BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a grouser pin press. In particular, but not exclusively, this invention relates to a grouser pin press for removing a grouser pin located between grousers of a continuous track vehicle.

It is common practice to use grousers to provide traction to continuous or endless track vehicles. Grousers, also sometimes referred to as track plates, are often used on heavy construction and mining vehicles that operate in conditions generally unsuitable for the use of wheeled vehicles, for example where the vehicles operate on terrain such as soft ground, mud, sludge and so forth.

In some known continuous track vehicles grousers are connected to one another using grouser pins about which the grousers pivot to allow them to move along the continuous track. These grouser pins may be secured in position using lock pins. One disadvantage of this system, and of continuous tacks in general, is that failure of the track at any one point immobilises the vehicle. In order to perform the required repair or maintenance, it is necessary to remove one or more grouser pins to disconnect the faulty grouser(s) from the continuous track. Where lock pins are used, they need to be sheared off first before being able to remove the grouser pins. In practice this is generally done by knocking out the grouser pin through impact blows. Apart from the inefficiency of this method it also poses significant danger to personnel carrying out the maintenance or repair work.

Known devices aimed at removing grouser pins generally revolve around aligning a hydraulic press with the grouser pin and urging the grouser pin out of its socket using hydraulic power. A drawback of these known units is that they are limited to removing a grouser pin along the straight sections of the continuous track. In other words, they are not suitable for use on the curved sections. This limitation is generally due to the axis along which the grouser pin is pushed out running through the centre of the device. By way of example, the axis of movement of the piston of the hydraulic press is aligned with the centre axis of the journal bearing.

Another drawback of these known devices is that they are limited to the stroke of the piston of the hydraulic press. This makes the removal of longer grouser pins difficult or impossible using only the device.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a grouser pin press that will, at least partially, address the above disadvantages.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a grouser pin press which will be a useful alternative to existing grouser pin presses. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a grouser pin press for removing a grouser pin connecting grousers to each other, the grouser pin press including: driving means operable between a first, retracted configuration and a second, extended configuration; engaging means for engaging the grouser pin press with one or more grousers of the continuous track; and an intermediate body connecting the driving means to the engaging means, wherein the engaging means and intermediate body engage one another movably to allow the engaging means and driving means to be aligned relative to the one or more grousers independently.

The engaging means and intermediate body may be connected to one another in a manner that allows both translation and rotational movement between them.

The engaging means may include two independent engagement clamps for engaging the grouser(s) at two different positions and the intermediate body may include a pull plate, and wherein the engagement clamps each preferably defines a recess in which a portion of a pull plate is movably receivable to allow for an infinite number of positions of the pull plate and engagement clamps relative to one another.

The recess in the engagement clamp may be defined between two legs that define a plane of movement along which the pull plate is moveable to adjust the alignment of the driving means relative to the grouser pin to be removed.

The engagement clamps may each carry a claw defining a recess in which a portion of the corresponding grouser to which it is, in use, connected is received, and wherein each engagement clamp has a fastener for securing the portion of the grouser in the claw. The intermediate body may include a press plate which is connectable to an end plate carried by the driving means, wherein the press plate is connectable to the pull plate by means of bolts such that the driving means moves in harmony with the pull plate.

The grouser pin press may include a pushrod assembly including a pushrod and a number of removable segments that are stackable in an end-to-end relationship.

The intermediate body may define a channel for guiding the pushrod assembly in alignment with the grouser pin.

The centre line of the channel, and accordingly the axis of movement of the press, may be off-centre to the longitudinal centre line of the pull plate.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of removing a grouser pin connecting grousers to each other, the method including: connecting at least one engagement clamp to one of the grousers; connecting driving means to the at least one engagement clamp using an intermediate body; aligning the driving means with the grouser pin by moving the intermediate body relative to the at least one engagement clamp, thereby independently adjusting the positions of the at least one engagement clamp and the intermediate body relative to the grouser respectively; and removing the grouser pin by operating the driving means between a first, contracted configuration and a second, extended configuration so as to force the grouser pin out from its position between the grousers.

