TRACK SYSTEM FOR TRACTION OF AN OFF-ROAD VEHICLE SUCH AS A SNOWMOBILE OR AN ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE (ATV)
A track system for traction of an off-road vehicle such as a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The track system comprises a track-engaging assembly and a track disposed around the track-engaging assembly. The track system may be configured to have a reduced noise profile so as to generate less noise, enhanced track rigidity characteristics to improve its traction and floatation, and/or other features improving use and performance of the off-road vehicle.
1 . A track for traction of an off-road vehicle, the track being mountable around a track-engaging assembly of the off-road vehicle, the track-engaging assembly comprising a drive wheel for driving the track, the track being elastomeric to be flexible around the track-engaging assembly, the track comprising:
an inner surface for facing the track-engaging assembly;
a ground-engaging outer surface for engaging the ground; and
a plurality of traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface;
wherein the track is free of reinforcing fabric between the inner surface and the ground-engaging outer surface along at least part of a length of the track.
2 . The track claimed in claim 1 , wherein the track is free of reinforcing fabric between the inner surface and the ground-engaging outer surface along at least a majority of the length of the track.
3 . The track claimed in claim 2 , wherein the track is free of reinforcing fabric between the inner surface and the ground-engaging outer surface along an entirety of the length of the track.
4 . The track claimed in claim 1 , wherein the track is free of reinforcing fabric.
5 . The track claimed in claim 1 , comprising a plurality of reinforcing cables extending generally in a longitudinal direction of the track.
6 . The track claimed in claim 1 , comprising a plurality of stiffening rods extending transversally to a longitudinal direction of the track.
7 . The track claimed in claim 5 , comprising a plurality of stiffening rods extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the track.
8 . The track claimed in claim 7 , wherein the reinforcing cables are located between the stiffening rods and the inner surface in a thickness direction of the track.
9 . The track claimed in claim 7 , wherein the reinforcing cables are located between the stiffening rods and the ground-engaging outer surface in a thickness direction of the track.
10 . The track claimed in claim 1 , wherein, when operated at a given speed, the track consumes less power than if the track had a reinforcing fabric layer disposed between the inner surface and the ground-engaging surface and extending along at least a majority of the length of the track but was otherwise identical.
11 . The track claimed in claim 10 , wherein the given speed is above 40 miles per hour.
12 . The track claimed in claim 11 , wherein the given speed is above 60 miles per hour.
13 . The track claimed in claim 1 , comprising a plurality of drive/guide projections projecting from the inner surface.
14 . The track claimed in claim 13 , wherein the drive/guide projections are configured for engaging the drive wheel to drive the track.
15 . An off-road vehicle comprising the track claimed in claim 1 .
16 . The off-road vehicle claimed in claim 15 , wherein the off-road vehicle is a snowmobile.
17 . A track for traction of an off-road vehicle, the track being mountable around a track-engaging assembly of the off-road vehicle, the track-engaging assembly comprising a drive wheel for driving the track, the track being elastomeric to be flexible around the track-engaging assembly, the track comprising:
an inner surface for facing the track-engaging assembly;
a ground-engaging outer surface for engaging the ground; and
a plurality of traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface;
wherein the track is free of reinforcing fabric.
18 . The track claimed in claim 17 , comprising a plurality of reinforcing cables extending generally in a longitudinal direction of the track.
19 . The track claimed in claim 17 , comprising a plurality of stiffening rods extending transversally to a longitudinal direction of the track.
20 . The track claimed in claim 18 , comprising a plurality of stiffening rods extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the track.
21 . The track claimed in claim 20 , wherein the reinforcing cables are located between the stiffening rods and the inner surface in a thickness direction of the track.
22 . The track claimed in claim 20 , wherein the reinforcing cables are located between the stiffening rods and the ground-engaging outer surface in a thickness direction of the track.
23 . The track claimed in claim 17 , wherein, when operated at a given speed, the track consumes less power than if the track had a reinforcing fabric layer disposed between the inner surface and the ground-engaging surface and extending along at least a majority of the length of the track but was otherwise identical.
24 . The track claimed in claim 23 , wherein the given speed is above 40 miles per hour.
25 . The track claimed in claim 24 , wherein the given speed is above 60 miles per hour.
26 . The track claimed in claim 17 , comprising a plurality of drive/guide projections projecting from the inner surface.
27 . The track claimed in claim 26 , wherein the drive/guide projections are configured for engaging the drive wheel to drive the track.
28 . An off-road vehicle comprising the track claimed in claim 17 .
29 . The off-road vehicle claimed in claim 28 , wherein the off-road vehicle is a snowmobile.
30 . A track for traction of an off-road vehicle, the track being mountable around a track-engaging assembly of the off-road vehicle, the track-engaging assembly comprising a drive wheel for driving the track, the track being elastomeric to be flexible around the track-engaging assembly, the track comprising:
an inner surface for facing the track-engaging assembly;
a ground-engaging outer surface for engaging the ground; and
a plurality of traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface;
wherein: a thickness of the track from the inner surface to the ground-engaging outer surface is no more than 0.25 inches; and the track is free of reinforcing fabric between the inner surface and the ground-engaging outer surface along at least part of a length of the track.