Abstract:
A belted multi-purpose trailer vehicle has first and second roller frame assemblies and a main support frame assembly. The roller frame assemblies are connected to the support frame assembly by first, second, and third quick release connecting mechanisms. These mechanisms provide rapid and easy assembly and disassembly of the roller frame assemblies to the support frame. Many farm operations require several different trailer-type vehicles to perform the various work functions. The subject multi-purpose trailer vehicle uses a single belted undercarriage easily connectable to a plurality of cargo and hauling beds or carts. This eliminates the need to have a plurality of separate complete trailer vehicles, each with their own running gear or ground supporting assemblies.

Description:
DESCRIPTION 
     Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to a belted trailer vehicle and more particularly to a multi-purpose trailer which is easily and conveniently adaptable to a variety of work applications. 
     Background Art 
     Track-type vehicles, which utilize a self-laying endless track undercarriage, have many advantages over wheel type vehicles, including the provisions of lower ground pressure and increased traction. In view of this, track-type vehicles can advantageously operate in wet soil areas and in soils having a large sand content. The track-type undercarriage concept has been further enhanced by replacing the heavy metal track chain with an endless flexible belt arrangement. The belted undercarriage system offers several advantages over the metal track chain, including higher vehicle speed, less maintenance, simplicity of design, and the ability to travel on improved roadways. The belted undercarriage system can also be advantageously applied to non-powered vehicles, such as utility trailers. 
     One type of non-powered trailer vehicle is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,257, issued to R. J. Purcell on May 8, 1990. This patent describes a plurality of pivoting arms and fluid cylinders for maintaining the tension on the flexible belt. The load being carried by the vehicle adds to the belt tension. Belt alignment is accomplished by adding or removing one or more adjusting shims between bolted connecting joints of pivoting arms which connect to the wheel assemblies. 
     While the belted trailer vehicle described in the above noted patent will function quite satisfactory for the purpose intended, the function is limited to a particular type of cargo box or platform. No provisions are available for rapidly and conveniently adapting the belted undercarriage to various work applications. The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above. 
     Disclosure of the Invention 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a multi-purpose utility vehicle has first and second roller frame assemblies, with each assembly having first and second frame structures. The second frame structure of each assembly is connected to the middle portion of the first frame structure. The vehicle further includes a support frame and first, second, and third rapid release connecting mechanism for connecting the support frame to the first and second roller frame assemblies. The utility vehicle also has a plurality of wheels and rollers rotatably supported on each roller frame assembly, and a flexible belt encircling the wheels and rollers of each roller frame assembly. 
     A utility vehicle, such as a trailer, equipped with flexible belted undercarriage assemblies offer several advantages over trailer vehicles equipped with wheels. These advantages would include lower ground pressure, greater traction, and the ability to traverse extremely wet and/or sandy soils. However, in order to fully utilize the advantages of the belted undercarriage on a utility trailer, most farmers would require several of the belted trailer vehicles, since many tasks including grain hauling, fertilizer spreading, sludge hauling, and herbicide spraying are accomplished with utility trailer vehicles. 
     The subject multi-purpose utility vehicle offers a solution to the problem of needing several belted utility trailers by providing a belted undercarriage and frame structure which can accommodate many different utility boxes. The subject multi-purpose utility vehicle utilizes a plurality of quick release connections to make it rapidly adaptable to various work structures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view, partially in section, of the subject multi-purpose utility vehicle; 
     FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken generally along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side elevational view, with some parts removed, of the utility vehicle shown in 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken generally along lines 4--4 of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken generally along lines 5--5 of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken generally along liens 6--6 of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic top plan view of roller frame assemblies of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic side elevational view taken generally along lines 8--8 of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic front elevational view taken generally along lines 9--9 of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic exploded view, with parts in section, taken generally from the area marked 10 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic front elevational view of a stop plate taken generally along the lines 11--11 of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a support frame and hitch assembly for use with the subject invention; and 
     FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the support frame and hitch assembly. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings, a belted multi-purpose utility trailer vehicle 10, has first and second T-shaped roller frame assemblies 12,14 with each frame assembly 12,14 having first and second frame members 16,18. Each of the first frame members 16 has first and second end portions 20,22, and a middle portion 24. Each of the second frame members 18 has first and second end portions 26,28, with the first end portions 26 of the second frame members 18 being connected to the respective middle portions 24 of the first frame members 16. These connections form the T-shape of the roller frame assemblies 12,14. The first and second roller frame assemblies 12,14 are substantially similar in construction with one being a right hand frame assembly and the other a left hand frame assembly. A plurality of angled braces 30 connect the first and second frame members 16,18 to strengthen the roller frame assemblies 12,14. One or more cross-braces 32 join the angle braces 30 to each of the second frame members. 
