# US 11,305,829 B2 · Track system for traction of a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,829 B2 - Document ID: US11305829B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/046,318 - Filed: 2018-07-26 - Published: 2018-11-15 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-20 - Assignees: Camso Inc. - Applicants: Camso Inc. - Inventors: Jules Dandurand; Andy Levesque - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305829B2 ## CPC - B62D 55/244: {Moulded in one piece, with either smooth surfaces or surfaces having projections, e.g. incorporating reinforcing elements} - B32B 3/30: characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. {hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs (apertured layer B32B3/266; layer with cavities or internal voids B32B3/26)} - B32B 27/20: using fillers, pigments, thixotroping agents - B62D 55/26: Ground engaging parts or elements {(tracks specially adapted for amphibious vehicles B60F3/0015)} - B62M 27/02: power driven - B32B 2605/00: Vehicles - B62M 2027/027: {Snow mobiles characterised by the tracks} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - B62M: RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR {SINGLE-TRACK} CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of transmissions in vehicles in general B60K; transmission elements per se F16) ## Abstract A track system for traction of a vehicle (e.g., a snowmobile, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) etc.) including a track and a track-engaging assembly for driving and guiding the track around the track-engaging assembly. The track system has features to enhance its performance. The track may include reinforcing material (e.g., reinforcing polymeric material) that is stronger (e.g., stiffer, harder, and/or more resistant to wear) than elastomeric material of the track, such as to improve rigidity characteristics of the track, reduce noise generated by the track system, improve a resistance to wear of the track, enhance heat management (e.g., improve heat dissipation or reduce heat build-up) within the track, and/or reduce a weight of the track. The reinforcing material may be provided as one or more thin layers constituting at least part (e.g., of a periphery) of one or more components of the track (e.g., a carcass, traction projections, and/or drive/guide lugs). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A track for traction of a vehicle, the track being mountable about a plurality of wheels, the track being elastomeric to flex around the wheels, the track comprising a ground-engaging outer side and an inner side opposite to the ground-engaging outer side, the ground-engaging outer side comprising a ground-engaging outer surface and a plurality of traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface, the track comprising: a first elastomeric material; and a second elastomeric material overlying the first elastomeric material, constituting at least part of a periphery of the track, and including an elastomeric matrix and reinforcing particles embedded in the elastomeric matrix, the second elastomeric material forming at least part of the ground-engaging outer side. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein a thickness of the second elastomeric material is less than a thickness of the first elastomeric material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The track claimed in claim 2, wherein a ratio of the thickness of the second elastomeric material over the thickness of the first elastomeric material is no more than 0.2. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The track claimed in claim 2, wherein a ratio of the thickness of the second elastomeric material over the thickness of the first elastomeric material is no more than 0.1. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The track claimed in claim 2, wherein a ratio of the thickness of the second elastomeric material over the thickness of the first elastomeric material is no more than 0.05. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The track claimed in claim 2, wherein the thickness of the second elastomeric material is no more than 0.5. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The track claimed in claim 2, wherein the thickness of the second elastomeric material is no more than 0.25. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The track claimed in claim 2, wherein the thickness of the second elastomeric material is no more than 0.1. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elastomeric material forms less than an entirety of the periphery of the track. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the first elastomeric material forms a first part of the periphery of the track and the second elastomeric material forms a second part of the periphery of the track. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elastomeric material forms at least part of the ground-engaging outer surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elastomeric material forms at least part of a peripheral surface of each of the traction projections. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elastomeric material forms at least part of the inner side. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein a concentration of the reinforcing particles measured in Parts per Hundred Rubber is at least 1 PHR. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein a concentration of the reinforcing particles measured in Parts per Hundred Rubber is at least 5 PHR. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein a concentration of the reinforcing particles measured in Parts per Hundred Rubber is at least 10 PHR. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein a concentration of the reinforcing particles measured in Parts per Hundred Rubber is no more than 1 PHR. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein a concentration of the reinforcing particles measured in Parts per Hundred Rubber is no more than 5 PHR. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein a concentration of the reinforcing particles measured in Parts per Hundred Rubber is no more than 10 PHR. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the track is configured to generate less noise than if the second elastomeric material was omitted. