Patent GB-315231-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to endless tracks or chains
IPC: B62D55/24
Filed: 1928-01-09
Abstract: 315,231. Vinay, L. Jan. 9, 1928. Endless-track vehicles.-An endless track or chain which is prevented from bending more than a certain amount in one direction is provided with plates fixed to the links and adapted to engage the peripheries of ball bearings about which the track or chain flexes and to extend into fixed guideways, the links being also provided with guide members which fit into peripheral grooves or gaps in the ball bearings. The track is described in connection with landing gear for aeroplanes, as shown in Fig. 23, the rear track or skid being arranged in the reverse manner to the front tracks. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 3 an axle 2 carries arms 1, 5 connected together by pins 3, 6, the pin 3 resting on shock absorbers 4 and the pin 6 being pivoted to cheeks or plates 7 forming the track framework. The plates 7 are connected together and strengthened by stays 12, a central T-shaped member 10, and by the spindles 13 of ball-bearing rollers 14 which run on the tracks. Guides 16 for the track are secured to the plates 7 and cover plates 59 are provided. The track comprises tread links 19, coupling links 20, and an endless band 18. Each tread link 19 is made in three pieces 21, 22, 23, Fig. 7, the pieces 21, 22 being provided with inter-engaging parts and being secured together by a screw 37. The parts 22, 23 are formed with hemispherical recesses for balls 42 which, when the parts are riveted together at 43, run in the guideways 16. The links 19 are connected together by curved links 20, pins 28 being passed through the links 19 and slots in the links 20. Projections 41 on the links 19 engage grooves or gaps in the rollers 14 and thus act as guides for the track. Projections 26 on the links limit the bending of the track when it leaves the end pulleys. The endless band 18 is formed with transverse grooves 46 for flexibility and with a longitudinal groove 47, and members 49 having projecting ears 50 are moulded in the belt at intervals corresponding to the links 19, so that each pair of ea.rs 50 projects into an opening in each link and is secured by the screw 37. The endless belt may be of rubber reinforced by two canvas strips the threads of which cross at an angle of 35‹. Modifications are described in which the bending of the track is limited only by the coupling links 20, the main links 19 being formed either in two or three parts. The endless band may be secured to the two-part links by bolts arranged normal to the tread surface. One of the end pulleys 54 is adjusted to tension the track by screw means 56, and movable guide flanges are provided which rock about the pulley axis and maintain a continueous guideway for the track. The track may be braked by means of a sprocket 94, Fig. 17, which is driven by the track and is provided with brake drums engaged bv brake bands 97 applied by a power cylinder 103 controlled from the pilot's seat. A shock absorber for the landing gear may be arranged as shown in Fig. 19, the shock-absorber 105 being connected at one end by a universal joint 107 to the pin 6 and at the other end to a sliding member 108. This member is connected by a link 111 to a lever 112 which is connected by a link 114 to the pin 3 sliding in a groove 115 in the plate 7. The endless-track device may be used as a skate.