Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm J. A. Thurman, Esq.
  • Patent number: 6200513
    Abstract: A method for producing a pulley assembly intended primarily for use with the endless drive belt of a vehicle accessories drive system is provided. The method involves placing a circular metal insert having an axis and an outer substantially flat circumferential surface extending radially from the axis on a locating means, located inside a mold cavity and positioned around the outside circumference of the metal insert, for positioning the metal insert inside the mold cavity before molding and for maintaining the roundness of the metal insert during molding, and molding a plastic annular body about the metal insert. A pulley assembly produced by this method is also provided. The method of producing the pulley assembly may include modifying the outer flat circumferential surface of the metal insert prior to molding the plastic annular body about the metal insert, for clamping, structurally bonding, and resisting relative rotation between the plastic body and the metal insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin J. Emmett