Wheel of track assembly of a crawler type vehicle

In an improved wheel of a track assembly of a crawler type vehicle, said wheel having a hub, a rim having inner and outer surfaces, and panels connecting the hub to the rim, the improvement comprising:

• an elongated, resilient contacting element having a plurality of reinforcing elements fixedly connected thereto, said contacting element being of a size sufficient for circumferentially extending substantially completely about the outer surface of the rim;
• first and second anchors each having a first surface and outer ends, said first surface having a plurality of grooves receiving and connecting a respective end of the reinforcing elements to the anchors and said outer end of at least one of the anchors being of an angular configuration mateable with a respective angular end portion of an opening through the rim, said angular end being oriented for slidable movement of said anchor along the angular end portion of the rim opening in a direction toward the other anchor and into said opening in response to urging the anchor toward the hub;
• and
• means for urging the anchor toward the hub and connecting the contacting element about the outer surface of the rim.