Tapered traction stud, stud mount and method of making and mounting

A one-piece stud mount, having an elongate axis, for detectably mounting a traction stud on an endless snowmobile drive belt, having inner and outer surfaces, said stud mount comprising:

• an elongate hollow one-piece endless annular band of material, having an elongate axis, including
• an axially inner, hollow, cylindrical mounting section formed about said elongate axis and adapted to be embedded in said drive belt;
• and
• an axially outer skirt, axially outward of said axially inner, hollow cylindrical mounting section, which radially outwardly flares in an axially outer direction relative to said axially inner mounting section, for bearing against a complementally formed portion of said traction stud.

A one-piece stud mount for mounting a traction stud, having a radially outer locking surface thereon, to an endless snowmobile drive belt said stud mount comprising:

• a one-piece member defining an elongate hollow passage therein, said passage having an elongate axis;
• said passage including
• an axially inner internally threaded cylindrical sidewall for detachably, threadedly receiving an externally threaded portion of a traction stud;
• and
• axially outer, self-locking sidewall means, axially outward of said axially inner threaded cylindrical sidewall, which diverges radially outwardly in an axially outward direction relative to said axially inner threaded cylindrical sidewall for bearing against a locking surface portion on said traction stud as said traction stud is threaded in one direction into said cylindrical sidewall to frictionally engage said locking surface portion and detachably inhibit said traction stud from being reversely rotated.

A one-piece traction stud mount for detachably mounting an elongate traction stud, having an elongate axis of rotation and threaded and unthreaded portions, on an endless drive track, said stud mount comprising:

• a hollow stud receptacle having an axially extending, circular, threaded sidewall, provided with axially inner and outer ends, for threaded rotatably receiving a threaded portion of a traction stud to
• axially relatively move said stud and said stud mount toward each other when said stud and stud mount are relatively rotated in one direction, and
• for axially relatively moving said stud and stud mount away from each other when said stud and stud mount are relatively reversely rotated in an opposite direction;
• said stud receptacle including an axially outer, axially outwardly extending truncated cone shaped, unthreaded sidewall having an axially inner, small diameter end, axially outwardly adjacent said axially outer end of said threaded sidewall and an axially outer, large diameter, terminal end, larger than said axially inner small diameter end.

A one-piece traction stud mount for detachably mounting an elongate traction stud, having an elongate axis of rotation and threaded and unthreaded portions, on an endless drive track, said stud mount comprising:

• a hollow stud receptacle, adapted to be at least partially embedded in an endless drive track, having
• a circular cylindrical internal sidewall surface of predetermined internal diameter and with axially inner and outer ends, and
• a truncated cone shaped internal sidewall surface axially outwardly of said outer end of said circular cylindrical internal sidewall surface including
• a relatively small diameter circular end, having a first diameter substantially equal to said predetermined diameter, making a smooth relatively uninterrupted transition from said axially outer end of said cylindrical sidewall surface, and
• an axially opposite, relatively large diameter circular end of substantially greater predetermined diameter which is greater than said first diameter;
• said internal sidewall surface being threaded to threadedly receive a threaded portion of a traction stud.

A one-piece traction stud comprising:

• an elongate shank having
• an axially inner, threaded mounting end for mounting on an endless drive track,
• an opposite ground engageable end, and
• an intermediate portion, between said ends, axially outwardly adjacent said threaded mounting end;
• said threaded mounting end including an externally threaded section of a predetermined axial length;
• said intermediate portion comprising a truncated cone having
• a relatively small diameter circular end, integral with said mounting portion, having a relatively small diameter substantially equal to said predetermined diameter and
• an axially opposite, relatively large diameter circular end of substantially greater diameter.

A traction stud for mounting on an endless drive track comprising:

• an elongate shank, having an elongate axis, including
• an axially inner end of predetermined diameter for mounting in an endless drive track;
• an axially outer ground engageable end, and
• an intermediate stud locking section, between said ends, having axially spaced annular portions of progressively increasing diameter, in an axially outer direction, greater than said predetermined diameter for frictionally engaging a complementally formed stud mounting portion of said track.

In combination:

• a one-piece elongate traction stud having an elongate axis, for an endless drive track including
• an axially inner externally threaded mounting end,
• an axially outer ground engageable end, and
• an intermediate section between said ends having an axially outer portion;
• a one-piece stud mount for mounting said traction stud on said endless drive track comprising a hollow annular band including
• an axially inner, internally threaded circular cylindrical section of predetermined diameter for threadedly receiving said externally threaded mounting end to relatively move said stud and said stud mount toward each other when relatively rotated about said axis in one direction and to relatively axially move said stud and said stud mount away from each other when reversely rotated in an opposite direction, and
• an axially outer, self-locking member;
• said axially outer portion of said intermediate section of said stud and said axially outer member of said stud mount including complementally formed self-locking surfaces which have a breadth greater than said predetermined diameter and which frictionally mate when said stud and said stud mount are relatively rotated in said one direction to inhibit said stud and said stud mount from being reversely rotated in said opposite direction.

