Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FIELD-REPAIR DEVICE FOR A RUBBER-BAND TRACK
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to a device used for temporarily repairing a
damaged
rubber-band track of a vehicle and which allows the vehicle to proceed on its
own
to the nearest maintenance site orto a convenient location where the
replacement
or permanent repair of the track can be undertaken. A method for temporarily
repairing a damaged rubber-band track is also disclosed.
Many modern tanks and other military vehicles, as well as some off-highway
utility
vehicles, are supported on the ground by a set of tracks made of a strong
composite material and provided as endless bands. Rubber-band tracks have
many advantages over their conventional metallic counterparts. For instance,
they
~ are less noisy, they generate less vibration and require less maintenance
since
they are not an assembly of a plurality of parts. Rubber-band tracks are less
likely
to cause damages to roads or structures on which they travel, when compared to
conventional metallic tracks. However, a rubber-band track can rupture or be
otherwise damaged due to a defect in the material, wear or fatigue. A track
may
also be damaged by an object on which it travels. In the case of a military
vehicle,
a track may be damaged by a mine, a nearby explosion or a projectile. In all
instances, the affected vehicle is likely to be useless unless a repair is
done in the
field, even if no section of the track is missing or if the track is not
extensively
damaged.
A replacement in the field of a damaged track with a new one is not always
possible, especially if the damage occurred in a hostile territory or in a
location
which is difficult to access. Yet, some military tanks can weight 60 tons or
more.
Replacing a track on such vehicles requires the presence of heavy lifting
equipments that will have to be dispatched wherever the vehicle is located.
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There is thus a need to have a field-repair device and a corresponding method
for
temporarily but suitably repairing a ruptured or otherwise damaged rubber-band
track without interfering with the driving system of the track so that the
vehicle can
proceed on its own to the nearest maintenance site or to a convenient location
where replacement or permanent repair of the track can be undertaken.
There is also a need for a device and a corresponding method for temporarily
repairing a ruptured or otherwise damaged track without having to puncture the
belting of the track between the exterior and interior side thereof.
SUMMARY
The object of the present invention is to fulfill the above-identified needs
and to
allow a ruptured or otherwise damaged track to be temporarily repaired where
the
vehicle is located.
More particularly, the present invention provides a device for temporarily
repairing
a damaged rubber-band track, the track extending in a longitudinal direction
and
having an exterior ground-engaging side and an interior side. The device is
characterized in that it comprises:
a plurality of spaced-apart and parallel support members, each support
member having two ends and being to be transversely disposed on
the exterior side of the track with reference to the longitudinal
direction;
a plurality of linking members, each respectively extending parallel to the
longitudinal direction between corresponding ends of two adjacent
support members;
first means for pivotally connecting each linking member to the
corresponding ends of two respective and adjacent support
members;
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a plurality of track retention members, each connected to a corresponding
end of a respective support member and projecting inwardly to
define a track retention space; and
second means for positively securing the damaged region of the track to
the device.
The present invention also provides a method for temporarily repairing a
damaged
rubber-band track, the track extending in a longitudinal direction and having
an
exterior ground-engaging side and an interior side. The method is
characterized
in that it comprises the steps of:
a) positioning a repair device on the exterior side of the track and with
reference to a damaged region thereof; and
b) securing the device to the track.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed
description and appended figures in which:
FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a field-repair device according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a ruptured rubber-band track on which is
mounted the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the rubber-band track and the device shown in FIG.
2.
FIG. 4 is an upper view of the rubber-band track and the device shown in
FIG. 2.
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FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interior side of the rubber-band track and
of the device shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the rubber-band track and the device shown in
FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is a side view of an individual support member such as the ones
used in the device of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The appended figures show an example of a device (10) according to the present
invention. FIG. 1 shows the device (10) alone, while FIGS. 2 to 6 show the
device
(10) mounted on a typical rubber-band track (50). Other models are also
possible,
depending on the kind and the extent of the damage as well as the model of
track.
Unless otherwise indicated, the various parts of the device (10) are
preferably
made of metal.
