Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`RUBBER PAD FOR STEEL TRACK
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`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
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`[0001]
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`The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0078307,
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`filed on June 16, 2021, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this
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`reference.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`Field of the Invention
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`[0002]
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`The present invention relates to a rubber padfora steel track.
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`Description ofthe Related Art
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`10
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`[0003]
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`Various types of driving devices that drive using tracks have been developed and used. For
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`example, military equipmentsuch as tanks, heavy equipmentsuchas bulldozers, excavators, and the like,
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`and devices such as snowmobiles, multi-terrain loaders, and the like are designed to drive using various
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`types oftracks.
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`[0004]
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`The track driving devices employ various types of tracks. For example, heavy equipment
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`15
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`generally employs steel tracks made of metal while light equipment employs rubber tracks made of an
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`elastic material such as rubber. In addition, a rubber pad is mounted ona steel caterpillar track.
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`[0005]
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`The rubber pad has the advantage of the rubber track such as reduced driving vibration,
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`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`RUBBER PAD FOR STEEL TRACK
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`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
`
`[0001]
`
`The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0078307,
`
`filed on June 16, 2021, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this
`
`reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`[0002]
`
`The present invention relates to a rubber padfora steel track.
`
`Description ofthe Related Art
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`10
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`[0003]
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`Various types of driving devices that drive using tracks have been developed and used. For
`
`example, military equipmentsuch as tanks, heavy equipmentsuchas bulldozers, excavators, and the like,
`
`and devices such as snowmobiles, multi-terrain loaders, and the like are designed to drive using various
`
`types oftracks.
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`[0004]
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`The track driving devices employ various types of tracks. For example, heavy equipment
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`15
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`generally employs steel tracks made of metal while light equipment employs rubber tracks made of an
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`elastic material such as rubber. In addition, a rubber pad is mounted ona steel caterpillar track.
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`[0005]
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`The rubber pad has the advantage of the rubber track such as reduced driving vibration,
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`
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`increased ride comfort, and dampened noise, and may prevent damage to the road surface such as
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`pavement during work and driving and expand work areas to pavementsinaccessible to the steel track.
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`[0006]
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`However, the rubber pad used in the steel track has a problem of powerloss caused by foreign
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`substances that enter into the space surrounded by the pad body bushings, links, and thelike, fail to be
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`discharged to the outside and interfere with sprocket driving.
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`In addition, foreign substances stuck in a
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`fastening hole to which a bolt for coupling the rubber pad to the link is fastened makeit difficult to
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`disassemble and assemble the bolt during maintenance, and an edge-cut occurring at the boundary ofthe
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`iron core causes early damageto the tread rubber. The edge-cut refers to a phenomenon in which the
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`rubber at either end in the width direction is damaged when a load is generated by uneven ground or
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`10
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`obstacles.
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`[0007]__Afailure to discharge the deposited foreign substancesto the outside leads to early wearing of
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`driving parts such as sprockets, bushings, and the like as well as early wearing and damageto the pad
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`body, and maintenanceissuesarise.
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`Document of Related Art
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`15
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`[0008]
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`Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2008-0040350 (May 8, 2008)
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`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
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`[0009]—_An object of the present invention is to provide a rubber pad fora steel track configured to
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`facilitate the dischargingto the outside of foreign substances entering the vicinity ofthe driving unit of the
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`steel track.
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`[0010]
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`Another object of the present invention is to provide a rubber pad for a steel track configured
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`to facilitate the separation and discharge of foreign substances stuck in a bolt fastening hole while the
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`steel track drives, thereby improving maintenanceefficiency.
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`[0011]
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`Still another object of the present invention is to provide a rubberpadfora steel track having
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`an inclining surface for preventing edge-cutting, thereby facilitating the discharge of foreign substances,
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`cleaning, and maintenance.
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`[0012]
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`According to an embodimentof the present invention, a rubber pad for a steel track coupled to
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`10
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`the steel track formed by connecting a plurality of links and provided with a bushing engaging with a
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`sprocket to allow driving of equipment may include a rubber pad body coupled to an outside ofthe link
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`and one or more foreign substance discharging grooves formed on an outer surface of the pad body and
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`indented in the forward or backward direction ofthe steel track.
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`[0013]
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`The bottom surface of the foreign substance discharging groove may incline downward from
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`15
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`the inside to the outside and either side surface of the foreign substance discharging groove may widen
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`from theinside to the outside.