The step of aligning the driving means with the grouser pin may include both translating and rotating, preferably in the same plane, the intermediate body relative to the engagement clamp. The step of moving the intermediate body may include moving a pull plate within a recess defined by the at least one engagement clamp.

The method may include moving the pull plate in a plane of movement defined between two legs of the at least one engagement clamp to adjust the alignment of the driving means relative to the grouser pin to be removed.

The method may further include securing the at least one engagement clamp to the grouser by holding a portion of the grouser captive in recess defined by a hook of the at least one engagement clamp.

The step of removing the grouser pin may include operating the driving means between its first and second configurations and inserting segments in an end-to-end relationship until the grouser pin is removed.

The method may include connecting two engagement clamps to two grousers located on either side of the grouser pin to be removed.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a grouser pin press for removing a grouser pin connecting grousers to each other, the grouser pin press including: a press including a pushrod operable between a first, retracted position and a second, extended position; engaging means for engaging the grouser pin press with one or more grousers of the continuous track; and an intermediate body connecting the press to the engaging means, wherein the engaging means and intermediate body are connected to one another in a manner that allows free movement between them before securing them relative to one another, thereby allowing the engaging means and press to be aligned relative to the grouser(s) independently of one another. The engaging means preferably includes two independent engagement clamps for engaging the grouser(s) at two different positions. Preferably, the engagement clamps engage the grouser(s) at positions on either side of the grouser pin. The engagement clamps preferably engage adjacent grousers joined by the grouser pin.

The engagement clamps may each carry a claw defining a recess in which a portion of the corresponding grouser is received, and preferably held captive, when the clamp engages the grouser.

The grouser pin press may include means for securing the engagement clamps to the grousers. The securing means may be in the form of a pin or bolt. Preferably, the pin or bolt extends, in use, past the periphery or edge of the grouser so as to hold the portion of the grouser captive.

The intermediate body may include a pull plate and a clamp plate, which are mountable substantially parallel to one another and preferably in a manner that allows relative movement to one another. The pull plate and a clamp plate are preferably securable in position by means of fasteners, such as bolts.

Securing the pull plate and clamp plate to one another preferably also secures the engagement clamps in position. For example, a portion of the engagement clamps may be received between the pull plate and clamp plate such that the pull and clamp plates secure, preferably clamp, the engagement clamps in position through tightening of the fasteners.

The intermediate body may define a channel for receiving a number of push rod segments at a position between the pushrod of the press and the grouser pin. The push rod segments are preferably interlocking.

The push rod and push rod segments may have interlocking formations that engage one another in use so as to align them axially and withstand misalignment under pressure. The pull plate and clamp plate may carry complementary shaped aligning formations that engagement one another to align the pull and clamp plates to each other. The pull plate may carry a recess for receiving a projection carried by the clamp plate when the plates are secured together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a grouser pin press in accordance with the invention in use connected to grousers of a continuous track of a vehicle;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a grouser pin press of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the of the grouser pin press Figure 1 in use connected to grousers of a continuous track of a vehicle;

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the grouser pin press of Figure 1 taken along A - A as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 5 shows a front view of the of the grouser pin press Figure 1 in use connected to grousers of a continuous track of a vehicle;

Figure 6 shows a top view of the of the grouser pin press Figure 1 in use connected to grousers of a continuous track of a vehicle;

Figure 7 shows an enlarged detail view of the portion shown in Figure 6. Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an engagement clamp of the grouser pin press of Figure 1 in use engaged with a grouser;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of an engagement clamp of the grouser pin press of Figure 1 ;

Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the engagement clamp of Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a pull plate of the grouser pin press of Figure 1 ;

Figure 12 shows a front view of the pull plate of Figure 11 ; Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional side view of the pull plate of Figure 11 taken along B - B;

Figure 14 shows a perspective view of a clamp plate of the grouser pin press of Figure 1 ;

Figure 15 shows a front view of the clamp plate of Figure 14; and Figure 16 shows a cross-sectional side view of the clamp plate of Figure 14 taken along C - C.

