Endless traction band with asymmetrical support

Abstract

This invention relates to an endless traction band that is used to propel tracked vehicles and, more particularly, to an improved traction band made from a polymer adapted to travel over a drive sprocket, a plurality of guide wheels and a tension wheel. The inner surface of the endless traction band includes a different lug configuration which allows for the endless traction band to be installed more efficiently on a tracked vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A traction band for use over a plurality of wheels of a tracked vehicle allowing such vehicle to travel on a ground surface, comprising:
 an inner surface which faces said plurality of wheels and an outer surface which faces said ground surface; 
 said inner surface comprising an inward area, a central area and an outward area; 
 a first series of lugs, having a first height and which are disposed in rows in said inward area, along a longitudinal direction of said traction band; 
 a second series of lugs, having a second height higher than said first height and which are disposed in rows in said outward area, along the longitudinal direction of said traction band. 
 
     
     
       2. A traction band as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the traction band is endless. 
     
     
       3. A traction band as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a third series of lugs are disposed on the said central area and along the longitudinal direction of said traction band. 
     
     
       4. A traction band as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said first series of lugs and said second series of lugs are guide lugs and said third series of lugs are drive lugs. 
     
     
       5. A traction band as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said first series of lugs and said second series of lugs are drive lugs and said third series of lugs are guide lugs. 
     
     
       6. An endless traction band for use over a plurality of wheels of a tracked vehicle allowing such vehicle to travel on a ground surface, comprising:
 an inner surface which faces said plurality of wheels and an outer surface which faces said ground surface; 
 said inner surface comprising an inward area, a central area and an outward area; 
 a first series of lugs, having a first height and which are disposed in rows in said inward area, along a longitudinal direction of said traction band; 
 a second series of lugs, having a second height and which are disposed in rows in said outward area, along the longitudinal direction of said traction band; 
 a third series of lugs, having a third height and which are disposed in rows in said central area, along the longitudinal direction of said traction band; 
 wherein said first height is smaller than said second and third height. 
 
     
     
       7. A traction band as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said first and third series of lugs are guide lugs and said second series of lugs are drive lugs. 
     
     
       8. A traction band as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said first and third series of lugs are drive lugs and said second series of lugs are guide lugs. 
     
     
       9. An endless traction band for use over a plurality of wheels of a tracked vehicle allowing such vehicle to travel on a ground surface, comprising:
 an inner surface which faces said plurality of wheels and an outer surface which faces said sound ground surface; 
 said inner surface comprising an inward area, a central area and an outward area; 
 a first series of lugs, having a first height and which are disposed in rows in said outward area, along a longitudinal direction of said traction band; 
 a second series of lugs, having a second height and which are disposed in rows in said central area along the longitudinal direction of said traction band. 
 
     
     
       10. A traction band as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said first series of lugs are guide lugs and said second series of lugs are drive lugs. 
     
     
       11. A traction band as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said first series of lugs are drive lugs and said second series of lugs are guide lugs. 
     
     
       12. A traction band as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first series of lugs includes a predetermined number of first lugs and said second series of lugs includes a predetermined number of second lugs, said predetermined number of first lugs being smaller than said predetermined number of second lugs. 
     
     
       13. A traction band as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first series of lugs are circumferentially positioned in sequences in said inward area and only on a portion of said traction band's circumference. 
     
     
       14. A traction band as claimed in claim 9, wherein lugs are only located in the central and outward areas. 
     
     
       15. A traction band as claimed in claim 9, wherein no lugs are disposed on said inward area.