Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
11
CLAIMS
1. An endless track for traction of a snowmobile, the endless track
comprising:
- an inner side for facing a set of wheels of the snowmobile, the
set of
wheels comprising a drive wheel for imparting motion of the endless track;
- a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground, the ground-
engaging outer side having traction projections spaced apart along a
longitudinal
direction of the endless track, each traction projection comprising
elastomeric
material that contacts the ground when the traction projection contacts the
ground;
and
- reinforcing rods embedded between the inner side and the ground-
engaging outer side, the reinforcing rods being spaced apart along the
longitudinal
direction of the endless track and extending transversally to the longitudinal
direction
of the endless track to provide transverse rigidity to the endless track,
wherein, along the longitudinal direction of the endless track, a spacing of
successive reinforcing rods is different from a spacing of successive traction
projections such that, when the snowmobile is operated at a given speed, less
noise
is generated than if the inner side was unchanged and the ground-engaging
outer
side was unchanged but the spacing of successive reinforcing rods was
identical to
the spacing of successive traction projections.
2. An endless track as defined in claim 1, the given speed being between 40
miles per hour and 60 miles per hour.
3. An endless track as defined in claim 1, the given speed being 50 miles
per
hour.
4. An endless track as defined in claim 1, the given speed being 50 miles
per
hour, wherein, when the snowmobile is operated at the given speed, a frequency
spectrum of generated noise manifests a highest noise level that is less than
if the
inner side was unchanged and the ground-engaging outer side was unchanged but
12
the spacing of successive reinforcing rods was identical to the spacing of
successive
traction projections.
5. An endless track as defined in claim 4, the highest noise level being at
least 2
dB less than if the inner side was unchanged and the ground-engaging outer
side
was unchanged but the spacing of successive reinforcing rods was identical to
the
spacing of successive traction projections.
6. An endless track as defined in claim 4, the highest noise level being
more
than 2 dB less than if the inner side was unchanged and the ground-engaging
outer
side was unchanged but the spacing of successive reinforcing rods was
identical to
the spacing of successive traction projections.
7. An endless track as defined in claim 4, the highest noise level being at
a
frequency between 300 Hz and 450 Hz.
8. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, the spacing of
successive reinforcing rods being greater than the spacing of successive
traction
projections.
9. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8, the spacing of
successive reinforcing rods being at least twice the spacing of successive
traction
projections.
10. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, the spacing of
successive reinforcing rods being no less than three times the spacing of
successive
traction projections.
11. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8, the spacing of
successive reinforcing rods being a multiple of the spacing of successive
traction
projections.
12. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11, the inner
side
having wheel-contacting projections spaced apart along the longitudinal
direction of
13
the endless track, each wheel-contacting projection comprising elastomeric
material
that contacts a given one of the wheels when the wheel-contacting projection
contacts the given one of the wheels.
13. An endless track as defined in claim 12, the wheel-contacting
projections
being drive projections, the given one of the wheels being the drive wheel.
14. An endless track as defined in claim 12, wherein, along the
longitudinal
direction of the endless track, the spacing of successive reinforcing rods is
greater
than a spacing of successive wheel-contacting projections.
15. An endless track as defined in claim 14, the spacing of successive
reinforcing
rods being at least twice the spacing of successive wheel-contacting
projections.
16. An endless track as defined in claim 14 or 15, the spacing of
successive
reinforcing rods being no less than three times the spacing of successive
wheel-
contacting projections.
17. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 1 to 16, the
elastomeric
material of each traction projection comprising rubber.
18. A snowmobile comprising an endless track as defined in any one of
claims 1
to 17.
19. An endless track for traction of a snowmobile, the snowmobile
comprising a
track-engaging part for engaging the endless track, the track-engaging part of
the
snowmobile comprising a set of wheels, the set of wheels comprising a drive
wheel
for imparting motion of the endless track around the track-engaging part of
the
snowmobile, the endless track comprising:
- an inner side for facing the track-engaging part of the snowmobile,
the
inner side having inner projections spaced apart along a longitudinal
direction of the
endless track, each inner projection comprising elastomeric material that
contacts
14
the track-engaging part of the snowmobile when the inner projection contacts
the
track-engaging part of the snowmobile;
- a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground, the ground-
engaging outer side having traction projections spaced apart along the
longitudinal
direction of the endless track, each traction projection comprising
elastomeric
material that contacts the ground when the traction projection engages the
ground;
and
- reinforcing rods embedded between the inner side and the ground-
engaging outer side and spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the
endless
track, the reinforcing rods extending transversally to the longitudinal
direction of the
endless track to provide transverse rigidity to the endless track;
wherein, along the longitudinal direction of the endless track: a reinforcing
rod is
located where an inner projection is located; a spacing of successive
reinforcing
rods is greater than a spacing of successive traction projections; and at
least one
inner projection and at least one traction projection are located between
successive
reinforcing rods.
20. An endless track as defined in claim 19, wherein, when the snowmobile
is
operated at a given speed, less noise is generated than if the inner
projections were
unchanged and the traction projections were unchanged but the spacing of
successive reinforcing rods was identical to the spacing of successive
traction
projections.
21. An endless track as defined in claim 20, the given speed being 50 miles
per
hour.
22. An endless track as defined in claim 19, wherein, when the snowmobile
is
operated at a speed of 50 miles per hour, a frequency spectrum of generated
noise
manifests a highest noise level that is less than if the inner projections
were
unchanged and the traction projections were unchanged but the spacing of
successive reinforcing rods was identical to the spacing of successive
traction
projections.
15
23. An endless track as defined in claim 22, the highest noise level being
at least
2 dB less than if the inner projections were unchanged and the traction
projections
were unchanged but the spacing of successive reinforcing rods was identical to
the
spacing of successive traction projections.
24. An endless track as defined in claim 23, the highest noise level being
more
than 2 dB less than if the inner projections were unchanged and the traction
projections were unchanged but the spacing of successive reinforcing rods was
identical to the spacing of successive traction projections.
25. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 22 to 24, the highest
noise
level being at a frequency between 300 Hz and 450 Hz.
26. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 19 to 25, the spacing
of
successive reinforcing rods being at least twice the spacing of successive
traction
projections.
27. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 19 to 26, the spacing
of
successive reinforcing rods being no less than three times the spacing of
successive
traction projections.
28. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 19 to 25, the spacing
of
successive reinforcing rods being a multiple of the spacing of successive
traction
projections.
29. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 19 to 28, the inner
projections comprising wheel-contacting projections for engaging the set of
wheels.
30. An endless track as defined in claim 29, the wheel-contacting
projections
comprising drive projections for engaging the drive wheel.
31. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 19 to 28, wherein,
along the
longitudinal direction of the endless track, the spacing of successive
reinforcing rods
is greater than a spacing of successive inner projections.
16
32. An endless track as defined in claim 31, the spacing of successive
reinforcing
rods being at least twice the spacing of successive inner projections.
33. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 19 to 32, the
elastomeric
material comprising rubber.
34. An endless track for traction of a snowmobile, the endless track
comprising:
- an inner side for engaging a plurality of wheels of the
snowmobile, the
inner side comprising a plurality of wheel-contacting projections, each wheel-
contacting projection comprising elastomeric material that contacts a given
one of
the wheels when the wheel-contacting projection contacts the given one of the
wheels;
- a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground, the ground-
engaging outer side comprising a plurality of traction projections spaced
apart along
a longitudinal direction of the endless track; and
- a plurality of reinforcing rods embedded in the endless track, the
reinforcing rods being spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the
endless
track and extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the endless
track to
provide transverse rigidity to the endless track,
wherein, along the longitudinal direction of the endless track: a given one of
the
reinforcing rods is located where a given one of the wheel-contacting
projections is
located; a spacing of successive ones of the reinforcing rods is greater than
a
spacing of successive ones of the traction projections; and at least one of
the
traction projections and at least one of the wheel-contacting projections are
located
between successive ones of the reinforcing rods.
35. An endless track as defined in claim 34, the spacing of successive ones
of
the reinforcing rods being sufficiently greater than the spacing of successive
ones of
the traction projections such that, when the snowmobile is operated at a speed
of 50
miles per hour, a frequency spectrum of generated noise manifests a highest
noise
level that is less than if the wheel-contacting projections were unchanged and
the
traction projections were unchanged but the spacing of successive ones of the
17
reinforcing rods was identical to the spacing of successive ones of the
traction
projections.
36. An endless track as defined in claim 35, the highest noise level being
at least
2 dB less than if the wheel-contacting projections were unchanged and the
traction
projections were unchanged but the spacing of successive ones of the
reinforcing
rods was identical to the spacing of successive ones of the traction
projections.
37. An endless track as defined in claim 35, the highest noise level being
more
than 2 dB less than if the wheel-contacting projections were unchanged and the
traction projections were unchanged but the spacing of successive ones of the
reinforcing rods was identical to the spacing of successive ones of the
traction
projections.
38. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 35 to 37, the highest
noise
level being at a frequency between 300 Hz and 450 Hz.
39. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 34 to 38, wherein,
along the
longitudinal direction of the endless track, more than one of the traction
projections
are located between successive ones of the reinforcing rods and more than one
of
the wheel-contacting projections are located between successive ones of the
reinforcing rods.
40. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 34 to 38, the spacing
of
successive ones of the reinforcing rods being at least twice the spacing of
successive ones of the traction projections.
41. An endless track as defined in claim 40, the spacing of successive ones
of
the reinforcing rods being no less than three times the spacing of successive
ones of
the traction projections.
18
42. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 34 to 38, the spacing
of
successive ones of the reinforcing rods being a multiple of the spacing of
successive
ones of the traction projections.
43. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 34 to 38, the given
one of
the reinforcing rods being a first given one of the reinforcing rods, the
given one of
the wheel-contacting projections being a first given one of the wheel-
contacting
projections, wherein, along the longitudinal direction of the endless track, a
second
given one of the reinforcing rods is located where a second given one of the
wheel-
contacting projections is located.
44. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 34 to 42, the given
one of
the wheels being a drive wheel for imparting motion to the endless track, the
wheel-
contacting projections being drive projections spaced apart along the
longitudinal
direction of the endless track.
45. An endless track as defined in claim 44, wherein, along the
longitudinal
direction of the endless track, the spacing of successive ones of the
reinforcing rods
is greater than a spacing of successive ones of the drive projections.
46. An endless track as defined in claim 45, the spacing of successive ones
of
the reinforcing rods being at least twice the spacing of successive ones of
the drive
projections.
47. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 34 to 46, the
elastomeric
material comprising rubber.
48. A snowmobile comprising an endless track as defined in any one of
claims 34
to 47.
49. An endless track for traction of a snowmobile, the endless track
comprising:
- an inner side for engaging a plurality of wheels of the
snowmobile, the
wheels including a drive wheel for imparting motion to the endless track, the
inner
19
side comprising a wheel-engaging portion for engaging the drive wheel, the
wheel-
engaging portion comprising rubber material that contacts the drive wheel when
the
wheel-engaging portion engages the drive wheel;
- a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground, the ground-
engaging outer side comprising a plurality of traction lugs projecting
outwardly and
spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of the endless track; and
- a plurality of reinforcing rods embedded in the endless track, the
reinforcing rods being spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the
endless
track and extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the endless
track to
provide transverse rigidity to the endless track,
wherein, along the longitudinal direction of the endless track, a spacing of
successive ones of the reinforcing rods is sufficiently different from a
spacing of
successive ones of the traction lugs such that, when the snowmobile is
operated at a
speed of 50 miles per hour, a frequency spectrum of generated noise manifests
a
highest noise level that is at least 2 dB less than if the wheel-engaging
portion was
unchanged and the traction lugs were unchanged but the spacing of successive
ones of the reinforcing rods was identical to the spacing of successive ones
of the
traction lugs.
50. An endless track as defined in claim 49, the spacing of successive ones
of
the reinforcing rods being greater than the spacing of successive ones of the
traction
lugs.
51. An endless track as defined in claim 49 or 50, the spacing of
successive ones
of the reinforcing rods being at least twice the spacing of successive ones of
the
traction lugs.
52. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 49 to 51, the spacing
of
successive ones of the reinforcing rods being no less than three times the
spacing of
successive ones of the traction lugs.
20
53. An endless track as defined in claim 49 or 50, the spacing of
successive ones
of the reinforcing rods being a multiple of the spacing of successive ones of
the
traction lugs.
54. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 49 to 53, the highest
noise
level being at a frequency between 300 Hz and 450 Hz.
55. An endless track as defined in claim 54, the frequency of the highest
noise
level being between 330 Hz and 420 Hz.
56. An endless track as defined in claim 55, the frequency of the highest
noise
level being between 350 Hz and 400 Hz.
57. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 49 to 56, each of the
reinforcing rods being aligned with a respective one of the traction lugs.
58. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 49 to 57, the wheel-
engaging portion comprising a plurality of drive lugs projecting inwardly and
spaced
apart along the longitudinal direction of the endless track.
59. An endless track as defined in claim 58, wherein, along the
longitudinal
direction of the endless track, the spacing of successive ones of the
reinforcing rods
is greater than a spacing of successive ones of the drive lugs.
60. An endless track as defined in claim 59, the spacing of successive ones
of
the reinforcing rods being at least twice the spacing of successive ones of
the drive
lugs.
61. An endless track as defined in claim 58, each of the reinforcing rods
being
aligned with a respective one of the traction lugs and a respective one of the
drive
lugs.
21
62. An endless track as defined in claim 61, each of the traction lugs
having a
height that is substantially greater than a height of a given one of the drive
lugs with
which it is aligned.
63. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 49 to 62, the
reinforcing rods
being reinforced with fiberglass.
64. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 49 to 63, the highest
noise
level being more than 2 dB less than if the wheel-engaging portion was
unchanged
and the traction lugs were unchanged but the spacing of successive ones of the
reinforcing rods was identical to the spacing of successive ones of the
traction lugs.
65. A snowmobile comprising an endless track as defined in any one of
claims 49
to 64.
66. A method for manufacturing an endless track for a snowmobile with a
reduced noise profile, the endless track comprising: an inner side for
engaging a
plurality of wheels of the snowmobile, the wheels including a drive wheel for
imparting motion to the endless track, the inner side comprising a wheel-
engaging
portion for engaging the drive wheel, the wheel-engaging portion comprising
rubber
material that contacts the drive wheel when the wheel-engaging portion engages
the
drive wheel; a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground, the ground-
engaging outer side comprising a plurality of traction lugs projecting
outwardly and
spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of the endless track; and a
plurality of
reinforcing rods embedded in the endless track, the reinforcing rods being
spaced
apart along the longitudinal direction of the endless track and extending
transversally
to the longitudinal direction of the endless track to provide transverse
rigidity to the
endless track, the method comprising:
- designing the structure of the endless track, the designing
including
selecting the pitch of the reinforcing rods with relation to the pitch of the
traction lugs
such that, when the snowmobile is operated at a speed of 50 miles per hour,
the
frequency spectrum of noise produced manifests a highest noise level that is
at least
22
2 dB less than if the wheel-engaging portion was unchanged and the traction
lugs
were unchanged but the pitch of the reinforcing rods was the same as the pitch
of
the traction lugs; and
- manufacturing the endless track according to the designing.
67. A method as defined in claim 66, wherein the highest noise level is
found in
the frequency range between 300 Hz and 450 Hz.
68. A method as defined in claim 67, wherein the highest noise level is
found in
the frequency range between 330 Hz and 420 Hz.
69. A method as defined in any one of claims 66 to 68, wherein the
selecting
includes selecting the pitch of the reinforcing rods such that it is larger
than the pitch
of the traction lugs.
70. A method as defined in any one of claims 66 to 69, wherein the
selecting
includes selecting the pitch of the reinforcing rods such that it is at least
twice the
pitch of the traction lugs.
71. A method as defined in any one of claims 66 to 70, wherein the
selecting
includes selecting the pitch of the reinforcing rods such that it is no less
than three
times the pitch of the traction lugs.
72. A method as defined in any one of claims 66 to 69, wherein the
selecting
includes selecting the pitch of the reinforcing rods such that it is a
multiple of the
pitch of the traction lugs.
73. A method as defined in any one of claims 66 to 72, wherein the
designing
includes choosing the location of the reinforcing rods with respect to the
traction lugs
such that each reinforcing rod is aligned with a traction lug.
74. A method as defined in any one of claims 66 to 73, the wheel-engaging
portion comprising a plurality of drive lugs projecting inwardly and spaced
apart
along the longitudinal direction of the endless track.
23
75. A method for reducing a highest noise level in a frequency spectrum of
noise
produced when a snowmobile is operated at a speed of 50 miles per hour, the
snowmobile comprising an endless track that comprises: an inner side for
engaging
a plurality of wheels of the snowmobile, the wheels including a drive wheel
for
imparting motion to the endless track, the inner side comprising a wheel-
engaging
portion for engaging the drive wheel, the wheel-engaging portion comprising
rubber
material that contacts the drive wheel when the wheel-engaging portion engages
the
drive wheel; a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground, the ground-
engaging outer side comprising a plurality of traction lugs projecting
outwardly and
spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of the endless track; and a
plurality of
reinforcing rods embedded in the endless track, the reinforcing rods being
spaced
apart along the longitudinal direction of the endless track and extending
transversally
to the longitudinal direction of the endless track to provide transverse
rigidity to the
endless track, the method comprising:
- designing the structure of the endless track, the designing including
selecting the pitch of the reinforcing rods such that the pitch of the
reinforcing rods
exceeds the pitch of the traction lugs by a degree sufficient to reduce the
highest
noise level by at least 2 dB in comparison to that which would be produced if
the
wheel-engaging portion was unchanged and the traction lugs were unchanged but
the pitch of the reinforcing rods was the same as the pitch of the traction
lugs;
- manufacturing the endless track according to the designing;
installing the endless track on a snowmobile; and
- driving the snowmobile at a speed of 50 miles per hour.
