Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02677421 2016-04-21
Patent Application No.: 2,677,421
Filc numbcr: 11038-114
Title of the Invention
[001] Displacement Limiting Assembly for a Track System.
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
[002] There are no cross-related applications.
Field of the Invention
[003] The present invention generally relates to the field of traction
assemblies and
track systems used as wheel substitutes on wheeled vehicles.
Background of the Invention
[004] Track systems for use as wheel replacement on typically wheeled vehicles
are
known in the art. Indeed, several configurations of track systems have been
proposed
throughout the years in order to generally improve different aspects and
characteristics
such as the riding behaviour. In addition, track systems have been used on
different types
of wheeled vehicles such, but not limited to, all-terrain vehicles (ATV),
farming
equipments such as tractors, snow grooming equipments, etc.
[005] Though track systems generally improve several characteristics of the
vehicles
such as traction and floatation, particularly over soft terrain, it remains
that track systems
are typically retrofitted on existing vehicles which were initially designed
to support
wheels.
[006] Hence, it is generally necessary to provide the vehicles to which the
track
systems are installed with movement and/or displacement limiting elements in
order to
prevent interferences between the track systems and the other components of
the vehicles.
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CA 02677421 2016-04-21
Patent Application No.: 2,677,421
File number: 11038-114
These displacement limiting elements are however generally custom and complex
in
nature.
[007] Hence, despite ongoing developments in the field of track systems,
there is still
room for further improvements.
Summary of the Invention
[008] The principles of the present invention are generally embodied in a
displacement
limiting assembly which allows small rotational movements of a track system
about an
axle but which prevent large rotational movements of the track system about
the axle.
[009] The displacement limiting assembly of the present invention generally
comprises
means such as an anchor bracket configured to be fixedly mounted to the
chassis of the
vehicle to which the track system is mounted. The displacement limiting
assembly also
comprises a stabilizing rod mounted to and extending between the anchor
bracket and the
track system.
[0010] In accordance with the invention, the stabilizing rod is pivotally and
slidingly
coupled to the anchor bracket and pivotally coupled to the track system. The
pivotal
coupling of the stabilizing rod to both the anchor bracket and the track
system allows the
stabilizing rod to follow the vertical movements of the track system. For its
part, the
sliding coupling of the stabilizing rod with the anchor bracket, which allows
for limited
longitudinal or back and forth movements due to the presence of resilient
stopper
elements, allows rotational movements of small amplitude of the track system
about the
axle but prevent rotational movements of large amplitude of the track system
which could
cause damages to the vehicle.
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, due to its particular
configuration, the
displacement limiting assembly also generally maintains the contact patch of
the traction
band of the track system substantially parallel to the ground over which the
vehicle is
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CA 02677421 2016-04-21
Patent Application No.: 2,677,421
File number: 11038-114
operated, and that, substantially independently of the position (e.g.
extended, normal or
retracted) of the suspension of the vehicle.
[0012] The displacement limiting assembly of the present invention is
particularly
useful when used on all-terrain vehicles ("ATV").
[0013] The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel
are set forth
with particularity in the appended claims.
[0014] The invention is directed to a displacement limiting assembly for use
with a
track system mounted to an axle of a vehicle, the track system comprising a
sprocket
wheel coupled to the axle, a frame assembly mounted to the sprocket wheel,
wheels
mounted to the frame assembly, and a traction band disposed about the sprocket
wheel
and the wheels, the traction band defining a ground contacting area with a
ground
surface, the vehicle comprising a frame, at least one suspension arm pivotally
connected
to the frame and coupled to the axle, the at least one suspension arin being
displaceable
between an extended position, a normal position and a retracted position, the
displacement limiting assembly comprising an anchor bracket configured to be
fixedly
mounted to the frame of the vehicle, and a stabilizing member comprising a
first end
pivotally mounted to the anchor bracket at a location distinct from the
suspension arm
whereby the location does not directly follow the displacements of the
suspension arm,
and a second end configured to be pivotally mounted to the frame assembly of
the track
system, whereby the stabilizing member maintains the ground contacting area of
the
traction band substantially parallel to the ground surface when the suspension
arm moves
between the extended, nonnal and retracted positions.
[0015] The invention is further directed to a displacement limiting assembly
for use
with a track system mounted to an axle of a vehicle, the track system
comprising a
sprocket wheel coupled to the axle, a frame assembly mounted to the sprocket
wheel,
wheels mounted to the frame assembly, and a traction band disposed about the
sprocket
wheel and the wheels, the traction band defining a ground contacting area with
a ground
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Patent Application No.: 2,677,421
File number: 11038-114
surface, the vehicle comprising a frame, at least one suspension an-n
pivotally connected
to the frame and coupled to the axle, the at least one suspension aim being
displaceable
between an extended position, a normal position and a retracted position, the
displacement limiting assembly comprising a stabilizing member comprising a
first end
configured to be pivotally mounted to the frame of the vehicle at a location
distinct from
the suspension ann whereby the location does not directly follow the
displacements of the
suspension arm, and a second end configured to be pivotally mounted to the
frame
assembly of the track system, whereby the stabilizing member maintains the
ground
contacting area of the traction band substantially parallel to the ground
surface when the
suspension ann moves between the extended, normal and retracted positions.