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein a noise level generated by the track at a given speed is at least 2% less than that which would be generated if the second elastomeric material was omitted. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing particles are polymeric reinforcing particles. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The track claimed in claim 22, wherein the polymeric reinforcing particles include ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene particles. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing particles are non-elongated particles. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein an average sphericity of the reinforcing particles is at least 0.5. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein an average sphericity of the reinforcing particles is at least 0.7. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein an average sphericity of the reinforcing particles is at least 0.9. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastomeric matrix includes rubber. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastomeric matrix includes a mixture of different rubber compounds. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elastomeric material is molded with the first elastomeric material. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastomeric matrix is a rubber matrix and the reinforcing particles are polymeric reinforcing particles that impart isotropic properties to the second elastomeric material. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elastomeric material comprises a layer of reinforcing material forming at least part of a peripheral surface of each of the traction projections and at least part of the ground-engaging outer surface. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The track claimed in claim 32, wherein a thickness of the layer of reinforcing material at the peripheral surface of each of the traction projections is different from a thickness of the layer of reinforcing material forming at least part of the ground-engaging outer surface. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The track claimed in claim 33, where a ratio of the thickness the layer of reinforcing material forming at least part of the peripheral surface of each of the traction projections over the thickness of the layer of reinforcing material forming at least part of the ground-engaging outer surface is at least 1.1. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) The track claimed in claim 33, where a ratio of the thickness the layer of reinforcing material forming at least part of the peripheral surface of each of the traction projections over the thickness of the layer of reinforcing material forming at least part of the ground-engaging outer surface is at least 1.5. ### Claim 36 (depends on 33) The track claimed in claim 33, where a ratio of the thickness the layer of reinforcing material forming at least part of the peripheral surface of each of the traction projections over the thickness of the layer of reinforcing material forming at least part of the ground-engaging outer surface is at least 2. ### Claim 37 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elastomeric material comprises a layer of reinforcing material, and a concentration of the reinforcing particles in the layer of reinforcing material varies such that the concentration of the reinforcing particles in a first part of the layer of reinforcing material is higher than in a second part of the layer of reinforcing material. ### Claim 38 (depends on 11) The track claimed in claim 11, wherein the second elastomeric material forms at least part of a peripheral surface of each of the traction projections. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The track claimed in claim 38, wherein the second elastomeric material forms an entirety of the peripheral surface of each of the traction projections and an entirety of the ground-engaging outer surface. ### Claim 40 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein an average aspect ratio of the reinforcing particles is no more than 8. ### Claim 41 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein an average aspect ratio of the reinforcing particles is no more than 4. ### Claim 42 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein an average aspect ratio of the reinforcing particles is no more than 2. ### Claim 43 (depends on 1) The track claimed in claim 1, wherein the track is a snowmobile track. ### Claim 44 (depends on 1) A track system for traction of a vehicle, the track system comprising the track claimed in claim 1. ### Claim 45 (depends on 1) A vehicle comprising the track claimed in claim 1. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The vehicle of claim 45, wherein the vehicle is a snowmobile. ### Claim 47 A track for traction of a vehicle, the track being mountable about a plurality of wheels, the track being elastomeric to flex around the wheels, the track comprising a ground-engaging outer side and an inner side opposite to the ground-engaging outer side, the ground-engaging outer side comprising a ground-engaging outer surface and a plurality of traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface, the track comprising: a first elastomeric material; and a second elastomeric material adjacent to the first elastomeric material and including an elastomeric matrix and reinforcing particles embedded in the elastomeric matrix, the second elastomeric material forming at least part of the ground-engaging outer side. ### Claim 48 A track for traction of a vehicle, the track being mountable about a plurality of wheels, the track being elastomeric to flex around the wheels, the track comprising a ground-engaging outer surface, an inner surface opposite to the ground-engaging outer surface, and a plurality of traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface, the track comprising: a first elastomeric material; and a second elastomeric material overlying the first elastomeric material, constituting at least part of a periphery of the track, and including an elastomeric matrix and reinforcing particles embedded in the elastomeric matrix, the second elastomeric material forming at least part of the ground-engaging outer surface.