76. A method as defined in claim 75, the wheel-engaging portion comprising
a
plurality of drive lugs projecting inwardly and spaced apart along the
longitudinal
direction of the endless track.
77. An endless track for traction of a vehicle, the endless track
comprising:
an inner side for facing a set of wheels of the vehicle, the set of wheels
comprising a drive wheel for imparting motion of the endless track;
24
a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground, the ground-engaging
outer
side having traction projections spaced apart along a longitudinal direction
of the
endless track, each traction projection comprising elastomeric material that
contacts
the ground when the traction projection contacts the ground; and
- reinforcing rods embedded between the inner side and the ground-
engaging outer side, the reinforcing rods being spaced apart along the
longitudinal
direction of the endless track and extending transversally to the longitudinal
direction
of the endless track to provide transverse rigidity to the endless track,
wherein, along the longitudinal direction of the endless track, a spacing of
successive reinforcing rods is different from a spacing of successive traction
projections such that, when the vehicle is operated at a given speed, less
noise is
generated than if the inner side was unchanged and the ground-engaging outer
side
was unchanged but the spacing of successive reinforcing rods was identical to
the
spacing of successive traction projections.
78. An endless track as defined in claim 77, the given speed being between
40
miles per hour and 60 miles per hour.
79. An endless track as defined in claim 77, the given speed being 50 miles
per
hour.
80. An endless track as defined in claim 77, the given speed being 50 miles
per
hour, wherein, when the snowmobile is operated at the given speed, a frequency
spectrum of generated noise manifests a highest noise level that is less than
if the
inner side was unchanged and the ground-engaging outer side was unchanged but
the spacing of successive reinforcing rods was identical to the spacing of
successive
traction projections.
81. An endless track as defined in claim 80, the highest noise level being
at least
2 dB less than if the inner side was unchanged and the ground-engaging outer
side
was unchanged but the spacing of successive reinforcing rods was identical to
the
spacing of successive traction projections.
25
82. An endless track as defined in claim 80, the highest noise level being
more
than 2 dB less than if the inner side was unchanged and the ground-engaging
outer
side was unchanged but the spacing of successive reinforcing rods was
identical to
the spacing of successive traction projections.
83. An endless track as defined in claim 80, the highest noise level being
at a
frequency between 300 Hz and 450 Hz.
84. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 77 to 83, the spacing
of
successive reinforcing rods being greater than the spacing of successive
traction
projections.
85. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 77 to 84, the spacing
of
successive reinforcing rods being at least twice the spacing of successive
traction
projections.
86. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 77 to 85, the spacing
of
successive reinforcing rods being no less than three times the spacing of
successive
traction projections.
87. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 77 to 84, the spacing
of
successive reinforcing rods being a multiple of the spacing of successive
traction
projections.
88. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 77 to 87, the inner
side
having wheel-contacting projections spaced apart along the longitudinal
direction of
the endless track, each wheel-contacting projection comprising elastomeric
material
that contacts a given one of the wheels when the wheel-contacting projection
contacts the given one of the wheels.
89. An endless track as defined in claim 88, the wheel-contacting
projections
being drive projections, the given one of the wheels being the drive wheel.
26
90. An endless track as defined in claim 88, wherein, along the
longitudinal
direction of the endless track, the spacing of successive reinforcing rods is
greater
than a spacing of successive wheel-contacting projections.
91. An endless track as defined in claim 90, the spacing of successive
reinforcing
rods being at least twice the spacing of successive wheel-contacting
projections.
92. An endless track as defined in claim 90 or 91, the spacing of
successive
reinforcing rods being no less than three times the spacing of successive
wheel-
contacting projections.
93. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 77 to 92, the
elastomeric
material of each traction projection comprising rubber.
94. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 77 to 93, wherein the
vehicle
is a snowmobile.
95. A snowmobile comprising an endless track as defined in any one of
claims 77
to 93.
96. An endless track for traction of a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a
track-
engaging part for engaging the endless track, the track-engaging part of the
vehicle
comprising a set of wheels, the set of wheels comprising a drive wheel for
imparting
motion of the endless track around the track-engaging part of the vehicle, the
endless track comprising:
- an inner side for facing the track-engaging part of the vehicle, the
inner
side having inner projections spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of
the
endless track, each inner projection comprising elastomeric material that
contacts
the track-engaging part of the vehicle when the inner projection contacts the
track-
engaging part of the vehicle;
- a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground, the ground-
engaging outer side having traction projections spaced apart along the
longitudinal
direction of the endless track, each traction projection comprising
elastomeric
27
material that contacts the ground when the traction projection engages the
ground;
and
- reinforcing rods embedded between the inner side and the ground-
engaging outer side and spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the
endless
track, the reinforcing rods extending transversally to the longitudinal
direction of the
endless track to provide transverse rigidity to the endless track;
wherein, along the longitudinal direction of the endless track: a reinforcing
rod is
located where an inner projection is located; a spacing of successive
reinforcing
rods is greater than a spacing of successive traction projections; and at
least one
inner projection and at least one traction projection are located between
successive
reinforcing rods.
97. An endless track as defined in claim 96, wherein, when the vehicle is
operated at a given speed, less noise is generated than if the inner
projections were
unchanged and the traction projections were unchanged but the spacing of
successive reinforcing rods was identical to the spacing of successive
traction
projections.
98. An endless track as defined in claim 97, the given speed being 50 miles
per
hour.
99. An endless track as defined in claim 96, wherein, when the vehicle is
operated at a speed of 50 miles per hour, a frequency spectrum of generated
noise
manifests a highest noise level that is less than if the inner projections
were
unchanged and the traction projections were unchanged but the spacing of
successive reinforcing rods was identical to the spacing of successive
traction
projections.
100. An endless track as defined in claim 99, the highest noise level being at
least
2 dB less than if the inner projections were unchanged and the traction
projections
were unchanged but the spacing of successive reinforcing rods was identical to
the
spacing of successive traction projections.
28
101. An endless track as defined in claim 100, the highest noise level being
more
than 2 dB less than if the inner projections were unchanged and the traction
projections were unchanged but the spacing of successive reinforcing rods was
identical to the spacing of successive traction projections.
102. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 99 to 101, the highest
noise
level being at a frequency between 300 Hz and 450 Hz.
103. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 96 to 102, the spacing
of
successive reinforcing rods being at least twice the spacing of successive
traction
projections.
104. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 96 to 103, the spacing
of
successive reinforcing rods being no less than three times the spacing of
successive
traction projections.
105. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 96 to 102, the spacing
of
successive reinforcing rods being a multiple of the spacing of successive
traction
projections.
106. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 96 to 105, the inner
projections comprising wheel-contacting projections for engaging the set of
wheels.
107. An endless track as defined in claim 106, the wheel-contacting
projections
comprising drive projections for engaging the drive wheel.
108. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 96 to 105, wherein,
along
the longitudinal direction of the endless track, the spacing of successive
reinforcing
rods is greater than a spacing of successive inner projections.
109. An endless track as defined in claim 108, the spacing of successive
reinforcing rods being at least twice the spacing of successive inner
projections.
29
110. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 96 to 109, the
elastomeric
material comprising rubber.
111. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 96 to 110, wherein the
vehicle is a snowmobile.
112. An endless track for traction of a vehicle, the endless track comprising:
an inner side for engaging a plurality of wheels of the vehicle, the inner
side comprising a plurality of wheel-contacting projections, each wheel-
contacting
projection comprising elastomeric material that contacts a given one of the
wheels
when the wheel-contacting projection contacts the given one of the wheels;
a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground, the ground-
engaging outer side comprising a plurality of traction projections spaced
apart along
a longitudinal direction of the endless track; and
a plurality of reinforcing rods embedded in the endless track, the
reinforcing rods being spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the
endless
track and extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the endless
track to
provide transverse rigidity to the endless track,
wherein, along the longitudinal direction of the endless track: a given one of
the
reinforcing rods is located where a given one of the wheel-contacting
projections is
located; a spacing of successive ones of the reinforcing rods is greater than
a
spacing of successive ones of the traction projections; and at least one of
the
traction projections and at least one of the wheel-contacting projections are
located
between successive ones of the reinforcing rods.
113. An endless track as defined in claim 112, the spacing of successive ones
of
the reinforcing rods being sufficiently greater than the spacing of successive
ones of
the traction projections such that, when the vehicle is operated at a speed of
50
miles per hour, a frequency spectrum of generated noise manifests a highest
noise
level that is less than if the wheel-contacting projections were unchanged and
the
traction projections were unchanged but the spacing of successive ones of the
30
reinforcing rods was identical to the spacing of successive ones of the
traction
projections.
114. An endless track as defined in claim 113, the highest noise level being
at
least 2 dB less than if the wheel-contacting projections were unchanged and
the
traction projections were unchanged but the spacing of successive ones of the
reinforcing rods was identical to the spacing of successive ones of the
traction
projections.
115. An endless track as defined in claim 113, the highest noise level being
more
than 2 dB less than if the wheel-contacting projections were unchanged and the
traction projections were unchanged but the spacing of successive ones of the
reinforcing rods was identical to the spacing of successive ones of the
traction
projections.
116. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 113 to 115, the highest
noise level being at a frequency between 300 Hz and 450 Hz.
117. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 112 to 116, wherein,
along
the longitudinal direction of the endless track, more than one of the traction
projections are located between successive ones of the reinforcing rods and
more
than one of the wheel-contacting projections are located between successive
ones
of the reinforcing rods.
118. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 112 to 116, the spacing
of
successive ones of the reinforcing rods being at least twice the spacing of
successive ones of the traction projections.
119. An endless track as defined in claim 118, the spacing of successive ones
of
the reinforcing rods being no less than three times the spacing of successive
ones of
the traction projections.
31
120. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 112 to 116, the spacing
of
successive ones of the reinforcing rods being a multiple of the spacing of
successive
ones of the traction projections.
121. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 112 to 116, the given
one of
the reinforcing rods being a first given one of the reinforcing rods, the
given one of
the wheel-contacting projections being a first given one of the wheel-
contacting
projections, wherein, along the longitudinal direction of the endless track, a
second
given one of the reinforcing rods is located where a second given one of the
wheel-
contacting projections is located.
122. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 112 to 120, the given
one of
the wheels being a drive wheel for imparting motion to the endless track, the
wheel-
contacting projections being drive projections spaced apart along the
longitudinal
direction of the endless track.
123. An endless track as defined in claim 122, wherein, along the longitudinal
direction of the endless track, the spacing of successive ones of the
reinforcing rods
is greater than a spacing of successive ones of the drive projections.
124. An endless track as defined in claim 123, the spacing of successive ones
of
the reinforcing rods being at least twice the spacing of successive ones of
the drive
projections.
125. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 112 to 124, the
elastomeric
material comprising rubber.
126. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 112 to 125, wherein the
vehicle is a snowmobile.
127. A snowmobile comprising an endless track as defined in any one of claims
112 to 125.
32
128. An endless track for traction of a vehicle, the endless track comprising:
- an inner side for engaging a plurality of wheels of the vehicle, the
wheels including a drive wheel for imparting motion to the endless track, the
inner
side comprising a wheel-engaging portion for engaging the drive wheel, the
wheel-
engaging portion comprising rubber material that contacts the drive wheel when
the
wheel-engaging portion engages the drive wheel;
- a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground, the ground-
engaging outer side comprising a plurality of traction lugs projecting
outwardly and
spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of the endless track; and
- a
plurality of reinforcing rods embedded in the endless track, the
reinforcing rods being spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the
endless
track and extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the endless
track to
provide transverse rigidity to the endless track,
wherein, along the longitudinal direction of the endless track, a spacing of
successive ones of the reinforcing rods is sufficiently different from a
spacing of
successive ones of the traction lugs such that, when the vehicle is operated
at a
speed of 50 miles per hour, a frequency spectrum of generated noise manifests
a
highest noise level that is at least 2 dB less than if the wheel-engaging
portion was
unchanged and the traction lugs were unchanged but the spacing of successive
ones of the reinforcing rods was identical to the spacing of successive ones
of the
traction lugs.
