Abstract: A method of producing a double-sided belt structure from an endless body having a length, a first surface, a second surface, at least one load carrying cord embedded in the body with a lengthwise center and extending along the length of the body between the first and second surfaces of the body, and a thickness between the first and second surfaces of the body.

Abstract: A method for estimating remaining life of a power transmission belt. The method includes a step of providing a power transmission belt having a) a body having a rubber material with a length and laterally spaced surfaces to engage a cooperating pulley and b) a plurality of fibers embedded in the rubber material and projecting in a lateral direction so that a plurality of the fibers have a portion that is exposed at one of the laterally spaced surfaces. The method further includes the step of magnifying the one laterally spaced surface to identify cracks in the rubber at the fiber portion. Based on at least one of the nature and quantity of cracks in the rubber material, the remaining life of the power transmission belt is estimated.

Abstract: A power transmission belt having a body with a length, an inside, an outside, and at least one rib on the inside of the body. A canvas layer is provided on the outside of the body. The canvas layer is a plain weave canvas made up of cotton fiber and synthetic fiber which are present in a proportion such that there is at least as much synthetic fiber as there is cotton fiber in the canvas layer. The canvas layer has warp and weft yarns, each with center lines which cross to be biased with respect to the length of the body. The canvas layer is adhered to the body without performing a tentering treatment on the canvas layer.

Abstract: A power transmission belt having a body with a length, inside, and outside, and laterally spaced side surfaces. The body has a compression section, with there being a plurality of fibers embedded in the compression section having a diameter of 0.7 to 0.9 denier.

Abstract: A marking material having a substrate layer defined by a first rubber compound. A mark is applied to the substrate layer, which mark is defined by a second rubber compound that visibly contrasts with the first rubber compound.

Abstract: A power transmission belt having a body with a length and laterally spaced side surfaces, a first plurality of laterally extending discrete fibers embedded in the body and having portions projecting from the side surfaces, and a second plurality of discrete pulp-like fibers intermixed with the first plurality of laterally extending discrete fibers. The fibers in the first plurality of laterally extending discrete fibers have at least one of a) a different composition and b) a different texture than the fibers in the second plurality of discrete fibers.

Abstract: A method of forming a power transmission belt including the steps of: providing a belt sleeve defining an axis and having a rubber layer with elongate fibers embedded therein and extending generally parallel to each other in a first line; rotating the belt about its axis; providing a grinding element for cutting the rubber layer and fibers to define ribs with oppositely facing flanks; and urging the rotating belt sleeve and grinding element, one against the other in first and second steps and, as an incident thereof, causing the grinding element to define the oppositely facing flanks. The belt sleeve and grinding element are urged one against the other transversely of the first line at a first speed during the first step and at a second speed different than the first speed during the second step.

Abstract: A power transmission belt having a body with a compression section and a length. A first plurality of short fibers is embedded in the compression section of the body aligned to be substantially parallel to the length of the belt. A second plurality of short fibers is embedded in the compression section of the body and aligned to be transverse to the length of the belt.

Abstract: A power transmission belt having a belt body with a length and laterally oppositely facing pulley engaging side surfaces. A first plurality of short fibers, made from a first material, is embedded in the belt body and extends substantially in a lateral direction. A second plurality of short fibers, made from a second material, is embedded in the belt body and extends substantially in a lateral direction. A plurality of the short fibers made from the first material project laterally from at least one of the pulley engaging side surfaces on the belt body.

Abstract: A power transmission system having: a power transmission belt with a tensile strength such that a force of at least 17 kgf per 1 mm width is required to effect a 1% elongation of the belt; a plurality of pulleys with which the power transmission belt is operatively engaged; and an auto-tensioner having an element to engage the power transmission belt. The auto-tensioner has a damping ratio that is not greater than 20%, where the damping ratio is defined by the following formula: Damping ratio=2[(A-B)/(A+B)].times.100, where A is the force exerted by the auto-tensioner element during up-stroking of the auto-tensioner element and B is the force exerted by the auto-tensioner element during down-stroking of the idler pulley. More preferably, the damping ratio is 10-20%.