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`[0014]|The rubber pad may be provided on either side with fastening holes to which bolts for
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`coupling the rubber pad to the link are fastened, and the length of the foreign substance discharging
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`groove in the width direction may be equal to orless than the distance between the fastening holes.
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`[0015]
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`A bushing cover extending from the outer surface of the pad body toward the adjacent pad
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`bodyto shield the bushing from the outside may befurther included.
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`[0016]
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`The bushing cover mayface the foreign substance discharging groove to be accommodated
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`inside the foreign substance discharging groove.
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`[0017]|Whenthe bushing cover is accommodatedinside the foreign substance discharging groove, a
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`predetermined interval may be formed between the bushing cover and the foreign substance discharging
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`groove, and the interval may be 3 to 10 mm in length, width, and heightdirections of the pad body.
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`10
`[0018]|The bushing cover may be providedin either the front end or rear end of the pad body with
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`respect to the driving direction ofthe steel track.
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`[0019]
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`The lower surface of the bushing cover may incline upward from the pad body toward the
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`outside.
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`[0020]
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`According to another embodiment of the present invention, a rubber pad for a steel track
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`15
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`coupledto the steel track formed by connecting a plurality of links and provided with a bushing engaging
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`with a sprocketto allow driving of equipment may include a rubber pad body coupled to an outside of the
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`link, wherein a fastening hole to which a bolt for coupling the rubber padto the link is fastened is formed
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`in the middle of the pad body, and an inner surface of the fastening hole is provided with a step portion
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`having one or morestepsto facilitate the removal of foreign substancesstuck in the fastening hole.
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`[0021]
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`A fastening portion to which the bolt is substantially fastened may be formed inside the
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`fastening hole, and the fastening portion may be formed adjacentto an innersurface ofthe fastening hole.
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`[0022]
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`A fastening portion to which the bolt is substantially fastened may be formed inside the
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`fastening hole, andthe fastening portion may be formedin the middle ofthe fastening hole.
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`[0023]
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`A fastening portion to which the bolt is substantially fastened may be formed inside the
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`fastening hole, and an inclining surface connecting an upper end of the fastening portion and an upper
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`end of the fastening hole may be formed.
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`10
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`[0024]
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`Theinclining surface mayradially extend from an upper edge ofthe fastening portion to the
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`upperend ofthe fasteninghole.
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`[0025]
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`Accordingto still another embodimentof the present invention, a rubber pad for a steel track
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`coupledto the steel track formed by connectinga plurality of links and provided with a bushing engaging
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`with a sprocket to allow driving of equipment may include a rubber pad body coupled to the outside of
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`15
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`the link and an iron core providedinside the pad body in the right/left width direction, wherein either end
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`of the pad body may be provided with a pad end surface formedin the driving direction ofthe steel track
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`and a pad inclining surface inclining from the front and rear ends of the pad end surface toward the
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`middle of the pad body.
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`[0026]
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`Either end of the iron core may be provided with an iron core end surface extending in parallel
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`with the pad endsurfaceata first interval and an iron core inclining surface extending in parallel with the
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`pad inclining surface at a secondinterval.
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`[0027]
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`The first and second intervals may be 0.5 to 1.5 times the interval between the pad end surface
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`and the iron core end surface formed along the centerline with respect to the driving direction of the pad
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`body.
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`[0028]
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`According to the embodiment of the present invention, discharge of foreign substances
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`entering the vicinity ofthe driving unitofthe steel track to the outside may befacilitated.
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`10
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`[0029]
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`In addition, the present invention may facilitate the separation and discharge of foreign
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`substances stuck in a bolt fastening hole while the steel track drives, thereby improving maintenance
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`efficiency.
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`[0030]—_In addition, the present invention formsan inclining surface, thereby facilitating the discharge
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`of foreign substances, cleaning, and maintenance.
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`15
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`[0031]
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`FIG.
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`1 is a perspective view illustrating a rubber pad according to an embodiment of the
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`present invention.
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`
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`
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`[0032] FIG. 2is across-sectional view of the rubber pad in FIG. 1 mounted onasteel track.
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`
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`[0033] FIG. 3 1s a perspective viewillustrating a rubber pad mounted onasteel track according to
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`another embodimentof the present invention.
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`
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`[0034] FIG. 41sacross-sectional view illustrating the rubber pad mounted on the steel track in FIG.3.
