Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A device to reduce the accumulation of snow and debris in the track wheels of
tracked vehicles
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to track type vehicles, and more specifically to
a
device to reduce the accumulation of snow and debris in the track wheels of
tracked vehicles during driving operation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, track type vehicles comprise a set of wheels on each side of
the
vehicle that runs in a track. During the operation, the track picks up
materials
such as snow and debris from the ground and carries them into the wheel where
they often become packed between the inner surface of the track and the wheel.
In the case of rubber tracks, this can result in de-tracking of the track from
the
track wheels.
Typically, there are some devices to scrape the mud from the wheels.
U.S. Patent No. 5,226,703 issued to Norman on Jul. 13, 1993 disclosed an idler
roller mounting/scraper for track vehicle which includes mounting bracket with
two sets of teeth on opposite sides of the roller in order to scrape and
remove
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mud and debris. While this device may be suitable for the particular purpose
which it addresses, the design of this device is very complex.
U.S. Patent No. 5,725,292 issued to Keedy et al on Mae. 10, 1998 disclosed a
scraping apparatus for a track idler which provides a scraper assembly that
defines a plurality of scraping portions that continuously engage the contact
surfaces of the idler to remove foreign material from there before the contact
surfaces engage other track chain components. While this design may be
operated with some success, this design is subject to severe wear.
U.S. Patent No. 5,697,683 issued to Aruiandu et al. on Dec. 16, 1997 disclosed
a
Biased scraping apparatus for an idler which provides a scrapper assembly that
defines a plurality of scraping portions that are adapted to carry a scraping
insert
on an end portion thereof. While this device may be suitable for the
particular
purpose which it addresses, the design of this device is relatively intricate
and
significantly costly.
U.S. Patent No. 6,019,443 issued to Freeman on Feb. 1, 2000 disclosed a debris
cutter for sprocket drive which has stationary cutter blades fixed to a
chassis of
the tractor to cut refuse entrained between the sprocket and the chassis.
While
this device may be suitable for the particular purpose to which it addresses,
it is
operative only during one-way rotation of the wheel.
It is more effective to reduce the accumulation of snow and debris in the
track
wheels instead of having to scrape and remove mud, ice and debris later. Thus,
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there is a need to develop a device to reduce the accumulation of snow and
debris in the track wheels of tracked vehicles.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a device to
reduce
the accumulation of snow and debris in the track wheels of tracked vehicles
that
obviates the above-mentioned disadvantages.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device to reduce the
accumulation of snow and debris in the track wheels of tracked vehicles which
is
effectively operative regardless of the direction of wheel rotation.
One more object of the present invention is to provide a device to reduce the
accumulation of snow and debris in the track wheels of tracked vehicles of
reduced weight.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a device to
reduce the
accumulation of snow and debris in the track wheels of tracked vehicles which
is
easy to manufacture.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device to reduce the
accumulation of snow and debris in the track wheels of tracked vehicles which
is
inexpensive.
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Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be
obvious
upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or
will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred
to
herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention
in
practice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To attain these and other objects which will become more apparent as the
description proceeds according to one aspect of the present invention, there
is
provided a device to reduce the accumulation of snow and debris in the track
wheels of tracked vehicles.
The device to reduce the accumulation of snow and debris in the track wheels
of
tracked vehicles comprises a support being adjustably associated with the
tracked vehicle and having a fastening located about the track wheel, a band
having a connecting part customized to be adjustably secured by the fastening
into position about the track wheel and a collar part freely extending from
the
connecting part and at least partially embracing the wheel for remaining in a
constant slipping contact with at least part of the wheel to reduce the
accumulation of snow and debris on the track wheels during a driving condition
of
the tracked vehicle. Preferably, the band is made from a resilient material.
Second embodiment of the device to reduce the accumulation of snow and debris
in the track wheels of tracked vehicles comprises a support being adjustably
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associated with the tracked vehicle and having a fastening located about the
track wheel, a band having a connecting part customized to be adjustably
secured by the fastening into position about the track wheel, a collar part at
least
partially embracing the wheel to remain in a constant slipping contact with at
least
part of the wheel to reduce the accumulation of snow and debris in the track
wheels during a driving condition of the tracked vehicle, and a linking part
adjustably linking the collar part to the connecting part.
