Patent Publication Number: US-2013239405-A1

Title: Track remover / assembler

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/611,613, entitled “TRACK REMOVER/ASSEMBLER”, filed Mar. 16, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to track replacement equipment associated with tracked vehicles, and, more particularly, to a track removal/assembly method and system associated with the tracks of the tracked vehicles. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A crawler vehicle, such as a skid loader, typically has two endless tracks that serve to support and propel the vehicle. Each track is entrained about a drive sprocket, an idler roller and a series of track rollers. Typically the idler roller is adjustable to thereby alter the tension in the track to enable the track to function in a desired manner. A tensioning mechanism is used to change the position of the idler roller to create the needed tension in the track so that the track is retained on the set of rollers. Wear in the track or stretching of the track creates slack in the track which needs to be removed for continued proper use of the track and this is accomplished by adjusting the tensioning mechanism. 
     Associated with each track is a drive sprocket that is powered by way of a gearing system that is driven by an engine. The drive sprockets typically have teeth that interact with the track to drive the track. To remove the track a series of tools are used. For example, the vehicle is jacked up, the tensioning system is retracted and a host of pry bars, hammers and hoists are used to remove the track. A reverse process is used to put a track back onto the vehicle. 
     What is needed in the art is a way of cost effectively removing and replacing the track on a tracked vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an apparatus and method for removing and replacing a track on a tracked vehicle. 
     The invention in one form is directed to a track replacement apparatus including a lower lifting device and an upper tensioning device coupled to the lower lifting device. 
     The invention in another form is directed to a track replacement apparatus including a lifting device and a force applying device coupled to the lifting device. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it provides support to the bottom of the track and lifts the top of the track. 
     Another advantage is that the present invention allows the track to be rolled away from or into position on the vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tracked vehicle and an embodiment of a track removal/replacement apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the track removal/replacement apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is yet another perspective view of the track removal/replacement apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a track removal/replacement apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a track removal/replacement apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a track removal/replacement apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the track removal/replacement apparatus of  FIG. 6 , with a track positioned thereon; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the track removal/replacement apparatus of  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is another perspective view of the track removal/replacement apparatus of  FIGS. 6-8 , with the track being supported by the apparatus. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1-3 , there is shown a tracked vehicle  10  having tracks either removed or installed using remover/assembler  12 . Remover/assembler  12  includes a floor encountering frame  14 , a frame  16 , a lift actuator  18 , a lateral actuator  20 , controls  22 , and track engaging extensions  24 . Tracked vehicle  10  is elevated using jacks (not shown) and remover assembler  12  is wheeled into place proximate to an end of vehicle  10  so that track engaging extensions  24  are aligned to engage the tracks of vehicle  10 . Hydraulic lines are connected to a pressurized hydraulic fluid source, which may be an auxiliary output of vehicle  10  or some other source. Although a hydraulic system is illustrated and referred to herein, other types of systems are also contemplated, such as electrical, pneumatic and steam. Frame  14  contacts the floor and controls  22  are used to position frame  16  so that track engaging extensions  24  will properly engage the tracks as actuator  20  extends track engaging extensions  24 . 
     Although the steps to remove the tracks are discussed herein a substantially reverse set of steps will allow for remover/assembler  12  to assist in the mounting of the tracks on vehicle  10 . With the weight of vehicle  10  being removed from the tracks, and tension having been removed by a relaxation of the track tensioners, the action of actuators  18  and  20  are controlingly used to lift the tracks and push them outwardly. This outward movement allows for the removal of the tracks from the tensioners and/or sprockets of vehicle  10 . The tracks may be rotated by either running vehicle  10  or using another apparatus to move the tracks to thereby assist in the removal (installation) of the tracks. The tracks may be a synthetic or rubber type of track. 
     Now, additionally referring to  FIG. 4 , there is additionally illustrated an equalizing apparatus  26  that may slide along a portion of frame  16  as actuator  20  is actuated. Equalizing apparatus  26  results in a substantially equal movement of the two tracks as actuator  20  extends outwardly. 