[0016] The invention is yet further directed to a vehicle comprising a frame,
a rear axle,
and at least one suspension arm pivotally connected to the frame and coupled
to the rear
axle, the at least one suspension an-n being displaceable between an extended
position, a
non-nal position and a retracted position, the vehicle having mounted thereto
a track
system comprising a sprocket wheel coupled to the rear axle, a frame assembly
mounted
to the sprocket wheel, wheels mounted to the frame assembly, and a traction
band
disposed about the sprocket wheel and the wheels, the traction band defining a
ground
contacting area with a ground surface, the vehicle comprising a stabilizing
member
comprising a first end pivotally mounted to the frame of the vehicle at a
location distinct
from the suspension arm whereby the location does not directly follow the
displacements
of the suspension arm, and a second end pivotally mounted to the frame
assembly of the
track system, the stabilizing member maintaining the ground contacting area of
the
traction band substantially parallel to the ground surface when the suspension
arm moves
between the extended, non-nal and retracted positions.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0017] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention
will
become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being
made to
the accompanying drawings in which:
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Patent Application No.: 2,677,421
File number: 11038-114
[0018] Figure 1 is a side view of a track system equipped with an exemplary
displacement limiting assembly incorporating the principles of the invention;
the
suspension of the ATV being normal position.
[0019] Figure 2 is a side view of the track system and displacement limiting
assembly
of Fig. 1; the suspension of the ATV being in retracted position.
[0020] Figure 3 is an inside perspective view of a track system equipped with
another
exemplary displacement limiting assembly incorporating the principles of the
invention.
[0021] Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of the track system and
displacement
limiting assembly of Fig. 3.
[0022] Figure 5 is an upper perspective view of the track system and
displacement
limiting assembly of Fig. 3, without the traction band.
[0023] Figure 6 is another inside perspective view of the track system and
displacement
limiting assembly of Fig. 3; the suspension of the ATV being in retracted
position.
[0024] Figure 7 is a perspective exploded view of the track system and
displacement
limiting assembly of Fig. 3.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
[0025] A novel displacement limiting assembly for a track system will be
described
hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific
illustrative
embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are
by way of
example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited
thereby.
[0026] In accordance with the present invention, the displacement limiting
assembly
(hereinafter referred to as "limiting assembly") is used in cooperation with a
track system
mounted preferably to a rear axle of a normally wheeled vehicle such as an
ATV.
Broadly, the limiting assembly prevents overly large rotational movements of
the track
system, while allowing small rotational movements, and maintains the contact
patch of
the traction band substantially parallel to the ground independently of the
position of the
suspension.
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Patent Application No.: 2,677,421
File number: 11038-114
[0027] Hence, referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, a displacement limiting
assembly 100 for
a track system 200 embodying the principles of the invention is shown. The
track system
200 is relatively conventional and comprises a sprocket wheel 210, a frame 220
and a
guide rail 230, idler wheels 240 and 250 respectively mounted that the fore
and at the aft
of the guide rail 230, and road wheels 260 mounted along the length of the
guide rail 230,
typically on each side thereof. The track system 200 further comprises a
longitudinally
extending elastomeric traction band 270 disposed around and cooperating with
the
sprocket wheel 210, the idler wheels 240 and 250, the road wheels 260.
[0028] The track system 200 is generally mounted to the vehicle (not shown)
via the
axle 30 and wheel hub 35. The axle 30 is typically drivingly engaged by a
motor (not
shown) via a transmission (not shown). Also, in order to allow some degree of
liberty, the
axle 30 is also coupled to the vehicle via suspension 20. The suspension 20
typically
comprises a suspension arm 22 pivotally mounted to the chassis 10 of the
vehicle at 21
and pivotally coupled to the axle at 23. The suspension 20 allows the axle 30
and the
wheel hub 35 to move substantially vertically (see Figs. 1 and 2).
[0029] For its part, the limiting assembly 100 is mounted between the chassis
10 of the
vehicle and the frame 220 or guide rail 230 of the track system 200. The
limiting
assembly 100 generally comprises means such as an anchor bracket 110, secured
to the
chassis 10 of the vehicle, and a stabilizing rod 130 pivotally mounted to the
anchor
bracket 110 and to the frame 220 or guide rail 230. The limiting assembly 100
will be
described in more details below.
[0030] Still referring to Figs. 1 and 2, as the skilled addressee will
understand, the
limiting assembly 100 allows the track system 200 to move vertically when the
suspension is retracted (see Fig. 2). However, the limiting assembly 100 also
prevents
excessive rotation of the track system 200 about the axle 30, thereby
preventing the track
system 200 from contacting and ultimately damaging other components of the
vehicle. It
is to be understood that a track system such as track system 200 is much
larger than the
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CA 02677421 2016-04-21
Patent Application No.: 2,677,421
File number: 1 1038-1 14
wheel it replaces. Moreover, a track system such as track system 200 generally
has a
triangular configuration whereas a wheel has a circular configuration.
