Track drive with spring-biased feet
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsTye Langston, Dane Maglich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An endless track drive that can be coupled to a vehicle includes a plurality of track feet wherein each track foot is adapted to periodically contact a surface on which the vehicle is to travel as the endless track drive is rotated. At least one spring is coupled to each track foot. The spring(s) apply a biasing force to the track foot that positions the track foot in a neutral position relative to the endless track drive when the track foot is not in contact with the surface. The biasing force is less than a frictional force experienced by the track foot when the track foot is in contact with the surface.
Claims18
A track drive system for a vehicle, comprising:
- two endless track drives adapted to be coupled to a vehicle at opposing sides of the vehicle, each of said endless track drives including a plurality of track feet wherein each track foot from said plurality of track feet is adapted to periodically contact a surface on which the vehicle is to travel as its corresponding one of said endless track drives is rotated;
- and
- at least one spring coupled to each said track foot for applying a biasing force to said track foot that positions said track foot in a neutral position relative to its corresponding one of said endless track drives when said track foot is not in contact with the surface, wherein said biasing force is less than a frictional force experienced by said track foot when said track foot is in contact with the surface.
A track drive vehicle, comprising:
- a vehicle body;
- two endless track drives coupled to said vehicle body at opposing sides of said vehicle body, each of said endless track drives including a plurality of track feet wherein each track foot from said plurality of track feet is adapted to periodically contact a surface on which the vehicle is to travel as its corresponding one of said endless track drives is rotated;
- and
- at least one spring coupled to each said track foot for applying a biasing force to said track foot that positions said track foot in a neutral position relative to its corresponding one of said endless track drives when said track foot is not in contact with the surface, wherein said biasing force is less than a frictional force experienced by said track foot when said track foot is in contact with the surface.
A track drive, comprising:
- an endless track drive adapted to be coupled to a vehicle, said endless track drive including a plurality of track feet wherein each track foot from said plurality of track feet is adapted to periodically contact a surface on which the vehicle is to travel as said endless track drive is rotated;
- and
- at least one spring coupled to each said track foot for applying a biasing force to said track foot that positions said track foot in a neutral position relative to said endless track drive when said track foot is not in contact with the surface, wherein said biasing force is less than a frictional force experienced by said track foot when said track foot is in contact with the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.