Tracked vehicles and power drive apparatus for motivating tracked vehicles
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
United States of America Patent
Stats
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Dec 20, 1994
Grant Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Oct 26, 1993
filing date -
Oct 26, 1993
priority date (Note) -
Expired
status (Latency Note)
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Abstract
An articulated tracked vehicle for agricultural harvesting which reduces damage to fields and can be driven on paved roads at reasonable speeds. The vehicle has front and rear elements, linked by an articulating joint which permits turning and rotation of one element with respect to the other. Each element is motivated by a pair of tracked power units which are hydraulically driven by a heavy duty differential between the units. Each power unit is rotatably mounted solely on a shaft sleeve of the differential and is free to oscillate vertically and independently to absorb irregularities in its path. Each unit includes an endless elastomeric track which has two rows of lugs on its inner surface. A novel drive mechanism engages these lugs to motivate the vehicle. A sealed transmission housing in each power unit protects key drive elements from environmental damage without interfering with operation of the unit. The transmission is centrally disposed within each power unit to provide further protection from damage.
First Claim
Other Claims data not available