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`[0035]
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`FIG. 5 isa viewillustrating a fastening hole ofa rubberpad.
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`[0036]
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`FIG.6isa viewillustrating another example of a fastening hole of a rubberpad.
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`[0037]
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`FIGS. 7A and 7B are a view illustrating a comparison between the fastening hole in FIG. 6
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`and a conventionalfasteninghole.
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`[0038]
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`FIGS. 8 and 9 are viewsillustrating positions of a fastening portion constituting a fastening
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`10
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`hole of a rubberpad.
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`[0039]
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`FIG. 10 is a plan view specifically illustrating a shape of a rubber pad according to an
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`embodimentof the present invention.
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`[0040] HG+isavewFIGS. 11A-11B are viewsillustrating a comparison of the strain of the
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`rubber pad in FIG. 10 and a conventional rubber pad caused by an external force.
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`15
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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`[0041]
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`Since the present invention may be modified in various ways and have various embodiments,
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`specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described. However, this is not intended to
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`
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`limit the present invention to the specific embodiments and should be construed as including all
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`modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present
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`invention. When it is determined that a detailed description of a known technology in the related art may
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`obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted in the description of the
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`present invention.
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`[0042]
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`Termssuchasfirst, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the
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`componentsare not to be limited by the terms. The terms mayonly be usedto distinguish one component
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`from another.
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`[0043]
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`The terms used in the present specification are only used to describe specific embodiments
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`10
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`and are not intendedto limit the present invention. Singular expressionsinclude plural expressions unless
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`the context explicitly indicates otherwise.
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`In the present specification, terms such as "comprise" or
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`"have" are intended to designate the presence of implemented features, numbers, steps, actions,
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`components, parts, or combinations thereof and should not be understood to preclude the presence or
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`additional possibilities of one or more of other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts or
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`15
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`combinations thereof in advance.
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`[0044]
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`Hereinafter, the embodiments of a rubber padfora steel track will be described in detail with
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`reference to the accompanying drawings.
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`In describing with reference to the accompanying drawings,
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`the same or corresponding components will be assigned the same reference numerals, and the repetitive
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`description thereof will be omitted.
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`[0045]
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`FIG.
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`1 is a perspective view illustrating a rubber pad according to an embodiment of the
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`present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rubber pad in FIG. 1 mounted ona steel
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`track.
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`[0046]
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`According to an embodimentof the present invention, asillustrated in the drawings, a rubber
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`pad for a steel track coupled to the steel track that comprises a plurality of connected links 4 and that is
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`provided with a bushing 10 engaging with a sprocket 1 to allow driving of equipment may include a
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`rubber pad body 22 coupled to the outside of the link 4 and one or more foreign substance discharging
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`10
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`grooves 26 formed on an outer surface of the pad body 22 and indented in the forward or backward
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`direction ofthe steel track.
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`[0047]
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`Thesteel track is driven upon recetving powerby the rotational force of the sprocket 1, and
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`the driving parts will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The sprocket 1 is coupled to engage with the
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`bushing 10 connecting the sprocket 1 and the links 4 to transfer power and drive the steel track forward or
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`15
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`backward. A steel shoe is coupled to a conventional steel track. However, in the embodiment, a rubber
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`pad 20 replaces the steel shoe andis directly coupled to the link 4, which is referred to as a chain-on type.
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`The rubberpad 20 coupled in the chain-on type may protect the road surface during driving and working.
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`
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`[0048]
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`On the other hand,an idler 2 is installed in a front end of the steel track and the sprocket 1 is
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`installed in a rear end ofthe steel track, the front and rear ends forming the circumference ofthe steel
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`track, such that the idler 2 and the sprocket 1 serve to switch the rubber pad 20 portion from forward
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`driving to backward driving or vice versa while maintaining the shape of the steel track. A pin 6
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`rotatably connectingthe links 4 to each otheris inserted into the bushing 10 engaging with the teeth of the
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`sprocket 1 described above.
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`
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`[0049] FIG.1showsthat a foreign substance discharging groove 26 is formed onthe outer surface of
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`the pad body 22 and indented. The foreign substance discharging groove 26 is indented in the forward
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`direction of the steel track in the drawing but is not limited thereto. The foreign substance discharging
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`10
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`groove 26 maybe indented in the backward direction ofthe steel track.
