US1396285A - A cobpobation of - Google Patents

Description

C. RORABECK.

TRACTOR LINK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-25,1919.

Patented Nov. 8, 1921.

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CLAUDE RORABECK, OF CHICAGO HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO AMERICAN MANGANESE STEEL COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION MAINE.

TRACT OR-LINK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 8, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAUDE Romnnon, a citizen oi the United States, residing at Chicago Heights, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented CQFHUIIDQW and useful Improvements in Tractor-Links, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to tractors, and especially to treads used in the track laylng type of tractor.

The present method of making tractor links which are assembled in endwise relation forming the track laying tread, includes castings having the tread portlon formed with a grouter. This feature has its disadvantages in that when moving over ground that is not dry, mud accumulates in the grouter to such an extent as to often permit slipping of the tread.

My invention has to do with the improvement of treads for track laying types of tractors for successful commercial use, and its main object is providing a grouter separate from and independent of the tread plates "forming the track laying tread, whereby the grouters between the adjacent plates serve to cover the joints under certaln conditions and to break the joints under other conditions.

The objects of my invention Wlll be clearly understood from the accompanying sheet of drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a top plan view of two connected adjacent links embodying my 1nvention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the arrangement of Fig. 1 looking at the bottom of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a modlfication of my invention; and

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

In the form in which I have chosen to illustrate my invention, 5 and 6 represent adjacent tractor links each of which IS in the term of a plate having cast integrally therewith the tracks 7 for engaging the bearing rollers of the driving wheels. Successive link plates are spaced at a suitable interval. as clearly indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, so as to permit of the necessary looseness and angular movement of the plates with respect to one another particularly when traveling around the guides at the ends of the tractor. The ends of the adjacent tracks are adapted for connection by means of the pins 8 held in position by cotters 9. It is usual practice to make these links so that the teeth of the sprocket wheel will extend between the parallel tracks 7 and engage the pins 8 for moving the chain. In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown the grouter 10 as having a head portion and shoulders 11 adapted to overlie the contiguous ends of the adjacent plates and prevent admission of dirt therethrough. In

Figs. 1 and 2 the grouter is provided with three spaced lugs 12, 13, and 14 having centrally disposed apertures for the reception of the pins 8. lVhen the lugs are arranged as shown in Fig. 1 it will be noted that the sprocket wheels may engage the central lugs 13, or parallel sprockets may engage the outer lugs 12 and 14, or, if desired, a three-plane sprocket may be used to engage all of the lugs 12, 13, and 14 for moving the track chain. When the sprocket teeth engage the said shoulders, the tendency is to rock the grouter, which is important, in that such rocking tends to break the mud joint formed between adjacent links, thereby increasing the tractive effect of the tread.

In some links and in Fig. 3 one pair of ends of the tracks 7 is connected by an integral sleeve 15 having an enlarged aperture for the reception of the connecting pins 8. here the grouter of my invention is adapted to be used with such an arrangement it is provided with only the outer or end lugs 16 and 17 adapted to engage the in outwardly of the tracks '7. This construction permits the sprocket wheel to engage either the sleeve 15 and the outer lugs 16 and 17, or the sleeve 15 alone, or the outer lugs 16 and 17. In any event motion is transmitted to the tread by sprocket wheels engaging the pin or its associated parts. It will be observed that a chain formed of separate plates and separate grouters embodying my invention will lie on the ground as shown in Fig. 2. As the chain passes over the bearing wheels at each end of the run, the joints between successive plates and covered by the grouters 10 will be broken and whatever mud and the like which has accumulated at the joint will be dislodged, so that at all times the grouter is free of mud, insuring a positive tractive engagement with the ground.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the base portions of a link having cutouts 18 and 19 which are so made as to aiiord an opening around the grouter. This construction is used where there are no openings through the side walls of the tracks '7 for the expulsion of accumulated dirt between the tracks 7, so that the dirt may be displaced by the sprocket Wheels.

l/Vhile I have described more or less precisely the details of construction of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as I contemplate changes in form and the proportion of parts and the substitution or equivalents as circumstances may suggest or render eXpedient, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

1 claim:

1. A track chain of the self laying type, comprising link plates having tracks upon their upper sides, said tracks projecting beyond the ends of the respective link plates and pivotally connected to the tracks of the respective adjacent link plates, adjacent ends of successive link plates being spaced to permit angular movement of said plates, and grouters at the under side of the chain, each grouter spanning the space between adjacent link plates and provided with a portion extending through the space between the link plates and pivotally connected to the pivotal connection. between said link plates.

2. A track chain of the self laying type, comprising link plates, pivotal connections between successive plates, adjacent ends of successive link plates being spaced to permit angular movement of said plates, and

grouters spanning the spaces between the link plates and provided with portions extending through said spaces and pivotally connected to the pivotal connections between the link plates.

3. A track chain of the self laying type, comprising link plates, pivotal connections between successive plates, adjacent ends of successive link plates being spaced to permit angular movement of said plates, tracks upon corresponding faces of the plates, the tracks of successive link plates cooperating to form continuous tracks when the link plates are in one and the same plane, and grouters, each grouter spanning the space between successive link plates and provided with portions extending through the spaces between the plates and pivotally connected to the pivotal connections between the link plates.

4. A track chain of the self laying type, comprising link plates, successive link plates having their adjacent ends spaced and provided with transversely alined perforate lugs projecting into the space between successive plates, a pivot pin extending through the perforate lugs, and grouters, each grouter spanning the space between adjacent link plates and provided with portions extending through the space between the plates, said portions having perforate lugs receiving the said pivot pin.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 19th day of August, 1919.

CLAUDE RORABECK.

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