129. An endless track as defined in claim 128, the spacing of successive ones
of
the reinforcing rods being greater than the spacing of successive ones of the
traction
lugs.
130. An endless track as defined in claim 128 or 129, the spacing of
successive
ones of the reinforcing rods being at least twice the spacing of successive
ones of
the traction lugs.
33
131. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 128 to 130, the spacing
of
successive ones of the reinforcing rods being no less than three times the
spacing of
successive ones of the traction lugs.
132. An endless track as defined in claim 128 or 129, the spacing of
successive
ones of the reinforcing rods being a multiple of the spacing of successive
ones of the
traction lugs.
133. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 128 to 132, the highest
noise level being at a frequency between 300 Hz and 450 Hz.
134. An endless track as defined in claim 133, the frequency of the highest
noise
level being between 330 Hz and 420 Hz.
135. An endless track as defined in claim 134, the frequency of the highest
noise
level being between 350 Hz and 400 Hz.
136. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 128 to 135, each of the
reinforcing rods being aligned with a respective one of the traction lugs.
137. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 128 to 136, the wheel-
engaging portion comprising a plurality of drive lugs projecting inwardly and
spaced
apart along the longitudinal direction of the endless track.
138. An endless track as defined in claim 137, wherein, along the longitudinal
direction of the endless track, the spacing of successive ones of the
reinforcing rods
is greater than a spacing of successive ones of the drive lugs.
139. An endless track as defined in claim 138, the spacing of successive ones
of
the reinforcing rods being at least twice the spacing of successive ones of
the drive
lugs.
34
140. An endless track as defined in claim 137, each of the reinforcing rods
being
aligned with a respective one of the traction lugs and a respective one of the
drive
lugs.
141. An endless track as defined in claim 140, each of the traction lugs
having a
height that is substantially greater than a height of a given one of the drive
lugs with
which it is aligned.
142. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 128 to 141, the
reinforcing
rods being reinforced with fiberglass.
143. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 128 to 142, the highest
noise level being more than 2 dB less than if the wheel-engaging portion was
unchanged and the traction lugs were unchanged but the spacing of successive
ones of the reinforcing rods was identical to the spacing of successive ones
of the
traction lugs.
144. An endless track as defined in any one of claims 128 to 143, wherein the
vehicle is a snowmobile.
145. A snowmobile comprising an endless track as defined in any one of claims
128 to 143.
146. A method for manufacturing an endless track for a vehicle with a reduced
noise profile, the endless track comprising: an inner side for engaging a
plurality of
wheels of the vehicle, the wheels including a drive wheel for imparting motion
to the
endless track, the inner side comprising a wheel-engaging portion for engaging
the
drive wheel, the wheel-engaging portion comprising rubber material that
contacts the
drive wheel when the wheel-engaging portion engages the drive wheel; a ground-
engaging outer side for engaging the ground, the ground-engaging outer side
comprising a plurality of traction lugs projecting outwardly and spaced apart
along a
longitudinal direction of the endless track; and a plurality of reinforcing
rods
embedded in the endless track, the reinforcing rods being spaced apart along
the
35
longitudinal direction of the endless track and extending transversally to the
longitudinal direction of the endless track to provide transverse rigidity to
the endless
track, the method comprising:
- designing the structure of the endless track, the designing
including
selecting the pitch of the reinforcing rods with relation to the pitch of the
traction lugs
such that, when the vehicle is operated at a speed of 50 miles per hour, the
frequency spectrum of noise produced manifests a highest noise level that is
at least
2 dB less than if the wheel-engaging portion was unchanged and the traction
lugs
were unchanged but the pitch of the reinforcing rods was the same as the pitch
of
the traction lugs; and
- manufacturing the endless track according to the designing.
147. A method as defined in claim 146, wherein the highest noise level is
found in
the frequency range between 300 Hz and 450 Hz.
148. A method as defined in claim 147, wherein the highest noise level is
found in
the frequency range between 330 Hz and 420 Hz.
149. A method as defined in any one of claims 146 to 148, wherein the
selecting
includes selecting the pitch of the reinforcing rods such that it is larger
than the pitch
of the traction lugs.
150. A method as defined in any one of claims 146 to 149, wherein the
selecting
includes selecting the pitch of the reinforcing rods such that it is at least
twice the
pitch of the traction lugs.
151. A method as defined in any one of claims 146 to 150, wherein the
selecting
includes selecting the pitch of the reinforcing rods such that it is no less
than three
times the pitch of the traction lugs.
152. A method as defined in any one of claims 146 to 149, wherein the
selecting
includes selecting the pitch of the reinforcing rods such that it is a
multiple of the
pitch of the traction lugs.
36
153. A method as defined in any one of claims 146 to 152, wherein the
designing
includes choosing the location of the reinforcing rods with respect to the
traction lugs
such that each reinforcing rod is aligned with a traction lug.
154. A method as defined in any one of claims 146 to 153, the wheel-engaging
portion comprising a plurality of drive lugs projecting inwardly and spaced
apart
along the longitudinal direction of the endless track.
155. A method as defined in any one of claims 146 to 154, wherein the vehicle
is a
snowmobile.
156. A method for reducing a highest noise level in a frequency spectrum of
noise
produced when a vehicle is operated at a speed of 50 miles per hour, the
vehicle
comprising an endless track that comprises: an inner side for engaging a
plurality of
wheels of the vehicle, the wheels including a drive wheel for imparting motion
to the
endless track, the inner side comprising a wheel-engaging portion for engaging
the
drive wheel, the wheel-engaging portion comprising rubber material that
contacts the
drive wheel when the wheel-engaging portion engages the drive wheel; a ground-
engaging outer side for engaging the ground, the ground-engaging outer side
comprising a plurality of traction lugs projecting outwardly and spaced apart
along a
longitudinal direction of the endless track; and a plurality of reinforcing
rods
embedded in the endless track, the reinforcing rods being spaced apart along
the
longitudinal direction of the endless track and extending transversally to the
longitudinal direction of the endless track to provide transverse rigidity to
the endless
track, the method comprising:
- designing the structure of the endless track, the designing
including
selecting the pitch of the reinforcing rods such that the pitch of the
reinforcing rods
exceeds the pitch of the traction lugs by a degree sufficient to reduce the
highest
noise level by at least 2 dB in comparison to that which would be produced if
the
wheel-engaging portion was unchanged and the traction lugs were unchanged but
the pitch of the reinforcing rods was the same as the pitch of the traction
lugs;
- manufacturing the endless track according to the designing;
37
- installing the endless track on a vehicle; and
- driving the vehicle at a speed of 50 miles per hour.
