Granted Patent B2

US 7,226,137 · App. 10/985,090 · Granted Jun 5, 2007

Abstract

Claims (31)

1. A track tensioning assembly for a track laying vehicle including a track and a track frame having a pair of side plates, the track tensioning assembly comprising:

an idler plate assembly coupled to a hydraulic actuator at a first end and coupled to a front idler assembly at a second end, the hydraulic actuator configured to apply a pressure on the front idler assembly with the idler plate assembly;

a first location along the track frame located proximate the first end of the idler plate assembly;

a second location along the track frame spaced apart from the idler plate assembly and proximate to the front idler assembly; and

a removable cross pin positioned in one of the first location and the second location on the track frame.

2. The track tensioning assembly of claim 1 , wherein the removable cross pin is configured to prevent complete loosening of the track when the removable cross pin is positioned in the first location.

3. The track tensioning assembly of claim 1 , wherein the removable cross pin is configured to allow removal and installation of the track when the removable cross pin is positioned in the second location.

4. The track tensioning assembly of claim 1 , wherein the idler plate assembly comprises:

a tube portion configured to engage a rod of the hydraulic actuator; and

an idler plate coupled to the tube portion, the idler plate having a back end that forms a shoulder with the tube portion.

5. The track tensioning assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first location of the removable cross pin is positioned proximate to the back end of the idler plate.

6. The track tensioning assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first location of the removable cross pin is positioned proximate the shoulder of the idler assembly.

7. The track tensioning assembly of claims 4 , wherein the first location of the removable cross pin is spaced apart from the back end of the idler plate by a distance.

8. The track tensioning assembly of claim 7 , wherein the distance is approximately 0.60 inches.

9. The track tensioning assembly of claim 1 , wherein one of the side plates comprises a first aperture and the other of the side plates comprises a second aperture, the removable cross pin configured to be inserted through the first aperture and the second aperture and be positioned perpendicular to a rod of the hydraulic actuator and the idler plate assembly when the removable cross pin is positioned in the first location.

10. The track tensioning assembly of claim 9 , wherein the removable cross pin is held in the first and second apertures with a pin retaining clamp.

11. The track tensioning assembly of claim 9 , wherein the pin retaining clamp is configured to allow the removable cross pin to move in a direction that the idler plate assembly slides.

12. The track tensioning assembly of claim 9 , wherein one of the side plates comprises a third aperture, the removable cross pin configured to be inserted in the third aperture and oriented perpendicular to and proximate to the front idler assembly when the removable cross pin is positioned in the second location.

13. A track tensioning assembly for a track laying vehicle including a track and a track frame having a pair of side plates, the track tensioning assembly comprising:

an idler plate assembly coupled to a hydraulic actuator at a first end and coupled to a front idler assembly at a second end, the hydraulic actuator configured to apply a pressure on the front idler assembly with the idler plate assembly;

a track retaining position on the track frame located proximate the first end of the idler plate assembly;

a track removing positioning on the track framed spaced apart from the idler plate assembly and proximate to the front idler assembly; and

a removable cross pin located in one of the track retaining position and the track removing position on the track frame.

14. The track tensioning assembly of claim 13 , wherein the track retaining position is located proximate a back end of the idler plate assembly.

15. The track tensioning assembly of claim 13 , wherein the track removing position is located proximate an idler roller of the front idler assembly.

16. The track tensioning assembly of claim 13 , wherein one of the side plates comprises a first aperture and the other of the side plates comprises a second aperture, the removable cross pin configured to be inserted through the first aperture and the second aperture and be positioned perpendicular to a rod of the hydraulic actuator and the idler plate assembly when the removable cross pin is positioned in the track retaining position.

17. The track tensioning assembly of claim 16 , wherein one of the side plates comprises a third aperture, the removable cross pin configured to be inserted in the third aperture and oriented perpendicular to and proximate to the front idler assembly.

18. A track tensioning assembly for a track laying vehicle including a track and a track frame having a pair of side plates, the track tensioning assembly:

an idler plate assembly coupled to an actuator at a first end and coupled to a front idler assembly at a second end, the actuator configured to apply a pressure on the front idler assembly with the idler plate assembly; and

a removable cross pin positioned in a first aperture of one of the side plates and a second aperture of the other of the side plates when the removable cross pin is in a track retaining position on the track frame and the removable cross pin positioned in a third aperture of one of the pair of side plates when the removable cross pin is in a track removing position on the track frame.

19. The track tensioning assembly of claim 18 , wherein the removable cross pin is held in the first and second apertures with a pin retaining clamp.

Assignments (15)