초록 ▼

In some implementations, a flexible track for a tracked vehicle comprises a flexible belt with an inner surface and a ground-engaging surface, the ground-engaging surface comprising outwardly projecting lugs spaced apart along the track, wherein at least one of the lugs comprises a vertical section

In some implementations, a flexible track for a tracked vehicle comprises a flexible belt with an inner surface and a ground-engaging surface, the ground-engaging surface comprising outwardly projecting lugs spaced apart along the track, wherein at least one of the lugs comprises a vertical section having a curved leading edge. In some implementations, the flexible track comprises a flexible belt with an inner belt surface, an opposite outer belt surface and at least one track bar attached to the outer surface and extending approximately perpendicular to a direction of the track's travel, the track bar having an outer surface with multiple projecting lugs and an inner surface with at least one holding element, and wherein when the track bar is tightened against the outer belt surface, the holding element engages the outer belt surface, thereby reducing slipping between the flexible belt and the track bar.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A flexible track for a tracked vehicle, comprising a flexible belt with an inner surface and a ground-engaging surface opposite the inner surface, the ground-engaging surface comprising outwardly projecting lugs spaced apart along the track, the lugs having distal end surfaces, wherein at least t

1. A flexible track for a tracked vehicle, comprising a flexible belt with an inner surface and a ground-engaging surface opposite the inner surface, the ground-engaging surface comprising outwardly projecting lugs spaced apart along the track, the lugs having distal end surfaces, wherein at least two of the lugs comprise side surfaces that curve as they extend between the respective distal end surfaces and the ground-engaging surface of the belt. 2. The flexible track of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the lugs comprises a curved trailing edge opposite the curved leading edge. 3. The flexible track of claim 1, wherein the outwardly projecting lugs are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the ground-engaging surface. 4. The flexible track of claim 1, wherein the outwardly projecting lugs are spaced apart in a lateral direction of the ground-engaging surface. 5. The flexible track of claim 1, wherein the ground-engaging surface comprises outer surfaces of multiple track belts. 6. The flexible track of claim 1, wherein the ground-engaging surface comprises four spaced apart track belts interconnected by laterally extending tread strips. 7. The flexible track of claim 1, wherein the ground-engaging surface comprises one track belt. 8. The flexible track of claim 1, wherein the curved surfaces are defined by a splined curve. 9. The flexible track of claim 1, wherein at least an outer extent of the at least one of the lugs has a curved side surface about an entire periphery. 10. The flexible track of claim 1, wherein at least one lug comprises at least a concave curved side surface. 11. The flexible track of claim 1, wherein at least one of the lugs is in a series of generally alternating V-shaped lugs extending in a lateral direction. 12. The flexible track of claim 11, wherein at least two of the alternating V-shaped lugs are joined together. 13. A flexible track for a tracked vehicle, comprising: at least one flexible belt with an inner surface and an opposite outer surface surface;a series of track bars attached to the at least one belt and extending approximately perpendicular with respect to a direction of travel for the flexible track, an outer surface of the track bars and the flexible belts defining a ground-engaging surface;lugs projecting outwardly from the track bars in a repeating pattern in the direction of travel of the track, wherein the lugs have distal end surfaces and side surfaces that curve as they extending between the distal end surfaces and the ground-engaging surface of the belt,wherein the lugs comprise a central lug positioned along a center axis of the ground-engaging surface and oriented in a first direction of the axis, a pair of inner lugs positioned laterally outwardly on either side of the center lug, a pair of intermediate lugs positioned laterally outwardly on either side of the inner lugs and oriented in a second direction of the axis and a pair of outer lugs positioned laterally outward of the intermediate lugs and oriented in the first direction. 14. The flexible track of claim 13, wherein the at least one flexible belt comprises four belts that are spaced apart from each other, including one pair of inner belts and one pair of outer belts, and wherein the outer belts are narrower than the inner belts. 15. The flexible track of claim 13, wherein the central lug, the pair of intermediate lugs and the pair of outer lugs are generally V-shaped, and the pair of inner lugs are each shaped as a first V-shaped lug oriented in the first direction merged laterally with a second V-shaped lug in the second direction. 16. The flexible track of claim 13, wherein the track comprises a series of drive saddles attached to project in an inward direction opposite the drive lugs, the drive saddles being shaped to guide the flexible track as the flexible track travels along guide wheels of the tracked vehicle. 17. The flexible track of claim 13, wherein the repeating pattern in which the lugs are arranged is bi-directional and allows the flexible track to be circulated in either direction to drive the tracked vehicle. 18. The flexible track of claim 13, wherein the curved surfaces of the lugs have an average curvature that can be expressed as a second order polynomial equation based on the height of the lug. 19. A flexible track for a tracked vehicle, comprising a flexible belt with an inner belt surface, an opposite outer belt surface and at least one track bar attached to the outer surface and extending approximately perpendicular to a direction of the track's travel, the track bar having an outer surface with projecting traction lugs and an inner surface with at least one holding element, wherein at least two of the traction lugs have curved side surfaces that curve in a radial direction between respective distal end surfaces of the lugs and a ground engaging surface of the belt, and wherein when the track bar is tightened against the outer belt surface, the holding element engages the outer belt surface, thereby reducing slipping between the flexible belt and the track bar. 20. The flexible track of claim 19, wherein the holding element is configured as at least one raised rib. 21. The flexible track of claim 19, wherein the flexible belt is configured in multiple belt sections, and wherein the attachments of the track bar to the multiple belts assist in maintaining the multiple belt sections in desired positions relative to each other. 22. The flexible track of claim 19, wherein the track bar has a two-piece construction, and wherein the outer surface with the multiple projecting lugs is formed of a resilient material, and wherein the inner surface is formed of a metal. 23. The flexible track of claim 20, wherein the at least one rib comprises a pair of ribs. 24. The flexible track of claim 20, wherein the at least one rib comprises at least one rib positioned on each side of a central axis of the track bar. 25. The flexible track of claim 20, wherein the at least one rib comprises at least one pair of ribs positioned on either side of a central axis of the track bar. 26. The flexible track of claim 20, wherein the at least one rib has a generally triangular cross-section. 27. The flexible track of claim 20, wherein the rib and inner surface of the track bar are made of a metal and flexible belt is made of a resilient material, and wherein when the track bar is installed on the flexible belt, the track bar's deformation of the resilient material serves to keep the track bar in place. 28. The flexible track of claim 19, further comprising a backer plate and at least one bolt, and wherein the track bar is attached to the outer surface of the belt by threaded engagement between the at least one bolt extending through the backer plate, through the belt and into the track bar. 29. The flexible track of claim 21, wherein the backer plate comprises at least one holding element to hold the backer plate against a surface of the belt.