated debris 
outwardly from within, thereby increasing traction of the track pad 13 
when in repeated engagement with the ground surface. 
As further shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the first and second surfaces 
44, 46 preferably slope downwardly from the gripping members 40, 42 
towards the outer edges 36a-b. The sloped surfaces 44, 46 facilitate 
cleaning of debris from the inner portion of the endless tract 10 thereby 
increasing traction between the tires 19 and the gripping members 40, 42 
and the grouser members 30, 32. In an alternative embodiment as shown in 
FIGS. 5 and 6, the first and second surfaces 44, 46 are substantially 
parallel to one another. 
In use, the endless track 10 is adjustably fitted about a pair of tires 19 
of the skid-loader 11 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The user 
operates the skid-loader 11 as usual causing the endless track 10 to 
rotate endlessly about the tires 19. A lower portion of the endless track 
10 is in engagement with the ground surface and an upper portion is 
exposed. The wear surface, 31a-b engage the ground surface as shown in 
FIG. 1 of the drawings. The recessed areas 15 of the tires 19 between the 
raised tread 17 surrounds a gripping member 40, 42. The raised tread 17 
engages the gripping members 40, 42 and a portion of the first and second 
surfaces 44, 46 of each track pad 13 for moving the tires 19 within the 
inner portion of the endless track 10. Accumulated debris within the inner 
portion of the endless track 10 are dispersed away from the endless track 
10 by the sloped first and second surfaces 44, 46. As the track pad 13 is 
moved to the upper portion of the endless track 10, the tire 19 extends 
between the grouser members 30, 32 to eject any accumulated debris between 
the inner edges 38a-b. The tire 19 moves toward the next track pad 13 and 
the above process is repeated until the user changes course. 
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the 
present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. 
Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and 
operation will be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.