The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 25, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 12, 2001
Shuichi Matsuo, Yokohama, JP;
Bridgestone Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
In the present invention, cord protruding portions at each of ends of a crawler body are divided into groups such that each group has a protruding length different from those of other groups. The entire cord protruding portions at one end of the crawler body when seen from a direction perpendicular to a belt surface are disposed so as to present a male configuration, and the entire cord protruding portions at the other end of the crawler body are disposed so as to present a female configuration. The lines each connecting ends of cord protruding portions at the ends of the crawler body can be disposed so as to form a configuration that is one of terraced, tiered, and crenellated when seen from a direction perpendicular to a belt surface. When seen from the direction perpendicular to the belt surface, an overlapping portion of steel cords includes two outlines separated from each other in a longitudinal direction of the belt, and each outline includes a bent line. According to the present invention, a difference in rigidity between a portion of the crawler body including the overlapping portion of steel cords, and a portion not including the overlapping portion can be lessened as far as possible. Therefore, occurrence of vibration or noise can be effectively prevented. Further, a boundary between a high rigidity portion and a nonrigid portion of the rubber crawler is formed characteristically. As a result, occurrence of bending or buckling of the rubber crawler is alleviated, and the rubber crawler having excellent durability and reliability can be provided.