A stud mount for mounting a traction stud on an endless drive belt having at least one reinforcing rod embedded therein, said stud mount including

• a cylindrical barrel, adapted to be disposed in said endless drive belt, having inner and outer ends and an axis and defining a first opening therethrough;
• said barrel being internally threaded for threadedly detachably mounting said traction stud;
• and
• locking means mounted on said outer end of said barrel and responsive to axial movement of said stud toward said mount as said stud is threaded into said barrel in one direction of rotation for bearing against a portion of said stud and detachably frictionally locking said stud to said mount.

A stud mount for mounting a traction stud on an endless resilient belt having inner and outer surfaces with at least one opening provided in said outer surface and at least one reinforcing rod embedded in said belt adjacent said one opening, said stud mount including:

• a hollow elongate member, adapted to be disposed in said opening, having a longitudinal axis, including
• an axially inner, hollow internally threaded cylinder for threadedly detachably mounting said traction stud;
• and
• axially outer stud locking flange means, integral with said cylinder, radially outwardly diverging in an axially outer direction relative to said cylinder for bearing against a portion of said stud and detachably locking said stud to said flange means in response to axial inward movement of said stud as said stud is being turned about said axis in one direction of rotation to inhibit rotation of said stud in an opposite direction of rotation opposite said one direction.

In combination:

• an endless resilient drive belt for propelling a snowmobile along a surface;
• traction increasing means for increasing the traction of said drive belt comprising:
• a one-piece elongate snowmobile traction stud, having an elongate axis, including
• an axially inner mounting end,
• an axially outer end for engaging said surface, and
• an intermediate section between said ends;
• a one-piece annular stud mount for mounting said stud on said track including
• an axially inner section of predetermined breadth for internally receiving said axially inner mounting end, and
• an axially outer section;
• said intermediate section of said stud and said axially outer section of said stud mount having complementally formed mating surfaces, with a breadth which is greater than said predetermined breadth, for detachably locking said stud to said stud mount.

A method of manufacturing a one-piece traction stud mount for detachably mounting a one-piece traction stud to an endless drive track comprising the steps of:

• selecting a blank of material having a mid-portion and an outer portion surrounding said mid-portion;
• forming a mid-portion of said blank into a cylindrical stud receiving cylindrical receptacle having axially inner and outer ends;
• forming a mounting head in said outer portion of said blank of material integral with said axially inner end of said cylinder;
• and
• forming a skirt in the axially outer end of said cylinder which diverges radially outwardly, relative to said axially inner end, in an axially outer direction to provide a self-locking surface for mating with a complementally formed surface on a traction stud to detachably lock said stud to said mount.

A method of mounting a plurality of traction studs, each having

• an axially inner threaded end, and
• an axially outer locking surface which diverges, relative to said inner threaded end, radially outwardly in an axially outer direction
• to an endless drive track via a traction stud mount having
• an endless band provided with
• an axially inner threaded cylinder and
• an integral axially outer skirt which radially outwardly diverges in an axially outer direction;
• said stud mount being adapted to be embedded in an endless resilient drive belt, said method including the steps of:
• threading said axially inner end of said traction stud to said axially inner threaded cylinder of said stud mount to axially inwardly move said stud toward said stud mount;
• and
• frictionally engaging said axially outer skirt and said axially outer locking surface as said stud is axially moved toward said stud mount to detachably lock said stud to said stud mount without the use of a separate fastener.

A method of making a self-locking traction stud for an endless drive member, such as a snowmobile drive belt comprising the steps of

• selecting an elongate rod having an elongate axis, a predetermined breadth and length, and axially inner and outer ends;
• radially inwardly reducing the breadth of an axially inner portion of said rod between said ends to provide a tapered, self-locking portion which tapers radially inwardly in an axially inner direction and a cylindrical terminal end portion which is axially inward of said tapered, self-locking portion;
• and
• externally threading said cylindrical terminal end portion to provide a thread for threadedly mating with a complementally formed thread on a stud mount.

