FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to caterpillar track. More particularly, the invention relates to rubber track shoe and clamping means which is used therewith, of a caterpillar track.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventionally in a caterpillar track, it consists of rectangular iron plates (also referred to as "shoe plates") pivot with respect to each other on a link mechanism (referred to as "track link"). When such track travels on a paved road, its rigid member will damage the road. Therefore, rubber pads are attached directly to the outer surface of the track shoes to prevent damage of the road surface. Alternatively, the rubber pads and iron plates assembly can be entirely replaced by elastomeric track shoes. Such rubber pads or rubber shoes also provide other advantages such as hinder the vehicle from sliding and noise reduction while the vehicle travels.

There are a few patented technologies over the prior arts relating to the mentioned rubber pads/shoes. Of interest in respect to split chevron track shoes for track belts is US Patent No. 3857617A. This patent discloses flat faced track shoes attached to circular track belts employed around the periphery of pneumatic supporting carcasses can cause undesirable roughness and vibration in a vehicle equipped with such a system which can be substantially reduced by employing track shoes with a raised chevron or lug pattern disposed across at least two adjacent shoes, so that a portion of each chevron or lug pattern is split with the trailing or leading portions thereof located on adjacent track shoes, so the pattern smooths the transition between adjacent track shoes as they move into and through the footprint of the pneumatic supporting carcass. Because the individual shoes are articulated relative to one another the split chevron or lug pattern design tends to prevent dirt from packing between the chevron or lug patterns and improves the self-cleaning characteristics of the track belt. Further if the track shoes are formed of elastomer and have a slight interference fit obtained by an inverted truncated shape so they can be wedged together about the periphery of the belt, a fully sealed belt system is formed which prevents the ingress of dirt and debris between adjacent track shoes.

Another track shoe assembly for continuous track vehicles is disclosed in US patent No. 8562081 B2. This patent discloses an improved track shoe assembly for a continuous track vehicle. The track shoe assembly comprises a pin which is rotatable relative to a shoe of the track shoe assembly. The track shoe assembly comprises an elastomeric tube through which the pin extends, the elastomeric tube being rotatable with respect to one of the pin and the shoe and being fixed with respect to the other of the pin and the shoe.

The prior rubber track shoes have threaded apertures for direct nut and bolt attachment to the track link. The drawback of such configuration is that the rigidness of track shoe body at the area that surrounds the aperture is reduced and extra cost is incurred when reinforcing agent is applied or extra thickness is added to reinforce such area. Therefore, a need exist for the prior apparatus to provide an alternative connection means that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks. The present invention provides such a caterpillar track.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention provides a caterpillar track comprises a plurality of track links, each having a flange extending from each side, a plurality of elastomeric track shoes extending transversely of the track link and each including at least one indentation towards each end of its outer surface, and means for clamping the track shoes to the track links, wherein the clamping means is a bracket having means for fixing to the flanges of the track links and means for engaging in the indentations of the track shoes.

Preferably, the track shoes are generally rectangular.

Preferably, each track shoe further comprises an indentation on each side aligned with the indentation on the top surface.

Preferably, the clamping means is a generally U-shaped bracket.

Preferably, the bracket has flanges extending outwardly from its free ends with at least one aperture for nut and bolt connection to the flanges of the track links.

Preferably, the bracket includes a slot and the top surface of the indention comprises a pair of spaced grooves and a projection therebetween for engaging closely in the slot of the bracket. Preferably, the track shoes are made of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

Preferably, the caterpillar tracks are installed on a tracked vehicle.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments described herein are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a caterpillar track.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view taken from section A of Fig. 1 which embodies therein the principle features of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings. Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a caterpillar track 1 as illustrated therein comprises three spaced apart track links 10 arranged in a continuous manner to form the caterpillar track 1, in which each of the track links 10 has a plurality of equally spaced plate alike mounts therealong, a plurality of track shoes 20 mounted onto the plate alike mounts via a clamping means 30, and means 40 for securing the connection between the clamping means 30 and the plate alike mounts of the track links 10.

Preferably, the track shoes 20 include an elongated rectangular body, the body has a recess or undercut portion 21 towards each of its sides and at its centre. The number of undercut portion 21 and the position of the undercut portion 21 of the track shoes 20 may vary depending on the width of the caterpillar track 1. Each undercut portion

21 includes an indentation 22-24 on the outer surface of the track shoes 20 and the indentation 22 on each side is preferably aligned with the indentation 23, 24 on the top surface. Furthermore, the top surface has a pair of spaced grooves 23, 24 and a projection 25 therebetween. The body of the track shoes 20 is made of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene material. It should be noted that the body of track shoes 20 can also be made of any suitable elastomeric material such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber or plastic which provides sufficient stiffness and elasticity. Each of the plate alike mounts of the track links 10 is formed by a flange 11, 12 extending from each side of the track links 10. The clamping means 30 is preferably a U-shaped bracket that includes a base and flanges 31, 32 extending outwardly from its free ends. The base of the bracket has a slot 37 for engaging in the undercut portion 21 of the track shoes 20. In operation, the track shoes 20 are clamped onto the flanges 11, 12 of track links 10 via the brackets and the flanges 11, 12, 31, 32 of the bracket and track links include at least one aperture 13-16, 33, 34 for nut and bolt connections 41-48 between the brackets and the track links 10. Many different mechanisms can also be utilised to secure the connection between the brackets and the track links 10. For example, such connection can be secured through clipping means, gripping means, adhesive attachment, or direct welding.

The aperture-less track shoes 20 not only have uniform rigidity throughout the entire body, they also have better connection strength compared to the prior track shoes. The clamping mechanism 30 that attaches the track shoes 20 to the track links 10 has also increased the life span of the track shoes 20 by eliminating the possibility of wear and tear at the aperture area. The freedom of design of the track shoes 20 is also enhanced due to the elimination of the threaded apertures.

The present disclosure includes as contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.