Apparatus for converting a wheeled vehicle to a tracked vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-propelled, wheeled vehicle that may be converted into a multi-track self-propelled vehicle using one or more track assemblies. Each track assembly includes a carriage with a main frame that support forward and rearward idler wheels and a plurality of centrally located, inner bogey wheels, and an outrigger beam that supports a plurality of centrally located, outer bogey wheels. One of the idler wheels is movably connected to the main frame and is movable by an actuator. The carriage is removably connected to a spindle of a vehicle by an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly includes a first or lower section and a second or upper section that generally encircle a portion of the spindle housing, and which are connected thereto by a plurality of fastening elements. A sprocket is operatively connected to a wheel hub of the spindle either directly or indirectly by way of a spacer element. A flexible endless track is entrained about the idler wheels, the bogey wheels and the sprocket.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A track assembly for use with a vehicle having a spindle housing and an axle hub, the track assembly comprising:
 an attachment assembly configured to be connected to the spindle housing of the vehicle;   a carriage that pivotally connects to the attachment assembly, the carriage including a main frame having a first end and a second end;   a track driven about a generally triangular path;   wherein the carriage pivots relative to the attachment assembly about a pivot axis that extends in an inboard to outboard orientation, wherein the attachment assembly includes a first stop that engages the main frame to limit rotation of the carriage about the pivot axis in a first direction, and wherein the attachment assembly includes a second stop that engages the main frame to limit rotation of the carriage about the pivot axis in a second direction.