US 2010/0060075 A1 · Conversion System for a Wheeled Vehicle

Abstract

A track assembly 30 for converting a wheeled vehicle 10 into a tracked vehicle. The track assembly 30 has a longitudinally adjustable support frame 40 having a motive source 170 with a drive sprocket 190, a plurality of support rollers 80, 84, 88, a tensioning assembly 90, and an endless track 200. The track assembly 30 is connected to a vehicle 10 by articulated, resiliently biased mounting assemblies 210, 410. Each mounting assembly 210, 410 includes a first attachment member 212, 412, a link 250, 450, and a second attachment member 300, 500, with the first attachment member 212, 412 configured to be removably attached to a position on a vehicle 10 where a wheel axle attached to an internal drive unit 19 would normally reside but which has been disconnected from its control lines and removed, and with the second attachment member 300, 500 configured to be connected to the support frame 40. The motive source 170 of the track assembly 30 is connected to and controlled by the same control lines 18 that were previously connected to the internal drive unit 19.

Claims49

Dependent claims

A mounting assembly suitable for use in converting a wheeled vehicle into a tracked vehicle, the mounting assembly comprising:

a first attachment member configured and arranged to be removably attached to a position on a vehicle where a wheel axle would normally reside but which has been removed, the mounting assembly comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a transverse through hole extending between the first and second surfaces.

A method of converting a wheeled vehicle to a tracked vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

a. removing a first axle and its drive motor from on one side of a vehicle;
b. removing a second axle and its drive motor from said one side of the vehicle;
and
c. replacing the first and second axles with a first track assembly, with the first track assembly comprising:
a first mounting assembly configured and arranged to be fastened to a first axle mounting location of a vehicle whose first axle has been removed;
a second mounting assembly configured and arranged to be fastened to a second axle mounting location of a vehicle whose second axle has been removed;
a support frame operatively connected to the first and second mounting assemblies;
a motive source attached to the support frame;
and
an endless track configured to encircle the first and second mounting assemblies, and arranged to be engaged by the motive source.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Conversion System for a Wheeled Vehicle

Life of this patent

Conversion System for a Wheeled Vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims49