U.S. patent number 3,568,787 [Application Number 04/789,987] was granted by the patent office on 1971-03-09 for tractor for a skier.
Invention is credited to Henri Gremeret.
United States Patent |
3,568,787 |
Gremeret |
March 9, 1971 |
TRACTOR FOR A SKIER
Abstract
A tractor for a skier comprises a motor supporting a driving
pulley around which passes an endless crawler belt which in turn
passes on a guide pulley adjustably supported on a frame rail
attached to the motor for tensioning the belt. The frame rail
supports rollers which guide the lower run of the belt, said frame
rail being dismantleable or foldable to enable transport of the
tractor. Footrests on either side of the tractor are pivotably
supported on a bar on the frame rail and stabilizer arms extend
rearwardly of the footrests and are resiliently urged into contact
with the ground for enabling the skier to shift his weight toward
one or the other of the footrests and respective stabilizer arm to
thereby steer the tractor.
Inventors: |
Gremeret; Henri
(Menton-Aples-Martimes) |
Family
ID: |
8644388 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/789,987 |
Filed: |
January 9, 1969 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S.
Class: |
180/181;
180/9.25; 180/180 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C
5/085 (20130101); B62M 27/02 (20130101); A63C
11/10 (20130101); B62M 2027/022 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63C
11/00 (20060101); A63C 5/08 (20060101); B62M
27/00 (20060101); A63C 11/10 (20060101); A63C
5/00 (20060101); B62M 27/02 (20060101); B62m
027/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;180/5,9.22,9.24 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Johnson; Richard J.
Claims
I claim:
1. A tractor adapted to be straddled by a skier, comprising a
motor, a driving pulley driven by said motor and mounted thereon,
an endless crawler belt in driving engagement with said driving
pulley; said endless crawler including a lower portion adapted for
contacting the ground; an articulated frame rail supported from
said motor and extending longitudinally of the tractor, a plurality
of rollers on said frame rail for guiding a lower run of the
crawler belt; an adjustable support mounted rearwardly of the frame
rail, a guide pulley on said adjustable support engaging said belt;
tensioning means for displacing the support to tension the belt, a
transverse support bar mounted above the frame rail, and a footrest
on either side of the belt supported from said support bar for
pivotal movement about a transverse axis between selected fixed
positions; the footrest being vertically spaced from said lower
portion of said endless crawler to permit the skier to exert his
weight toward one or the other of the footrests for tilting and
thereby steering the tractor.
2. A tractor as claimed in claim 1 comprising stabilizer arms
extending rearwardly from said footrests and springs means between
said stabilizer arms and said footrests whereby the stabilizer arms
are urged towards the ground for both stabilizing and steering the
tractor.
3. A tractor as claimed in claim 1 comprising pivots on each
footrest, a transverse tube mounted on said support and receiving
said pivots, and means for removably securing said pivots in said
tube.
4. A tractor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said motor is centrally
located in said tractor, said frame rail including first and second
portions pivotably connected to said motor and extending in
opposite directions therefrom, said driving pulley being mounted on
one of said portions, and means for driving the pulley from the
motor.
5. A tractor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support bar is
directly supported from said motor, said frame rail comprising a
plurality of dismantleable elements interconnected in end-to-end
relation.
6. A tractor as claimed in claim 1 comprising spaced flanges
secured to said motor, rollers supported from said flanges in
circular array around the motor, said driving pulley being an
annular member encircling said motor and rotatably carried on said
rollers.
7. A tractor as claimed in claim 6, wherein said flanges are
secured to said frame rail.
8. A tractor as claimed in claim 6, wherein said motor includes
speed reducing means with an output shaft, a drive shaft supported
by said flanges in concentric relation relative to said circular
array of rollers, first transmission means coupling said output
shaft and said drive shaft and second transmission means coupling
said drive shaft and said driving pulley.
9. A tractor as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first and second
transmission means include respective gears and chains with
respective speed-reducing ratios, said driving pulley having a
groove therein and a recessed toothing in said groove for drivingly
engaging the chain of said second transmission means.
10. A tractor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame rail
includes first and second sections hingeably joined together in
axial alignment, said sections being foldable for transport and
including means axially aligning and securing the sections together
when they are unfolded.
11. A tractor as claimed in claim 10, wherein said adjustable
support is mounted on one of said sections for axial displacement
therealong, said tensioning means engaging said support and said
one section.
12. A tractor as claimed in claim 11, wherein said tensioning means
comprises a block having opposite ends with threads of opposite
pitch therein, first bolt means secured to said adjustable support
and threadably engaged with one of the threads in said block, said
second bolt means secured to said one section and threadably
engaged with the other of the threads in said block whereby turning
of the block will produce relative movement of the adjustable
support and the said one section.
13. A tractor as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said footrest
comprises a profiled plate with a forward portion of U-shape for
retaining the boot of a user and a rear member with a flat face
against which the back of the boot can rest, a pivot on the back of
said rear member, a stabilizer arm rotatably mounted on said pivot
on the rear member and extending rearwardly thereof, spring means
between said footrest and said stabilizer arm for urging the latter
against the ground, and means for limiting upward movement of said
stabilizer arm.
14. A tractor as claimed in claim 13, wherein said means for
limiting upward movement of said stabilizer arm comprises a ratchet
wheel mounted on said pivot and a pawl on said footrest engaging
said ratchet wheel.
Description
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a small individual tractor of the
track-layer or crawler type, adapted for carrying a skier up slopes
covered with snow.
It is an object of this apparatus to provide a tractor which leaves
the skier completely independent and the range of action of the
tractor is limited only by its fuel capacity.
The apparatus is sufficiently light in weight to be carried on the
back of the skier when traveling either downwardly or on flat
terrain.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a tractor which
comprises a motor, a driving pulley driven by said motor and
mounted thereon, and endless crawler belt in driving engagement
with said driving pulley; an articulated frame rail supported from
said motor and extending longitudinally of the tractor, a plurality
of rollers on said frame rail for guiding a lower run of the
crawler belt; an adjustable support mounted rearwardly of the frame
rail, a guide pulley on said adjustable support engaging said belt;
a tensioning means for displacing the support to tension the belt,
a support bar mounted above the frame rail, a footrest on either
side of the belt supported from said support bar for pivotal
movement about a transverse axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an individual
tractor;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the tractor;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the tractor, the crawler arrangement
having been removed and shown in dotted outline;
FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the tractor from the front
thereof;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the
track-laying arrangement and to the roller frame;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the use of a track-laying
tractor according to one embodiment;
FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the tractor in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the tractor of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a side view, drawn to a larger scale, of the rear end of
the tractor;
FIG. 10 is a plan view, partially in section, of the rear end of
the tractor of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a cross section taken along line a--b of FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a view in longitudinal section taken through a footrest
of the tractor;
FIG. 13 is a cross section taken along line c--d of FIG. 7;
FIG. 14 is a view in section taken along the line e--f of FIG.
13;
FIG. 15 is a view in section taken along the line g--h of FIG.
13;
FIG. 16 is a rear elevation view taken along line i--j of FIG.
13;
FIG. 17 is a diagrammatical elevation view of a tractor according
to one embodiment, with a chassis rail formed by pivoting and
hingeable arms;
FIG. 18 is a diagrammatical elevation view of a tractor according
to a variant having a chassis rail in the form of elements adapted
to be interengaged end to end; and
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a detail of the tractor of FIG.
18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawing, therein is seen a tractor vehicle for a
skier which comprises an internal combustion engine 1 provided with
gear box, a centrifugal clutch and an appropriate speed-reducing
means driving a hollow, grooved drive wheel 2 (FIG. 2) which
engages a central belt 3' (FIG. 5) of the driving crawler 3.
The motor propulsion unit is disposed in the center of the hollow
drive wheel 2, which is in the form of an annulus mounted on three
pivots (as will be explained more fully in connection with a later
embodiment), thus making it possible to arrange in extremely
compact fashion the drive means in such a manner as to achieve a
saving of space which is indispensable for a machine of this
kind.
It is important to point out that the motor may be arranged, as
desired, either at the front or rear of the tractor.
The driving crawler or track 3 is constructed in accordance with
French Pat. No. P.V. 100,903, in the name of the same Applicant.
The crawler is adapted for limited transverse oscillation relative
to its longitudinal central axis and it includes the central belt
3' which is of trapezoidal shape, as shown in FIG. 5. The single
central belt of the said crawler 3 is wound rearwardly about a
takeup pulley 4 which is grooved and mounted for free rotation on a
shaft. A screw-type tensioning system 7 secures the pulley 4 in
such manner as to impart appropriate tension to the crawler 3. The
crawler 3 is supported and guided over its entire path of travel at
the lower portion of the apparatus by means of a frame rail 5
having rollers mounted for free rotation on their pivots and
conforming to the trapezoidal profile of the central belt 3' of the
crawler 3, as shown in FIG. 5.
Laterally, on either side of the apparatus, are secured footrests 6
in the form of stirrups in which the skis are secured. The
footrests 6 are articulated by means of a crank C, in such manner
that they are able to move freely in a vertical plane and they can
be locked at a selected height with the aid of a pin inserted in an
aperture, or alternatively by any other system of locking, in such
manner as to enable the skier to adjust the height of said stirrups
relative to the apparatus, depending on the state of the snow and
track requirements.
