Patent ID: 8763716

Claim:
A track assembly for a vehicle, the track assembly having a longitudinal axis and comprising: (a) a single piece endless belt defining a ground engaging run, the ground engaging run having: (i) first and second lateral edges and an outer ground engaging face extending between the first and second lateral edges, the outer ground engaging face defining a surface that is generally continuous over its extent; (ii) an inner face including: (1) a belt guide projecting inwardly from the inner face, the belt guide being located between the first and second lateral edges; (2) a first support wheel engaging surface between the first lateral edge and the belt guide, the first support wheel engaging surface being generally continuous along the longitudinal axis; (3) a second support wheel engaging surface extending between the second lateral edge and the belt guide, the second support wheel engaging surface being generally continuous along the longitudinal axis; (4) the belt guide having a tip portion vertically inwardly spaced apart from the first support wheel engaging surface and from the second support wheel engaging surface; (b) a support wheel arrangement engaging the ground engaging run, the support wheel arrangement including: (ii) a first support wheel mounted for rotation about a first axis that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the track assembly, the first support wheel having a peripheral surface in rolling contact with the first support wheel engaging surface; (iii) a second support wheel mounted for rotation about a second axis that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the track assembly, the second support wheel having a peripheral surface in rolling contact with the second support wheel engaging surface; (iv) the first and second support wheels being spaced apart to define therebetween a void area for receiving the belt guide; (c) the first support wheel and the second support wheel being mounted for pivotal movement via a pivot structure about a third axis which is generally transverse to the first axis and to the second axis.