Abstract: A power transmission belt using an open mesh textile material in the belt overcord which is stabilized with a material promoting permeation of an underlying gum rubber layer through interstices in the textile material during vulcanization of the belt. The coefficient of friction of the backside of the belt is sufficient to enable the belt to drive backside pulleys, tensioners and other mechanical devices.

Abstract: The invention comprises a joint formed by mechanical interaction of particles with the parts to be joined. The particles engage an interface surface of each part, creating a high friction condition that prevents further relative movement of the parts once they are assembled. The particles have a substantially flat or flake-like morphology. The surface of each particle is rough to enhance mechanical engagement with each interface surface. The flake-like shape prevents the particle from penetrating an elastomeric part, which would render the particle ineffective in the bonding process.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tensioner that is particularly useful in micro-V front end accessory belt drive systems used in automotive applications where minimum tensioner bulk combined with maximum balancing and minimum pivot bushing wear in order to achieve maximum pulley alignment over the expected life of the tensioner. The belt tensioner of the invention is of the type with a base. A pivot-arm is attached to a cylindrical member that supports the pivot-arm and rotates about a pivot secured to the base. At least one sleeve-type bushing is positioned on the pivot and includes a bearing surface that supports the cylindrical member. A pulley is attached to the pivot-arm for engaging the belt and receives a belt load that generates a belt force component that is transmitted to the cylindrical member (hub load) A torsion spring having one end connected to the base and another end interconnected to a damping means generates a damping force component acting in the opposite direction as the belt force component.

Abstract: A belt de-installation tool having a monolithic curvilinear body. The body comprises a pulley engaging surface for engaging a perimeter of a pulley. A sloped arcuate belt engaging surface extends from the pulley engaging surface at a predetermined angle. A curved surface also extends from each end of the tool at a predetermined angle to the belt engaging surface. The tool is placed on a pulley between belt spans. As the pulley is turned the belt rides up on a curved surface of the tool, holding the tool in contact with the pulley. As it rotates, the belt comes into engagement with and gradually tracks across the sloped arcuate belt engaging surface, moving laterally to a pulley plane until it is fully disengaged from the pulley groove by action of the sloped arcuate belt engaging surface.

Abstract: An assembly device for a shaft damper. The assembly device comprises a holding member for holding a damper. The holding member is releasably engaged with a pair of parallel elongate members. An actuator is connected to the elongate members and to a piston. A shaft damper is inserted into and temporarily held by the holding member. The holding member containing the shaft damper is inserted into a shaft a predetermined distance. The actuator then slidingly retracts the holding member while a pressing member at an end of the piston simultaneously holds the damper in the proper position in the shaft.

Abstract: The invention comprises a geared drive ring coupler. The geared drive ring coupler comprises two pairs of adjacent drive rings rotatably connected to each end of a frame. Each pair of drive rings is meshed together with the cooperating pair of drive rings on the opposing end of the frame. The relative spatial arrangement of the axis of rotation of each set of drive rings is maintained by the frame, which in turn holds the drive rings in a predetermined relationship between the pulley sheaves. The drive rings on the driver pulley turn in the same direction as the driver pulley through frictional contact with the sides of the CVT driver pulley sheaves. The drive rings on the driven pulley side rotate in the opposite direction to the drive rings on the driver pulley, since they are meshed together. The driven drive rings are then in frictional contact with the sides of the driven pulley sheaves, thereby driving the driven pulley.

Abstract: An idler having a flexible member. The flexible member comprises a rubber or elastomeric material. The flexible member also defines a gas chamber. The spring rate of the flexible member is a function of the flexible material and the size of and pressure in the gas chamber. A belt or chain bearing surface of the flexible member bears upon a belt or chain trained between two pulleys. The flexible member is compressible in response to a preload caused as the idler is pressed against the chain or belt. The flexible member damps vibrations in the belt or chain during operation. This results in quieter operation of the idler/pulley system as well as increases the operating life of the belt.

Abstract: The invention comprises a belt installation tool for installing a belt on a pulley. The tool comprises a plurality of segments. The segments and the headpiece are connected by a flexible connector with a headpiece attached to one end of the string of segments. Each segment comprises a belt bearing surface and a lip for engaging a pulley rim, thereby conforming to the curve of the pulley rim. The belt bearing surface describes a tapered surface. A surface normal to the belt bearing surface on each segment urges a belt from the tool onto a pulley as the pulley is turned.