     Now, additionally referring to  FIG. 5 , there is illustrated another embodiment of an equalizing apparatus  28  that cams and rotates as actuator  20  is actuated. Equalizing apparatus  28  results in a substantially equal movement of the two tracks as actuator  20  extends outwardly. 
     Remover/assembler  12  is easily rolled into position and as the tracks are lifted, frame  14  engages the floor or ground to stabilize the system and allow for a difference in force being applied to the two tracks due to the coaction of frame  14  and equalizing apparatus  26  or  28 . Remover/assembler  12  allows for the smooth operation of track removal and assembly as compared to the methods previously utilized. Controls  22  may be manual lever type of controls, or be a pilot set of controls or under electronic control using a touch pad or even voice commands. 
     Now, additionally referring to  FIGS. 6-9 , there is shown another embodiment of the present invention in the form of a track remover/assembler  112 . Track remover/assembler  112  includes a lifting device  114 , a tensioning device  116 , and a structural member  118  coupling the two together. Rollers  120  are connected to lifting device  114  to allow track remover/assembler  112  to be easily positioned during the removal and replacement of a track  138 . 
     Lifting device  114  includes a lifting member  122 , a lifting member  124  a pivotal connection  126  and a jack  136 . Lifting members  122  and  124  are somewhat complementary and work together as jack  136  is used to move the ends of lifting members  122  and  124 , which are proximate structural member  118 . Wheels or rollers  120  allow lifting members  122  and  124  to scissor about pivotal connection  126  as the rollers  120  connected to one end of lifting member  122  and rollers  120  connected to an opposite end of lifting member  124  move to accommodate the lifting force imparted to lifting members  122  and  124  by jack  136 . Pivotal connections  126  are substantially coaxially aligned with an axis  128 . One end of jack  136  is attached to structural member  118  and the other end of jack  136  is connected to a sleeve  140  that slides along structural member  118  and is attached to one end of lifting member  122 . Track  138  is cradled and lifted by lifting device  114 . 
     Tensioning device  116  includes a tensioner  130 , a web  132  and a track coupling  134 . Tensioner  130  has a ratcheting feature to help hold tension on web  132  at a desired level. Web  132  is partially wound around tensioner  130  and extends out to track  138 , when coupled thereto. Coupling  134  connects to track  138  to not only lift a portion of track  138 , but to pull track  138 . Track  138  is generally heavy and stiffly resilient, so the tensioning force applied pulls track  138  back against structural member  118 , which coacts to cause the upper part of track  138  to lift upward. The tensioning force has a horizontal and a vertical component, which is dependent upon where coupling  134  is connected to track  138 . It is also contemplated that tensioner  130  may be extended or retracted substantially vertically by having that capability associated with structural member  118 , to thereby allow a different angle of tension to be applied by web  132  for any given position of coupling  134 . 
     To remove a track  138  form a vehicle  10 , vehicle  10  is jacked up using a jack (not shown) and track remover/assembler  112  is rolled into position as shown in  FIG. 8 . The tensioning features that hold track  138  in an operating tension on vehicle  10  are released to allow slack in track  138 . Coupling  134  is coupled to track  138  at a desired location and tensioner  130  is cranked drawing track remover/assembler  112  up against track  138 , as shown in  FIG. 9  and lifting track  138  so that the teeth of track  138  (omitted here for the sake of clarity) are disengaged from the rollers and drive sprocket. The tension supplied by way of tensioning device  116  may additionally assist in causing the track tensioning device of vehicle  10  to further retract. 
     The combined adjustment of lifting device  114  and tensioning device  116  as well as the manually positioning of track remover/assembler  112  allow for the positioning of track  138  to clear the rollers and sprockets of vehicle  10  so that track remover/assembler  112  with track  138  is then rolled sideways away from vehicle  10  for the removal of track  138 . 
     To put a new track  138  onto vehicle  10  the above process is reversed and tension is applied by the vehicle track tensioning system to place track  138  into an operation position. 
     While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.