The frame rail 5 with the rollers, is dismantleable, so that it
becomes possible to reduce the apparatus to a few elements or
members of small dimensions, as can be readily transported in a bag
provided for that purpose.
The throttle control of the motor 1 is effected, as shown in FIG.
2, by means of a cable contained in a flexible sheath and
manipulated with the aid of a small trigger secured to the skier's
pole.
Finally, there are provided anti-ice pins, constituted by pointed
metallic blades 8 for the purpose of breaking any ice accumulating
in the grooves of pulleys 2 and 4.
In the embodiment illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 6 to 16,
the individual tractor is provided with an internal combustion
motor 9 secured to a speed-reducing gearing means 10 and
constructed in known manner. The motor 9 enables, through the
agency of transverse lugs 11 on its block cylinder (FIG. 15),
securing of supports 12 arranged diametrically to permit assembly
with the aid of bolts or the like of a lateral flange 13 formed
with an aperture for the free passage of the block.
The flange 13 is rearwardly prolonged in such manner as to form a
securing lug 13.sup.1.
Surrounding the opening in the flange 13 are three bosses which are
disposed to permit the securing, by nuts or the like, of transverse
rods 14 adapted on the one hand to permit the assembly of an
intermediate flange 15 of U-shape, the rear end of which
constitutes a securing lug 15.sup.1 (FIG. 14) and also of a rear
flange 16 disposed against the outer face of the motor 9 and of the
speed-reducing means 10.
Spacer tubes 17, centered on the rods 14, maintain the flanges 15
and 16 with the desired spacing, whereas further spacer members 18
interposed between the intermediate flange 15 and the flange 13
also facilitate assembly and form external bearing faces for the
free rotation of rollers 19.
A driving pulley 20, in the form of an annular member, is lodged
between the flanges 13 and 15, and is circularly centered for
rotation on the rollers 19 which are arranged concentrically
relative to the transverse axis of the motor 9, in such manner as
to achieve satisfactory equilibrium.
The driving pulley 20 coaxially accommodates between the cheeks
thereof a median toothed annulus 21 secured by rivets 22, or in
other suitable manner, and the toothing of which emerges circularly
and in recessed fashion in the trapezoidal groove 20.sup.1 in
pulley 20, which also receives the trapezoidal, central belt of the
driving crawler.
An output shaft 23 of the speed-reducing means 10 extends
externally of flange 16 and a pinion 24 is mounted on shaft 23 to
drive, with a given reduction ratio and through the intermediary of
an endless chain 25 and a tensioning roller 26, a toothed wheel 27.
The wheel 27 is mounted on a support shaft 28 which extends
successively through flange 16 and intermediate flange 15.
This shaft 28 supports a control pinion 28 in the vertical plane of
the driving pulley 20, the control pinion 29 driving, through the
agency of an endless chain 30, the median toothed annulus 21 of the
driving pulley 20.
These oppositely positioned transmission systems arranged on the
flanges, enable the achievement of a double reduction ratio for the
driving of the driving pulley 20 from the output shaft 23.
It should also be noted that the flanges 15 and 16 enable the
mounting between them of a fuel tank R (FIG. 15).
As seen in FIG. 15, the flanges 13 and 15 engage, through the
agency of their respective securing lugs 13.sup.1 and 15.sup.1, the
lateral faces of a forward element 31 of a frame rail, and bolts 32
and 33 provide for the assembly of the arrangement.
The frame rail comprises two elements 31 and 31.sup.1 disposed in
alignment and articulated in end to end relation through the
intermediary of a hinge. These similar elements permit, by means of
their U-section, the mounting of a plurality of projecting rollers
34 supported for free rotation on respective pivots. The rollers 34
have grooves for receiving and guiding the central belt of the
crawler track.
As seen in FIG. 11, the front element 31 is articulated about a
shouldered pivot 35 forming a spacer member relative to two lateral
plates 36 constituting the hinge and formed in their upper portions
with two inclined notches 36.sup.1 (FIG. 9). A transverse bar 37
secured to the upper portion of the end of the element 31 engages,
when the elements 31 and 31.sup.1 are aligned, in notches 36.sup.1
and abuts, at the end of travel, in the latter so as to ensure
positioning and alignment.
At the opposite side, the rear element 31.sup.1 is articulated in
the same manner about a spacer pivot 38 connecting the plates 36,
whereas its horizontal positioning and abutment are effected by the
projecting portions of the articulation pivot 39 of the roller 34
associated therewith and engaging in the vertical notches
36.sup.2.
This double articulation arrangement permits the folding of the
elements 31 and 31.sup.1, as shown by the broken lines in FIG. 9,
during transport.
The rear element 31.sup.1 supports a grooved pulley 40 at its end,
said pulley 40 being mounted for free rotation about a pivot 41
connecting the flanges of an adjustable support 42.
