Transportable machine including a track system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12409478-B2
Application number	US-202017059013-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 10, 2020
Priority date	Jun 10, 2019
Publication date	Sep 9, 2025
Grant date	Sep 9, 2025

Abstract

A transportable machine including an elongated frame having a top end and a bottom end, a handle disposed on the top end of the frame, a base disposed on the bottom end of the frame, where the base and the frame together define a space configured to receive and support a load, and a wheel disposed on the bottom end of the frame. A track is coupled to the frame, where the track includes a roller and an endless belt configured to rotate about the roller. A motor is coupled to the roller, where the motor is operable to drive the endless belt, and a power supply provides power to the motor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A transportable machine, comprising:
an elongated frame having a top end and a bottom end;
a handle disposed on the top end of the frame;
a base disposed on the bottom end of the frame, the base and the frame together defining a space configured to receive and support a load;
a wheel disposed on the bottom end of the frame;
a track coupled to the frame, the track including
a first roller,
a second roller,
an endless belt configured to rotate about the first and second rollers, and
a belt tensioning assembly configured to tension the endless belt, the belt tensioning assembly including a bracket supporting the first roller, a mount coupled to the frame, and a single adjustment member accessible on each side of the endless belt and configured to adjust the position of the bracket relative to the mount to adjust a tension of the endless belt; and

a motor coupled to the second roller, the motor operable to drive the endless belt.

2. The transportable machine of claim 1 , wherein the endless belt includes a recess extending along an inside surface, the recess receiving a rib on the frame to align the endless belt relative to the frame.

3. The transportable machine of claim 1 , wherein the track further includes a third roller, a fourth roller, and a second endless belt configured to rotate about the third and fourth rollers.

4. The transportable machine of claim 1 , further comprising a sewer cleaning machine supported by the base, the sewer cleaning machine including a drum, a cable positioned at least partially within the drum, and a second motor driving rotation of the drum.

5. The transportable machine of claim 1 , wherein the handle is movable relative to the elongated frame between an angled position, in which the handle extends generally downward from the top end of the frame, and an extended position, in which the handle extends generally upward from the top end of the frame.

6. The transportable machine of claim 1 , wherein the track is movable relative to the elongated frame between a stored position and an extended position, wherein the track is positioned farther away from the frame when in the extended position than in the stored position.

7. The transportable machine of claim 1 , wherein the single adjustment member is positioned between the first roller and the second roller.

8. A transportable machine, comprising:
an elongated frame having a top end and a bottom end;
a handle disposed on the top end of the frame;
a base disposed on the bottom end of the frame, the base and the frame together defining a space configured to receive and support a load;
a wheel disposed on the bottom end of the frame;
a track coupled to the frame, the track including a first roller, a second roller, a frame member extending between the first and second rollers, and an endless belt configured to rotate about the first and second rollers, the endless belt having a recess formed on an inside surface of the endless belt, the recess receiving a rib on the frame member to align the endless belt relative to the frame member; and
a motor coupled to the second roller, the motor operable to drive the endless belt.

9. The transportable machine of claim 8 , wherein the track further includes a bracket positioned adjacent the endless belt and configured to inhibit the endless belt from slipping off of the frame.

10. The transportable machine of claim 8 , wherein the track further includes a third roller, a fourth roller, and a second endless belt configured to rotate about the third and fourth rollers.

11. The transportable machine of claim 8 , further comprising a belt tensioning assembly configured to tension the endless belt.

12. The transportable machine of claim 8 , further comprising a sewer cleaning machine supported by the base, the sewer cleaning machine including a drum, a cable positioned at least partially within the drum, and a second motor driving rotation of the drum.

13. The transportable machine of claim 12 , wherein operation of one of the first motor and the second motor prevents operation of the other of the first motor and the second motor.

14. The transportable machine of claim 8 , wherein the recess also receives a rib on the second roller to align the endless belt relative to the frame member.

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Spaulding Christopher S
• Reeder Kyle J
• Scott John S
• Wolf Matt R
• Hilger Timothy J
• Derksen Christopher J

Classifications

• B62B5/0069

  Control · CPC title

• B62B1/12

  involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable, or convertible · CPC title

• E03F9/005

  Apparatus for simultaneously pushing and rotating a cleaning device carried by the leading end of a cable or an assembly of rods · CPC title

• B62D55/30

  Track-tensioning means · CPC title

• B62D55/24

  of continuously flexible type, e.g. rubber belts · CPC title