157. A method as defined in claim 156, the wheel-engaging portion comprising a
plurality of drive lugs projecting inwardly and spaced apart along the
longitudinal
direction of the endless track.
158. A method as defined in any one of claims 156 or 157, wherein the vehicle
is a
snowmobile.
159. A track for traction of a vehicle, the track being movable around a
plurality of
wheels which comprises a drive wheel for imparting motion to the track, the
track
comprising elastomeric material to be flexible, the track comprising:
- an inner surface for facing the wheels;
- a ground-engaging outer surface for engaging the ground;
- a plurality of wheel-contacting projections projecting from the inner
surface
and spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the track, each wheel-
contacting projection comprising a portion of the elastomeric material that
contacts a given one of the wheels when the wheel-contacting projection
contacts the given one of the wheels;
- a plurality of traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging
outer
surface and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the track, each
traction projection comprising a portion of the elastomeric material that
contacts the ground when the traction projection engages the ground; and
- a reinforcing rod extending transversally to the longitudinal direction
of the
track, disposed within the elastomeric material, and registering with a given
one of the wheel-contacting projections in the longitudinal direction of the
track;
wherein the track is free of reinforcing rods extending transversally to the
longitudinal direction of the track at locations of respective ones of the
traction
projections in the longitudinal direction of the track.
38
160. A track as defined in claim 159, wherein the wheel-contacting projections
are
drive projections and the given one of the wheels is the drive wheel.
161. A track as defined in any one of claims 159 and 160, wherein the
reinforcing
rod registers with a given one of the traction projections in the longitudinal
direction
of the track.
162. A track as defined in any one of claims 159 to 161, wherein the
respective
ones of the traction projections are consecutive ones of the traction
projections.
163. A track as defined in any one of claims 159 to 162, wherein: the
reinforcing
rod is a first reinforcing rod; the given one of the wheel-contacting
projections is a
first given one of the wheel-contacting projections; and the track comprises a
second reinforcing rod extending transversally to the longitudinal direction
of the
track, disposed within the elastomeric material, and registering with a second
given
one of the wheel-contacting projections in the longitudinal direction of the
track.
164. A track as defined in claim 163, wherein at least one of the respective
ones of
the traction projections is located between the first given one of the wheel-
contacting projections and the second given one of the wheel-contacting
projections in the longitudinal direction of the track.
165. A track as defined in claim 163, wherein at least two of the respective
ones of
the traction projections are located between the first given one of the wheel-
contacting projections and the second given one of the wheel-contacting
projections in the longitudinal direction of the track.
166. A track as defined in any one of claims 159 to 165, wherein a height of
each
of the traction projections is greater than a height of each of the wheel-
contacting
projections.
39
167. A track as defined in any one of claims 159 to 166, wherein, when the
vehicle
is operated at a certain speed, less noise is generated than if the track had
reinforcing rods extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the
track at
the locations of the respective ones of the traction projections in the
longitudinal
direction of the track.
168. A track as defined in claim 167, wherein the certain speed is 50 miles
per
hour.
169. A track as defined in any one of claims 159 to 166, wherein, when the
vehicle
is operated at a speed of 50 miles per hour, a frequency spectrum of generated
noise manifests a highest noise level that is less than if the track had
reinforcing
rods extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the track at the
locations
of the respective ones of the traction projections in the longitudinal
direction of the
track.
170. A track as defined in any one of claims 159 to 169, wherein the vehicle
is a
snowmobile and the track is a snowmobile track.
171. A track system for traction of a vehicle, the track system comprising a
plurality
of wheels and a track as defined in any one of claims 159 to 169.
172. A track system as defined in claim 171, wherein the vehicle is a
snowmobile
and the track system is a snowmobile track system.
173. A vehicle comprising a track as defined in any one of claims 159 to 169.
174. A vehicle comprising a track system as defined in claim 171.
175. A vehicle as defined in any one of claims 173 and 174, wherein the
vehicle is
a snowmobile.
40
176. A track for traction of a vehicle, the track being movable around a
plurality of
wheels which comprises a drive wheel for imparting motion to the track, the
track
comprising elastomeric material to be flexible, the track comprising:
- an inner surface for facing the wheels;
- a ground-engaging outer surface for engaging the ground;
- a plurality of traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging
outer
surface and spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the track; and
- a reinforcing rod extending transversally to the longitudinal
direction of the track
and disposed within the elastomeric material;
wherein the track is free of reinforcing rods extending transversally to the
longitudinal direction of the track at locations of consecutive ones of the
traction
projections in the longitudinal direction of the track.
177. A track as defined in claim 176, comprising a plurality of wheel-
contacting
projections projecting from the inner surface and spaced apart in the
longitudinal
direction of the track.
178. A track as defined in claim 177, wherein the wheel-contacting projections
are
drive projections for engaging the drive wheel.
179. A track as defined in any one of claims 176 to 178, wherein the
reinforcing
rod registers with a given one of the traction projections in the longitudinal
direction
of the track.
180. A track as defined claim 179, wherein: the reinforcing rod is a first
reinforcing
rod; the given one of the traction projections is a first given one of the
traction
projections; and the track comprises a second reinforcing rod extending
transversally to the longitudinal direction of the track, disposed within the
elastomeric material, and registering with a second given one of the traction
projections in the longitudinal direction of the track.
41
181. A track as defined in any one of claims 177 and 178, wherein the
reinforcing
rod registers with a given one of the wheel-contacting projections in the
longitudinal
direction of the track.