A method of making a self-locking traction stud for an endless drive member, such as a snowmobile drive track comprising the steps of:

• selecting an elongated rod having an elongate axis and axially inner and outer ends;
• oppositely radially inwardly tapering axially spaced, inner and outer portions of said rod to provide an axially outer ground engaging end portion which tapers radially inwardly in an axially outer direction and an axially inner self-locking tapered outer surface which tapers radially inwardly in an axially inward direction;
• and
• threading an axially inner terminal end portion of said rod, axially inward of said self-locking tapered surface, with an elongate mounting thread having a breadth less than the breadth of said self-locking tapered surface.

A one-piece, elongate traction stud, having an elongate rotational axis and axially inner and outer ends, for mounting on an endless snowmobile drive belt, said stud comprising:

• an axially inner, cylindrical, threaded stud mounting end section at said axially inner end for threadedly engaging a complementally threaded stud mount on said belt to axially inwardly move said stud toward said stud mount when said stud is rotated in one direction of rotation relative to said stud mount and for axially outwardly moving said stud away from said stud mount when said stud is rotated in an opposite direction of rotation;
• axially outwardly moving said stud away from said stud mount when said stud is rotated in an opposite direction of rotation;
• an axially outer ground engaging end section at said axially outer end;
• and
• self-locking means between said axially inner threaded end section and said axially outer ground engaging end section for detachably frictionally locking said stud to said stud mount on said belt as said stud is moved axially inwardly to inhibit reverse rotation of said stud in said opposite direction;
• said self-locking means comprising a radially outer surface section which tapers radially outwardly in an axially outer direction to provide a radially outwardly, axially outwardly tapering surface for bearing against a complementally formed surface on said stud mount.

A one-piece, elongate traction stud, having an elongate rotational axis and axially inner and outer ends, for mounting on an endless snowmobile drive belt, said stud comprising:

• an axially inner, cylindrical, threaded stud mounting end section at said axially inner end for threadedly engaging a complementally threaded stud mount on said belt to axially inwardly move said stud toward said stud mount when said stud is rotated in one direction of rotation relative to said stud mount and for axially outwardly moving said stud away from said stud mount when said stud is rotated in an opposite direction of rotation;
• an axially outer ground engaging end section at said axially outer end;
• and
• self-locking means between said axially inner threaded end section and said axially outer ground engaging end section for detachably frictionally locking said stud to said stud mount on said belt as said stud is moved axially inwardly to inhibit reverse rotation of said stud in said opposite direction;
• said self-locking means comprising a sidewall section which radially outwardly diverges in an axially outward direction for bearing against a complementally formed section on said stud mount.

A one-piece, elongate traction stud, having an elongate rotational axis and axially inner and outer ends, for mounting on an endless snowmobile drive belt, said stud comprising:

• an axially inner, cylindrical, threaded stud mounting end section at said axially inner end for threadedly engaging a complementally threaded stud mount on said belt to axially inwardly move said stud toward said stud mount when said stud is rotated in one direction of rotation relative to said stud mount and for axially outwardly moving said stud away from said stud mount when said stud is rotated in an opposite direction of rotation;
• an axially outer ground engaging end section at said axially outer end;
• and
• self-locking means between said axially inner threaded end section and said axially outer ground engaging end section for detachably frictionally locking said stud to said stud mount on said belt as said stud is moved axially inwardly to inhibit reverse rotation of said stud in said opposite direction;
• said axially inner cylindrical threaded end section including an external thread having a predetermined diameter;
• said self-locking means comprising an intermediate frusto-conically shaped stud section having a diameter which gradually increases in an axially outward direction.

A one-piece, elongate traction stud, having an elongate rotational axis and axially inner and outer ends, for mounting on an endless snowmobile drive belt, said stud comprising:

• an axially inner, cylindrical, threaded stud mounting end section at said axially inner end for threadedly engaging a complementally threaded stud mount on said belt to axially inwardly move said stud toward said stud mount when said stud is rotated in one direction of rotation relative to said stud mount and for axially outwardly moving said stud away from said stud mount when said stud is rotated in an opposite direction of rotation;
• an axially outer ground engaging end section at said axially outer end;
• and
• self-locking means between said axially inner threaded end section and said axially outer ground engaging end section for detachably frictionally locking said stud to said stud mount on said belt as said stud is moved axially inwardly to inhibit reverse rotation of said stud in said opposite direction;
• said self locking means including inclined surface means which diverges diametrically outwardly of said axially inner cylindrical threaded stud mounting end section in an axially outward direction for frictionally engaging a complementally formed surface on said stud mount.