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`[0050]
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`Foreign substances enter a space surrounded by the pad body 22, the link 4, and the bushing
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`10 while the steel track drives and the entering foreign substances interfere with the driving of the
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`sprocket 1, thereby causing loss of power, overload on the power system, and early wearing of driving
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`parts such as the bushing 10, the sprocket 1, and the like.
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`In addition, entering foreign substances also
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`15
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`cause early damage to the pad body 22. Accordingly, the embodiment provides the foreign substance
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`discharging groove 26 on the outer surface of the pad body 22 to resolve the issue.
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`[0051]
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`FIG. 2 showsthat the clockwiserotation ofthe sprocket 1 movesthe link 4 and the rubber pad
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`10
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`20 in the forward direction of the steel track to initiate the driving, and the foreign substance discharging
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`groove 26 opensup in the forward direction in the process. Accordingly, even if foreign substances enter
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`and are accumulated in the space surrounded by the pad body 22, the link 4, and the bushing 10, the
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`foreign substances maybefreely discharged through the open front during the driving.
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`[0052]
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`In particular, the front of the foreign substance discharging groove 26 opensup rather than be
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`hidden by the adjacent pad body 22 from the moment the pad body 22 that is in contact with the ground
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`leaves the ground and rotates along with the sprocket 1. Accordingly,
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`the accumulated foreign
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`substances may be effectively discharged through the open front of the foreign substance discharging
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`groove 26.
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`10
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`[0053]
`
` Thatis, according to the embodiment, forming the foreign substance discharging groove 26 in
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`the pad body 22 allows forming a space through which the foreign substances may be discharged
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`between the plurality of pad bodies 22 so that the foreign substances may be effectively discharged
`
`through the foreign substance discharging groove 26.
`
`[0054]
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`On the other hand, the bottom surface of the foreign substance discharging groove 26 may
`
`15
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`incline downward from the inside to the outside, and either side surface of the foreign substance
`
`discharging groove 26 may widen from the inside to the outside.
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`Such formation of the foreign
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`substance discharging groove 26 allows more effective discharge of the foreign substance along the
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`11
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`
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`inclining bottom surface and either wideningside surface.
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`
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`[0055] FIG. 3 1s a perspective viewillustrating a rubber pad mounted onasteel track according to
`
`another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the rubber
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`pad mounted on the steel track in FIG.3.
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`[0056]
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`The bushing 10 is hardly exposed to the outside when passing a portion wherethe steel track
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`is in contact with a bottom surface. However, when passing a circumferential portion (a portion where
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`an idler 2 is installed), as illustrated in FIG. 3, the bushing 10 is exposed to the outside as the interval
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`between the rubber pads 20 widens, and foreign substances such as dirt or stones enter.
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`The
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`configuration ofthe rubber pad 20to resolve the issue is as follows.
`
`10
`[0057]|A bushing cover 24 with a predetermined thickness and width extending toward the adjacent
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`pad body 22 is provided on the outer surface of the pad body 22 of the rubber pad 20. The bushing cover
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`24 may protrude from the front or rear end (with respect to the moving direction of the steel track) of the
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`pad body 22. The bushing cover 24 is accommodatedinside the foreign substance discharging groove
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`26 formedin the adjacent pad body 22.
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`15
`[0058]|When the bushing cover 24 is provided in this manner, exposure of the bushing 10 to the
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`outside may be blocked so that damage to the bushing 10 caused by the impact from the foreign
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`substances may be prevented and the service life of the bushing 10 may be extended.
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`In addition,
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`12
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`frictional wearing, noise, and vibration caused by the foreign substances entering the bushing 10 may be
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`prevented, and mismatching between the sprocket 1 and the bushing 10 and disengagementofthe steel
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`track caused by thesticking ofthe foreign substances may be prevented.
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`[0059]
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`The bushing cover 24 may be provided in the middle ofthe pad body 22 in the right/left width
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`direction, and the width of the bushing cover 24 is preferably sufficient to cover the bushing 10.
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`In
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`addition, the upper surface of the bushing cover 24 preferably inclines downward toward the outside so
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`as to be readily accommodated into the adjacent foreign substance discharging groove 26.
