US 6,273,530 B1 · Toe-in/toe-out adjustment mechanism

Abstract

The adjustment mechanism of the present invention is mounted to a frame and comprises an alignment cam that is pivotally mounted to the frame by a tension link pivot pin. The alignment cam is provided with an actuating arm that is coupled to a longitudinally extendible adjusting member. The longitudinally extendible adjusting member comprising a screw jack. A tension link is pivotally mounted to the tension link pivot pin. Camming surfaces on the alignment cam are skewed with respect to the transverse axis defined by the tension link pivot pin so that rotation of the alignment cam twists the tension link and thereby the idler wheel predominately about a vertical axis. Albeit to a lesser degree, rotation of the alignment cam also twists the tension link and idler about a longitudinally extending horizontal axis. Therefore by extending or retracting the screw jack, the toe-in/toe-out orientation of the idler wheel can be adjusted.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A track vehicle comprising:

a main frame;
a track frame mounted to the main frame
a drive wheel extending from the main frame for propelling the vehicle;
an idler spaced longitudinally from the drive wheel and rotatively mounted on the track frame;
a track entraining the drive wheel and idler;
a tension link being pivotally mounted to the track frame at a pivot, the idler is rotatively mounted to the tension link;
a linear motor is mounted to the tension link for pivoting the tension link relative to the track frame;
an alignment cam is mounted to the pivot to adjust the toe-in/toe-out orientation of the idler relative to the track frame;
a longitudinally extendible adjusting member rotates the alignment cam to control the toe-in/toe-out orientation of the idler.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Toe-in/toe-out adjustment mechanism

Life of this patent

Toe-in/toe-out adjustment mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20