Wheel of track system for traction of a vehicle
AssigneeCamso Inc.
InventorsGhislain Laperle, Matthieu Bergeron, Brandon Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wheel of a track system for traction of a vehicle (e.g., an agricultural vehicle) may be configured to protect against (e.g., prevent) accumulation of unwanted ground matter, such as mud, debris, water, etc., within the wheel, while enhancing visual appearance of the wheel. This may help to avoid or minimize mud buildup that may otherwise need to be drilled out before removing the wheel (e.g., for replacement or maintenance) and/or rust that may otherwise arise.
Claims23
A wheel for a track system of a vehicle, the track system comprising a track-engaging assembly that includes the wheel and a track movable around the track-engaging assembly, the track being elastomeric to flex around the track-engaging assembly, the wheel comprising:
- a body comprising a rim portion, a hub portion, and a radially-extending portion between the rim portion and the hub portion, the body of the wheel defining an internal void;
- and
- a shield removably attached to the body of the wheel at least with a snap fitting portion projecting from an inner surface of the shield, and configured to protect against mud buildup in the internal void of the body of the wheel, wherein fins project from the inner surface of the shield towards the body, and wherein at least one of the fins projects from the snap fitting portion to an outer perimeter radial section of the inner surface.
A method of protecting a wheel of a track system of a vehicle against mud buildup, the track system comprising a track-engaging assembly that includes the wheel and a track movable around the track-engaging assembly, the track being elastomeric to flex around the track-engaging assembly, the wheel comprising a body comprising a rim portion, a hub portion, and a radially-extending portion between the rim portion and the hub portion, the body of the wheel defining an internal void, the method comprising:
- providing a shield with an inner surface comprising fins projecting towards the body of the wheel, wherein at least one of the fins projects from a snap fitting portion projecting from the inner surface to an outer perimeter of the inner surface;
- and
- removably attaching the shield to the body of the wheel at least with the snap fitting portion of the shield to protect against mud buildup in the internal void of the body of the wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.