Figure 17 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a grouser pin press in accordance with the invention in use connected to grousers of a continuous track of a vehicle;

Figure 18 shows a perspective view of a grouser pin press of Figure 17;

Figure 19 shows a top view of the of the grouser pin press Figure 17; Figure 20 shows an end view of the grouser pin press of Figure 17; Figure 21 shows a perspective view of an engagement clamp of the grouser pin press of Figure 18;

Figure 22 shows a front view of the engagement clamp of Figure 21 ;

Figure 23 shows a perspective view of a pull plate of the grouser pin press of Figure 17;

Figure 24 shows a front view of the pull plate of Figure 23; Figure 25 shows a cross-sectional side view of the pull plate of Figure 24 taken along the lines shown in Figure 24;

Figure 26 shows a cross-sectional side view of the pull plate of Figure 24 taken along the lines shown in Figure 24;

Figure 27 shows a perspective view of driving means of the grouser pin press of Figure 17;

Figure 28 shows a front view of a press plate of the grouser pin press of Figure 17;

Figure 29 shows a cross-sectional side view of the press plate of Figure 28 taken through the centre of the press plate;

Figure 30 shows a front view of an end plate of the grouser pin press of Figure 17;

Figure 31 shows a cross-sectional side view of the end plate of Figure 30 taken through the centre of the end plate; Figure 32 shows a side view of a bolt used in connecting the pull and press plates of the grouser pin press of Figure 17 to each other; and

Figure 33 shows a cross-sectional side view of a pushrod assembly of the grouser pin press of Figure 17.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted", "connected", "engaged" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings and are thus intended to include direct connections between two members without any other members interposed therebetween and indirect connections between members in which one or more other members are interposed therebetween. Further, "connected" and "engaged" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. Additionally, the words "lower", "upper", "upward", "down" and "downward" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words or similar import. It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the," and any singular use of any word, include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As used herein, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like features, a non-limiting example of a grouser pin press in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The grouser pin press 10 is an apparatus for the removal of a pin, such as a grouser pin, and is intended for use in performing repair and/or maintenance work on a continuous track 100 of a vehicle (not shown). The continuous track 100 comprises a number of track plates, which are also referred to as grousers 102. The grousers 102 are in turn connected to one another by grouser or journal pins 104. The grouser pins 104 are secured in position on the grousers 102 by means of lock pins 106. It is envisaged that the grouser pin press 10 of the present invention would be particularly useful in removing the grouser pins 104 to allow for repair and/or maintenance work to the carried out on the continuous track 100. It should however be understood that the grouser pin press 10 is not limited to this particular application and that it could be used in other applications to remove similar pins.

The grouser pin press 10 includes driving means, such as an actuator or press 20, engaging means 60 for engaging the continuous track and an intermediate body 30.

In use, the press 20 is operated by and in fluid communication with a pump 21 , illustrated as a hydraulic, manually operated pump. The press 20 has a body 22 housing a pushrod 23 operable between a first, retracted position and a second, extended position. The pushrod 23 typically forms part of the piston of the hydraulic press and is modified to suit the particular application in which the grouser pin press 10 is to be used. In this illustrated embodiment the pushrod 23 is designed to engage removable pushrod segments 24, preferably in the form of solid bar segments. The pushrod 23 and pushrod segments 24 carry interlocking formations that allow them to interlock with one another. The pushrod 23 carries an interlocking formation for engaging a complementary shaped interlocking formation carried at an end of the pushrod segments 24 which is, in use, its rear end. The other end of the pushrod segment, which is its front end, carries an interlocking formation shaped complementary to the interlocking formation carried by the other, rear end, thereby allowing the ends of the two or more pushrod segments to engage one another. The interlocking formations allow the pushrod 23 and pushrod segments 24 to align axially with one another along the axis of extension and contraction of the press 20, i.e. the direction of movement 25 of the pushrod 23.

