Idler-roller recoil device

An idler recoil and track support device (10) adapted for use in a crawler track system (11) having a track roller frame (12), comprising:

• an idler link (30) having a first end portion (32), a center portion (48) and a second end portion (34), said idler link (30) being pivotally connected to said track roller frame (12) by a pin (50);
• an idler hub (54) pivotally connected to said idler link first end portion (32);
• an idler axle (60) connected to said idler hub (54);
• an idler (24) connected to said idler axle (60) and being rotatable relative to said idler hub (54);
• means (66) for biasing said idler hub (54) for rotation away from said idler link pin (50) such that said idler (24) is outwardly biased from said idler link (30);
• and
• means (82,84,88) for resiliently resisting upward rotation of said idler link first end portion (32).

An idler recoil device (10) adapted for use in a crawler track system (11) having a frame (12), comprising:

• an idler link (30) having a first end portion (32), a second end portion (34) and a center portion (48), the first end portion (32) having a first extension (40) and a second extension (42), said idler link (30) being pivotably connected to said frame (12) by a track frame pin (50) passing through said idler link center portion (48);
• an idler hub (54) pivotally connected to said second extension (42);
• an idler (20,24) rotatively connected to said idler hub (54);
• first means (66) for biasing said idler hub (54) away from said first extension (40);
• and
• a roller assembly link (82) pivotally connected to said frame (12) and extending generally beneath said idler link second end portion (34), said roller assembly link (82) and said idler link second end portion (34) being in force transmitting relationship one to the other.

In a crawler track system (11) having:

• a track frame (12) having a fore portion (14), an aft portion (16) and a center portion (18);
• at least one track roller assembly (22) connected to said track frame (12);
• an idler (20/24) connected to the track frame (12);
• and
• an endless track assembly (28) adapted to be driven by a drive sprocket (26), said endless track assembly (28) being trained about said idler (20/24), said drive sprocket (26) and said track roller assembly (22), the improvement comprising:
• an idler link (30) pivotally connected to said track frame (12), said idler link (30) having a first end portion (32), a center portion (48), and a second end portion (34), the first end portion (32) being bifurcated to form a first extension (40) and a second extension (42);
• an idler hub (54) pivotally connected to said second extension (42);
• an idler axle (60) mounted on said idler hub (54);
• said idler (20/24) being rotatively mounted on said idler axle (60);
• and
• first resilient means (66) positioned between said first extension (40) and said idler hub (54) for permitting recoil of said idler (20/24).