Resilient mid-pitch lug for an endless track

Abstract

An endless track assembly for use with a track-type vehicle having a notched drive sprocket is provided with link elements having a resilient mid-pitch impact lug located midway between the track link bushings. The resilient mid-pitch lug reduces track noise and wear due to metal-to-metal impact of the track against the sprocket and idler by having a topmost portion of greater height than adjacent bushings whereby initial contact is made by the lug so that impact energy is thereby absorbed prior to engagement of the track bushings.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In an endless track assembly of the type used on a vehicle provided with a drive sprocket having teeth and notches alternately disposed about the circumference of the sprocket, said track assembly comprising a pair of laterally upstanding link elements; parallel pin and bushing elements secured to and interconnecting respectively opposite ends of the links; a track shoe secured to the bottoms of said links; the improvement comprising a resilient impact lug reinforced by reinforcing means including a wear resistant material secured to the contact end of said impact lug, said lug being releasably secured to the shoe midway between the bushing elements, said impact lug having a topmost portion of greater height from the track shoe than the topmost portion of the adjacent bushings whereby initial contact is made by said lug so that impact energy is absorbed by the lug prior to engagement of an adjacent bushing. 
     
     
       2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the impact lug comprises a solid body of natural rubber. 
     
     
       3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said solid body further includes at least one protrusion extending laterally therefrom and adapted to underlie the edge of an adjacent track shoe. 
     
     
       4. The invention of claim 2, wherein said solid body is provided with a tapered contact end. 
     
     
       5. The invention of claim 4, wherein said tapered contact end is provided with a metal tip. 
     
     
       6. In an endless track assembly of the type used on a vehicle provided with a drive sprocket having teeth and notches alternately disposed about the circumference of the sprocket, said track assembly comprising a pair of laterally upstanding link elements; parallel pin and bushing elements secured to and interconnecting respectively opposite ends of the links; a track shoe secured to the bottoms of said links; the improvement comprising a resilient impact lug in the form of a hollow, generally tubular body .[.of synthetic plastic material substantially harder than natural rubber.]. releasably secured to the shoe midway between the bushing elements, said hollow, generally tubular body being reinforced by reinforcing means including a reinforcement ply imbedded therein, comprising a steel wire reinforcement ply circumferentially imbedded in said hollow, generally tubular body, said impact lug having a topmost portion of greater height from the track shoe than the topmost portion of the adjacent bushings whereby initial contact is made by said lug so that impact energy is absorbed by the lug prior to engagement of an adjacent bushing. 
     
     
       7. .[.The invention of claim 6, wherein said reinforcement ply comprises.]. .Iadd.In an endless track assembly of the type used on a vehicle provided with a drive sprocket having teeth and notches alternately disposed about the circumference of the sprocket, said track assembly comprising a pair of laterally upstanding link elements; parallel pin and bushing elements secured to and interconnecting respectively opposite ends of the links; a track shoe secured to the bottoms of said links; the improvement comprising a resilient impact lug in the form of a hollow, generally tubular body releasably secured to the shoe midway between the bushing elements, said hollow, generally tubular body being reinforced by reinforcing means including a reinforcement ply imbedded therein, comprising .Iaddend.a fabric reinforcement ply circumferentially imbedded in said hollow, generally tubular body .Iadd., said impact lug having a topmost portion of greater height from the track shoe than the topmost portion of the adjacent bushings whereby initial contact is made by said lug so that impact energy is absorbed by the lug prior to engagement of an adjacent bushing.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       8. The invention of claim 6, .Iadd.including a mounting strip disposed internally of the tubular body, and .Iaddend.wherein the impact lug is secured to the track shoe by at least one bolt .[.threadably engaging the body of said lug.]. .Iadd.extending .Iaddend.between said shoe and .[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.mounting strip. .[. 
     
     
       9.  In an endless track assembly of the type used on a vehicle provided with a drive sprocket having teeth and notches alternately disposed about the circumference of the sprocket, said track assembly comprising a pair of laterally upstanding link elements; parallel pin and bushing elements secured to and interconnecting respectively opposite ends of the links; a track shoe secured to the bottoms of said links; the improvement comprising a resilient impact lug in the form of a hollow, generally tubular body of synthetic plastic material substantially harder than natural rubber releasably secured to the shoe midway between the bushing elements, said tubular body being provided with capping means at the contact end thereof and contains therewithin spring means biased between a pair of pressure plates secured within the body at opposite ends thereof, said impact lug having a topmost portion of greater height from the track shoe than the topmost portion of the adjacent bushings of the adjacent bushings whereby initial contact is made by said lugs so that impact energy is absorbed by the lug prior to engagement of an adjacent bushing..]. .[.10. The invention of claim 9, wherein said capping means comprises a steel cap..]. .[.11. The invention of claim 10, wherein said spring means comprises a plurality of Belleville washers..].