US 2017/0247070 A1Published application

Crawler track

AssigneeJoy MM Delaware, Inc.

InventorMichael L. O'Neill

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Abstract

A crawler track includes a link and is driven in a direction of travel by a sprocket having a plurality of teeth. The link includes a pad, a first grouser, and a second grouser. The pad defines a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end, and a second end spaced apart from the first end along the direction of travel. The pad defines at least one opening extending through the pad between the first surface and the second surface, and the opening is operable to receive a sprocket tooth. The first grouser is positioned on the first surface proximate the first end of the pad, while the second grouser is positioned on the first surface proximate the second end of the pad. The first grouser and the second grouser extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the track.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A link for a track for a mining machine, the track being driven in a direction of travel by a sprocket to move the mining machine over a support surface, the sprocket having a plurality of teeth, the link comprising:

a pad defining a first surface engaging the support surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end, and a second end spaced apart from the first end along the direction of travel, the pad defining at least one opening extending through the pad between the first surface and the second surface, the opening being operable to receive a sprocket tooth;
a first set of lugs extending away from the first end of the pad;
a second set of lugs extending away from the second end of the pad;
a first grouser positioned on the first surface of the pad adjacent the first end of the pad, the first grouser extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the track;
and
a second grouser positioned on the first surface of the pad adjacent the second end of the pad, the second grouser extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the track.

3 more elements

A continuous track for a mining machine, the track being driven in a direction of travel by a sprocket to move the mining machine over a support surface, the sprocket having a plurality of teeth, the track comprising:

a first link defining a first pad, the first pad including
a first surface engaging the support surface,
a second surface opposite the first surface,
a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end along the direction of travel, the first pad defining at least one opening extending through the first pad between the first surface and the second surface, the opening being operable to receive a sprocket tooth,
a first set of lugs extending away from the first end of the first pad,
a second set of lugs extending away from the second end of the first pad,
a first grouser positioned on the first surface of the first pad adjacent the first end of the first pad, the first grouser extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the track, and
a second grouser positioned on the first surface of the first pad adjacent the second end of the first pad, the second grouser extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the track;
and
a second link defining a second pad, the second pad including
a first surface engaging the support surface,
a second surface opposite the first surface,
a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end along the direction of travel, the first pad defining at least one opening extending through the first second pad between the first surface and the second surface, the opening being operable to receive the sprocket tooth,
a first set of lugs extending away from the first end of the second pad,
a second set of lugs extending away from the second end of the second pad,
an angled grouser positioned on the first surface of the second pad between the first end and the second end, the angled grouser extending in an oblique direction relative to the direction of travel of the track.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/595,700Filed 15 May 2017
Priority: 25 May 2012
Published: 31 Aug 2017
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B62D 55/13
Final drives: readily interchangeable modular type
B62D 55/202
Of articulated type, e.g. chains: wheel engaging parts; Wheel guides on links
B62D 55/26
Tracks: ground engaging parts or elements
E21C 29/22
Propulsion of machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral from the seam: by wheels, endless tracks or the like

Family

Application61/651,761Us provisional application · filed 25 May 2012
Application13/901,899Continuation · filed 24 May 2013
Application15/595,700Continuation
US 10,000,247 B2Related patent
US 2013/0313891 A1Published application
US 9,650,091 B2Related patent
US 2017/0247070 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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