US 12,304,579 B2
Support structure for connecting a plurality of support wheel assemblies to a frame member of a track system and track system having the same
Yan Roger, Drummondville (CA); Stephane Genois Pelletier, Drummondville (CA); Jeremie Aubin-Marchand, St-Hugues (CA); and Benoit Savage, St-Bonaventure (CA)
Assigned to SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC., Drummondville (CA)
Filed by SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC., Drummondville (CA)
Filed on May 31, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/828,614.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/195,856, filed on Jun. 2, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0388584 A1, Dec. 8, 2022
Int. Cl. B62D 55/104 (2006.01); B62D 55/084 (2006.01); B62D 55/12 (2006.01); B62D 55/18 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 55/104 (2013.01) [B62D 55/084 (2013.01); B62D 55/18 (2013.01); B62D 55/12 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A support structure for connecting a plurality of support wheel assemblies to a frame member of a track system, the track system defining a longitudinal direction, the support structure comprising:
a leading linkage pivotally connectable to the frame member by a leading pivot, the leading pivot defining a leading pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal direction;
a trailing linkage pivotally connectable to the frame member by a trailing pivot, the trailing pivot defining a trailing pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal direction, and pivotally connected to the leading linkage by an intermediate pivot, the intermediate pivot defining an intermediate pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal direction; and
at least one biasing assembly connected to at least one of the leading linkage and the trailing linkage;
the plurality of support wheel assemblies including:
a leading support wheel assembly connected to the leading linkage;
a trailing support wheel assembly connected to the trailing linkage; and
an intermediate support wheel assembly connected to at least one of the leading and trailing linkages;
the support structure being adapted to move such that when the leading support wheel assembly moves in a first direction, the intermediate support wheel assembly moves in a second direction, and the trailing support wheel assembly moves in the first direction; and
the support structure, the leading, intermediate and trailing support wheel assemblies having an initial position, and the at least one biasing assembly biasing the support structure to return toward the initial position upon movement of any one of the leading, intermediate and trailing support wheel assemblies.