A one-piece, elongate traction stud, having an elongate rotational axis and axially inner and outer ends, for mounting on an endless snowmobile drive belt, said stud comprising:

• an axially inner, cylindrical, threaded stud mounting end section at said axially inner end for threadedly engaging a complementally threaded stud mount on said belt to axially inwardly move said stud toward said stud mount when said stud is rotated in one direction of rotation relative to said stud mount and for axially outwardly moving said stud away from said stud mount when said stud is rotated in an opposite direction of rotation;
• an axially outer ground engaging end section at said axially outer end;
• and
• self-locking means between said axially inner threaded end section and said axially outer ground engaging end section for detachably frictionally locking said stud to said stud mount on said belt as said stud is moved axially inwardly to inhibit reverse rotation of said stud in said opposite direction;
• said axially inner cylindrical threaded end section having a predetermined diameter, said self-locking means comprises a radially outer non-threaded surface having a diameter larger than said predetermined diameter.

A one-piece, elongate traction stud, having an elongate rotational axis and axially inner and outer ends, for mounting on an endless snowmobile drive belt, said stud comprising:

• an axially inner, cylindrical, threaded stud mounting end section at said axially inner end for threadedly engaging a complementally threaded stud mount on said belt to axially inwardly move said stud toward said stud mount when said stud is rotated in one direction of rotation relative to said stud mount and for axially outwardly moving said stud away from said stud mount when said stud is rotated in an opposite direction of rotation;
• an axially outer ground engaging end section at said axially outer end;
• and
• self-locking means between said axially inner threaded end section and said axially outer ground engaging end section for detachably frictionally locking said stud to said stud mount on said belt as said stud is moved axially inwardly to inhibit reverse rotation of said stud in said opposite direction;
• said axially inner cylindrical threaded end section having a predetermined breadth and said self-locking means comprising a radially outer non-threaded surface of greater predetermined breadth greater than said predetermined breadth.

A one-piece, elongate traction stud, having an elongate rotational axis and axially inner and outer ends, for mounting on an endless snowmobile drive belt, said stud comprising:

• an axially inner, cylindrical, threaded stud mounting end section at said axially inner end for threadedly engaging a complementally threaded stud mount on said belt to axially inwardly move said stud toward said stud mount when said stud is rotated in one direction of rotation relative to said stud mount and for axially outwardly moving said stud away from said stud mount when said stud is rotated in an opposite direction of rotation;
• an axially outer ground engaging end section at said axially outer end;
• and
• self-locking means between said axially inner threaded end section and said axially outer ground engaging end section for detachably frictionally locking said stud to said stud mount on said belt as said stud is moved axially inwardly to inhibit reverse rotation of said stud in said opposite direction;
• said self-locking means comprising an axially extending outer sidewall surface with a breadth which is greater than the diameter of said cylindrical threaded section and which radially outward increases in an axially outer direction.

A one-piece, elongate traction stud, having an elongate rotational axis and axially inner and outer ends, for mounting on an endless snowmobile drive belt, said stud comprising:

• an axially inner, cylindrical, threaded stud mounting end section at said axially inner end for threadedly engaging a complementally threaded stud mount on said belt to axially inwardly move said stud toward said stud mount when said stud is rotated in one direction of rotation relative to said stud mount and for axially outwardly moving said stud away from said stud mount when said stud is rotated in an opposite direction of rotation;
• an axially outer ground engaging end section at said axially outer end;
• and
• self-locking means between said axially inner threaded end section and said axially outer ground engaging end section for detachably frictionally locking said stud to said stud mount on said belt as said stud is moved axially inwardly to inhibit reverse rotation of said stud in said opposite direction;
• said threaded stud mounting end section having a predetermined outer diameter and said self-locking means having a breadth greater than said predetermined diameter.

A one-piece, elongate traction stud, having an elongate rotational axis and axially inner and outer ends, for mounting on an endless snowmobile drive belt, said stud comprising:

• an axially inner, cylindrical, threaded stud mounting end section at said axially inner end for threadedly engaging a complementally threaded stud mount on said belt to axially inwardly move said stud toward said stud mount when said stud is rotated in one direction of rotation relative to said stud mount and for axially outwardly moving said stud away from said stud mount when said stud is rotated in an opposite direction of rotation;
• an axially outer ground engaging end section at said axially outer end;
• and
• self-locking means between said axially inner threaded end section and said axially outer ground engaging end section for detachably frictionally locking said stud to said stud mount on said belt as said stud is moved axially inwardly to inhibit reverse rotation of said stud in said opposite direction;
• said self-locking means including axially inner and outer sections, the breadth of said axially outer section being greater than the breadth of said axially inner section.