The support 42 is slidably mounted on the element 31.sup.1 by means
of bolts 43 extending through longitudinal slots 31.sup.2 formed in
element 31.sup.1.
A rotary tensioning means 44 controlled by a pin 45 has ends with
threaded bores of opposite pitch which are respectively engaged on
the one hand to a screw-threaded rod 46 secured to a yoke 45.sup.1
articulated through the intermediary of a pivot 47 to a lug 48 fast
with the upper portion of the element 31.sup.1, and on the other
hand, on the opposite rear side to a rod 49 of opposite pitch
secured in a block which is articulated about a pivot 50 supported
in the flanges of the support 42.
By manually rotating the tensioning means 44, it becomes possible
to longitudinally displace the support 42 and the pulley 40
thereon, so as to enable the tensioning of the central belt of the
crawler 51 which is designed and mounted as previously
indicated.
It should be noted that a plate 52 secured to the upper portion of
the support flanges 42 includes a profiled finger 52.sup.1 for
engagement in the groove of the pulley 40 in such manner as to
break any ice accumulating in the said groove. A similar plate (not
shown) is also disposed opposite the groove in the drive pulley
20.
The opposite end of the rear element 31.sup.1 carries, at its upper
portion, a support bar 53 mounted longitudinally above element
31.sup.1 through the intermediary of spacer bolts 54. The support
bar 53 is transversely perforated with apertures 53.sup.1 to permit
the straddling and securing of an adjustable support flange 55 in a
selected longitudinal position by the engagement of a bolt 56
through one of the apertures 53.sup.1. The support 55 has a
transverse tube 57 secured thereto, preferably by welding.
A footrest is provided at each side of the tractor in the form of a
plate 58 having a freely rotating base mounted on a pivot 59
engaged in one end of the transverse tube 57 and maintained in
position therein by a stud 60 having a manipulating lever 61.
The said plate 58 has a forward U-shaped section with arms 58.sup.1
sloping symmetrically and being folded at their upper portion in
such manner as to form claws permitting the engagement and vertical
retention of the sole of a user's boot, whereas the heel abuts
rearwardly against adjustable member 58.sup.2 with a flat face, as
shown in FIG. 12.
The plate 58 may also be designed to directly receive a ski.
The member 58.sup.2 of each plate 58 forms, on the side opposite
arms 58.sup.1, a horizontal flange for rotatably supporting a
transverse pivot 62.sup.1 rigid with the end of a stabilizing arm
62 terminating in a profiled palette 62.sup.2 for abutment on the
snow.
A coil spring 63, mounted on the pivot 62.sup.1, bears through the
agency of one of its arms 63.sup.1 on the arm 62, whereas its
opposite arm 63.sup.2 abuts against the member 58.sup.2 in such
manner as to permit the establishment of a flexible connection
between the plate 58 and the stabilizer arm 62.
Due to this arrangement, when the user is standing in position on
the plates 58 and the tractor is driven, any irregularities in the
profile of the terrain are "absorbed" by the springs 63 which thus
constitute damping means for maintaining the said plates
substantially at the same level.
However, in the case of very considerable depression, the sudden
upward deflection of each stabilizer arm 62 is limited in its
travel through the intermediary of a ratchet wheel 64 secured on
the pivot 62.sup.1 and the toothing of which cooperates with an
articulated pawl 65 secured with the member 58.sup.2, as
illustrated in FIG. 12. This arrangement prevents any pronounced
inclination of the boot sole which might cause the user to fall.
Furthermore, the pawl 65 may readily be disengaged to permit, if
necessary, the folding of the arm 62.
In the variant illustrated in FIG. 17, the motor 66 is disposed at
the median portion of the "carriage", whereas the frame rail is
constituted by two arms 67 and 68 which are symmetrically opposed
and pivoted at their ends to said motor. One of the arms supports,
at its end, a driving pulley 69 which is driven through the
intermediary of an endless chain 70 or, alternatively, by a belt,
cardan rods, a shaft with a deflection pinion, or by any other
means. The opposite arm supports guide pulley 71 provided with a
means for tensioning the belt of the crawler 51. This arrangement
permits the folding, by turning up of the arms 67 and 68, as shown
in dotted outline.
In a second variant illustrated in FIG. 18, the motor 72 directly
supports sheath 73 receiving the stabilizing assemblies, as
described, and the frame rail is constituted by a plurality of
short elements 74 joined end to end as shown in FIG. 19 and secured
by pins, bolts or the like.
The advantages of this individual, crawler or track-laying tractor
for skiers are quite clear from the description and special
emphasis is directed to the facility for dismantling the block
motor relative to the frame rail and also the stabilizer
assemblies. Furthermore, the frame rail is foldable, thus
facilitating transport.
* * * * *