`
`[0060]
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`In addition, when the bushing cover 24 is accommodated inside the foreign substance
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`discharging groove 26, a predeterminedinterval is formed between the bushing cover 24 and the foreign
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`10
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`substance discharging groove 26. The bushing cover 24 does not remain accommodated inside the
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`foreign substance discharging groove 26 all the time. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, the bushing cover 24 is
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`accommodated inside the foreign substance discharging groove 26 when in contact with the ground and
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`pulls out of the foreign substance discharging groove 26 whenrotating along the idler 2. The foreign
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`substances accumulated in the foreign substance discharging groove 26 may be discharged to the outside
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`15
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`at this time.
`
`[0061]
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`The selective accommodation of the bushing cover 24 inside the foreign substance
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`discharging groove 26 over the driving section allows the formation of the interval to minimize the
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`13
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`friction in the course of accommodation into and pulling out of the foreign substance discharging groove
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`26. The interval may be 3 to 10 mm in the length, width, and heightdirections of the pad body 22. The
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`friction between the bushing cover 24 and the foreign substance discharging groove 26 may interfere
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`with the smooth operation if the interval is less than 3 mm, and the bushing 10 maynotbe sufficiently
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`covered if the interval exceeds 10 mm.
`
`[0062]
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`FIG. 5 is a viewillustrating a fastening hole of a rubber pad, FIG. 6 is a view illustrating
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`another example of a fastening hole of a rubber pad, FIG.7 is a view illustrating a comparison between
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`the fastening hole in FIG. 6 and a conventional fastening hole, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are viewsillustrating
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`positions of a fastening portion constituting a fastening hole of a rubberpad.
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`10
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`[0063]
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`The drawings show thata plurality of fastening holes 30 for coupling the pad body 22 to the
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`steel track is formed in the middle of the pad body 22.
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`Insertion and fastening of the bolt to the
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`sufficiently deep fastening hole 30 solidly fix the pad body 22to the steel track.
`
`[0064]
`
`A conventional fastening hole 30 is generally formed in a cylindrical shape such that only a
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`bolt is inserted therein, and a problem 1s that the foreign substances, once introduced from the ground and
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`15
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`stuck in the fastening hole 30 while the bolt is fastened, are not easy to remove using a tool during the
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`replacement operation of the pad body 22. The embodiment of the present invention restructures the
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`fastening hole 30 andfacilitates the removal of foreign substances.
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`14
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`[0065]
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`FIGS. 5 and 6 showthat a fastening portion 32 to whichthe bolt is substantially fastened is
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`formed inside the fastening hole 30. The bolt may be fastened to an upper surface of the steel track
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`through the fastening portion 32. An innersurface of the fastening hole 30 is provided with a step portion
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`34 having one or moresteps to facilitate the removal of the foreign substances stuck in the fastening hole
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`30. The step portion 34 may have onestepasillustrated in FIG. 5 or a plurality of steps asillustrated in
`
`FIG.6.
`
`[0066]
`
`Formingthe step portion 34 in this manner allows an operator to obliquely insert a tool (in a
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`skewer form) and easily remove the foreign substances stuck in an upper portion. More specifically,
`
`forming the step portion 34 on the innersurfacefacilitates the insertion ofa tool that needs to be inserted
`
`10
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`to remove the foreign substances and consequently facilitates separation and removal of the foreign
`
`substances. Comparison of a conventional step portion 34 illustrated in FIG. 7A anda restructured step
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`portion 34 illustrated in FIG. 7B showsthat the diagonal angle 62 in the restructured step portion 34 is
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`greater than the diagonal angle 91 in the conventional step portion 34 so that the working range expands
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`and the removalof the foreign substances1s facilitated when the operatorinserts a tool.
`
`15
`
`[0067]
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`In addition, forming the step portion 34 prevents stacking of the foreign substances in a lump
`
`having a certain cross-section such that the foreign substances are not stuck, and the foreign substances,
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`even if stuck, are easily separated when an externalforce is applied to one side.
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`15
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`
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
`
`[0068]
`
`FIG.8 showsthat the fastening portion 32 formedinside the fastening hole 30 may be formed
`
`adjacent to the inner surface of the fastening hole 30 asillustrated in FIG. 8. Atthis time, an inclining
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`surface 36 may be formed fromaside end of the fastening portion 32 to the top end ofthe fastening hole
`
`30 on the inner surface of the fastening hole 30.
