Track assembly for an all-terrain vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides track assemblies and a method that allow bringing the contact patch towards the inside (the outside) of the suspension arm, by providing a asymmetric track assembly, either by lowering at least one inside (outside) support wheel relative to the remaining support wheels, or by using a belt that comprises, transversally, at least one first profile on the outer (inner) side thereof lower than a second profile on an inner side thereof.

1 . A vehicle having a main frame and supported on the ground by at least two track assemblies, each track assembly comprising:
 a longitudinal endless belt tensioned around corner wheels and a sprocket wheel; and   support wheels provided on a lower run of the longitudinal endless belt, on each side of a suspension arm of the main frame;   wherein each track assembly comprises a laterally asymmetric structure, said laterally asymmetric structure comprising at least one of:
 i) at least one of said support wheels, on one of: i) an inward side and ii) an outward side of the suspension arm, located at a lower position in relation to remaining support wheels; and 
 ii) said belt laterally comprising regions of different profiles. 
   
   
   
       2 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , said laterally asymmetric structure comprising at least one of:
 i) at least one support wheel located on an inward side of the suspension arm; and   ii) a first profile in an inner lateral region of said belt higher than a second profile of an outer lateral region of said belt.   
   
   
       3 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein each track assembly is removably connected to a hub by the main frame, said hub transferring its rotational motion to the sprocket wheel that turns the track assembly around an axis of said hub and a sprocket axis by contact with the endless belt. 
   
   
       4 . The vehicle of claim  17  wherein at least two support wheels are arranged in tandem on at least one side of the suspension arm of the main frame. 
   
   
       5 . The vehicle of  claim 4 , wherein said tandem is located at a lower position in relation to the remaining support wheels. 
   
   
       6 . The vehicle of  claim 5 , wherein said tandem is a tandem of inner support wheels. 
   
   
       7 . The vehicle of  claim 6 , wherein a frame of said tandem of inner support wheels is mounted to said main frame by a pivot. 
   
   
       8 . The vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein said tandem of inner support wheels is mounted about said pivot with rubber bushings. 
   
   
       9 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein said endless belt has a generally convex transverse profile, from an outward peripheral edge thereof to an inner peripheral edge thereof. 
   
   
       10 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , selected from the group comprising recreational vehicles, ATV, light industrial vehicles, industrial vehicles, agricultural vehicles and military vehicles. 
   
   
       11 . A drive system for a vehicle having a main frame supporting an engine and a body of the vehicle and steering device connected to said main frame, a longitudinal endless belt, disposed on said frame of said drive system and connected to the engine to propel the vehicle, being tensioned around corner wheels and a sprocket wheel, support wheels being provided on a lower run of said longitudinal endless belt, on each side of a suspension arm of the main frame, said drive system comprising a first lateral region and a second lateral region, said lateral regions being defined by at least one of:
 i) said endless belt laterally comprising regions of different profiles; and   ii) at least one of said support wheels, on one of: i) an inward side and ii) an outward side of the suspension arm, being located at a lower position in relation to remaining support wheels.   
   
   
       12 . The drive system of  claim 11 , wherein said lateral regions are defined by at least one of:
 i) said endless belt laterally comprising regions of different profiles; and   ii) at least two of the support wheels being located at a lower position in relation to remaining support wheels, said at least two support wheels being mounted in a tandem.   
   
   
       13 . The drive system of  claim 12 , wherein said lateral regions are defined by at least one of:
 i) said endless belt laterally comprising regions of different profiles; and   ii) at least two of the support wheels being located at a lower position in relation to remaining support wheels, said at least two support wheels being mounted in a tandem having a frame pivotally connected to said main frame.   
   
   
       14 . A track assembly for a wheeled vehicle, comprising:
 a longitudinal endless belt tensioned around corner wheels and a sprocket wheel; and   support wheels provided on a lower run of the longitudinal endless belt, on each side of a suspension arm of the main frame;   wherein each track assembly comprises a laterally asymmetric structure, said laterally asymmetric structure comprising at least one of:   iii) at least one of said support wheels, on one of: i) an inward side and ii) an outward side of the suspension arm, located at a lower position in relation to remaining support wheels; and   iv) said belt laterally comprising regions of different profiles.