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.

Abstract: The invention comprises a dual ring damper. The damper comprises an inner ring for connecting the damper to a crankshaft. It also comprises an outer inertial ring for contacting a belt or the like. A flexible elastomeric material is mechanically contained in an annular space between the inner ring and the outer ring. The inner surface of the outer ring and the outer surface of the inner ring each describe a complex, non-arcuate cooperating, profile or cross-section that mechanically fixes the elastomeric between them. The elastomeric does not use chemical adhesives to bond with either the inner or the outer ring, instead relying on mechanical containment between the rings. The elastomeric in the preferred embodiment comprises EPDM.

Abstract: An air spring of the type with a sleeve having a first rolling lobe connected at an end to a first piston, a second rolling lobe connected to an end to a second piston, and where the first piston is substantially frustoconical and the second piston is substantially cylindrical and where the minimum effective area of the first piston is less than the minimum effective area of the second piston and where the maximum effective area of the first piston is greater than the maximum effective area of the second piston. The frustoconical first piston allows the air spring to accommodate large angular suspension motion without degrading durability.

Abstract: The invention comprise a continuously variable transmission pulley. The pulley comprises at least one axially moveable sheave section which is coaxial with a second sheave section. Each sheave section has a series of radial grooves which are axially and radially aligned. The radial grooves are arranged in pairs between each sheave section. The belt blocks span between the sheave sections, each having opposing arcuate ends that slidingly engaging a pair of grooves. The belt blocks are arranged circumferentially about an axial sheave centerline. Each belt block also has a surface for receiving a multi-ribbed belt. At least one elastic member encircles the belt blocks so as to control their relative positions, keeping them in contact with the sheave grooves as the pulley rotates. As the movable sheave is moved axially, each belt block moves radially within its respective grooves so as to increase or decrease the effective diameter of the pulley.

Abstract: An independent suspension and drive system comprising a transverse power shaft mounted on a vehicle frame and having a differential connection with a power source; at least one pivot shaft mounted on the vehicle frame; at least one cantilevered swing- or trailing- or pivot arms mounted on each of the at least one pivot shafts; at least one drive wheel, one each mounted on each of the respective at least one pivot arms via respective axles; and at least one chain or belt or equivalent member operatively connecting power shaft driver sprockets to respective wheel driven sprockets; wherein the centerline of the power shaft is substantially coincident with the centerline of each of the at least one pivot shafts, and wherein the pivot shafts are independent of the power shaft.

Abstract: The invention comprises a self-contained mechanical belt tensioner that produces damping which is a function of the applied hubload through the effect of frictional forces derived from the sliding action of mutually opposing wedges. A first wedge or conical piston is contained within a housing. The conical piston cooperates with a second or conical wedge. A surface of the conical wedge slides on the inner surface of the housing. The conical wedge is expandable in a direction normal to the inner surface of the housing. A spring urges the conical wedge into engagement with the conical piston. As the pulley is loaded, as with an impulse load, the piston will move into the conical wedge. This, in turn, will cause the conical wedge to expand against the inner surface of the housing. The expansion of the conical wedge in the housing will increase the frictional force between the conical wedge and the housing. This will have the effect of damping movements of the conical piston and, in turn, of the pulley.

Abstract: A power transmission belt with a good balance of high temperature resistance, good belt durability and low temperature flexibility, and a service range of about −40° C. to about 140° C. The main belt body portion of the power transmission belt is manufactured from an elastomeric material comprising 100 parts by weight of an at least partially hydrogenated nitrile group-containing copolymer rubber, and from about 0.5 to about 50 parts per hundred weight of said rubber of a fiber reinforcement having a length to diameter ratio of greater than 10:1.

Abstract: The invention comprises a drive ring CVT belt. In a CVT transmission, each variable diameter pulley has a drive ring trained around the sheaves. Each drive ring may comprise any high modulus material such as plastic or metal. An endless flexible tensile member or belt is trained between the drive rings. Each drive ring further comprises a sleeve that is trained around an outer surface of each drive ring. Each sleeve slides in a bushing on its respective drive ring. The belt has a tensile load that presses each of the drive rings together on the sleeves. The relative arrangement of the axis of rotation of each drive ring is maintained by the contact between the sleeves and the drive rings. The effective diameter or radius of each pulley is adjusted by movement of each drive ring in each pulley. Movement of the pulley sheaves causes the axis of rotation of each drive ring to move eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the pulley.

Abstract: A hub having a bore, in accordance with the present invention, is spun-roll formed of a portion of an annular sheet metal disc. The hub is formed by radially displacing a portion of the annular sheet disc outward from the bore. The so formed hub that is integral to the annular sheet metal disc forms a web having a thickness equivalent to or not less than a thickness of the annular sheet metal disc before formation of the hub. The web may be used to spun-roll form a rim having a belt receiving portion and as such a one-piece spun roll formed pulley. The web may also be used to interconnect to a rim having a belt receiving portion as a separate piece from the hub and web. During the spinning process, a shaping roller is pressed against a bore of an annular sheet metal disc which is being rotated simultaneously.

Abstract: Material handling hose having an abrasion-resistant cover element is disclosed. The hose comprises an inner tube, a reinforcement member, an intermediate layer and the abrasion-resistant cover element. The cover element does not cover the entire surface of the intermediate layer, but includes apertures or gaps through which a portion of the underlying intermediate layer is exposed to the outside environment. The apertures allow for venting of high volatility materials through the hose body, and provide regions of relatively high coefficient of friction, to facilitate handling of the hose.

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.