`
`[0069]__Asillustrated in FIG. 9, the fastening portion 32 may be formed in the center inside the
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`fastening hole 30, and an inclining surface 36 may beradially formed from the upper end of the edge of
`
`the fastening portion 32 to the upper endofthe fastening hole 30. Formingtheinclining surface 36 inside
`
`the fastening hole 30 facilitates the removal of the stuck foreign substances like the step portion 34
`
`described above does.
`
`10
`
`[0070]
`
`FIG. 10 is a plan view specifically illustrating a shape of a rubber pad according to an
`
`embodiment of the present invention, and FIG—H++s-a-ew-FIGS. 11A-11B are viewsillustrating a
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`comparison of the strain of the rubber pad in FIG. 10 and a conventional rubber pad caused by an
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`external force.
`
`[0071]
`
`FIG. 10 showsthat, according to an embodimentofthe present invention, the rubber pad may
`
`15
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`include a rubber pad body 22 coupledto the outside of the link 4 and an iron core 28 provided inside the
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`pad body 22 in the nght/left width direction. And, either end of the pad body 22 may be provided with a
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`pad end surface 50 formed in the driving direction of the steel track and a pad inclining surface 52
`
`16
`
`
`
`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`inclining from the front and rear ends of the pad end surface 50 toward the middle of the pad body.
`
`[0072]
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`In FIG.10, the portion corresponding to 25% of the distance from one endto the center of the
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`pad body 22 in the right/left direction is defined as the end of the pad body 22. The pad end surface 50is
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`an end of the pad body 22 on either side and is a cross-section extending in the driving direction
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`(up/down direction in the drawing) ofthe steel track. And the pad inclining surface 52 is a cross-section
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`inclining at the front and rear ends of the pad end surface 50. In addition, either end ofthe iron core 28
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`provided inside the pad body 22 may include an iron core end surface 60 extending in parallel with the
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`pad end surface 50 ata first interval B and an iron coreinclining surface 62 extending in parallel with the
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`pad inclining surface 52 at a second interval C.
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`10
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`[0073]
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`Forming the ends of the pad body 22 and the iron core 28 on either side as described above
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`has the effect of reducing strain caused by an external force, comparedto the related art. FIG. 11A shows
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`that either end of the conventional pad body 22 is formed in a rectangular shape without an inclining
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`portion andthe strain caused by an external force is approximately 29%. However, FIG. 11B showsthat
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`either end of the restructured pad body 22 has the pad inclining surface 52 and the iron core inclining
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`15
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`surface 62 so that the substantial strength of the rubber is maintained andthestrain caused by an external
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`force turned out to be approximately 21%. That is, the strain of the restructured pad body 22 is reduced
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`by approximately 30% compared to the conventional pad body 22 so that damage (edge-cut) to the tread
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`17
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`
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
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`rubber may be prevented, and also forming inclining surfaces 52, 62 at the respective comers of the pad
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`body 22 facilitates discharge of the foreign substances, cleaning, and maintenance.
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`[0074]
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`FIG. 10 also showsthat the first interval B and the secondinterval C are 0.5 to 1.5 times the
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`intervals between the pad end surface 50 and the iron core end surface 60 formed along the centerline
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`with respect to the driving direction (the midline with respect to the right/left direction in the drawing) of
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`the pad body 22. The benefit of rubber such as cushioning, ground protection, and the like diminishes
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`whenthe first interval B and the secondinterval C are less than 0.5 times the interval between the pad end
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`surface and the iron core end surface, androlling and thelike destabilize the support for the equipment,
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`and the side lifting capacity diminishes in the case of excavators and cranes in particular when the
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`10
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`intervals exceed 1.5 times the interval between the pad end surface and the iron core end surface.
`
`[0075]
`
`Specific embodiments of the present invention are described, but those with commonskills in
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`the art will understand that the present invention may be variously modified and altered without deviating
`
`from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention described in the claims below.
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`DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
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`15
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`1: sprocket
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`4: link
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`2: idler
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`6: pin
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`10: bushing
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`20: rubber pad
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`18
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`
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`Application No: 17/837,332
`Docket No: PK6865553
`Substitute Specification: Marked-up Copy
`
`22: pad body
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`24: bushing cover
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`26: foreign substance discharging groove
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`28: iron core
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`30: fastening hole
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`35: fastening portion 34: step portion
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`36: inclining surface 40: reinforcing member
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`50: pad end surface
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`52: pad inclining surface
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`60: iron core end surface
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`62: iron core inclining surface
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`10
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`15
`
`19
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`
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