Traction assembly
The present invention generally provides a wheel replacing traction assembly which uses, for propulsion, a longitudinally extending endless track disposed around and cooperating with a sprocket wheel, idler and road wheels, and a guide rail.
1. A traction assembly for use on a vehicle, said traction assembly comprising:
a) a frame having a lower portion and an upper portion, said upper portion being laterally offset with respect to said lower portion, said frame comprising an axle laterally extending from said upper portion;
b) a sprocket wheel mounted to said axle;
c) a longitudinally extending guide rail mounted to said lower portion of said frame, said guide rail comprising a first side and a second side and each of said sides comprising a longitudinally extending rib;
d) wheel mounting elements mounted to said guide rail such as to engage one of said ribs, each of said wheel mounting elements comprising a notch for receiving one of said ribs;
e) wheels coupled to said mounting elements;
f) a traction band disposed around said sprocket wheel, said wheels and said guide rail.
2. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said guide rail has a lower portion, said lower portion being provided with a sliding band.
3. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said axle is substantially vertically aligned with said lower portion of said frame.
4. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said axle comprises at least two portions having different diameters.
5. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said axle comprises three portions having different diameters.
6. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said sprocket wheel is substantially vertically aligned with said guide rail.
7. A traction assembly for use on a vehicle, said traction assembly comprising:
a) a sprocket wheel configured to be mounted to said vehicle, said sprocket wheel comprising a central opening;
b) a frame comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, said upper portion being laterally offset with respect to said lower portion, said upper portion comprising a fixed axle laterally extending therefrom, said axle having a free extremity configured to face said vehicle when said traction assembly is mounted thereto, said axle being pivotally received into said central opening;
c) wheels pivotally mounted to said lower portion of said frame;
d) a traction band disposed around said sprocket wheel, said wheels and said frame.
8. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said lower portion of said frame comprises a longitudinally extending guide rail and wherein said wheels are pivotally mounted to said guide rail.
9. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said guide rail comprises a first side and a second side, and wherein each of said sides comprises a longitudinally extending rib.
10. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 9 , comprising, for each of said wheels, a wheel mounting element, and wherein said wheel mounting elements are configured to engage said ribs.
11. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 10 , wherein each of said wheel mounting elements is provided with a notch for receiving one of said ribs.
12. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said guide rail has a lower portion, said lower portion having mounted thereto a sliding band.
13. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said axle is substantially vertically aligned with said lower portion of said frame.
14. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said sprocket wheel is substantially vertically aligned with said lower portion of said frame.
15. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said axle comprises at least two portions having decreasing diameters toward said free extremity.
16. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said central opening in said sprocket wheel comprises at least two bearings mounted therein.
17. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 16 , wherein said traction assembly comprises a retaining element releasably mounted at said free extremity of said axle for securing said sprocket wheel to said axle.
18. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said axle comprises at least three portions having decreasing diameters toward said free extremity.
19. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 18 , wherein said central opening in said sprocket wheel comprises at least two bearings mounted therein.
20. A traction assembly as claimed in claim 19 , wherein said traction assembly comprises a retaining element releasably mounted at said free extremity of said axle for securing said sprocket wheel to said axle.