Abstract: Power transmission belts, including V-belts, synchronous belts and multi-V-ribbed belts, comprising an elastomeric belt body portion and a load-carrying section embedded therein and extending in the longitudinal direction of the belt; the load-carrying section comprising a tensile member disposed in an adhesive rubber member, wherein at least one of said elastomeric belt body portion and said adhesive rubber member exhibits at least one of a complex modulus measured at 175° C., at 2000.0 cpm and at a strain of 0.09 degrees, of at least 15,000 kPa; and a tensile modulus, measur and 10% elongation, of at least 250 psi (1.724 MPa).

Abstract: A power transmission belt having a compression section, a load carrying section and an outer cover layer. The outer cover layer comprises a fabric; fiber loaded stock or blended material for reinforcement. The cover layer is spliced together using a thin non-woven strip of material spanning across the butted ends of the cover layer. The thin strip used in the splice significantly reduces belt noise by being subsumed into the adhesion rubber layer during fabrication.

Abstract: The invention comprises a frictional damping strut. The strut comprises an inner cylinder that slides within an outer casing. A spring biases the inner cylinder away from the outer casing in an axial direction. A first wedge member cooperatively engages a second wedge member. The first wedge member having a frictional engagement with the inner cylinder such that when the inner cylinder is pressed into the outer casing the first wedge member bears upon the second wedge member causing the first wedge member to radially expand, thereby increasing a frictional force between the first wedge member and the inner cylinder. A second spring preloads the first wedge member against the second wedge member. A belt tensioner may incorporate the damping strut to preload a belt and damp belt oscillations.

Abstract: The invention comprises an asymmetric damping tensioner system for belt drives on an engine. A belt is connected between a driver pulley on a crankshaft and any number of driven pulleys. Each driven pulley is connected to an accessory such as an alternator, power steering pump, compressor or the like. The tensioner is placed anywhere before the first component of significant effective inertia, in the belt movement direction. A biasing member in the tensioner is used to maintain a tension in the belt. The tensioner further comprises a damping mechanism to damp belt vibrations caused by the operation of the engine. Tensioner damping friction is unequal or asymmetric, depending upon the direction of movement of the tensioner arm. During acceleration the damping friction of the tensioner in the unloading direction is significantly lower than the damping friction in the opposite, or loading direction, as is the case during deceleration.

Abstract: The invention comprises a belt having a plied construction overlying tensile cords. An elastomeric layer overlies an overcord which overlies yet another elastomeric layer which in turn overlies a tensile cord. The overcord layer supports the tensile cords during molding thereby stabilizing a cordline centerline position with respect to a rib apex. This construction significantly reduces a distance from a tensile cord centerline to a rib apex and rib/pulley interface in a multi-ribbed belt, thereby significantly increasing belt life.

Abstract: A tensioner having a base. A spring connected to the base biases a plate, having a pulley, toward a belt. Frictional blocks are aligned on the base in a staggered fashion along a spring centerline. The plate slidingly moves in a linear path between the blocks. The blocks constrain the path of the plate allowing movement in only a single axis parallel to a spring axis. A hubload from a belt running on the pulley combined with the spring force acting on the plate creates a force couple acting on the plate through the frictional blocks. The engaging surfaces between the plate and the blocks have a predetermined coefficient of friction thereby creating a damping force as the pulley and plate move in a linear path on the blocks.

Abstract: A V-belt suitable for use in clutching-type applications, comprising a belt body 10 having a compression section 14 and a tension section 12; at least one longitudinally extending tensile element 26 disposed between said sections 14, 12; said compression section 14 having an inner portion 18 and an outer portion 20, at least said outer portion 20 comprising at least three layers of a rubberized textile member 30, said rubberized textile members each comprising a textile component 33 and a rubber component 31, and characterized in that at least a greater proportion by weight of said textile component 33 is orientated in a first direction other than both the direction of travel of the belt and the direction transverse thereto.

Abstract: A belt tensioner having a pivot arm biased toward a belt by a torsion spring. The tensioner also comprises a one-way clutch coupled with a friction clutch. The pivot arm of the tensioner is connected to a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch is cooperatively connected to a friction clutch having a predetermined friction torque caused by frictionally engaged radially extending surfaces. The pivot arm may move relatively freely toward a belt by operation of the one-way clutch. At the limit of arm movement the one-way clutch engages, preventing travel away from the belt in an opposite direction. The arm may only travel away from the belt when a belt tension torque exceeds the spring force plus a friction torque of the friction clutch.

Abstract: A T-bolt hose clamp comprising an outer band portion for encircling a portion of the circumference of a hose; a T-bolt member and a bridge extending from a first end of the band portion to and opposing second end of the band portion, wherein an inward projecting rib is provided along at least a portion of the outer band portion, having at least a radially innermost portion in substantially the same cross-sectional plane as the inner surface of the bridge.

Abstract: A damping mechanism used in a tensioner for tensioning a power transmission belt including a damping plate having a friction surface, at least one ramp surface and first and second contact points for operatively connecting a spring whereby the spring torque applied to damping mechanism in combination with a reactive force at the pivot surface generates a normal force.

Abstract: A tensioner having a pulley journaled to a housing. The housing further comprises a guide. The guide slidingly engages rails on a base. The guide and rails constrain the housing to move in a predetermined linear path. The rails are horizontally offset from two axis defined by the pulley. The pulley load is also vertically offset from the axis of movement of the guide. The guide and rails have a predetermined frictional coefficient so that the cumulative result is an asymmetric damping effect. Further, a linkage is connected between the housing and a camming body. The camming body is rotatably connected to the base. A biasing member such as a torsion spring biases the camming body against the belt load through the linkage. The radius of the camming body is variable to maintain a constant belt load as the tensioner pulley moves in response to a load change.

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: 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.