Endless track chain for track-type vehicles

In an endless track chain for track-type vehicles, said chain having a plurality of link sets articulately coupled in transverse relation to a longitudinal centerline of said chain by a like plurality of joints, each link set including a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending links, each link having a laterally inwardly offset inboard end collar and an opposite laterally outwardly offset outboard and collar, the improvement wherein each joint comprises:

• each inboard end collar of each link having a first bore therethrough and each outboard end collar having a second bore therethrough, said first bores being substantially larger than said second bores;
• a pin having opposite end portions, each of such end portions being non-rotatably secured within a respective one of said second bores of said outboard end collars;
• a tubular bushing of a size to extend between and to be freely rotatable relative to said inboard end collars and having a pin bore of a size sufficient to freely rotatably mount said bushing about said pin;
• and
• a pair of hardened sleeve bearings, each having an outer peripheral surface and an inner bearing surface, said outer surface being of a size sufficient to non-rotatably mount sid bearings within a respective one of said first bores of each inboard end collar and said inner bearing surface being of a size to freely rotatably mount said pin therewithin.

An endless track chain for track-type vehicles, comprising:

• a plurality of link sets, each link set including a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending links, each link having a laterally inwardly offset inboard end collar, an opposite laterally outwardly offset outboard end collar and a longitudinally disposed rail surface, said rail surface having a predetermined overall width ("W"), said inboard end collar having a first bore therethrough with a predetermined bore length ("L.sub.1 ") that is greater than one-half the width ("W") of said rail surface, said outboard end collar having a second bore therethrough with a predetermined bore length ("L2") that is at least as great as the overall width ("W") of said rail surface;
• and
• a like plurality of joints for articulately coupling the inboard end collars of one link set to the outboard end collars of an adjoining link set, each joint including:
• a cylindrical pin having opposite end portions, each end portion being pressed and non-rotatably mounted into a respective one of said second bores of said outboard end collars;
• means for mechanically interlocking said pin within said second bore to prevent axial movement between said pin and said link;
• a tubular bushing of a size to extend between and to be freely rotatable relative to said inboard end collars and having a pin bore of a size sufficient to freely rotatably mount said bushing about said pin;
• a pair of hardened sleeve bearings, each having an outer peripheral surface and an inner bearing surface, said outer surface being of a size sufficient to non-rotatably mount said bearing within a respective one of said first bores of each inboard and collars and said inner bearing surface being of a size to freely rotatably mount said pin therewithin;
• means for lubricating said joint;
• and
• means for sealing said joint.

A longitudinally extending link for an endless track chain of track-type vehicles, said link having an inboard end collar disposed in a laterally inwardly offset relationship relative to said chain, an opposite outboard end collar disposed in a laterally outwardly offset relationship relative to said chain and a longitudinally disposed rail surface, said rail surface having a predetermined overall width ("W") between an inner edge and an outer edge and a full width central portion, a generally half-width outboard portion extending along said outer edge over said outboard end collar and a generally half-width inboard portion extending along said inner edge over the inboard end collar, wherein the improvement comprises:

• said inboard end collar having a first bore therethrough and extending from an inner surface of said inboard end collar to an outer surface thereof, said inner surface being offset inwardly from said inner edge of said rail surface and said outer surface being offset outwardly relative to said inboard portion of said rail surface so as to be disposed in a position substantially closer to said outer edge of said rail surface than to said inner edge thereof, said offset positioning of said inner and outer surfaces providing said first bore with a predetermined bore length ("L.sub.1 ") that is greater than one-half the width ("W") of said rial surface;
• and
• said outboard end collar having a second bore therethrough and extending from an inner surface of said outboard end collar to an outer surface thereof, said inner surface being likewise offset outwardly from said inboard portion of said rail surface so as to lie outboard of the offset outer surface of the inboard end collar of an adjoining link in said track chain, and said outer surface being offset laterally a substantial distance from said outer edge of said rail surface to provide said second bore with a predetermined bore length ("L.sub.2 ") that is at least as great as the overall width ("W") of said rail surface.