Track cleaning system

A track cleaning system includes a vehicle that has at least one track. A collection unit is coupled to the at least one track. The collection unit collects debris that collects on the at least one track. The collection unit is electrically coupled to the vehicle. The collection unit is actuated to vibrate. Thus, the collection unit may dislodge the debris from the at least one track thereby inhibiting the debris from impeding performance of the at least one track.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates to cleaning devices and more particularly pertains to a new cleaning device for removing debris that collects in a track of a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a vehicle that has at least one track. A collection unit is coupled to the at least one track. The collection unit collects debris that collects on the at least one track. The collection unit is electrically coupled to the vehicle. The collection unit is actuated to vibrate. Thus, the collection unit may dislodge the debris from the at least one track thereby inhibiting the debris from impeding performance of the at least one track.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 6, the track cleaning system10generally comprises a vehicle12that has at least one track14. The vehicle12may comprise a bulldozer, an excavator or other vehicle utilizing at least one track to move along Earth. The at least one track14comprises a pair of sprockets16. Each of the sprockets16is rotatably coupled to the vehicle12and the sprockets16are spaced apart from each other. The at least one track14further includes a center frame18extending between the sprockets16. The center frame18has a top side20and an outwardly facing side22.

A top roller24is coupled to and extends upwardly from the center frame18. The top roller24includes a tower26and a wheel28. The tower26is coupled to the top side20of the center frame18and the tower26has a distal end30with respect to the top side20. The wheel28is rotatably coupled to the distal end30.

A belt32extends around each of the sprockets16and the top roller24. The belt32has a top portion34. The top roller24rollably engages the top portion34. Thus, the top portion34is spaced from the top side20of the center frame18.

A collection unit36is coupled to the at least one track14and the collection unit36collects debris38that collects on the at least one track14. The collection unit36is electrically coupled to the vehicle12and the collection unit36may be actuated to vibrate. Thus, the collection unit36may dislodge the debris38from the at least one track14. The debris38is inhibited from impeding performance of the at least one track14and the debris38may comprise mud, dirt and rocks or the like.

The collection unit36comprises a pair of mounts40and each of the mounts40is coupled to the top side20of the center frame18. Each of the mounts40is positioned between an associated one of the sprockets16and the top roller24. A plate42is provided and the plate42has a bottom surface44, a top surface46and a peripheral edge48extending between the top surface46and the bottom surface44. The peripheral edge48has a first side50and a second side52. The first side50is hingedly coupled to each of the mounts40such that the second side52is directed toward the outwardly facing side22of the center frame18.

The plate42extends outwardly from the mounts40and the plate42extends substantially between the pair of sprockets16. The plate42is positioned between the top portion34of belt32and the top side20of center frame18. Thus, the debris38collects on the top surface46thereby inhibiting the debris38from collecting on the center frame18. The plate42is oriented at a downward angle with respect to Earth. Thus, the plate42may direct the debris38outwardly from the at least one track14.

A plurality of fasteners53is provided. The fasteners53extend through the plate42and engage the center frame18. The fasteners53are spaced apart from each other and distributed along the plate42. The fasteners53may comprise a bolt or the like. The fasteners53are loosely coupled to the center frame18. Thus, the plate42is movable with respect to the center frame18.

The first side50has a slot54extending toward the second side52. The slot54is centrally positioned on the first side50such that the tower26is positioned in the slot54. The slot54has a bounding edge56. A flap58is coupled to the plate42and the flap58is coextensive with the bounding edge56of the slot54. The flap58inhibits the debris38from passing between the tower26and the bounding edge56. The flap58may be comprised of a resiliently compressible material such as rubber.

The top roller24may be one of a plurality of top rollers24. The top rollers24may be spaced apart from each other and distributed along the center frame18. The slot54may be one of a plurality of slots54. Each of the plurality of slots54may be aligned with an associated one of the top rollers24.

A vibration unit60is coupled to the bottom surface44and the vibration unit60is electrically coupled to the vehicle12. The vibration unit60vibrates the plate42when the vibration unit60is turned on. Thus, the vibration unit60vibrationally urges the debris38toward the second side52of the plate42. The vibration unit60may comprise an electrical vibration unit or the like that mechanically engages the bottom surface44of the plate42. The vibration unit60may vibrate the plate42through any conventional mechanical means.

A heating unit62is coupled to the bottom surface44and the heating unit62is in thermal communication with the plate42. The heating unit62is electrically coupled to the vehicle12. The heating unit62may comprise an electrical heating coil or the like. The heating unit62heats the plate42when the heating unit62is turned on. Thus, the heating unit62may melt frozen debris38on the plate42thereby facilitating the frozen debris38to be vibrationally urged toward the second side52of the plate42.

In use, the vibration unit60is selectively turned on when the vehicle12is being operated. The vibration unit60vibrationally urges the debris38outwardly from the at least one track14. The vibration unit60is turned on and off at any selected time. The heating unit62is selectively turned on when the vehicle12is operated in an environment involving freezing temperatures. The heating unit62melts frozen debris38on the plate42. Thus, the vibration unit62may vibrationally urge the debris38outwardly from the at least one track14. The collection unit36facilitates the at least one track14to function without being impeded by the debris38.