US 11,745,810 B2
Cantilevered track roller in ground-engaging track system and roller shell for same
Gennaro Suanno, Peoria, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Mar. 20, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/825,000.
Prior Publication US 2021/0291918 A1, Sep. 23, 2021
Int. Cl. B62D 55/15 (2006.01); B62D 55/20 (2006.01); B62D 55/21 (2006.01); B62D 55/26 (2006.01); B62D 55/088 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 55/15 (2013.01) [B62D 55/202 (2013.01); B60Y 2200/25 (2013.01); B62D 55/088 (2013.01); B62D 55/21 (2013.01); B62D 55/26 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A ground-engaging track system comprising:
a ground-engaging track including a first track chain and a second track chain each having track links coupled together in an end-to-end arrangement to form, respectively, a first track rail and a second track rail, and track shoes coupling together the first track chain and the second track chain;
a plurality of track rollers each including a roller shell having an outer tread surface extending circumferentially around a track roller axis, a shaft bore, and a roller shaft within the shaft bore;
a track roller frame, wherein
each of the roller shafts including a mounting end coupled to the track roller frame, and a journaling end supporting the respective roller shell for rotation, and
each of the track rollers is cantilevered by the respective roller shaft to the track roller frame and positioned, in contact with only one of the first track rail or the second track rail, to support the track roller frame upon the ground-engaging track; and
a plurality of rotation joint assemblies, each rotation joint assembly connecting a respective roller shell to a respective roller shaft, and including:
a first surface fixed to the respective roller shaft,
a second surface configured to rotate with the respective roller shell,
a first thrust washer trapped between the shaft head of the respective roller shaft and the respective roller shell, and
a second thrust washer trapped between the first surface and the second surface.