The press 20 further has a spacer 26 sandwiched between the body 22 and an end plate 27, which is in use a front plate. An end plate 28, which is in use a rear plate, is located at the opposite end of the press. Bolts 29 are used to secure the components of the press 20 together.

The intermediate body 30 of the grouser pin press 10 includes two opposing plates 31 , 32, which are referred to as a pull plate 31 and a clamp plate 32 respectively. The plates 31 , 32 are connected to the press 20, and in particular the front end plate 27, using bolts 33. In the illustrated embodiment three bolts 33 are used, which are angularly spaced apart in equal distances. The bolts 33 extend through holes 34 in the clamp plate 32 so as to allow the clamp plate to move relative to the bolts 33 and, accordingly, the pull plate 31 to which the bolts are connected. This configuration allows the clamp plate 32 to move relative to the press 20, bolts 33 and pull plate 31. In order to secure the clamp plate 32 in position bolts 35 are used. In the illustrated embodiment the ends of the bolts 33, 35 are threaded into threaded sockets 36 and 37 respectively located in the pull plate 31 in order to secure them to the pull plate. Best seen in Figures 11 to 13, the pull plate 31 comprises a base 38 and a hub 39 and ribs 40 projecting from the base. The hub 39 is cylindrical and has a central passage 41 extending through the hub and the base 38. Referring in particular to Figure 12, the centre line 42 of the central passage 41 is off-centre to the longitudinal centre line of the pull plate 31 . Considering that the push rod 23 and push rod segments 24 are in use axially aligned with the central passage 41 it follows that the longitudinal centre line of the press 20, and accordingly the direction of movement 25 of the pushrod 21 , is off-centre to the centre line 43 of the pull plate 31 , and therefore the intermediate body 30.

Best seen in Figures 14 to 16, the clamp plate 32 has a substantially flat body 44. The body 44 carries a central hole 45 through which the pushrod segments 24 in use move. The centre line 46 of the central hole 45 is again off-set to the longitudinal centre-line 47 of the clamp plate 32. It should be understood that the centre hole is off-set by the same distance that the centre passage 41 is off-set on the pull plate 31. This allows the clamp plate 32 to be aligned with the pull plate 31 in use.

The pull plate 31 and clamp plate 32 carry complementary shaped aligning formations that engage one another in use when the clamp plate 32 is secured to the pull plate 31 . The aligning formation carried by the pull plate

31 is in the form of a recess 48 while the aligning formation on the clamp plate 32 is in the form of a protrusion 49 protruding from the base 44. The protrusion 49 may be in the form of a flat metal plate welded to the base 44. In use, the aligning formations 48, 49 align the pull plate 31 and clamp plate

32 with one another when they engage one another. The aligning formations 48, 49 are secured in engagement with one another by means of the bolts 35. It should be clear that the bolts 35 pass through the holes 50 in the clamp plate 32 and are secured in the threaded holes 36 in the pull plate 31 .

In the illustrated embodiment the means 60 for engaging the one or more grousers 102 of the continuous track 100 includes at least one, preferably two, engagement clamps 61. In the preferred embodiment the grouser pin press 10 includes two engagement clamps 61 for engaging the continuous track 100 in two different locations. In the accompanying drawings the engagement clamps 61 each engage a corresponding grouser 102 on either side of the grouser pin 104 connecting them to each other.

Figures 9 and 10 show an engagement clamp 61 in more detail. The engagement clamp 61 has a U-shaped body 62 that has two spaced apart legs 63, 64. The legs 63, 64 define a cavity 65 between them in which a portion of the pull plate 31 is received, in use. A hook or claw 66 extends from the body 62, and in particular the leg 64. The legs 63, 64 carry aligned holes 67, 68 in which a fastener 69 is received. The fastener 69 is typically in the form of a bolt that locks the engagement clamp 61 to the grouser 102. The hole 67 in the leg 63 is oversized compared to the bolt 69 diameter in order to allow the bolt to pass freely through it. The hole 68 in the leg 64 is typically threaded in order to secure the bolt 69 in position. The threaded hole 68 passes through the leg 64 such that the end 70 of the bolt 69 passes through the leg. Best seen in Figure 8, when the bolt 69 is fully inserted and secured in position its end 70 extends past the periphery 110 of the grouser 102, thereby locking the engagement clamp 61 to the grouser. In Figure 8, it can be seen that the bolt 69 and claw 66 hold the portion of the grouser 102 captive.