The track (50) is in the form of an endless band which extends in a
longitudinal
direction that corresponds to the normal driving direction of the vehicle. It
has an
exterior ground-engaging side (50a) and an interior side (50b). The exterior
side
(50a) is provided with a tread (51 ) encased with the material of the track
(50) and
which provides adequate traction on the ground. The interior side (50b) shows
a
plurality of repeated sections, each comprising drive lug or lugs (52). Each
section
of the illustrated track (50) also comprises a central guide horn (54).
However,
guide horns (54) are not always present on all tracks. The guide horn (54) is
separated from the drive lugs (52) of the illustrated track (50) by
corresponding flat
strips (56). The drive lugs (52) serve as anchoring points for the sprocket
wheels
of the track driving system (not shown). The purpose of the guide horns (54)
is to
maintain the track (50) in a proper alignment when the application requires
it,
depending on the side load applied to the track (50) in working conditions.
The flat
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strips (56) are used as a track for the road wheels (not shown) on which rest
the
weight of the vehicle.
Each section of the track (50) is separated from an adjacent section by a
small
5 region having less material to allow the track (50) to bend more easily. Of
course,
the parts of the interior side (50b) of the track (50) are configured and
disposed to
allow the track (50) to bend at least up to the smallest curvature around
which it
has to run.
The device (10) comprises a plurality of spaced-apart and parallel support
members (12). Their exact number depends on the extent of the damage and the
type or the size of the vehicle. Each support member (12) is preferably in the
form
of an elongated rigid rod whose length is substantially equivalent to the
width of
the track (50) to be repaired. The support member (12) can also be slightly
sorter
than the width of the track (50). FIG. 7 shows the preferred aspect of a
support
member (12). The support member (12) comprises a forged head (12a), a
recessed portion (12b) and a threaded end (12c) adjacent to the recessed
portion
(12b).
In use, as shown in FIG. 2, the support members (12) are disposed on the
exterior
side (50a) of the track (50). The ends of the support members (12) are
connected
together by means of two parallel sets of linking members (18). The spacing
between support members (12) is equivalent to the distance between a number
of successive drive lugs (52), which is generally two. The distance could
possibly
be more than two successive drive lugs (52) or even slightly less so as to
create
a small interference that will further hold the parts together. Yet, the
distance
between some support members (12) may be different from others, depending on
the needs.
In the preferred embodiment, there is an odd number of support members (12)
and the central support member (12) is the one designed to be aligned with the
center of the damaged region of the track (50). The central support member
(12)
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could be omitted or designed to be removed if necessary since it may interfere
with remnant pieces of material that are typical of a badly damaged region of
a
track (50).
The linking members (18) of each set are pivotally interconnected one after
the
other and form an articulated linkage that is adjacent to a respective side
edge of
the track (50). Means are also provided for pivotally connecting each linking
member (18) to the corresponding end of an adjacent support member (12). In
the
preferred embodiment, each linking member (18) is in the form of an elongated
plate that partially overlaps an adjacent one. Each plate comprises two
opposite
holes at the ends thereof. Two corresponding holes of adjacent linking members
(18) are in registry with each other and a corresponding support member (12)
is
inserted through them. The linking members (18) at the opposite end are
connected in a similar way and are aligned with the recessed portion (12b). A
nut
(22) is inserted on the threaded end (12c) of the support member (12) to lock
the
parts in place. It should be noted that the threaded end (12c) and the nut
(22) can
be replaced by any other arrangement capable of achieving the same result. The
parts are configured and disposed to allow a pivot interconnection between the
linking members (18). This allows the device (10) to follow the curvature of
the
track (50) when the vehicle is in movement or to install the device (10) in a
curved
portion of the track (50). Other arrangements for connecting the linking
members
(18) are also possible, including for instance bolts (not shown) that are to
be
inserted in a threaded hole made in the center of a corresponding support
member
(12). Yet, another kind of articulated linkage may be used, such as steel
cables,
flexible strips of a plastic material or any other similar arrangements, as
apparent
to a person skilled in the art, all of which provide a pivot interconnection
between
the integral segments forming the linking members (18).
The device (10) also comprises two sets of L-shaped track retention members
(30)
that are connected to or near a respective end of the support members (12).
These track retention members (30) have a free end that is projecting
inwardly.
