Patent ID: 8607903

Claim:
A tracked vehicle comprising: a) a prime mover; b) a chassis supporting the prime mover, the chassis comprising a frame extending along a longitudinal direction of the tracked vehicle; c) a plurality of track assemblies for traction of the tracked vehicle, a first one of the track assemblies being on a first side of the tracked vehicle, a second one of the track assemblies being on a second side of the tracked vehicle, each track assembly comprising: i) a first wheel rotatable about a first axis of rotation, the first axis of rotation being transverse to the longitudinal direction of the tracked vehicle; ii) a second wheel rotatable about a second axis of rotation, the second wheel being spaced apart from the first wheel along the longitudinal direction of the tracked vehicle, the second axis of rotation being transverse to the longitudinal direction of the tracked vehicle; iii) a plurality of support wheels arranged in an in-line configuration between the first wheel and the second wheel; iv) a first bogie carrying a first one of the support wheels and a second one of the support wheels, the first bogie being pivotally mounted to the frame about a first pivot axis, the first one of the support wheels being rotatable about a third axis of rotation, the second one of the support wheels being rotatable about a fourth axis of rotation, each of the first pivot axis, the third axis of rotation, and the fourth axis of rotation being transverse to the longitudinal direction of the tracked vehicle; v) a second bogie carrying a third one of the support wheels, a fourth one of the support wheels, and a fifth one of the support wheels, the second bogie being spaced apart from the first bogie along the longitudinal direction of the tracked vehicle and being pivotally mounted to the frame about a second pivot axis, the third one of the support wheels being rotatable about a fifth axis of rotation, the fourth one of the support wheels being rotatable about a sixth axis of rotation, the fifth one of the support wheels being rotatable about a seventh axis of rotation, each of the second pivot axis, the fifth axis of rotation, the sixth axis of rotation, and the seventh axis of rotation being transverse to the longitudinal direction of the tracked vehicle; and vi) an endless track disposed around the first wheel, the second wheel, and the support wheels, the endless track comprising: i. a top run extending between the first wheel and the second wheel; and ii. a bottom run for engaging the ground, the support wheels engaging the bottom run, the first wheel being a drive wheel to impart movement of the endless track.