# US 2022/0033017 A1 · Continuous track drive for vehicles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0033017 A1 - Document ID: US20220033017A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/413,366 - Filed: 2019-12-12 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2018-12-14 - Assignees: Specialist Vehicle Research and Development Ltd. - Applicants: Specialist Vehicle Research and Development Ltd. - Inventors: Tim DOCKERTY - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220033017A1 ## CPC - B62D 55/084: Endless-track units or carriages mounted separably, adjustably or extensibly on vehicles, e.g. portable track units (B62D55/07 takes precedence) - B62D 55/13: readily interchangeable modular type - B62D 55/06: with tracks without ground wheels - B62D 55/10: Bogies; Frames (track-tensioning means B62D55/30) - B62D 55/104: Suspension devices for wheels, rollers, bogies or frames (vehicle suspension in general B60G) - B62D 55/112: with fluid springs, e.g. hydraulic pneumatic - B62D 55/12: Arrangement, location, or adaptation of driving sprockets - B62D 55/21: Links connected by transverse pivot pins - B62D 55/211: {Bitubular chain links assembled by pins and double connectors} - B62D 55/26: Ground engaging parts or elements {(tracks specially adapted for amphibious vehicles B60F3/0015)} - B62D 55/305: {acting on pivotably mounted idlers} - B62D 55/1125: {Hydro-pneumatic or pneumatic, e.g. air-cushioned} - 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) ## Abstract A track drive cassette for a vehicle, comprising a drive motor adapted to power a drive sprocket, a continuous track having a portion adapted to engage with the drive sprocket, running wheels, and a return arrangement. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A track drive cassette for a vehicle, comprising a drive motor adapted to power a drive sprocket, a continuous track having a portion adapted to engage with the drive sprocket, running wheels, and a return arrangement. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A cassette according to claim 1, adapted to be a discrete module removably attachable to a vehicle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A cassette according to claim 2, wherein the cassette is attached to a chassis of a vehicle by way of a support arm, or wherein the cassette is attached to a chassis of a vehicle by way of two arms extending between the cassette and the chassis, the arms being arranged to form substantially a parallelogram with an edge of the cassette and an edge of the chassis being parallel to one another and the arms being parallel to one another, and wherein one or both arms is attached to a hydraulic ram. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A cassette according to claim 3, wherein the support arm is substantially permanently fixed to the said vehicle and releasably attachable to the cassette. ### Claim 5 (canceled) ### Claim 6 (canceled) ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) A cassette according to claim 2, further comprising means for receiving power from the main chassis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A cassette according claim 1, comprising one or more running wheels each attached to a discrete wheel station, wherein each wheel station is provided with a suspension arrangement, each suspension arrangement being substantially independent of other suspension arrangements of other wheel stations. ### Claim 9 (canceled) ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A cassette according to claim 8, wherein the suspension arrangement comprises an idler and the suspension arrangement is adapted to move the idler backwards or forwards to maintain track tension, or wherein the suspension arrangement comprises a swing arm having a wheel end which is in turn connected to a running wheel axle and a pivot end, the swing arm being pivotable about the pivot end to move the wheel end. ### Claim 11 (canceled) ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A cassette according to claim 8, wherein the suspension arrangement further comprises a suspension drive means. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A cassette according to claim 12, wherein the suspension drive means further comprises a lever adapted to create a mechanical disadvantage. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A cassette according to claim 12, wherein the suspension drive is moved by an air bag, pneumatic cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, electric actuator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A cassette according to claim 1, comprising an idler substantially identical in form to the drive sprocket. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A cassette according to claim 15, wherein the idler is attached to the cassette by way of a linkage comprising a piston attached to a cam which is in turn connected to an axle for the idler. ### Claim 17 (canceled) ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A cassette according to claim 1, characterised in that the length of a guided path of the continuous track can be varied. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A cassette according to claim 1, comprising track links having a track horn which has an approximately triangular profile, and wherein the track horn is as long at its base as the track link on which it is formed and wherein the track horn is hollowed on one side. ### Claim 20 (canceled) ### Claim 21 (canceled) ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) A cassette according to claim 1, having a sprocket formed of two or more separable sprocket components. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) A cassette according to claim 1, wherein sprockets are provided with a guide therebetween. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) A cassette according to claim 1, further comprising one or more of a power generator; an idler provided with braking means; a support arm arrangement for a return roller having a support arm and a sub-carrier releasably connectable to each other, the support arm being rotatable about the sub-carrier in use; and a track link comprising a track pad generally disposed on the part of the link which will engage with the ground, in use. ### Claim at position 25 -27. (canceled) ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) A cassette according to claim 24, wherein the track pad is detachably attached to the track link at two points, the track pad is wider than the track link, and the track pad has one or more chamfered underside faces. ### Claim 29 (canceled) ### Claim 30 (canceled) ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) A cassette according to claim 28 wherein the track pad has a void formed within the one or more chamfered faces. ### Claim 32 (depends on 24) A cassette according to claim 24, wherein adjacent track pads are arranged so that front and leading edges of pads meet and compress against each other at the point the pads are being laid on the ground in use. ### Claim 33 (depends on 1) A cassette according to claim 1, further comprising track pins, wherein the track pins comprise bearings. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) A cassette according to claim 33, wherein the bearings comprise pass through bearings having “O” rings at either end of bearing housings. ### Claim 35 (depends on 1) A vehicle comprising at least one track drive cassette according to claim 1, the vehicle characterised in that the wheelbase width of the vehicle can be varied proactively in use. ### Claim 36 (canceled)