     The utility trailer 10 further includes first and second wheel assemblies 34,36 which are rotatably connected to the respective first and second end portions 20,22 of each first frame member 16. A plurality of support rollers 38 are rotatably connected to each first frame member 16 between the first and second wheel assemblies 34,36. First and second flexible endless belts 40,42 encircle the wheel assemblies 34,36 and the rollers 38 of the respective first and second roller frame assemblies 12,14. 
     A main support frame assembly 44 has a cross-beam 46 which overlays the second frame members 18 and serves to join the two roller frame assemblies 12,14 together. The cross-beam 46 has a first end portion 48 which, in conjunction with a first rapid or quick release connecting mechanism 50, connects the cross-beam 46 to the first frame member 16 of the first roller frame assembly 12. The cross-beam 46 has a second end portion which, in conjunction with a second rapid or quick release connecting mechanism 54, connects the cross-beam 46 to the first frame member 16 of the second roller frame assembly 14. The cross-beam 46 also has a middle portion 56 which, in conjunction with a third rapid or quick release connecting mechanism 58, connects the cross-beam 46 to the second end portions 28 of both second frame members 18. 
     With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 7, 10, and 13, each of the first and second quick release connecting mechanisms 50,54, includes a first pin 60 which is secured to first frame members 16, a second pin 62 secured to the cross-beam 46, and an elongated tag link 64 releasably mounted on and extending between the first and second pins 60,62. Each of the second pins 62 penetrates a cross plate 66 and is secured to the cross plate 66 such that a first end portion 68 of each second pin 62 extends outwardly of one side of each cross plate 66, and a second end portion 70 of each second pin 62 extends outwardly of the opposite side of each cross plate 66. Each of the first and second end portions 48,52 of cross-beam 46 defines a U-shaped slot 72, and one of the cross plates 66 is connected to the end portions 48,52 to enclose the U-shaped slot 72. The second end portion 70 of each second pin 62 extends into one of the U-shaped slots 72. The tag link 64 is secured to the first and second pins 60,62 by a securing means 74, with each securing means 74 including a collar 76, a retaining pin 78, and a cotter pin 80. 
     With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9, the third quick release connecting mechanism 58 includes a flange plate 82 secured to each of the second end portions 28 of the second frame members 18, a fastening plate 84 secured to the middle portion 56 of the cross-beam 46, and a cylindrical bar 86 connected to and extending outwardly of each side of the fastening plate 84. Each flange plate 82 has a throughbore 90 and the cylindrical bar 86 is adapted to extend through each of the throughbores 90. A releasable securing means 92, including a collar 94 and a retaining pin 96, secures each of the flange plates 82 to the opposite ends of the cylindrical bar 86. An elongated slot 98 in the cross-beam 46, and a similar elongated slot 100 in the second end portion 28 of each of the second frame members 18, provide easy access to the securing means 92. 
     A first resilient cushioning member 102 is connected to the first end portion 26 of each second frame member 18, and a similar mating resilient cushioning member 104 is connected to each of the first and second end portions 48,52 of the cross-beam 46. The first cushioning members 102 are adapted to contact the second cushioning members 104 when the main frame assembly 44 is connected to the first and second roller frame assemblies 12,14. The cushioning members 102,104 cooperate to dampen the shock loads applied to the trailer vehicle 10 as it traverses rough or uneven surfaces. In addition to shock dampening, the two mating cushioning members 102,104 allow the track roller frame assemblies 12,14 to pivot without the need for heavily loaded pivot bearings. when the roller frame assemblies 12,14 pivot, the cushioning members 102,104 deform with no relative motion at their interface. Therefore, no expensive sealed pivot bearings are required. 
     Each of the roller frame assemblies 12,14 is connected to the main support frame assembly 44 by the various pins 62,64 and the cylindrical bar 86. Therefore, each roller frame assembly 12,14 can pivot and oscillate relative to each other and to the main support frame assembly 44. The contact between the first and second resilient cushioning members limits the downwardly directed movement and oscillation while a separate means 106 limits the vertical or upwardly directed oscillation. Each limiting means 106 includes a stop plate 108 having a first end portion 110 and an oblong slot 112 formed in said first end portion 110. One stop plate 108 is removably secured by a plurality of threaded fasteners 114 to the first end portion 26 of each second frame member 18. The first end portion 110 is adapted to extend into the U-shaped slot 72 of the cross-beam 46, and the second end portion 70 of the second pin 62 is positioned within the oblong slot 112. During vertical oscillation, the pin 62 is adapted to contact the stop plate 108 and limit further vertical oscillation. A C-shaped wear plate 116 is positioned between the stop plate 108 and the cross-plate 66. 