A traction stud for improving the traction of an endless resilient drive member, such as a snowmobile drive belt, said stud comprising:

• an elongate, one-piece shank having
• an elongate axis,
• an axially inner threaded end mounting section for threadedly mounting said shank on an endless drive member for rotation about said axis on said endless drive member to axially inwardly move said shank when rotated in one direction of rotation about said axis and to axially outwardly move said shank when rotated in an opposite direction;
• an axially outer ground engaging end section, and
• self-locking surface means, which flares radially outwardly in an axially outer direction, axially outward of said axially inner threaded end mounting section for bearing against a complementally formed surface on said drive member as said stud is rotated in said one direction and axially inwardly moves;
• said self-locking surface means comprising an annular sidewall shank section, disposed between said axially inner threaded end section and said axially outer ground engaging section, which radially outwardly diverges in an axially outer direction.

A one-piece stud mount, having an elongate axis, for detectably mounting a traction stud on an outer surface of an endless snowmobile drive belt, said one-piece stud mount comprising:

• an axially inner, hollow, cylindrical stud mounting sidewall, adapted to be embedded in said drive belt, defining a cylindrical passage of predetermined breadth for detachably receiving a complementally formed inner end of a traction stud;
• and
• self-locking means for detachably locking said stud to said stud mount comprising an axially outer, hollow sidewall, integral with said axially inner stud mounting sidewall, having an internal breadth which is greater than said predetermined breadth;
• said axially outer, hollow sidewall gradually flaring radially outwardly in an axially outer direction for bearing against a complementally formed sidewall portion of a traction stud.

An endless drive track for propelling a snowmobile comprising:

• a resilient endless drive belt having
• an inner surface,
• an outer ground engaging surface, and
• a plurality of apertures in said outer surface;
• a plurality of stud mounting means, at least partially embedded in said apertures, for mounting a plurality of elongate traction studs;
• a reinforcing rod embedded in said belt
• a plurality of traction studs each having
• an elongate axis,
• an inner end for mounting on one of said stud mounting means, and
• an opposite, outer ground engaging end;
• said stud mounting means and said traction studs including complementally formed self-locking surface means for detachably locking said studs to said stud mounting means;
• and
• means integral with said stud mounting means for coupling said stud mounting means to said reinforcing rod.

A method of mounting an elongate traction stud, having a cylindrical, axially inner threaded end section, an axially outer end and an intermediate portion between said threaded end section and said axially outer end of greater breadth than the breadth of said threaded end section, to a reinforcing rod embedded in an endless drive belt comprising the steps of:

• coupling a one-piece stud mount having an elongate passage including
• an axially inner internally threaded cylindrical sidewall, and
• an axially outer sidewall, having a breadth greater than the diameter of said cylindrical sidewall,
• to the reinforcing rod embedded in the endless drive belt;
• and
• threading said cylindrical threaded end section of said stud in one direction of rotation in said internally threaded sidewall of said stud mount to axially move said intermediate end of said stud into frictional locking engagement with said axially outer sidewall and inhibit reverse rotation of said stud in an opposite direction opposite said one direction.

A method of mounting an elongate traction stud to an endless drive track, said stud having

• a cylindrical inner threaded end section,
• an axially outer ground engaging end, and
• an intermediate portion between said threaded end and said axially outer end of greater breadth than said threaded end to an endless drive belt, said method comprising the steps of:
• threadedly rotating said cylindrical inner threaded end section in one direction of rotation into a complementally threaded cylindrical surface on said track to axially translate said stud toward said track;
• and
• compressing said intermediate portion of said stud against a complementally formed surface on said track radially outward of said threaded cylindrical surface to axially force said stud against said complementally formed surface to detachably lock said stud to said track and inhibit reverse rotation of said stud;
• said intermediate portion including an intermediate self-locking section which has a breadth that gradually increases in an axially outer direction, and said complementally formed surface on said track comprising a radially outwardly tapering surface, said compressing step being accomplished by axially inwardly moving said intermediate self-locking section which has a breadth that gradually increases in an axially outer direction against a complementally formed radially outwardly tapering surface.

A one-piece stud mount, having an elongate axis, for detectably mounting a traction stud on an outer surface of an endless snowmobile drive belt, said one-piece stud mount comprising:

• an axially inner, hollow, cylindrical stud mounting sidewall, adapted to be embedded in said drive belt, defining a cylindrical passage of predetermined breadth for detachably receiving a complementally formed inner end of a traction stud;
• self-locking means for detachably locking said stud to said stud mount comprising an axially outer, hollow sidewall, integral with said axially inner stud mounting sidewall, having an internal breadth which is greater than said predetermined breadth;
• and
• transverse mounting head means, integral with said axially inner cylindrical stud mounting sidewall, for mounting said stud mount to a reinforcing rod adapted to be embedded in said endless snowmobile drive belt.