TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention is related with track transportation and assembly/disassembly apparatus facilitating the clinching of the track on the sprocket and road wheels and the track subsequent assembly (assembly) or replacement (disassembly) as a result of damaged links or wear in military vehicles' tracked power trains.

The invention is especially related with; setting according to the right, left track positions having different types of tip mounting rods with thanks to its universal structure resistant against rotating force, involving at least one track adapter positioned inside the adapter slot and fixed by the bolt passing through the bolt hole and entering the slot, used to access the track top surface hard to be accessed due to the length of the vehicle side armors or the width of the floaters, at least one force arm (hand-arm) connecting to the track handling and assembly/disassembly apparatus and the extension arm, enabling an ergonomic and effective grip to the crew by passing through the butterfly bolt hole of the butterfly bolt and links it to the butterfly bolt slot.

STATE OF THE ART

In parallel with the technological developments, there are great developments in military vehicles. The main goals of these developments are the desire to make the military vehicle fast, comfortable, convenient and reliable. Today, the main element making up the track chain of tracked military vehicles is the links. The links are turned into a chain by mutually linking them with pins and bushings. The pallet chain is completed by mounting the shoes on the links. Elements driving, aligning and transporting the track chain; rim gear, rollers, road wheel system, sprockets and chassis balance bar are brought together to form the track moving system. Tracked military land vehicles are not standard vehicles according to their place and purpose of use all of them are specially designed differently from each other. Therefore, track links (with chains) with different designs are preferred according to the vehicle's structure (armor structure, weight, etc.) and the required performance (road holding, terrain conditions, etc.).

We can gather tracked movement system in two main groups. The first of these is the track chain, creating an endless road or rail to the military armored vehicle, the second is the movement system that drives, aligns and carries this chain. The track turned into a strip, is lifted by the crew, clinched on the track chain movement system, and the ends are joined and thereby the assembly is completed.

Wearing of the main elements that make up the track movement system or the links that make up the track chain over time, and in the event of their damage during the mission, track chain should be disassembled and assembled for the replacement/maintenance of the relevant element or link. In accordance with the international military standards; pallet change or pallet disassembly, maintenance duty is a task that must be performed by the crew using vehicle tools. Track-specific tools are designed for each different track design or tried to be obtained from the manufacturer.

Transporting pallet chains heavy by their nature, is a challenge itself the design differences in the vehicle and the use of non-standard tracks also cause difficulties in the transportation, assembly and disassembly of the track chain a special toolkit is required for each different track type and vehicle.

In the current technique, armored vehicles' side armors are long enough to cover the top of the track or the width of the side floats in vehicles with amphibious capability prevents access to the top of the track from outside. Transport and assembly/disassembly of the pallet track in the battle field in conventional methods in the current technique due to the track system structure o it is a very difficult and troublesome process, and it also takes a lot of manpower and time. As it is known, considering the intended use of military vehicles, the time spent in the field (in the battlefield) for vehicle maintenance is of vital significance.

Eventually, the need for a new economical, convenient, practical pallet handling and assembly/disassembly apparatus and the inadequacy of existing solutions for the solution of the above-mentioned problems existing in the current technique made it necessary to make a development in the relevant technical field.

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

The current invention is related with track transportation and assembly / disassembly apparatus in the tracked driving systems of military vehicles, it facilitates the clinching of the track on the sprocket and road wheels and then the assembly (assembly) process or the replacement (disassembly) process as a result of damaged link or wear on the track developed to eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above and to bring new advantages to the related technical field.

The most important purpose of the invention, is that it facilitates the installation of the track on the sprocket when the track is attached to the vehicle by the crew, and ensures that the assembly/disassembly of the track is done quickly thanks to design's practical usage structure.

Another aim of the invention is to ensure access to the upper part of the track, which is not accessible due to the long or wide side armor of the vehicle.

Other important purpose of the invention is to be easily used for different track types thanks to its universal track adapter, to be used for all desired track types by simply replacing the adapter thanks to its easily replaceable structure.

Another important aim of the invention is to ensure an effective and ergonomic grip by the crew thanks to the extendable handle.

Another important purpose of the invention is to use the interior volume being important for the vehicle, at the optimum level, by keeping the apparatus on the vehicle disassembled. The parts making up the apparatus can be assembled in a practical way.

Another important purpose of the invention, is that since the apparatus is modular and adjustable, it provides installation of a single apparatus instead of using 2 different apparatuses for the right and left tracks in the assembly and disassembly of the right and left vehicle tracks.

Another important purpose of the invention, is preventing the track falling between the road wheels, during the track removal from the vehicle, the suspension arm jamming by attaching to the protector and shock absorber brackets, or damage the suspension system.

Structural and characteristic features of the invention and its entire advantages will be comprehended more clearly thanks to the figures given below and the detailed explanations by making references to these figures and therefore the assessment should be made by considering these figures and detailed explanation.

FIGURES TO ASSIST UNDERSTANDING THE INVENTION

FIGURE -1; It is the drawing illustrating track transport and assembly/disassembly apparatus as subject of the invention. FIGURE -2; It is the drawing illustrating track transport and assembly/disassembly apparatus as subject of the invention.

§EKIL -3; It is the drawing illustrating track transport and assembly/disassembly apparatus assembly as subject of the invention on different type of track link.

FIGURE -4; It is the drawing illustrating track transport and assembly/disassembly apparatus assembly as subject of the invention on different type of track link.

FIGURE -5; It is the drawing illustrating track as subject matter of the invention disassembled on the vehicle.

