Reduced sound transmitting idler for track-type vehicles
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorThomas E. Oertley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An idler for supporting the forward end of an endless track of a track-type tractor has an endless chain resiliently supported on an outer flange of the idler hub. An outer surface of the chain provides a substantially continuous bearing surface for supporting the endless track on the idler.
Claims30
A track-type vehicle having an endless track mounted on opposite sides thereof, the vehicle comprising:
- an idler for supporting a forward portion of each of the endless tracks, each of the idlers being disposed for rotation about an axis and having a hub with an annular flange;
- an endless chain having a plurality of interconnected segments being mounted on said annular flange to provide a substantially continuous bearing surface for said endless track about said idler;
- and
- at least one elastomer positioned between the endless chain and the annular flange of the hub.
A track-type vehicle having an endless track mounted on opposite sides thereof, the vehicle comprising:
- an idler for supporting a forward portion of each of the endless tracks, each of the idlers being disposed for rotation about an axis and having a hub with an annular flange;
- an endless chain having a plurality of interconnected segments being mounted on said annular flange to provide a substantially continuous bearing surface for said endless track about said idler;
- and
- at least one assembly having an elastomeric portion being positioned between the endless chain and the annular flange of the hub.
A track-type vehicle idler assembly disposed for rotation about an axis thereof, comprising:
- a hub having an annular flange;
- an endless chain having a plurality of interconnected segments being mounted on said annular flange of the hub;
- and
- at least one elastomer positioned between the endless chain and the annular flange of the hub.
A track-type vehicle idler assembly disposed for rotation about an axis thereof, comprising:
- a hub having an annular flange;
- an endless chain having a plurality of interconnected segments being mounted on said annular flange of the hub;
- and
- at least one assembly having an elastomeric portion being positioned between the endless chain and the annular flange of the hub.
An endless chain assembly connected to the outer peripheral surface of a hub of a track-type vehicle idler, said endless chain assembly comprising:
- a plurality of interconnected segments, the segments being positioned relative to one another to define a substantially continuous outer bearing surface.
An endless chain assembly connected to the outer peripheral surface of a hub of a track-type vehicle idler, said endless chain assembly comprising:
- a plurality of interconnected segments, the segments being positioned relative to one another to define a substantially continuous outer bearing surface;
- a resilient member in engagement with at least one segment of the interconnected segments;
- and
- retaining means for holding the resilient member in engagement with the at least one segment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.