Abstract: A belt used in conjunction with at least one pulley, said belt capable of cooperating with an oppositely facing endless belt to contact and convey articles, said belt comprising: a first layer comprising a first flexible material, extending longitudinally of the belt and comprising a driving surface of said belt; a second layer comprising a second flexible material, spaced from and generally parallel to said first layer and possessing a first surface, and a second surface disposed opposite said first surface and defining an article conveying surface of said belt; a tensile section of high modulus material disposed between said first and second layers, wherein at least one of the first and second flexible materials comprises a polychloroprene and ethylene alpha olefin elastomer blend composition. The belt exhibits improved conveying properties, including long-term frictional properties and hardness characteristics, particularly suitable for utilization as a topping layer in bowling-pin conveying applications.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of forming a sheet metal cup without using a mandrel. A cup shaped blank is first produced having a relief on a rim or outer circumference. The blank is clamped in the spinning machine. The relief controls and facilitates the bending process, creating a uniform curve at a predetermined bending point. During the rolling process, a forming roller is engaged with rim, and is moved progressively parallel with an axis of rotation. As the forming roller moves, the rim is progressively bent from an orientation normal to an axis of rotation to a position parallel to the axis of rotation. The fully formed rim can then be punched to accommodate a bearing or shaft. This allows a small radius pulley to be formed without use of a mandrel.

Abstract: A block type CVT belt having at least one endless load carrier. Each load carrier having tensile members. A plurality of blocks are transversely engaged with the load carrier in a lengthwise direction of the load carrier. The center of gravity of each block is asymmetrically located in each block. Each block having a thermoset or thermoplastic over-molding on a metallic reinforcing body. Each block having at least one slot for receiving the load carrier. Each slot having a complex radius between a central pillar and an upper arm and lower arm in order to avoid stress risers. Each load carrier is slightly compressed in each slot to reduce block skew.

Abstract: Molded hose joint assemblies, e.g., connections, branched hoses and bleeding devices for fluid circuits, and especially such assemblies for use in automotive and industrial coolant circuit assemblies, which assemblies comprise a reduced amount of molded outer covering element over prior art designs, said covering element substantially encapsulating the connection points of generally flexible hose ends to generally rigid inner connection members. The outer covering element forms a unitary mass or interconnecting rings about at least two such hose connection points. Flexible manufacturing techniques for producing such assemblies are provided.

Abstract: The invention comprises a cog type belt having a plurality of transverse teeth on an inner surface. The belt comprises an outer extensible elastomeric layer, an inner compression layer and a tensile member. Each tooth further comprises a non-metallic or plastic transverse member, pillar or rod that extends across the width of each tooth. The opposing outer surfaces of each transverse member are inclined to each other and each end approximately equates to an outer surface of the belt body elastomeric. A compressive load between the sheaves is carried by the rod and the sidewall in proportion to the modulus of each component. The transverse members have pegs or legs that allow proper spatial orientation of each transverse member in each tooth during the fabrication process, thus assuring proper operating characteristics, including proper alignment within a pulley.

Abstract: The invention comprises a belt installation tool for installing a belt on a pulley. The tool comprises a plurality of segments. The segments and the headpiece are connected by a flexible connector with a headpiece attached to one end of the string of segments. Each segment comprises a belt bearing surface and a lip for engaging a pulley rim, thereby conforming to the curve of the pulley rim. The belt bearing surface describes a tapered surface. A surface normal to the belt bearing surface on each segment urges a belt from the tool onto a pulley as the pulley is turned.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tensioner having an inner race rotation idler pulley. The pulley having a web and a belt bearing surface connected to the web. The web is attached to an inner race of a bearing by a fastener. The pulley may be stamped out of sheet metal or of spun metal and may have a central hole for alignment with the central axis of the bearing. The outer race of the bearing is mounted to a pivot arm. The pivot arm comprises as least two pivot points for pivotably attaching the pivot arm to a mounting plate and a biasing member. The pivot points are contained within a periphery of the pulley. The biasing member urges the pivot arm and pulley against a belt to be tensioned.

Abstract: A coupling comprising a swivel stake nut or other connecting end portion rotatably coupled to a stem portion, and a jam nut or other stabilizing apparatus mounted upon or otherwise attached to one of said connecting end portion and stem portion in stabilizing relation to the other thereof, for inhibiting axial, rocking and/or rotational movement of the components during pressurized operation of the device with impulse cycling when coupled to hose or other fluid transfer component and an associated equipment port, in the absence of a separate adapter.

Abstract: Endless power transmission belts and processes for their manufacture, having power transmitting surfaces comprising a wear resistant composite, which belts exhibit improved abrasion- or wear resistance, reduced noise, reduced frictional heat generation, and improved dimensional stability compared to known belt constructions, as well as processes for manufacturing same. More particularly, an endless toothed belt having an abrasion- and noise resistant cover element, which comprises at least one friction-modifying constituent and at least one binder constituent.

Abstract: The invention comprises a belt installation tool for installing a flexible belt on a pulley. On one side, the radius of the tool is substantially equivalent to the radius of a pulley flange. The bearing surface on this side of the tool stretches the belt and guides the belt onto the pulley. To avoid damaging the belt, the radius of the tool and the pulley flange should be substantially equal over a substantial length of the pulley. Centric to this radius, a hole is provided to accommodate a single-end socket that projects through the tool. The socket engages a crankshaft bolt, hence, the belt installation tool is centered on the pulley along the socket centerline. The tool and pulley are then turned with a ratchet attached to the socket. The tool comprises a belt bearing surface having a variable radius that allows a belt to be stretched to a proper radius without abrupt radius changes, which could damage a belt.