Patent GB-908462-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to endless tracks for vehicles
IPC: B62D55/253
Filed: 1960-10-10
Abstract: 908,462. Endless tracks for vehicles. FIKSE, T. H. Oct. 10, 1960 [Oct. 12, 1959; Aug. 26, 1960], No. 34690/60. Class 79(1). An endless track for a vehicle comprises a plurality of track sections and one or more endless cables threaded through the track sections, the adjacent faces of adjacent track sections having matching recesses into which are fitted bridging members. The endless track of Figs. 2, 6, 7 and 8 comprises track sections 1 alternating with track sections 2 and endless cables 4 threaded through cable sockets 5, those in sections 1 having upwardly directed slots 6 and those in sections 2 having outwardly directed slots 7 through which the cable is entered and which are closed by lugs 9 and 8 respectively on the adjacent sections. Flexible spacing elements 3 are housed within facing recesses in adjacent sections and resilient thimbles 10 are incorporated in the cable sockets, being located in situ between ribs 5<SP>1</SP> in adjacent sections. The track elements have inwardly directed projections 17, 18, 19 for entering the grooves 20 in the vehicle wheels 21. The sections 1 have flanges 13 overlapping the sections 2 which have ribs 15 and certain of the sections 1 have grouser plates 16. In a modification, Figs. 9, 11 and 15, the track is composed of assymmetric sections 22 having an outwardly opening cable engaging portion 24 at one end and an upwardly opening portion 25 at the other in alternately reversed arrangement so that lugs 26 and 27 on one section close the apertures 25 and 24 on the other. Resilient thimbles are located against ribs 24<SP>1</SP> and 25<SP>1</SP> and resilient spacing members 30 are located in apertures 29. Projections 29 form guiding portions, e.g. for guide rollers 41, Fig. 15, and the central portions 31 form cylindrical housings in which may be located cylindrical keys 36, to form sprocket engaging portions (Fig. 9). The bottoms 40 of recesses 29 may be cut away, and the outer faces of the sections may be provided with ground engaging ribs 37. In a further modification. Figs, 18 and 22, the bottoms of the recesses 29 are not cut away, or alternatively the recesses are fitted with shim plates 44, and the cable engaging sockets 45 at each end are outwardly facing and provided with shoulders 45<SP>1</SP> against which arcuate retaining clips are positioned about the cable. The thimbles 48 have peripheral grooves 48<SP>1</SP> and lugs 50 in each section engage sockets 51 in the adjacent section. The key 36 may be dispensed with and in another embodiment, Fig. 24, the resilient members 30 are also omitted and additional lugs 52 are provided, fitting into lug sockets 53 in the next adja- . cent section. The lugs 50, 52 and resilient members 30 may be dispensed with, adjacent sections being bridged by the cylindrical key members 36 only. In a further modification Figs. 25, 26, 29 and 31, the track sections are all of similar shape placed in alternately reversed arrangement, each section comprising bosses 60 for locating the track with respect to the drive sprockets and placed adjacent the central sprocket engaging por tions 59. In position, the bosses 60 overlap one another, as shown in Fig. 29. Each section has outwardly extending slots 58 and the cables 4 are located in cylindrical members 65 of composite thimbles 64 provided also with projections 62 which fit on each side of the central ribs of the apertures 58. The thimbles are retained in place by retaining members 67 which are held in position by the engagement of recesses 69 with shoulders 70. The sections have non-centrally placed recesses in ground-engaging portions 75 and the adjacent sections are bridged by the engagement of lugs 56 with sockets 57. In another embodiment, Figs. 32 and 34, the ground engaging portions 75<SP>1</SP> may be continuous or recessed or provided oncertain sections only. In this embodiment, combined thimble-spacer members 64<SP>1</SP> are fitted into recesses 63<SP>1</SP> between adjacent sections and are retained in place by clips 78. As in the other embodiments, the cables are fitted into the thimbies through slits 66<SP>1</SP>. In a further modification, Figs. 35 and 37, the cables are located by thimbles 79 held by clips 78<SP>1</SP> in recesses 77<SP>1</SP> in adjacent sections. The sections have continuous grouser portions 75<SP>11</SP>, locating bosses 60<SP>11</SP> and crossbars 81 for preventing lengthwise relative movement of the sections.