Patent GB-756799-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to supplementary endless tracks for vehicles
IPC: B62D55/04
Filed: 1954-06-22
Abstract: 756,799. Vehicle endless tracks. GALANOT, C. P. June 22, 1954, No. 18264/54. Class 79 (1). A unit, a number of which can be joined together to build up an endless track for a vehicle, comprises a tread plate to which connector plates are pivotally attached about a common axis, one plate at least extending forwardly and one rearwardly, the forwardlyextending plates being adapted to join the rearwardly-extending plates of an identical adjacent unit, and the forwardly and rearwardly extending plates of the unit having angular movement relative to each other limited by an interconnection. Corrugated tread plates 12, see Figs. 6 and 7, carry pivot housings 32 with rubber bearings 56 containing a pivot pin 52 about which the interleaved ends of the connector plates 13 and 14 are pivoted, their articulation being limited by a pin 45 anchored in holes in the plates 14 and passing through arcuate slots 31 cut in the plates 13 such that the connector plates form a locked girder construction. Depending on the strength required the number of connector plates may be increased or spacing - rings 30 may be used about pivot pin 52 and pin 45. The plates are held together laterally by the rubber bearings 56 which project outwardly from their housings. Guide plates 17 shaped to fit the contour of a pneumatic tyre are attached to the outermost connector plates 14 by a threaded stud welded thereto and carrying a nut 98 which is contained in a recess 97 in the guide plate 17 which may be polished to reduce friction with the tyre. The ends of pin 45 are circlipped and project into recesses 101 in the guide plates 17. Figs. 6 and 7 show a construction for guides 17 in a track applied to a dual tyred wheel, while Figs. 2 and 3 show essentially the same construction applied to a single wheel. Each unit is adapted to be connected to another by means of notches 34, 35, in connector plates 13, either of which engage the shank of a bolt passed through holes 39 in the connector plates 14 of the other unit. Additionally, either of notches 37, 38 in connector plates 14 of the other unit engage the shank of a bolt passed through holes 36 in the connector plates 13 of the first unit. The connection is made fast by tightening the bolts. Grousers 16, Figs. 2 and 3, may be fixed to the projecting corrugations of the tread 12 and are shown riveted in recesses 23 to protect the rivet heads from wear. The grousers may be of steel with a flange projecting from a flat base portion, or may be of U-section, the sides of which project outwards and may be corrugated and may also be encased in moulded rubber. Alternatively the grouser may be a metal base from which projects a line of coiled metal springs embedded in a resilient matrix, or the grouser may be a spring steel T-section similarly encased. The treads are provided with cleats 21 fixed to the top and staggered to match the tyre tread and provide a grip between the wheel and the track. As the track passes round a wheel the treads are free to pivot outwardly and discard any adhering matter, such pivoting may be free or may be forced by a rubber block 61, Fig. 4, compressed between the bottom of the tread and the bottom edges of the connector plates. The rubber block 61 is attached to the tread by means of an adhering metal strip and may also have a bearing plate 64 attached transversely across the connector plates. To enable an endless track to be connected around a tyred wheel while it is still inflated, a tool 74, Fig. 4, may be used to draw the ends of the track together with a toggle action. The tool comprises pairs of oppositely disposed jaws 76 and 77 which can be opened apart against the action of springs to be closed over the ends 41, 42 of bolts 40 passing through the ends of the connector plates. When the tool has been levered round so that the connector plates are opposite each other the jaws 77 may be propelled inwards along guideways 74, by a screw 85, to engage the oppositely disposed bolts and notches.