| abstract |
An elastomeric belt vehicle (10) for transmitting greater tractive effort to the ground than wheeled vehicles of comparable drive and capable of operating at high speed on improved road surfaces without inflicting damage thereon. A pair of wheels (24, 26) are disposed on each side (28, 30) of the vehicle frame (12) to support the vehicle. An inextensible endless belt (36) is tightly tensioned over its entire length driven around each pair of wheels (24, 26) and frictionally motorically coupled to at least one wheel (24) of each pair. The belt structure (36), the wheel structure (24, 26) and the cooperating components (46, 48, 82) ensure engagement between these various parts, allow long use with minimum maintenance and provide the torque friction required to effectively transmit drive torque from the wheels (24) to the belt (36). |