[0031] In addition, by preventing the track system 200 to rotate excessively
about the
axle 30, the limiting assembly 100 further maintains the contact area or
contact patch 275
of the traction band 270 generally parallel to the ground 50 over which the
vehicle is
operated. By keeping the contact patch 275 parallel to the ground 50, the
traction
provided by the track system 200 will remain relatively constant even on
uneven terrain.
[0032] Referring now to Figs. 3 to 7, the limiting assembly 100 will be more
thoroughly
described.
[0033] As already mentioned, the limiting assembly 100 comprises means such as
an
anchor bracket 110, configured to be securely mounted to the chassis 10 of the
vehicle,
and a stabilizing rod 130 mounted to (at point 113) and extending between the
anchor
bracket 110 and the frame 220 or guide rail 230 (at point 231) of the track
system 200.
The skilled addressee will note that the anchor bracket 110 could possibly be
unitary with
the chassis 10 of the vehicle.
[0034] The skilled addressee will note, from Figs. 1 and 2, that the portion
of the
stabilizing rod 130 extending between point 113 and 231 is substantially equal
in length
to the suspension an-n 22. Moreover, the distance between attachment points
113 and 21
and between attachment points 231 and 23 is typically constant. Hence, the
limiting
assembly 100 generally fon-ns a trapeze or a parallelogram with the suspension
20 of the
vehicle.
[0035] Referring to Fig. 3, the first end 131 of the rod 130 is pivotally and
slindingly
mounted to the anchor bracket 110 whereas the second end 133 is generally only
pivotally mounted to the track system 200. In the present exemplary
embodiment, the end
133 of the stabilizing rod 130 is mounted to the guide rail 230 of the track
system 200
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Patent Application No.: 2,677,421
File number: 11038-114
[0036] Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, to receive the first end 131 of
the rod 130,
the anchor bracket 110 is provided with a downwardly extending connecting
portion 111
having an aperture 112 through which extends the first end 131 of the
stabilizing rod 130.
To slidingly couple the first end 131 to the connecting portion 111, the
former is provided
with resilient or absorbing elements 132 and 134 typically embodied as springs
(see Figs.
1 and 2) and/or elastomeric bushings (see Figs. 3 to 7). These elements 132
and 134 are
typically fixedly mounted to the first end 131, one on a first side of
connecting portion
111, the other on the other side of connecting portion 111.
[0037] This arrangement allows the first end 131 of the rod 130 to pivot about
the
connecting portion 111 (see Figs. 1 and 2) but also to slightly move back and
forth, or
longitudinally, within the aperture 112. Understandably, the amplitude of this
back and
forth movement is limited by the compressibility of the resilient elements 132
and 134.
The ability of the first end 131 to slide within the aperture 112 allows the
track system
200 to slightly pivot about the axle 30. This would allow the track system 200
to follow
the shape of the terrain over which the vehicle is operated.
[0038] Hence, referring back to Figs. 1 and 2, when the vehicle is operated
over uneven
terrain, the track system 200 will move vertically in tandem with the
suspension 20 of the
vehicle. However, as the track system 200 moves up and down, the stabilizing
rod 130 of
the limiting assembly 100 prevents the track system 200 to overly rotate about
the axle 30
of the vehicle. However, as the first end 131 of the rod 130 can slightly move
back and
forth within the aperture 112 of the connecting portion 111, the track system
200 can still
slightly rotate, albeit in a limited fashion, about the axle 30, allowing the
track system
200 to absorb smaller bumps in the ground 50.
[0039] Still, because the resilient elements 132 and 134 prevent excessive
back and
forth movements within the aperture 112, the stabilizing rod 130 will
generally remain in
its non-nal or resting position (see Figs. 1 and 2). Consequently, due to the
generally
trapezoidal configuration of the limiting assembly 100, the stabilizing rod
130 will
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Patent Application No.: 2,677,421
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maintain the contact patch 275 of the traction band 270 substantially parallel
to the
ground 50, and that, substantially independently of the position of the
suspension 20.
[0040] The skilled addressee will readily understand that the limiting
assembly 100 of
the present invention provides significant advantages. Firstly, the limiting
assembly 100
prevents unwanted and excessive rotation of the track system 200 about the
axle 30,
thereby preventing damages to the vehicle. Secondly, due to its generally
trapezoidal
configuration, the limiting assembly 100 generally maintains the contact patch
275 of the
traction band 270 substantially parallel to the ground 50 over which the
vehicle in
operated. Finally, through the sliding coupling of the first end 131 and the
connecting
portion 111, the limiting assembly 100 still allows for limited rotation of
the track system
200 about the axle 30, thereby allowing the track system 200 to better follow
the ground
50 and thereby providing a smoother ride of the operator of the vehicle.
[0041] While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention
have
been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the
inventive concepts
may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims
are
intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited
by the prior
art.
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