Abstract: The invention comprises a plurality of clips arranged about a tensile member or core belt. The tensile member comprises a multi-ribbed belt. The multi-ribbed belt may comprise any standard multi-ribbed belt readily available in the art. The clips are generally u-shaped and have opposing inclined sides that cooperate with the sides of a CVT pulley. The opposing inclined sides of each clip can have a thermoset, thermoplastic or phenolic coating to provide a predetermined coefficient of friction. Each clip has a multi-ribbed profile bearing surface that cooperates with the multi-ribbed portion of the core belt. The clips are held in proper orientation to the multi-ribbed belt by elastomeric bands. The elastomeric bands are routed through a slot in each clip which then compresses the clips together.

Abstract: Endless belts having driving surfaces comprising a high temperature flexible thermoplastic composite. More particularly, an endless toothed belt having a high temperature-, abrasion- and noise resistant cover element, and which comprises from about 60 percent to about 100 percent by weight of the composite of a high temperature flexible thermoplastic material and from about 0 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the composite of a frictional modifier system, and methods for constructing such belts. Such belts include elastomeric body portions which may preferably be formed from suitable polyurethane materials.

Abstract: The invention comprises an idler pulley, having a web and a belt bearing surface connected to the web. The web is aligned with and affixed to an inner race outer surface of a bearing by a fastener. The pulley is stamped, formed or spun out of sheet metal and may have a central hole described by a lip for alignment with a central axis of the bearing. The outer race of the bearing may be affixed to a mounting surface.

Abstract: A flexible shaft coupling element comprising a sleeve shaped body having a central annular portion and a coupling receiving portion at each of two opposing sleeve ends. The coupling receiving portions include axially extending teeth on their inner surfaces. The flexible shaft coupling element is characterized in that the annular portion possesses a torsional shear capacity and the area defining the axially extending teeth possesses a shear capacity, and the tooth shear capacity exceeds the annular portion torsional shear capacity.

Abstract: Assemblies of packaged band-shaped articles, such as industrial- or automotive belts, and a method for their manufacture are provided. The assembly comprises at least one such band-shaped article, each said article having an inner periphery and an outer periphery; and a pliable container having a first aperture or gap at a first end and a second aperture or gap at a second end, the second end being preferably in generally opposing relation to the first with respect to its location on the container. At least a significant number of the band-shaped articles are aligned with one another, and are aligned with at least one of the two pliable container apertures.

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.

Abstract: A die finger and a crimping die comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced die fingers used in a crimping apparatus, wherein the die finger has an inner forming surface and an oppositely facing camming surface, and wherein at least one die finger having the inner forming surface includes at least one slot formed therein oriented along the longitudinal axis. Also included is a crimping apparatus utilizing the inventive die fingers, a method of crimping a ferrule with the inventive die fingers and a ferrule crimped by the inventive method.

Abstract: The invention is a device for providing a clamping force about a connection end of elastomeric hose or tubing. The device includes an at-least-twice-oriented polymer having a shrinkage response to each of at least two diameter reducing release temperatures, which is sized and formed into a band. The clamp is self-adjusting over a substantial working life. The band may be installed onto connection ends of hose or tubing and fixtures such as couplings, inserts or stems without the external application of heat, preferably preselecting the first diameter reducing release temperature to be at roughly room temperature. The clamp displays improved constrictive forces over prior art polymer clamps.

Abstract: An improved electrically powered vehicle and associated method of the type having a mobile electrical storage device for providing electrical power electrically connected to a switching device, for selectively controlling the flow of electric power. The switching device is electrically connected to an electric motor. It selectively allows the flow of electrical power to the motor. The motor is mechanically connected to a belt type continuously variable transmission with the transmission mechanically connected to a drive wheel of the vehicle. It is improved by the motor, being of the direct current type, that is electrically connected to a continuously variable power supply control device responsive to an operator input. Further, the motor is mechanically connected to the continuously variable transmission, with the transmission adapted to respond to the rotational speed of the motor by varying in speed ratio.

Abstract: A method for making a hub/pulley by spin forming from a disc including forming an annular collar extending radially inward of the hub and defining a blind bore of the hub.

Abstract: A belt drive differential with an output shaft, two planet sprockets rotatably mounted to a carrier to orbit in a circular path about a carrier axis coaxial with the output shaft, a first output sprocket attached to the output shaft, a second output sprocket coaxial with the output shaft, and a toothed power transmission belt connecting the sprockets.

Abstract: A belt reinforcing material of at least two layers where one layer is a twined fabric and the other layer is a woven fabric that are attached to each other such as by needle-punching. A toothed power transmission belt with a plurality of teeth spaced along one side of the belt includes the aforementioned fabric disposed at a peripheral surface that includes the belt teeth.

Abstract: A belt tensioner of the Zed type with a pivot-arm, a pulley attached to the pivot-arm for receiving a belt load, a pivot, a base, and a torsion spring operatively connected between the pivot-arm and base and wherein damping of the pivot-arm is primarily provided by a pivot bushing in response to the belt load and a force generated by the spring.

Abstract: A belt tensioner of the Zed type with a base member, a pivot-arm, a pivot-pin, a pulley attached to the pivot-arm, a torsional spring attached between the base member and pivot-arm, and wherein the base member has a "tube pan" shape with a cantilevered inner wall that supports the pivot-pin, a cantilevered outer wall, and a bottom wall interconnecting the inner and outer walls and oriented with the bottom wall juxtaposed the pivot-arm. Optionally, the spring is connected to a damping mechanism that generates a reaction force in generally the same direction as a belt force or hub load. In another embodiment, a second, damping spring generates a reaction force in generally the same direction as the belt force with a constant damping force.

Abstract: A hub is spun rolled formed of a portion of metal radially displaced from a side of a disc of sheet metal. An annular collar formed of an annular part of the disc extends inward of the hub and creates a blind bore. The collar is integral with the hub and is formed of the same sheet metal. The so formed hub that is integral to a web formed of the disc, and the collar; the web may be connected to a rim, or the extremity of the disc may be shaped into a rim to form a pulley.

Abstract: A pulley with an integral hub spun-roll formed of a disc of sheet metal where the hub has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet metal. The hub has a bore and external surface for attaching to other components.

Abstract: A tensioner with a base, a pivot-arm that oscillates about a pivot secured to the base, a pulley attached to the pivot-arm, a compression spring with a first end operatively connected to the pivot-arm and a second end operatively connected to a shoe that presses a convex surface of the shoe against a concave arcuate surface of the pivot-arm, to the shoe held in place against a protuberance secured to the base by a balance of forces.

Abstract: A tensioner with a base, a pivot-arm that oscillates about a pivot secured to the base, a pulley attached to the pivot-arm, a compression spring with a first end operatively connected to the pivot-arm and a second end operatively connected to a shoe that presses a convex surface of the shoe against a concave arcuate surface of the pivot-arm, and a second pivot-arm secured to the shoe and a second pivot secured to the base.