METHOD OF ASSEMBLING TRACK LINK USING REMOVABLE CATERPILLAR CHAIN STRAP Russian patent published in 2008 - IPC B62D55/28 B62D55/32 

FIELD: transportation.

SUBSTANCE: removable strap is arranged on the track link to have the strap engaged with the ledge made on one side of the said track link. Then, a metal plate normally used as a lever for deforming elastic damping plates, is pressed against the track link till the strap ear gets between the track link lugs. A lock pin tail is fitted into the track link hole to make split spring ring fitted in the pin groove interact with the track link tapered hole and the said lock pin is seated into operating position. Note that before the above job, a flat is made along the spring ring on the cut side and in symmetry about it. In making the track link tapered hole, its outer diameter is selected proceeding from the expression D_th ≥ d_n + 2h_gr., where D_th is the track hole tapered hole outer diameter, d_n is the lock pin working diameter, h_gr is the depth of pin groove receiving the spring ring. The removable strap ear hole is made allowing a limited vertical motion of the said strap relative to the lock pin. In placing the strap, its metal plate is pressed with a limited force not requiring a complete alignment of the track link lug hole axis with that of the strap ear hole. The lock pin spring ring flat is turned downward prior to seat the pin in place.

EFFECT: simpler track assembly and stable strap locking.

4 cl, 5 dwg