Vehicle track assembly
View Patent ↗A vehicle wheel assembly is provided which includes a vehicle frame having a first axle, a wheel assembly having a housing with an aperture engaging the first axle and enabling the wheel assembly to pivot in a first plane about a first axis formed by the first axle. A cylindrical member is carried by the housing of the wheel assembly, the cylindrical member and housing are arranged perpendicular to the first axle. A first wheel is pivotably connected to a first portion of the cylindrical member and a second wheel is pivotably connected to a second portion of the cylindrical member. The first wheel and second wheel independently pivot in a second plane about a second axis formed by the cylindrical member. The first axis is arranged perpendicular to the second axis and the first plane is arranged perpendicular to the second plane.
1. 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.
2. A track assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein the third axis is spaced apart vertically inwardly from the first axis.
3. A track assembly as defined in claim 2 , wherein the third axis is spaced apart vertically inwardly from the second axis.
4. A track assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first axis and the second axis are co-linear.
5. A track assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first support wheel and the second support wheel pivot in unison about the third axis.
6. A track assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein the third axis extends generally along the longitudinal axis of the track assembly.
7. A track assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first support wheel and the second support wheel define a first wheel set, the track assembly further comprising a second wheel set, the first wheel set and the second wheel set being mounted to a tandem arm capable of pivotal motion about a fourth axis which is generally parallel to the first axis.
8. A track assembly as defined in claim 7 , wherein the first wheel set and the second wheel set pivot independently about the third axis.
9. A track assembly as defined in claim 7 , wherein the fourth axis is spaced apart vertically inwardly from the third axis.
10. A track assembly as defined in claim 1 , including first and second main wheels horizontally spaced apart from one another, the belt including:
a. a portion wrapping the first main wheel;
b. a portion wrapping the second main wheel;
c. the ground engaging run is located between the portion wrapping the first main wheel and the portion wrapping the second main wheel.
11. A track assembly as defined in claim 10 , wherein the first support wheel and the second support wheel are located between the first main wheel and the second main wheel.
12. A track assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein the ground engaging face defines a surface that is generally flat.
13. A track assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first support wheel engaging surface is generally flat.
14. A track assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein the second support wheel engaging surface is generally flat.
15. A vehicle, comprising a track assembly having a longitudinal axis, the track assembly including:
(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.
16. A vehicle as defined in claim 15 , wherein the third axis is spaced apart vertically inwardly from the first axis.
17. A vehicle as defined in claim 15 , wherein the third axis is spaced apart vertically inwardly from the second axis.
18. A vehicle as defined in claim 15 , wherein the first axis and the second axis are co-linear.
19. A vehicle as defined in claim 15 , wherein the first support wheel and the second support wheel pivot in unison about the third axis.
20. A vehicle as defined in claim 15 , wherein the third axis extends generally along the longitudinal axis of the track assembly.
21. A vehicle as defined in claim 15 , wherein the first support wheel and the second support wheel define a first wheel set, the track assembly further comprising a second wheel set, the first wheel set and the second wheel set being mounted to a tandem arm capable of pivotal motion about a fourth axis which is generally parallel to the first axis.
22. A vehicle as defined in claim 21 , wherein the first wheel set and the second wheel set pivot independently about the third axis.
23. A vehicle as defined in claim 21 , wherein the fourth axis is spaced apart vertically inwardly from the third axis.
24. A vehicle as defined in claim 15 , including first and second main wheels horizontally spaced apart from one another, the belt including:
a. a portion wrapping the first main wheel;
b. a portion wrapping the second main wheel;
c. the ground engaging run is located between the portion wrapping the first main wheel and the portion wrapping the second main wheel.
25. A vehicle as defined in claim 24 , wherein the first support wheel and the second support wheel are located between the first main wheel and the second main wheel.
26. A vehicle as defined in claim 15 , wherein the ground engaging face defines a surface that is generally flat.
27. A vehicle as defined in claim 15 , wherein the first support wheel engaging surface is generally flat.
28. A vehicle as defined in claim 15 , wherein the second support wheel engaging surface is generally flat.
29. A vehicle as defined in claim 15 , wherein the vehicle is a cart configured for connection to a tractor.