It is preferable that the collar has a contact surface generally matching the
track
receiving surface of the wheel.
Preferably, the collar has at least one slipper which is inwardly projected
toward
the track wheel to be in a constant slipping contact with the same. And also,
it is
preferable that at least the interior of the collar be made from a low
friction
material such as Teflont"'
Preferably, the connecting part is made from a resilient material. It is also
preferable that the collar is made from a resilient material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention,
reference
should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with
the
accompanying drawings in which:
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Figure 1 is a fragmentary isometric side view of one of the embodiments of the
device to reduce the accumulation of snow and debris in the track wheels of
tracked vehicles, according to the present invention, in working position; and
Figure 2 is an isometric side view of another embodiment of the device to
reduce
the accumulation of snow and debris in the track wheels of tracked vehicles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to the annexed drawings, the preferred embodiments of the
present invention will be herein described for indicative purposes and by no
means as of limitation.
Figures 1 and 2 show a device 10 to reduce the accumulation of snow and debris
in the track wheels of tracked vehicles.
The device 10 includes a support 20 and a band 30. The support 20 is
adjustably
associated with the tracked vehicle 4 and has a fastening 22 located about the
track wheel 6.
As seen in Figures 1 and 2 the band 30 has a connecting part 32 customized to
be adjustably secured by the fastening 22 into position about the track wheel
6
and a collar part 34 freely extending from the connecting part 32 and at least
partially embracing said wheel for remaining in a constant slipping contact
with at
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least part of the track wheel 6 to reduce the accumulation of snow and debris
on
the track wheels 6 during a driving condition of the tracked vehicle 4.
Figure 1 illustrates a second embodiment of the device 10 which allows to
reduce
the accumulation of snow and debris in the track wheels of tracked vehicles.
The
second embodiment of the device 10 includes the support 20 adjustably
associated with the tracked vehicle 4 that has the fastening 22 located about
the
track wheel 6, and a band 30'.
The band 30' has a connecting part 32' customized to be adjustably secured by
the fastening 22 into position about the track wheel 6, an external collar
surface
34' at least partially embracing the track wheel 6 to remain in a constant
slipping
contact with at least part of this wheel 6 to reduce the accumulation of snow
and
debris in the track wheels 6 during a driving condition of the tracked vehicle
4,
and a linking part 36 adjustably linking the collar part 34 to the connecting
part
32.
In accordance with the invention, the collar 34 has an internal contact
surface 35
generally matching a track receiving surface 7 of the track wheel 6. Referring
to
Figure 2 the collar 34 has at least one slipper 38 which is inwardly projected
toward the track wheel 6 to be in a constant slipping contact with the same.
The
slipper 38, is preferably made from a low friction material such as TefIonT"".
On
the other hand, it is preferable that a minimum amount of friction be present
between the external surface 34' and any snow, ice or other debris which may
become lodged between the track and the external surface 34' such that such
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snow, ice or other debris be dislodged as a result of the relative movement of
such snow, ice or other debris and the collar 34.
The band 30, the connecting part 32, and the collar 34 are preferably made
from
a resilient material.
As is well understood, the slipper 38 may assume a variety of forms, lengths
and
cross-sectional profiles (not shown). Also, the device 10 may be made from any
suitable material well known in the art. It is noted that different quantities
of
slippers 38 can be.
During any driving condition when the track vehicle 4 is moving forward,
backwards or doing any maneuvers when the track wheel 6 rotates the collar 30
of the device 10 effectively protects the track wheel 6 from the snow and
debris
accumulation. Device 10 is bi-directional, work effectively in either
direction of
track wheel rotation, and is extremely simple in design and effective in
operation.
The drawings and the description attached to it are only intended to
illustrate the
idea of the invention. As to the details, the invention may vary within the
scope of
the claims. So, the shape of the device 10 may be formed as desired,
considering
the needs and specific track wheel 6 models.
Although the present device to reduce the accumulation of snow and debris in
the
track wheels of tracked vehicles has been described with a certain degree of
particularity, it is to be understood that the disclosure has been made by way
of
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example only and that the present invention is not limited to the features of
the
embodiments) described and illustrated herein, but includes all variations and
modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
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