Armored cushioning lug for track-type vehicles
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an endless track assembly for a track-type vehicle having a cushioning lug secured to each track shoe thereof to attenuate the noise level of the track assembly during operation. 
     A conventional track assembly comprises a plurality of track shoes secured to an articulated chain with the chain adapted to engage a drive sprocket. Engagement of the chain with the drive sprocket gives rise to high noise levels. In addition, engagement of drive bushings of the chain with the sprocket tends to unduly wear the bushings whereby they require periodic repair or replacement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,244, assigned to the assignee of this application, for example, discloses combined cushioning and impact lugs secured to each track shoe of a track assembly to reduce noise levels. As also taught in such patent, it has proven further desirable to fully protect an elastomeric block of each cushioning lug and to extend the service life thereof by protecting it with a wear-resistant metallic cap. Prior art lug arrangements of this type may not provide the desired substantial and continuous bearing contact as between the cap and the teeth of the drive sprocket. In addition, the cap is not constructed to provide a self-cleaning function whereby the roots of the sprocket are continuously cleaned of dirt build-up and the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above. 
     The improved cushioning lug means of this invention comprises a resilient cushioning means having a cap means mounted thereon adapted to engage the teeth of a drive sprocket. An arcuately shaped bearing flange means, generally conformed to each root of the drive sprocket, is secured on the cap means to effect such engagement. 
     In one aspect of this invention, the bearing flange means comprises a plurality of offset flanges whereas in another aspect of this invention a cleaning and reinforcing flange means is secured on the cap means in transverse relationship relative to the bearing flange means for continuously cleaning the teeth of the drive sprocket. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned side elevational view of an endless track assembly for a track-type vehicle shown engaging a drive sprocket and having a plurality of cushioning lugs of this invention employed therein; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, particularly illustrating one of the cushioning lugs, taken in the direction of arrows II--II in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned isometric view of the cushioning lug; and 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the cushioning lug, showing its compressed, sprocket engaging condition during operation of the track assembly. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, an endless track assembly 10 comprises a plurality of track shoes 11 secured to an articulated chain 12 in a conventional manner. Laterally spaced pairs of links 13 of the chain are pivotally interconnected by a pin and bushing assembly 14. Each pin and bushing assembly is adapted to engage within a notch or root defined between each circumferentially adjacent pair of teeth 15 of a sprocket 16 for driving the track assembly in a conventional manner. 
     This invention is directed to a cushioning lug means 17 preferably secured to each track shoe 11 and disposed intermediate (mid-pitch) adjacent pairs of pin and bushing assemblies 14 for attenuating the noise level of the track assembly. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each cushioning lug means comprises a resilient spring means or cushioning block 18 suitably composed of an elastomeric material, such as rubber. A hardened metallic cap means 19 is mounted on the cushioning block and is adapted to engage the root defined between each pair of circumferentially adjacent teeth 15 of sprocket 16, as shown in FIG. 1. 
     The cap means comprises a transversely extending cleaning and reinforcing flange 20, extending the full width of lug 17, to aid in structurally reinforcing the lug means and to continuously clean the root areas between sprocket teeth 15 (FIG. 1). A pair of offset drive flanges or bearing flange means 21 and 22 are secured on either side of the reinforcing flange to extend the full length of the lug. The latter flanges extend transversely (perpendicular) relative to the pivot axes of pin and bushing assemblies 14 and to flange 20. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, flanges 21 and 22 have arcuate peripheries and profiles generally conforming to the root defined between each circumferentially adjacent pair of teeth 15 of sprocket 16. The offset relationship of flanges 21 and 22 distributes the wear effects on sprocket 16 to increase the service life thereof. The cap means, including flanges 20-22, may be suitably composed of carburized and hardened low alloy steel, hardened plain carbon steel or chilled iron to extend its wear capabilities. 
     FIGS. 2 and 3 further illustrate a mounting plate 23 disposed on each track shoe 11 and secured thereon by a pair of bolts 24 and nuts 25. Each nut is suitably embedded in cushioning block 18 and defines an annular recess 26 on a lower end thereof which is received in a circular mounting hole 27, formed through mounting plate 23. Block 18 is suitably bonded between cap means 17 and plate 23. Flanges 28 and 29 are formed on the peripheries of cap means 19 and plate 23, respectively, to overlie edges of block 18 to further aid in retaining the block in position therebetween. 
     In operation, rotation of sprocket 16 will function to drive track assembly 12 in the manner described above. Each cushioning lug means will engage the root or notch defined between each pair of circumferentially adjacent sprocket teeth to attenuate the overall noise level of the operating track assembly, primarily due to the substantial bearing contact maintained as between flanges 21 and 22 and the sprocket teeth. In addition, flange 20 will continuously function to maintain the sprocket teeth in a substantially dirt-free condition of operation.