Still referring to Figure 8, it can be seen that the pull plate 31 and clamp plate 32 clamp the engagement clamp 61 on either side of its leg 63. In other words, the leg 63 of the engagement clamp 61 is received between the pull plate 31 and clamp plate 32 and secured in position by tightening the bolts 35.

The clamping arrangement between the engagement clamp 61 and the pull 31 and clamp 32 plates allows the engagement clamps 61 to be movable relative to the pull 31 and clamp 32 plates to accommodate angular displacement or misalignment between adjacent grousers 102 while at the same time allowing the press 20 to be aligned with the grouser pin 104. An advantage to the clamping arrangement between the engagement clamp 61 and the pull 31 and clamp 32 plates is that the engagement clamps 61 can be secured in an infinite number of positions relative to one another, the grousers 102 and the pull 31 and clamp plates 32 (and therefore the press 20). The relative movement between the engagement clamps 61 and the pull 31 and clamp plates 32 is not limited to translational or pivotal movement. Instead, the clamping arrangement allows for both translational and rotational movement between the clamps 61 and the pull 31 and clamp plates 32. This freedom of movement of the engagement clamps 61 relative to the pull 31 and clamp plates 32 prior to being secured in position allows for the use of the grouser pin press 10 of the present invention to remove a grouser pin 104 at any location along the continuous track 100. It should be understood that this freedom of movement is achieved by allowing the pull plate 31 to move freely in the space 65 defined by each of the clamps 61. Essentially the clamps 61 define a plane of movement in which the pull plate 31 is allowed to move substantially freely to allow for alignment of the press 20 with the grouser pin 104. The off-set between the centre line of the intermediate body 30 and axis of movement of the press 22, and accordingly the centre line of the grouser pin 104, assists with the alignment of the grouser pin press 10 with the grousers 102 in the curved sections of the continuous track 100.

In use, the engagement clamps 61 are engaged with the grousers 102 located on either side of the grouser pin 104 to be removed. The engagement clamps 61 are engaged with the grousers by inserting their hooks 66 into drive holes located in the grousers 102. The engagement clamps 61 are then secured in position by inserting the bolts 69 into holes 67 and 68 until their free ends 70 extends past the edge 110 of the grousers 102, thereby holding a portion 108 of the grousers captive in the claws of the engagement clamps 61 . With the engagement clamps 61 in position, the intermediate body 30 is connected to the engagement clamps 61. This is done by placing the pull 31 and clamp 32 plates on either side of the leg 63 of each of the engagement clamps 61 . In other words, the pull plate 31 is inserted into the cavities 65 between the legs 63, 64 of the engagement clamps 61. The pull 31 and clamp 32 plates are then secured to the legs 63 of the engagement clamps 61 by tightening the bolts 35. Tightening of the bolts 35 drives the clamp plate 32 relative to the pull plate 31 until a clamping force sufficient to hold them in position on the engagement clamps 61 is achieved.