FIGURE -6; It is the drawing illustrating 6 details of track as subject matter of invention on the vehicle.

FIGURE-7; It is the drawing illustrating track as subject of the invention assembling on the vehicle.

FIGURE -8; It is the drawing illustrating 8 details of assembling of the track as subject of the invention to the vehicle.

FIGURE -9; It is the drawing illustrating assembling (joining) the track as subject of the invention on the vehicle.

FIGUREL -10; It is the drawing illustrating 10 details of assembling (joining) the track as subject of the invention on the vehicle.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

A. Vehicle

B. Track

Bl. Track Link B2. Tip connecting rod

C. Traction Gear

D. Road Wheel

E. Idler Wheel 100. Track Transport And Assembly/Disassembly Apparatus

110. Track Adaptor

111. Tip

112. Slot

113. Butterfly Bolt Hole 114. Spline

120. Butterfly Bolt

130. Adaptor Slot

131. Internal

132. Bolt Hole 140. Bolt

150. Torque Arm (Hand-Arm)

151. Torque Arm Inside

152. Butterfly Bolt Hole

160. Extension Bar 161. Butterfly Bolt Slot

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, preferred embodiments of the track transport and assembly/disassembly apparatus (100), is explained only for better understanding of the subject and without any limiting effect.

Figure 1-10 shows the track transport and assembly/disassembly apparatus as subject of the invention and its details. As illustrated in Figure 1-2, in our invention, in the preferred embodiment of the track adapter (110) resistant to rotational force, the hexagonal end (111) is positioned inside the adapter housing (130), preferably hexagonal and the track adapter (110) is fixed to the adapter housing (130) by the bolt (140) passing through the bolt hole (132) and entering the slot (112). Here, the butterfly bolt (120) is also positioned in the butterfly bolt hole (113). In our invention fixing procedure of extension bar (160) to torque arm (hand-arm) (150) takes place by positioning the extension bar (160) inside the torque arm (151) and connecting the butterfly bolt (120) through the butterfly bolt hole (152) to the butterfly bolt slot (161). Thanks to the universal structure of the track adaptor (110) as an integral part of our invention; it is used by setting adapter’s (1 10) direction and angle according to the right and left tracks instead of using two different track handling apparatus due to change of direction for the installation of the track (B) right and left track assemblies in different structure manufactured in Germany and domestic Arifiye. In addition, the extension rod (160) is designed to provide access to the track top surface inaccessible due to the vehicle length (A) side shields or the width of the floats. Ensures ergonomic and effective gripping for the crew. It is designed to be extended according to the force required. In another alternative design, the extension rod (160) has a telescopic structure. As seen in Figures 3 and 4, for the assembly/disassembly of tracks (B) with different types of track links (Bl); the bolt (140) securing the track adapter (110) to the adapter slot (130) is disassembled and track adaptor (110) is removed. Modular and adjustable track transport and assembly/disassembly apparatus (100), is adjusted in accordance with the track (B) type and the right/right left track (B) and the track adapter (110) is re-assembled to the adapter slot (130) with the bolt (140).

To remove the existing track (B) on the vehicle (A); By tightening the butterfly bolt (120), the track transport assembly/disassembly apparatus (100) is fixed to the end joint shaft (B2) by installing track link (Bl) to tip connecting rod (B2), to spline (114). Extension rod (160) located in the (A) toolbox is placed in the track transport assembly/disassembly apparatus (100) torque arm (151) and it is fixed by tightening the butterfly bolt (120). Vehicle engine (A) is started. By holding the extension rod (160), the track link (Bl) is lifted upwards, so that the end prevented to fall between the road wheels (D), and not damage the vehicle body and suspension system by attaching to the shock absorber brackets or suspension arm protectors. By moving the vehicle (A) in the reverse direction, the pallet (B) is laid on the ground until the track (B) is detached from the idler wheel (E) and is completely laid on the ground. After the track (B) is completely laid down to the vehicle's rear part (A) by moving the vehicle (A) forward, it is ensured to rise it on the track (B) to be attached to the vehicle.

For new track (B) assembly in the vehicle; the vehicle (A) is driven forward on the new track (B) until there are 10 track links (Bl) in front of the first road wheel (D). Track adapter (110) of track transport and assembly/disassembly apparatus (100), first track link (Bl) located in front of the vehicle (A) is mounted on the tip connecting road (B2). The extension rod (160) is placed on the track hand-arm (150) as a torque arm and its butterfly bolt (120) is tightened. The track (B) is lifted by holding the extension rod (160) attached to the track transport assembly/disassembly apparatus (100) and it is placed on the traction gear (C) with the help of the track transport assembly/disassembly apparatus (100). Engine started. The track (B) is lifted with the help of the track transport assembly/disassembly apparatus (100) and the vehicle (A) is moved in the reverse direction so that the track link (Bl), to which the track transport assembly/disassembly apparatus (100) is attached, passes over the idler wheel (E) and reaches its other end. The track transport and assembly/disassembly apparatus (100) is removed from the track link (Bl). The track (B) is combined with the track equipment in the tool kit and track (B) is set accordingly. Track (B) skirts are lowered and fixed and the process is completed.

Protection scope of this application is identified in the claims section cannot be limited to those described above for exemplary purposes, it is explicit that a person skilled in the art can demonstrate the innovation revealed in the invention by using similar embodiments and/or can apply this embodiment to other similar purposes used in the related art. Therefore, it is also obvious that such settlements will lack the criteria of innovation and especially overcoming the state of the art.