ADAPT-A-TRACK

CHENILLE

English Abstract

The present invention relates to a tracks system adaptable
to a motorized vehicle. This track system allow vehicle such as
ambulance and police cruiser to travel on snow or muddy terrain.
The present invention also include a new type of easy to built
track crosslink.

Claims

4
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive
property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
-Any track system that fit under or in the side of a motor
vehicle and that uses the driving wheel friction of that vehicle
to power those tracks.
-Any motor vehicle adaptable track system that use the difference
of diametre of conical rollers to steer the tracks.
-Any crosslink design that would allow the tires to run on a flat
surface by installing the sprocket out of center in relation with
these tires.

Description

CA 02286437 1999-10-OS
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Specification
The purpose of this invention is to provide extra traction
and flotation to regular motor vehicle like pick-up trucks,
ambulances, police cruisers, and more. My invention consist of
an adaptable track system that is driven by the driving wheels of
a motor vehicle temporarly installed on this track system. Other
similar product on the market are installed in replacment of the
motor vehicle wheels, but these system offer less traction and
flotation, and they also put a lot of strain on the steering
linkage of the motor vehicle. Also part of the system is a new
concept of steel crosslink that offer a smoother ride than
conventional crosslink, due to the facts that the tire and the
sprocket are not installed with the same centerline, thus
allowing the tire to run directly on one of the belts joining the
crosslinks.
Description of the drawing, Fig. 1 represent the crosslink
of the Adapt-a-track system. Fig. 2 represent a crosslink
version that could be used for wider track system. Fig. 3
represent an elevation view of the Adapt-a-track system with a
motor vehicle installed on it. Fig. 4 represent the rear view of
the Adapt-a-track system with a motor vehicle installed on it.
Fig. 5 represent a top view of the Adapt-a-track system with the
four wheels of the motor vehicle that would drive and steer the
track system. Fig. 6 represent an elevation view of the Adapt-a-
track system with the trailer wheels in function and with the
trailer tongue and access ramps installed.
The track system include three main assembly; the tracks,
the frame, and the drive assembly.
The track assembly consist of one or more rubber belt (4)
forming a close loop with perpendiculary attached "T" shaped
steel or aluminium pieces (1). Those "T" shaped crosslinks (1)
are position in a way to have the widest of its flat sides in
contact with the belt (4). Wheel guides (3) are installed on the
opposite of the crosslinks (1), these wheel guides (3) are fasten
to the crosslinks (1) with through the belt (4) fasteners (5). A
half round pieces (2) is welded or fastened over the widest flat
part of the crosslink (1) in a way to have a sprocket drive the
whole assembly.
The frame assembly include rectangular frame (7) under which
axles (8) are attached, at the ends of these axles (8) are wheels
(6) supporting the track assemblies. On the top of the frame (7)
is a structure allowing a motor vehicle (9) to be positioned and
secured on the drive assembly. A piece of structure (10) secure
the back of the vehicle (9) to the frame (7). The front wheels
of the vehicle (9) are secured to the turn tables (14) with tie-
downs (27). A set of wheels (6) are located in the frame (7),

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those wheels (6) can be lowered in a way to support the complete
track system. One end of the frame (7) as a removable trailer
tongue (12). The frame (7) end opposite of the drive assembly as
two removable access ramp (13) which permit a motor vehicle (9)
to be driven on and off the track system.
The drive assembly consist of: two turntables (14) with
linkage (26), two cylindrical idler rolls (15) with commun shaft
(16) and bearing (17), two conical driven rolls (18) with drive
shaft (19), bearings (20), support frame (21), and two gear
reducer (22) with sprockets (23).
The two turntables (14) are fitted under the steering wheels
of the motor vehicle (9) and, as the wheels are steered, the
attached linkage system (26) move the conical rolls (18) assembly
from one side to another, thus driving the tracks at different
speeds and steering the tracked vehicle. The cylindrical rolls
(15) are joint by a shaft (16) mounted on bearing (17) resting on
the frame (7). The two conical rolls (18) are mounted on
bearings (20) resting on a seperate frame (21) that allow for
lateral movement commanded by the linkage (26) of the turntable
(14). Each conical rolls (18) can turn independent from one
another and each of them drive the gear reducer (22) on the
opposite side with the mean of a telescopic drive shaft (19). A
sprocket (23) is mounted on each gear reducer (22) and fits in
the drive pattern of the crosslinks (1).

Representative Drawing