Now that the pull 31 and clamp 32 plates, and accordingly the press 20, are secured in position the hydraulic pump 21 may be operated to drive the pushrod 23 in the drive direction 25 towards the grouser pin 104. A pushrod segment 24 is inserted between the pushrod 23 and grouser pin 104. The pushrod segment 34 is typically inserted in the central passage 41 extending through the pull plate 31. The hydraulic pump 21 is operated to engage the front end of the pushrod 23 with the rear end of the pushrod segment 24. The interlocking formations carried by the pushrod 23 and pushrod segments 24 engage one another to keep the pushrod 23 and pushrod segments 24 in axial alignment with each other, thereby to prevent the pushrod segment 24 from shooting out under pressure. The hydraulic pump 21 is operated further to engage the pushrod segment 24 with the grouser pin 104. The hydraulic pump 21 is operated further to shear the lock pins 106 to allow the grouser pins 104 to move out of the grousers 102. Should the length of the pushrod 23 be insufficient, the press 20 is operated to retract the pushrod 23 by a distance sufficient to load another pushrod segment 24. The hydraulic pump 21 is again operated until the pushrod 23 reaches the end of its travel. Again the pushrod 23 may be retracted to load another pushrod segment 24 and extended again to drive the grouser pins 104 out of the grousers 102. This process is repeated until the grouser pins 104 are released from the grousers 102.

Referring now to Figures 17 to 33 a non-limiting example of a second embodiment of a grouser pin press in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 210. Again, like reference signs indicate like features. The grouser pin press 210 is substantially similar to the first embodiment of the grouser pin press 10 of the invention and includes driving means such as a press 220, engaging means 260 for engaging the continuous track and an intermediate body 230.

In use, the press 220 is operated by and in fluid communication with a pump 221 , illustrated as a hydraulic, manually operated pump. The press 220 has a body or cylinder 222 housing a piston and anvil 229 driving a pushrod 223, which is operable between a first, retracted position and a second, extended position. Although the pushrod 223 may form part of the piston and/or anvil 229 of the hydraulic press, in this second illustrated embodiment the pushrod 223 is separate from the piston and anvil 229 and has a first end 223.1 that engages and is driven by the anvil 229 in use. The pushrod 223 has a second end 223.2 which engages and drives a removable pushrod segment 224. The pushrod segment 224 is in the form of solid bar segment, which is also referred to as a pin bullet. The first end 224.1 of the segment 224 engages the second end 223.2 of the pushrod

223. Best seen in Figure 33, the first end 224.1 of the segment 224 and the second end 223.2 of the pushrod 223 define load bearing surfaces that engage one another in use. The load bearing surfaces are substantially flat in this illustrated embodiment. As shown in Figure 33, the first end 224.1 of the segment 224 is tapered towards its bearing surface.

Still referring to Figure 33, a number of segments 224 can be arranged, typically horizontally, in and end to end configuration in which the second end 224.2 of one segment engages the first end 224.1 of the next segment

224. The segments 224 and pushrod 223 are axially aligned along the axis of extension and contraction of the press 220, i.e. the direction of movement 225 of the pushrod 223. Although the pushrod 223 and segments 224 are not shown to have interlocking engagement formations, it is envisaged that the ends of the pushrod and segments that engage one another could carry complementary engagement formations similar to the first embodiment of the pin press 10.

The press 220 is connectable to an end plate 227, which is also referred to as a press plate. To connect the press 220 to the press plate 227, the cylinder 222 carries an external thread 226 which is threaded to an internally threaded bore 228 of the press plate 227.

The intermediate body 230 of the grouser pin press 210 includes two plates 231 and 232. The plates 231 , 232 spaced apart from one another and in connection with one another using bolts 233. The plate 231 is referred to as a pull plate while the plate 232 is in the form of a disc and therefore referred to as a pull disc. Best seen in Figures 18 and 27, the bolts 233 extend through holes 234 in the pull disc 232 for connection to the pull plate 231 . The pull disc 232 is, in turn, connected to the press plate 227. Bolts 235 extend through holes 236 in the press plate 227 and are received in threaded sockets or holes 237 in the pull disc 232. Prior to securing the pull disc 232 to the press plate 227, the bolts 233 are inserted into the through holes 234. The holes 234 are counterbored to define recesses 234.1 in which the heads 233.1 of the bolts 233 are received, in use. As such, the heads 233.1 of the bolts 233 are held captive in the recesses 234.1 when the pull disc 232 is secured to the press plate 227. As shown in Figure 27, in use the pull disc 232 is connected to the press 220 and, accordingly connects the intermediate body 230 to the press 220.