     With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6, each of the first wheel assemblies 34 includes a swing link assembly 118, a spindle 120 which is non-rotatably connected to the swing link assembly 118 and first and second spaced wheels 122,124 rotatably mounted on the spindle 120. A first means 126 provides for pivoting the swing link assembly 118 and each first wheel assembly 34. A second means 128 provides for locking the first means 126 in any adjusted position. The first means 126 includes a connecting lever 130 which has a first end portion 132 connected to the swing link assembly 118, and a second end portion 134 which is enclosed within the first frame member 16. The second end portion 134 has first and second side surfaces 136,138 which are engaged respectively by first and second threaded adjusting screws 140,142. The adjusting screws 140,142 are threadably secured to the first frame member 16 by first and second threaded bushings 144,146 which are welded or otherwise permanently connected to the first and second sides 148,150 of the first frame member 16. The screws 140,142 are adapted to bear against the respective first and second side surfaces 136,138 of the connecting lever 130 as they are threaded into the respective threaded bushings 144,146. As one or the other adjusting screws 140,142 are tightened against the connecting lever 130, the lever 130 pivots about a threaded fastener 162. This changes the angle of the wheel assembly 34 relative to the belt 40 to provide an alignment function. The threaded fastener 162, a nut 164, and a spacer 166 hold the lever 130 within the first frame member 16. 
     The second locking means 128 includes first and second threaded sleeves 152,154 which are adapted to threadably engage the respective first and second adjusting screws 140,142. Each sleeve 152,154 has a shoulder 156 which is adapted to contact the bushings 144,146 and provide a clearance gap 158 between the bushings 144,156 and the sleeves 152,154. A connecting member 160, such as a threaded bolt 160, connects the first sleeve 152 to the second sleeve 154. As the connecting member 160 is tightened, the sleeves 152,154 are slightly cocked and jammed onto the set screws 140,142. This prevents the sleeves 152,154 from rotating and the induced frictional force prevents the set screws 140,142 from turning and loosening. 
     The swing link assembly 118 includes first and second spaced ear plates 168,170, first and second sleeves 172,174 positioned between the ear plates 168,170, and first and second pivot pins 176,178 which are adapted to penetrate the first and second plates 168,170 and the first and second sleeves 172,174 respectively, and to interconnect the first plate 168 to the second plate 170. First and second threaded fasteners 180,182 join the first and second pivot pins 176,178 respectively to the first ear plate 168 and third and fourth threaded fasteners 184,186 join the first and second pivot pins 176,178 respectively to the second ear plate 170. The axis 188,190 of the first and second threaded fasteners 180,182 are in substantial alignment with the respective central axis 192,194 of the first and second pivot pins 176,178. However, to prevent the pivot pins 176,178 from rotating during movement of the swing link assembly 118, the axis 196,198 of the third and fourth threaded fasteners 184,186 are offset from the respective central axis 192,194 of the first and second pivot pins 176,178. 
     With particular reference to FIGS. 1,3, and 7, a recoil and belt tensioning mechanism 200 for each of the flexible belts 40,42 includes an air spring 202 having first and second end portions 204,206 and a recoil link 208 having first and second end portions 210,212. The first end portion 204 of the air spring 202 is connected to the first frame member 16 and the second end portion 206 is connected to the second end portion 212 of the recoil link 208 which is connected by the pivot pin 176 to the swing link assembly 118 and thereby to the first wheel assembly 34. 
     With particular reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the subject trailer vehicle 10 can be provided with an auxiliary frame assembly 214 and a hitch assembly 216 if so desired. If the vehicle 10 is so equipped, the frame rails 218,220 are spaced at a common or standard spacing to accommodate various truck mounted equipment. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     With reference to the drawings, the subject belted multi-purpose trailer vehicle 10 is particularly useful for farm type applications where many different types of trailer vehicles are required to perform different work functions. The subject trailer vehicle 10 with belted undercarriage can accommodate a plurality of trailer or truck beds, therefore eliminating the need for a plurality of complete separate trailer-type vehicles. 
     The first, second, and third quick release connecting mechanism 50, 54, and 58 provide quick and easy connection of the undercarriage, including first and second roller frame assemblies 12,14, to a main support frame assembly 44. To assemble the first and second roller frame assemblies 12,14 to the frame assembly 44, the stop plate 108 is first removed from each of the first frame members 16. The flange plates 82 are then engaged with the cylindrical bar 86 of the cross-beam 46 and the collars 94 and retaining pins 96 are attached to each end of the cylindrical bar 86, thereby securing the roller frame assemblies 12,14 to the middle portion 56 of the cross-beam 46. The slotted stop plates 108 are now re-attached to the second frame members 18 by the threaded fasteners 114. The tag links 64 are then connected to the first and second pins 60,62 and secured thereto by the collars 76 and retaining pins 78. The assembly procedure is now complete and the roller frames 12,14 are securely connected to the support frame assembly 44. 
     Disassembly would be substantially the reverse of the above described procedure. 
     Other aspects, objects, and advantages of this invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.