Caterpillar Inc.

Brian D McFeeters

Robert J Purcell

Brent C Bargfrede

Marvin G Getz

Anthony E Kirn

An endless elastomeric belt includes a plurality of longitudinally separated guide blocks each having a longitudinally extending slot in a tip portion thereof. The slot reduces the mass of the guide block at a location most effective for reducing acceleration forces generated in the belt at a position where the belt separates from the entrained wheels at high rotational speeds. Reducing the acceleration forces reduces fatigue failures tending to occur in the bond joint between the guide block and a belt body.

Endless elastomeric belt

A recoil and tensioning assembly for the track and idler of a self-laying track vehicle maintains a constant tensioning force on the endless track. The assembly provides recoiling of the idler wheel during shock loading of the idler wheel or during ingestion of foreign material between the track and the idler and drive wheels. The recoil and tensioning assembly includes a recoil member which telescopes into a cylinder and includes a first chamber filled with a compressible gas and a second chamber filled with a non-compressible oil. A floating piston separates the two chambers and serves to compress the gas during a recoil cycle. Conventional recoil systems for self-laying track-type vehicles utilize pre-compressed large diameter steel coil springs to resist recoiling during light loading of the idler wheel and to return the idler wheel to normal position after recoiling during heavy loading. These coil springs are quite bulky and heavy, require considerable space, and must be maintained in a pre-compressed state under large forces. This requires extremely sturdy spring retaining devices and special assembly and disassembly procedures. The subject recoil and tensioning assembly incorporates a compressible gas spring in place of the large coil steel spring, thereby requiring less space, less weight, and easier assembly and disassembly. The subject assembly maintains a constant tension force on the endless track and responds immediately to recoil situations.

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Morton, IL, United States of America

Brian D McFeeters