As mentioned above the press 220 is in turn connected to the pull plate 231 via the bolts 233. The ends 233.2 of the bolts 233 projecting from the pull disc 232 connect to the pull plate 231 . In particular, the ends 233.2 of the bolts 233 are threaded and are received in threaded sockets 250 in the pull plate 231. With the bolts 233 threaded to the pull plate 231 the pull plate is secured in position relative to the pull disc 233 and, accordingly, the press 220.

Turning now to Figures 23 to 26, the pull plate 231 comprises a base 238 and two projections 239 and 240 extending therefrom. The projections 239 and 240 are substantially aligned with each other but extend in opposite directions from the base 238. The projections 239, 240 are in the form of cylinders that are connected, preferably welded, to the opposite sides of the base 238. The cylindrical projections 239, 240 define passages 239.1 and 240.1 respectively through which the segments 224 in use pass. The projections 239, 240 align with a passage or through hole 241 in the base 238. The aligned holes 241 , 239.1 and 240.1 create a guide or channel along which the segments 224 move as they are urged forward by the press 220 during extension on its piston.

Referring in particular to Figure 24, the centre line 42 of the through hole 41 is off-centre to the longitudinal centre line 243 of the pull plate 231. Considering that the push rod 23 and segments 24 are in use axially aligned with the through hole 41 it follows that the longitudinal centre line of the press 220, and accordingly the direction of movement 225 of the pushrod 232, is off-centre to the centre line 243 of the pull plate 231 , and therefore the intermediate body 230.

The projection 239 is also referred to as a clamp nose and, in use, is aligned with the grouser pin(s) 104 to be removed. The projection 239 is dimension to be located adjacent or in close proximity to the grouser pin 104. The projection 240 on the other hand acts as a clamp spacer.

This second embodiment of the grouser pin press 210 of the invention again includes means 260 for engaging the one or more grousers 102 of the continuous track 100. The engagement means 260 again includes at least one, preferably two, engagement clamps 261. Similar to the first embodiment 10, the two engagement clamps 261 in use engage the continuous track 100 in two different locations. The engagement clamps 61 each engages a corresponding grouser 102 on either side of the grouser pin 104 connecting them to each other.

The engagement clamp 261 is shown in greater detail in Figures 21 and 22. The shape of the engagement clamp 261 is substantially similar that of the engagement clamp 61 of the first embodiment. Flowever, instead of having an open U-shaped such as the first embodiment, the clamp 261 has a closed body 262 that has two spaced apart legs 263, 264 defining an internal cavity 265 between them. The cavity 265 is designed to receive a portion of the pull plate 231 therein. A hook or claw 266 extends from the body 262, and in particular the leg 264. In use, the hook 266 engages a portion of the grouser 102. The hook 266 and leg 264 define a space or recess 270 in which the portion of the grouser 102 is received in use. Best seen in Figure 22, an internal surface 271 of the hook 266 that defines the recess 270 is angled, preferably between about 2.5 and 10 degrees, more preferably about 5 degrees. The surface 271 is angled relative to the opposing surface 271.1 of the leg 264 defining the recess 270. It has been found that the angled surface 271 allows for improved engagement between the hook 266 and grouser 102.

The leg 264 of the clamp body 262 carries a recess, in the form of a threaded hole 267 for receiving a fastener 269. The fastener 269 is typically in the form of a bolt that locks the engagement clamp 261 to the grouser 102. In use, after engaging the hook 266 and grouser 102, the bolt 269 is inserted into the threaded hole 267 in order to obstruct the opening to the recess 270 in which the grouser 102 is located. The bolt 269 thereby locks the hook 266 and thus the clamp 261 to the grouser 102 to prevent accidental disengagement. In this second embodiment the bolts 269 are inserted from the opposite direction compared to the first embodiment described above. Accordingly, instead of the threaded end extending past the periphery of the clamp body 262, the head of the bolt 269 extends past the periphery of the clamp body 262 so as to obstruct the removal of the grouser portion 108 from the hook 266.