Each track retention member (30) defines a track retention space with the
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corresponding support member (12) and in which the track (50) is to be
retained.
The purpose of the track retention members (30) is to be in engagement with
the
corresponding side edge and the interior side (50b) of the track (50) in order
to
maintain the device (10) in place. As shown in FIG. 4, the track retention
members
(30) are located in the space between two successive drive lugs (52). The
shape
and size of the track retention members (30) should allow them to fit in that
space
while not significantly interfering with the flexibility of the track (50) or
the track
driving system. The track retention members (30) are preferably directly
pivotally
connected to the support members (12) by a hole in which a corresponding
support member (12) is inserted.
The track retention members (30) can be omitted at certain locations. For
example, in the preferred embodiment, there are no tongue members (30) aligned
with the central support member (12) which is to be aligned with the center of
the
damaged region on the track (50). Omitting these tongue members (30) avoid the
possible interferences with the remnant pieces of damaged material. Yet,
tongue
members (30) could possibly be provided at alternate locations instead of
opposite
ends of each support member (30).
The device (10) is further provided with means for positively securing the
device
(10) to the boundaries of the damaged region of the track (50). These means
are
especially important in the case of a ruptured or nearly ruptured track (50)
since
the two sides around the crack may eventually bend toward the center,
interfere
with the driving system of the track (50) and then be forced out of the device
(10).
Preferably, the means comprise upright projecting flanges (34) and screws (38)
to
be inserted in a corresponding hole made through the flanges (34). The flanges
(34) either are a separate piece secured to a respective linking member (18)
or
made integral therewith. The flanges (34) are configured and disposed so that
the
screws (38) can be inserted on the side of the track (50), preferably on the
side of
a drive lug (52). The screws (38) are preferably inserted into a tapered hole
made
when installing the device (10). Screws (38) should be inserted in each
damaged
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region of the track (50) from both sides. It should be noted that the screws
(38) can
be replaced by bolts, nails, pins or any other suitable fasteners.
Additional flanges (34) and screws (38) can be provided at more locations,
especially if one or more sections of the track (50) are missing. In this
case, the
device (10) would be used as a link between the free ends of the track (50)
and
maintain them in place.
In the preferred embodiment, a block (14) is provided at each end of the
support
members (12). The main purpose of the blocks (14) is to prevent the support
members (12) from bending and to distribute the load toward the sides of the
track
(50). The blocks (14) are slid on the support members (12) and are preferably
made of a highly-resistant plastic material. Other materials can be used as
well.
It should be noted that there are no blocks (14) on the central support member
(12) to prevent them from interfering with the possible remnant pieces of
damaged
material of the track (50). Yet, the blocks (14) can possibly be made integral
with
the support members (12).
The device (10) is preferably installed with the parts removed from one end of
each support member (12). This allows the device (10) to be transversely
inserted
on the track (50) from the interior. The device (10) is then pushed sidewards
until
the track retention members (30) of the interior side are fully in place. The
other
sets of linking members (18), track retention means (30), nuts (22) and all
other
parts of the exterior side of the device (10) are installed by hand from the
exterior.
Of course, other methods of installation are possible, depending for example
on
the situation in the field and the design of the device (10) to be installed.
Once
repaired, the vehicle is allowed to proceed at on its own to the nearest
maintenance site or to a convenient location where the replacement of the
damaged track (50) can be undertaken.
The present invention can be advantageously used for temporarily repairing of
a
ruptured or otherwise damaged rubber-band track of almost any kind of vehicle
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with an internal track driving system, for instance off-highway utility
vehicles,
snowmobiles, tanks and other military vehicles. It can also be used to
reinforce a
region of a track (50) that show signs of a possible rupture or crack before
it
actually happens. The device (10) is then positioned on where the track (50)
may
rupture. If necessary, more than one device (10) can be installed on the same
track (50). Another advantage of the present invention is that the belting of
the
track (50) does not need to be punctured between the interior and exterior
side
thereof, which greatly simplifies the installation of the device (10).
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail
herein and illustrated in the accompanying figures, it is to be understood
that the
invention is not limited to this precise embodiment and that various changes
and
modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or
spirit of
the present invention.
