Endless track system

Abstract

An endless track system for providing a plurality of rigid grouser members attached about the exterior surface of a rubber track. The inventive device includes an endless rubber track having an outer surface and an inner surface, a plurality of gripping members attached to the outer surface of the endless track, and a plurality of inner members attached to the inner surface of the endless track and to the gripping members. Each of the inner members is comprised of an elongate support member with a pair of opposing side walls attached orthogonally to. The gripping members are preferably comprised of a center member surrounded by an outer coating. The outer coating may be comprised of any plastic or rubber material for reducing damage to surfaces traveled upon. The gripping members are preferably attached to the inner members by a plurality of fasteners that extend through the endless rubber track. In an alternative embodiment, the gripping members may be comprised of a member having a U-shaped cross sectional area.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An endless track system, comprising: 
 an endless track having an inner surface and an outer surface;    a plurality of inner members attached to said inner surface of said endless track formed for receiving tires of a tractor;    wherein said plurality of inner members are each comprised of a support member having a first end and a second end, a first sidewall extending from said first end, and a second sidewall extending from said second end;    a plurality of gripping members attached to said outer surface of said endless track having a length less than a width of said endless track; and    a plurality of fasteners that extend through said inner members and said endless track and engaged within said gripping members.    
     
     
         2 . The endless track system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of fasteners are threadably engaged within said gripping members.  
     
     
         3 . The endless track system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of gripping members are attached transversely to said outer surface of said endless track.  
     
     
         4 . The endless track system of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of gripping members have a U-shaped cross sectional structure.  
     
     
         5 . The endless track system of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of gripping members are comprised of a resilient material.  
     
     
         6 . The endless track system of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of gripping members are comprised of a rigid center member and an outer coating surrounding said center member.  
     
     
         7 . The endless track system of  claim 6 , wherein said outer coating is comprised of a resilient material.  
     
     
         8 . The endless track system of  claim 7 , wherein said outer coating is comprised of a plastic material.  
     
     
         9 . The endless track system of  claim 1 , wherein said gripping member is a straight structure.  
     
     
         10 . The endless track system of  claim 1 , wherein said gripping member is shorter in length than a width of said endless track.  
     
     
         11 . The endless track system of  claim 1 , wherein said endless track is a solid track structure.  
     
     
         12 . The endless track system of  claim 1 , wherein said endless track has a pair of opposing distal ends connected by a connecting structure.  
     
     
         13 . The endless track system of  claim 11 , wherein one of said plurality of inner members is attached about said distal ends of said endless track.  
     
     
         14 . An endless track system, comprising: 
 a track having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end opposite of said first end;    a connecting structure for connecting said first end and said second end for forming an endless track structure;    a plurality of inner members attached to said inner surface of said track formed for receiving tires of a tractor;    wherein said plurality of inner members are each comprised of a support member having a first end and a second end, a first sidewall extending from said first end, and a second sidewall extending from said second end;    a plurality of gripping members attached to said outer surface of said track; and    a plurality of fasteners that extend through said inner members and said endless track and engaged within said gripping members.    
     
     
         15 . The endless track system of  claim 14 , wherein said connecting structure is comprised of: 
 a pair of outer plates secured to said first end and said second end adjacent said outer surface of said track;    a pair of inner plates secured to said first end and said second end adjacent said inner surface of said track opposite of said outer plates; and    a connecting member formed for engaging said pair of outer plates and being fastened directly to one of said plurality of inner members.    
     
     
         16 . The endless track system of  claim 15 , wherein said connecting member is connected to one of said plurality of inner members by a plurality of fasteners.  
     
     
         17 . The endless track system of  claim 15 , wherein said outer plates and said inner plates are attached to said track by a chemical bonding process.