182. A track as defined claim 181, wherein: the reinforcing rod is a first
reinforcing
rod; the given one of the wheel-contacting projections is a first given one of
the
wheel-contacting projections; and the track comprises a second reinforcing rod
extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the track, disposed
within the
elastomeric material, and registering with a second given one of the wheel-
contacting projections in the longitudinal direction of the track.
183. A track as defined in claim 181, wherein the reinforcing rod registers
with a
given one of the traction projections in the longitudinal direction of the
track.
184. A track as defined claim 183, wherein: the reinforcing rod is a first
reinforcing
rod; the given one of the wheel-contacting projections is a first given one of
the
wheel-contacting projections; the given one of the traction projections is a
first
given one of the traction projections; and the track comprises a second
reinforcing
rod extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the track,
disposed within
the elastomeric material, and registering with a second given one of the wheel-
contacting projections and a second given one of the traction projections in
the
longitudinal direction of the track.
185. A track as defined in any one of claims 177 to 184, wherein a height of
each
of the traction projections is greater than a height of each of the wheel-
contacting
projections.
186. A track as defined in any one of claims 176 to 185, wherein, when the
vehicle
is operated at a certain speed, less noise is generated than if the track had
reinforcing rods extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the
track at
42
the locations of the consecutive ones of the traction projections in the
longitudinal
direction of the track.
187. A track as defined in claim 186, wherein the certain speed is 50 miles
per
hour.
188. A track as defined in any one of claims 176 to 185, wherein, when the
vehicle
is operated at a speed of 50 miles per hour, a frequency spectrum of generated
noise manifests a highest noise level that is less than if the track had
reinforcing
rods extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the track at the
locations
of the consecutive ones of the traction projections in the longitudinal
direction of the
track.
189. A track as defined in any one of claims 176 to 188, wherein the vehicle
is a
snowmobile and the track is a snowmobile track.
190. A track system for traction of a vehicle, the track system comprising a
plurality
of wheels and a track as defined in any one of claims 176 to 188.
191. A track system as defined in claim 190, wherein the vehicle is a
snowmobile
and the track system is a snowmobile track system.
192. A vehicle comprising a track as defined in any one of claims 176 to 188.
193. A vehicle comprising a track system as defined in claim 190.
194. A vehicle as defined in any one of claims 192 and 193, wherein the
vehicle is
a snowmobile.
195. A track for traction of a vehicle, the track being movable around a
plurality of
wheels which comprises a drive wheel for imparting motion to the track, the
track
comprising elastomeric material to be flexible, the track comprising:
43
- an inner surface for facing the wheels;
- a ground-engaging outer surface for engaging the ground;
- a plurality of wheel-contacting projections projecting from the inner
surface
and spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the track;
- a plurality of traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging
outer
surface and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the track; and
- a reinforcing rod extending transversally to the longitudinal direction
of the
track and disposed within the elastomeric material;
wherein the track is free of reinforcing rods extending transversally to the
longitudinal direction of the track at locations of consecutive ones of the
wheel-
contacting projections in the longitudinal direction of the track.
196. A track as defined in claim 195, wherein the wheel-contacting projections
are
drive projections for engaging the drive wheel.
197. A track as defined in any one of claims 195 and 196, wherein the
reinforcing
rod registers with a given one of the traction projections in the longitudinal
direction
of the track.
198. A track as defined claim 197, wherein: the reinforcing rod is a first
reinforcing
rod; the given one of the traction projections is a first given one of the
traction
projections; and the track comprises a second reinforcing rod extending
transversally to the longitudinal direction of the track, disposed within the
elastomeric material, and registering with a second given one of the traction
projections in the longitudinal direction of the track.
199. A track as defined in any one of claims 195 and 196, wherein the
reinforcing
rod registers with a given one of the wheel-contacting projections in the
longitudinal
direction of the track.
44
200. A track as defined claim 199, wherein: the reinforcing rod is a first
reinforcing
rod; the given one of the wheel-contacting projections is a first given one of
the
wheel-contacting projections; and the track comprises a second reinforcing rod
extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the track, disposed
within the
elastomeric material, and registering with a second given one of the wheel-
contacting projections in the longitudinal direction of the track.
201. A track as defined in claim 199, wherein the reinforcing rod registers
with a
given one of the traction projections in the longitudinal direction of the
track.
202. A track as defined claim 201, wherein: the reinforcing rod is a first
reinforcing
rod; the given one of the wheel-contacting projections is a first given one of
the
wheel-contacting projections; the given one of the traction projections is a
first
given one of the traction projections; and the track comprises a second
reinforcing
rod extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the track,
disposed within
the elastomeric material, and registering with a second given one of the wheel-
contacting projections and a second given one of the traction projections in
the
longitudinal direction of the track.
203. A track as defined in any one of claims 195 to 202, wherein a height of
each
of the traction projections is greater than a height of each of the wheel-
contacting
projections.
204. A track as defined in any one of claims 195 to 203, wherein, when the
vehicle
is operated at a certain speed, less noise is generated than if the track had
reinforcing rods extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the
track at
the locations of the consecutive ones of the wheel-contacting projections in
the
longitudinal direction of the track.
205. A track as defined in claim 204, wherein the certain speed is 50 miles
per
hour.
45
206. A track as defined in any one of claims 195 to 203, wherein, when the
vehicle
is operated at a speed of 50 miles per hour, a frequency spectrum of generated
noise manifests a highest noise level that is less than if the track had
reinforcing
rods extending transversally to the longitudinal direction of the track at the
locations
of the consecutive ones of the wheel-contacting projections in the
longitudinal
direction of the track.
207. A track as defined in any one of claims 195 to 206, wherein the vehicle
is a
snowmobile and the track is a snowmobile track.
208. A track system for traction of a vehicle, the track system comprising a
plurality
of wheels and a track as defined in any one of claims 195 to 206.
209. A track system as defined in claim 208, wherein the vehicle is a
snowmobile
and the track system is a snowmobile track system.
210. A vehicle comprising a track as defined in any one of claims 195 to 206.
211. A vehicle comprising a track system as defined in claim 208.
212. A vehicle as defined in any one of claims 210 and 211, wherein the
vehicle is
a snowmobile.
