Abstract: The disclosed inventive concept provides a rotary cutter and method of accurately cutting a ribbed transmission belt lengthwise to a desired width. The rotary cutter includes an upper portion having a handle end and a pivot end and a lower portion having a handle end and a pivot end. The pivot ends of each portion are joined by a common pivot. A belt input pulley and a rotary cutting wheel are rotatably attached to the upper portion. A drive wheel is rotatably attached to the lower portion. A belt output pulley is rotatably attached to the common pivot. Preferably but not absolutely the belt input pulley and the belt output pulley have ribbed outer surfaces. A cutting wheel cover is fixed around at least a portion of the cutting wheel. The upper portion is movable between an open, belt-fitting position and a closed, belt-cutting position relative to the lower portion.

Abstract: The disclosed inventive concept provides an adjustable and lockable bracket assembly that allows a stretch fit belt to be installed loosely on the pulleys of an accessory drive system. The assembly includes a fixed bracket attached to the engine, a pivoting and lockable bracket attached to the fixed bracket and an adjustable driven unit, an adjustable arm for moving the adjustable driven unit between a “belt install” position allowing attachment of the belt and a “final” position for stretching the attached belt, and a rotatable insert having an offset threaded hole with a threaded fastener attached to the adjustable arm for moving the driven unit between the “belt install” and “final” positions. In the “belt install” position, the stretch fit belt may be fitted over the FEAD pulleys. Once in position, the rotatable insert is rotated to move the driven unit to the “final” position again via the adjustable arm.

Abstract: A two piece pulley is provided in which the pulley main housing and the outer pulley shell are molded without the bearing in place, thus eliminating an over-molding process. The pulley main housing is molded with a bear slip fit pocket. At least one of the bearing races of the bearing assembly includes an axially-protruding raised surface such as knurls or bumps. Each of the pulley main housing and the outer shell includes a bearing shield. On assembly, the bearing is slipped into the pocket on the pulley main housing and the outer shell is then ultrasonically welded to the main housing, thereby compressing the pulley material axially into the raised surface of the bearing race, locking the outer race of the bearing to the pulley in an axial direction. The raised surface on the bearing race allows the bearing assembly to grip the pulley in an axial direction.

Abstract: The disclosed inventive concept provides an adjustable and lockable bracket assembly that allows a stretch fit belt to be installed loosely on the pulleys of an accessory drive system. The assembly includes a fixed bracket attached to the engine, a pivoting and lockable bracket attached to the fixed bracket and an adjustable driven unit, an adjustable arm for moving the adjustable driven unit between a “belt install” position allowing attachment of the belt and a “final” position for stretching the attached belt, and a rotatable insert having an offset threaded hole with a threaded fastener attached to the adjustable arm for moving the driven unit between the “belt install” and “final” positions. In the “belt install” position, the stretch fit belt may be fitted over the FEAD pulleys. Once in position, the rotatable insert is rotated to move the driven unit to the “final” position again via the adjustable arm.

Abstract: An easily attached and highly tunable spring arrangement for use with existing front end accessory drive automatic belt tensioners is provided. The spring arrangement of the disclosed inventive concept includes an external spring that can be attached to tensioners to provide a specifically desired amount of additional tension. The spring is flat or round and is externally mounted, conforming to the outer dimension of a portion of the tensioner. The spring can be used on existing tensioner-to-engine bosses using conventional fasteners. The spring includes an attachment end and a biasing end. The attachment end includes at least one bolt sleeve that is formed as part of or is fitted to the external spring by welding. The biasing end contacts the outside of the front end accessory drive automatic belt tensioner at an area adjacent the tensioner pulley. The spring length, material and thickness may be varied for proper tension.

Abstract: The disclosed inventive concept provides a rotary cutter and method of accurately cutting a ribbed transmission belt lengthwise to a desired width. The rotary cutter includes an upper portion having a handle end and a pivot end and a lower portion having a handle end and a pivot end. The pivot ends of each portion are joined by a common pivot. A belt input pulley and a rotary cutting wheel are rotatably attached to the upper portion. A drive wheel is rotatably attached to the lower portion. A belt output pulley is rotatably attached to the common pivot. Preferably but not absolutely the belt input pulley and the belt output pulley have ribbed outer surfaces. A cutting wheel cover is fixed around at least a portion of the cutting wheel. The upper portion is movable between an open, belt-fitting position and a closed, belt-cutting position relative to the lower portion.

Abstract: An easily attached and highly tunable spring arrangement for use with existing front end accessory drive automatic belt tensioners is provided. The spring arrangement of the disclosed inventive concept includes an external spring that can be attached to tensioners to provide a specifically desired amount of additional tension. The spring is flat or round and is externally mounted, conforming to the outer dimension of a portion of the tensioner. The spring can be used on existing tensioner-to-engine bosses using conventional fasteners. The spring includes an attachment end and a biasing end. The attachment end includes at least one bolt sleeve that is formed as part of or is fitted to the external spring by welding. The biasing end contacts the outside of the front end accessory drive automatic belt tensioner at an area adjacent the tensioner pulley. The spring length, material and thickness may be varied for proper tension.

Abstract: A two piece pulley is provided in which the pulley main housing and the outer pulley shell are molded without the bearing in place, thus eliminating an over-molding process. The pulley main housing is molded with a bear slip fit pocket. At least one of the bearing races of the bearing assembly includes an axially-protruding raised surface such as knurls or bumps. Each of the pulley main housing and the outer shell includes a bearing shield. On assembly, the bearing is slipped into the pocket on the pulley main housing and the outer shell is then ultrasonically welded to the main housing, thereby compressing the pulley material axially into the raised surface of the bearing race, locking the outer race of the bearing to the pulley in an axial direction. The raised surface on the bearing race allows the bearing assembly to grip the pulley in an axial direction.

Abstract: Belt-driven systems, such as a front-end accessory drive for an internal-combustion engine, often include one or more idler pulleys. It is typical for these idler pulleys to be retained by a bolt or bolt and washer. To obviate the bolt and washer, a fastener-less system has a shaft with a circumferential groove and a bearing with an inner race that has a circumferential ridge. An idler pulley is mounted on the bearing. The ridge engages with the groove of the shaft to retain the idler pulley/bearing on the shaft. Additionally, either a key inserted into keyways or stakes are used to avoid relative rotation of the inner race of the bearing with respect to the shaft.