# US 9,981,704 B2 · Track changing apparatus and methods associated therewith > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,981,704 B2 - Document ID: US9981704B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/004,542 - Filed: 2016-01-22 - Published: 2016-07-28 - Granted: 2018-05-29 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-23 - Assignees: DEW Engineering and Development ULC - Applicants: DEW Engineering and Development ULC - Inventors: Colin Campbell; Guy Carrier; Camil Giguere; Michael Harris; Neil Hutton; John Beattie; Ian Marsh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9981704B2 ## CPC - B62D 55/32: Assembly, disassembly, repair or servicing of endless-track systems - B23P 19/04: for assembling or disassembling parts - 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) - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) ## Abstract A track changing apparatus for changing a track on an armored vehicle includes a plurality of moveable elements. The plurality of moveable elements of the track changing apparatus allows a track to be manipulated from loose or unmounted state, to a tensioned state wherein the track is located on the track changing apparatus, and finally, to a fully mounted state wherein the track has been transferred onto the armored vehicle. In at least one embodiment, the track changing apparatus may be used to remove a track from an armored vehicle. Methods of using a track changing apparatus are also described, including a method of mounting a track onto an armored vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for changing an elastomeric endless track on an armored vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a hoist member; and a main frame interconnected to a lower end of the hoist member, the main frame selectively rotatable between 0 to 120 degrees from vertical, the main frame including: a variable length upper beam member including upper beam framing interconnecting a first track spreader at a first longitudinal end of the variable length upper beam member and a second track spreader at a second longitudinal end of the variable length upper beam member, wherein the first and second track spreaders are independently and selectively positionable at any position between and including a longitudinally extended position and a longitudinally retracted position; a variable length lower beam member interconnected to the variable length upper beam member, the variable length lower beam member including lower beam framing interconnecting first and second road wheel guides situated at corresponding first and second longitudinal ends of the variable length lower beam member, wherein the first and second road wheel guides are selectively positionable at any position between and including a longitudinally extended position and a longitudinally retracted position, the variable length lower beam member further including first and second rotatable standoffs interconnected to the lower beam framing, wherein said first and second rotatable standoffs are selectively positionable at any position between and including a lowered position and an upward position; and a plurality of variable height connectors interconnecting the variable length upper beam member to the variable length lower beam member, the plurality of variable height connectors selectively positionable at any position between and including an expanded position and a collapsed position; wherein the main frame is configured for contacting the elastomeric endless track for mounting the elastomeric endless track to the armored vehicle or removing the elastomeric endless track from the armored vehicle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hoist member includes a concave shape between an upper end and a lower end of the hoist member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hoist member comprises an upper lifting bar. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hoist member includes at least two interconnected arcuate-shaped members. ### Claim 5 An apparatus for changing an elastomeric endless track on an armored vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a hoist member including a concave shape between an upper end and a lower end of the hoist member, the hoist member further including an upper lifting bar; and a main frame interconnected to the lower end of the hoist member, the main frame selectively rotatable relative to the hoist member between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position, the main frame including: a variable length upper beam member including upper beam framing interconnecting a first track spreader at a first longitudinal end of the variable length upper beam member and a second track spreader at a second longitudinal end of the variable length upper beam member, wherein the first and second track spreaders are independently and selectively positionable at any position between and including a longitudinally extended position and a longitudinally retracted position; a variable length lower beam member interconnected to the variable length upper beam member, the variable length lower beam member including lower beam framing interconnecting first and second road wheel guides situated at corresponding first and second longitudinal ends of the variable length lower beam member, wherein the first and second road wheel guides are selectively positionable at any position between and including a longitudinally extended position and a longitudinally retracted position, the variable length lower beam member further including first and second rotatable standoffs interconnected to the lower beam framing, wherein said first and second rotatable standoffs are selectively positionable at any position between and including a lowered position and an upward position; and a plurality of variable height connectors interconnecting the variable length upper beam member to the variable length lower beam member, the plurality of variable height connectors selectively positionable at any position between and including an expanded position and a collapsed position; wherein the main frame is configured for contacting the elastomeric endless track for mounting the elastomeric endless track to the armored vehicle or removing the elastomeric endless track from the armored vehicle.