# US 4,395,074 A · Connecting spike for flexibly connecting two chain links of a track

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- Number: US 4,395,074 A
- Document ID: US4395074A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/165,194
- Filed: 1980-07-01
- Granted: 1983-07-26
- Earliest claimed: 1980-07-01
- Assignees: Huber+Suhner AG
- Inventors: Walter Haldimann; Fritz Held; Rudolf Fehr
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4395074A

## CPC

- B62D 55/213: {Master track links}
- Y10T 403/454: Connecting pin traverses radially interposed elastomer
- Y10T 403/458: Composite bushing with elastomeric component
- 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)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A connecting spike (16, 17, 18) is used for flexibly interconnecting two chain links (1, 2) of a track, specifically for tanks. The spike comprises a metal bolt (8) with a vulcanized-on rubber sheathing (13). On inserting spike (16) into bores (5) of chain links (1, 2), it is elastically deformed. Sheathing (13) is one-part developed and has thicker and thinner points (14 resp. 15), the material strengths of which are higher (S.sub.o) resp. lower (S.sub.2) than is the difference between the radius of bolt (8) and that of bores (5). This improvement provides increased life and reduced chain expansion because the connecting spike completely fills up the bores.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Connecting spike for flexibly connecting the chain links of a track, where said spike comprises a metal rod, and an integral elastic sheathing undetachably bonded thereto, said sheathing having thicker and thinner portions, said thicker portions being provided by longitudinal ribs and said thinner portions being provided by longitudinal channels having an approximately circular-segmented cross-section, such that the radius of the cross section of said spike at said thicker portions is greater and at said thinner portions is smaller respectively than the radius of the chain link bore of said track, said sheathing upon insertion of the spike into said chain link bore being elastically deformed such that axial shift of said spike within said bore is substantially prevented.

### Claim 2

Connecting spike for flexibly connecting the chain links of a track, where said spike comprises a metal rod, and an integral elastic sheathing undetachably bonded thereto, said sheathing having thicker and thinner portions, said thicker portions being provided by annular ribs and said thinner portions being provided by annular channels having an approximately circular-segmented cross-section, such that the radius of the cross section of said spike at said thicker portions is greater and at said thinner portions is smaller respectively than the radius of the chain link bore of said track, said sheathing upon insertion of the spike into said chain link bore being elastically deformed such that axial shift of said spike within said bore is substantially prevented.

### Claim 3

Connecting spike for flexibly connecting the chain links of a track, where said spike comprises a metal rod, and an integral elastic sheathing undetachably bonded thereto, said sheathing presenting a polygonal-shaped cross-section having rounded corners and wherein the connecting lines of said corners are substantially straight, said sheathing having thicker portions provided at said rounded corners and thinner portions provided at the central portion of said connecting lines, such that the radius of the cross section of said spike at said thicker portions is greater and at said thinner portions is smaller respectively than the radius of the chain link bore of said track, said sheathing upon insertion of the spike into said chain link bore being elastically deformed such that axial shift of said spike within said bore is substantially prevented.