Returning to Figure 18, it can be seen that a portion of the pull plate 231 is received in the recess 265 between the legs 263 and 264 of the engagement clamp 261. Unlike the first embodiment 10, in this second embodiment 210 the leg 263 is not clamped between pull and clamp plates. Instead, retaining means is provided to prevent unwanted removal of the clamp plate 231 from the recess 265 in the engagement clamp 260. The retaining formation is illustrated as a screw, particularly a stud screw 272, located at a position on the portion of the pull plate 231 that is in use received in the recess 265 of the engagement clamp 265. In particular, the screw 272 is located in a position on the pull plate 231 in which it prevents the engagement clamp 261 from being removed. In other words, the screw 272 is located on the pull clamp 231 such that it is positioned on the outside of the clamp body 262 when the engagement clamp 261 is connected to the pull plate 231 .

Again, the connecting configuration between the engagement clamps 261 and the pull plate 231 allows the engagement clamps to be movable relative to the pull plate 231 in order to accommodate angular displacement or misalignment between adjacent grousers 102 while at the same time allowing the press 220 to be aligned with the grouser pin 104. As mentioned above with reference to the first embodiment, this allows for an infinite number of positions of the grousers 102 and the pull plate 231 relative to one another and, furthermore, allows the grouser pin press 210 of the present invention to remove a grouser pin 104 at any location along the continuous track 100. The relatively movement between the engagement clamps 261 , the pull plate 231 and press 220 is the same as described above with reference to the first embodiment 10. Again, the off set between the centre line of the intermediate body 230 and the axis of movement of the press 220 assists with the alignment of the grouser pin press 210 with the grousers 102 in the curved sections of the continuous track 100.

In use, the engagement clamps 261 are engaged with the grousers 102 located on either side of the grouser pin 104 to be removed. The engagement clamps 261 are engaged with the grousers by inserting their hooks 266 into drive holes located in the grousers 102. The engagement clamps 261 are then secured in position by inserting the bolts 269 into the threaded holes 267, thereby holding a portion 108 of the grousers captive in the claws of the engagement clamps 261. With the engagement clamps 261 in position, the intermediate body 230 is connected to the engagement clamps 261. This is done by placing end portions of the pull clamp 231 into the recesses 265 in the clamp bodies 266. The pull plate 231 is then secured to the engagement clamps 261 by inserting the screws 27 into the threaded recesses 251 in the pull plate.

Now that the pull plate 231 , and accordingly the press 20, are secured in position, the hydraulic pump 221 may be operated to drive the pushrod 223 in the drive direction 225 towards the grouser pin 104. Typically, the pushrod 223 is used to tear off the lock pins 106. After the lock pins 106 have been sheared off, a number of segments 224 are inserted between the pushrod and the grouser pin 104 to be removed through the action of retracting the piston of the press 220 and inserting another segment as described above with reference to the first embodiment.

As described above, a significant advantage of the grouser pin press 10, 210 of the invention is that it can be used anywhere along the continuous tack 100, and in particular around the arch or curve of the track 100. The grouser pin press 10, 210 is furthermore capable of taking up misalignment between adjacent grousers 102. The manner in which the engagement means 60, 260 is connected to the intermediate body 30, 230 allows for substantially free movement between prior to being secured in order to accommodate the grousers 102. The grouser pin press 10, 210 of the invention is furthermore simplified compared to known devices and, accordingly, reduce manufacturing and maintenance costs.

It will be appreciated that the above description only provides example embodiments of the invention and that there may be many variations without departing from the spirit and/or the scope of the invention. It is easily understood from the present application that the particular features of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged and designed according to a wide variety of different configurations. In this way, the description of the present invention and the related figures are not provided to limit the scope of the invention but simply represent selected embodiments. The skilled person will understand that the technical characteristics of a given embodiment can in fact be combined with characteristics of another embodiment, unless otherwise expressed or it is evident that these characteristics are incompatible. Also, the technical characteristics described in a given embodiment can be isolated from the other characteristics of this embodiment unless otherwise expressed.