# US 7,407,236 B2 · Elastic crawler > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,407,236 B2 - Document ID: US7407236B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/056,197 - Filed: 2005-02-14 - Published: 2005-09-15 - Granted: 2008-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2004-03-09 - Assignees: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. - Inventors: Yasuharu Fukushima - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7407236B2 ## CPC - B62D 55/244: {Moulded in one piece, with either smooth surfaces or surfaces having projections, e.g. incorporating reinforcing elements} - 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) ## Abstract An elastic crawler having a crawler main body including an endless belt of rubber-like elastic material that is driven by friction with a friction drive wheel. A plurality of guide projections protrude from the inner circumferential surfaces of both lateral edge portions of the crawler main body at specified intervals in the longitudinal direction of the belt. Guide core bodies are embedded to the inside of the respective guide projections in the lateral direction of the belt. A plurality of main body core bodies are embedded in the crawler main body in the same positions as the guide projections in the longitudinal direction of the belt, and a plurality of laterally extending lugs protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the crawler main body at specified intervals in the longitudinal direction of the belt. The guide core bodies and main body core bodies are independent of each other. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An elastic crawler comprising: a crawler main body consisting of an endless belt of elastic material that is driven by friction with a friction drive wheel, the crawler main body having (1) laterally spaced edge portions, (2) an outer circumferential surface and (3) an inner circumferential surface spaced from the outer circumferential surface in a direction of thickness of the belt; a plurality of guide projections which protrude from the inner circumferential surface of both lateral edge portions of said crawler main body at specified intervals in a longitudinal direction of the belt; a guide core body embedded in a laterally inside surface of each of said guide projections; a plurality of main body core bodies which are (1) independent of said guide core bodies and (2) embedded in said crawler main body in positions corresponding with said guide projections in the longitudinal direction of the belt; and a plurality of laterally extending lugs which protrude from the outer circumferential surface of said crawler main body at specified intervals in the longitudinal direction of the belt. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The elastic crawler according to claim 1, wherein said guide core bodies are disposed in positions that are separated from said main body core body in the direction of thickness of the belt. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The elastic crawler according to claim 1, wherein an edge portion of each guide core body adjacent to a main core body has a protruding shape that protrudes toward the outside in the direction of thickness of the belt. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The elastic crawler according to claim 2, wherein an edge portion of each guide core body adjacent to a main core body has a protruding shape that protrudes toward the outside in the direction of thickness of the belt. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The elastic crawler according to claim 1, wherein said guide core body has (1) a core body main body that conforms to the shape of the laterally inside surface of the corresponding guide projection and (2) extension portions that extend laterally to the outside from end portions of said core body main body that are spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the belt, and an adhesion strengthening portion that increases the adhesive strength with the rubber-like elastic material that constitutes said guide projection is formed in at least one of the core body main body and the extension portions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The elastic crawler according to claim 2, wherein said guide core body has (1) a core body main body that conforms to the shape of the laterally inside surface of the corresponding guide projection and (2) extension portions that extend laterally to the outside from end portions of said core body main body that are spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the belt, and an adhesion strengthening portion that increases the adhesive strength with the rubber-like elastic material that constitutes said guide projection is formed in at least one of the core body main body and the extension portions. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The elastic crawler according to claim 3, wherein said guide core body has (1) a core body main body that conforms to the shape of the laterally inside surface of the corresponding guide projection and (2) extension portions that extend laterally to the outside from end portions of said core body main body that are spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the belt, and an adhesion strengthening portion that increases the adhesive strength with the rubber-like elastic material that constitutes said guide projection is formed in at least one of the core body main body and the extension portions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The elastic crawler according to claim 1, wherein lateral edges of said main core bodies have tapered portions with a surface that inclines toward the outside laterally and toward the inside in the direction of thickness of the belt. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The elastic crawler according to claim 2, wherein lateral edges of said main core bodies have tapered portions with a surface that inclines toward the outside laterally and toward the inside in the direction of thickness of the belt. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The elastic crawler according to claim 3, wherein lateral edges of said main core bodies have tapered portions with a surface that inclines toward the outside laterally and toward the inside in the direction of thickness of the belt. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) The elastic crawler according to claim 4, wherein lateral edges of said main core bodies have tapered portions with a surface that inclines toward the outside laterally and toward the inside in the direction of thickness of the belt.