Abstract: A power transmission belt having a belt body defining a tension section and a compression section and having an inside surface, an outside surface, and laterally spaced side surfaces. A canvas layer is provided on at least one of the inside, outside, and side surfaces and has a first surface abutting to the belt body and a second surface that is exposed with the canvas layer on the belt body. The canvas has ends joined by thread to produce an endless layer. A first part of the thread is exposed on the second surface of the canvas layer and is at least one of a) a twine of natural fiber and b) multi-filament twine of synthetic fibers. A second part of the thread that is exposed at the first surface of the canvas layer is a mono-filament of synthetic fiber.

Abstract: A method of forming a rib on a power transmission belt including the steps of providing an endless belt body having an elastic material to define at least part of a longitudinal rib on a completed power transmission belt, providing a grinding wheel with a peripheral cutting surface, rotating the grinding wheel in a first rotational direction, pressing the peripheral cutting surface of the grinding wheel against the belt body and grinding the body to define a rib thereon with an exposed surface defined by the elastic material, and altering the rotational velocity of the peripheral cutting surface to compensate for wear on the grinding wheel.

Abstract: A power transmission belt having a length and a lateral extent. The belt consists of a tension layer and a compression layer with the compression layer defined at least partially by acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber (hydrogenated nitrile rubber), having at least an 80% hydrogen addition rate, and a plurality of substantially laterally oriented fibers in the acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber in the compression layer. The fibers are treated with one of resorcin-formalin-nitrile rubber latex (RFL) and resorcin-formalin-hydrogenated nitrile rubber latex (RFL) having at least an 80% hydrogen addition rate.

Abstract: A power transmission belt having an inside surface and an outside surface. The power transmission belt has: a compression section defining a plurality of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending ribs made at least partially of rubber; a plurality of discrete, laterally extending reinforcing fibers in the ribs; a tension section outside of the compression section and defined at least partially by a rubber layer; and a plurality of discrete, laterally extending reinforcing fibers in the rubber layer of the tension section. The length of the reinforcing fibers in the rubber layer of the tension section is greater than the length of the reinforcing fibers in the ribs.

Abstract: A power transmission belt with a belt body having a compression section, a load-carrying section, inside and outside surfaces, and laterally spaced pulley-engaging side surfaces. A fabric cover layer is provided on one of the inside, outside and laterally spaced pulley-engaging side surfaces. The fabric cover layer has an uninterrupted, substantially uniform thickness over the entire extent of the fabric layer on the one of the inside, outside and laterally spaced pulley-engaging side surfaces to which it attaches.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method wherein fibers are treated with a first, second, and third treatment solution. The third treatment solution includes a chlorinated rubber and a rubber-containing composition having acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber or hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber. The treated fibers are positioned contiguous, and adhered, to an unvulcanized hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber composition which is then vulcanized. The resulting rubber-fiber composite exhibits improved adhesion between the hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber composition and the fibers. Adhesion is maintained in a hot environment even if subjected to what would conventionally be considered conditions that would result in thermal deterioration under high temperature. Thus, the rubber-fiber composite exhibits enhanced durability under the severe service conditions experienced by rubber-fiber composites.

Abstract: A power transmission belt having a belt body defining laterally spaced, oppositely facing flank surfaces for engagement with a pulley and at least one fiber within the belt body and extending in a lateral direction. The fiber has a cross-sectional area taken transversely of its length and a surface exposed at at least one of the flank surfaces. The exposed fiber surface is flared to have an area that is greater than the cross-sectional area of the fiber.

Abstract: A power transmisison belt having: at least one longitudinally extending rib having laterally spaced, first and second oppositely facing surfaces for reception within a complementary pulley groove; at least one fiber embedded in the one rib and having a length extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the one rib, with the fiber having a portion projecting outwardly from the one rib beyond one of the first and second surfaces; and a noise suppressing material applied to the one of the first and second surfaces and a portion of the one fiber to inhibit noise generation between a power transmission belt and a cooperating pulley resulting from relative movement of one against the other.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a jacket used in the formation/curing of transmission belts. Such a jacket typically has a substantially cylindrical surface which is engaged with assembled belt components during a curing process therefor. The improvement resides in the provision of vent structure for allowing air to escape from between the cylindrical surface on the belt forming jacket and assembled belt components during a curing process.

Abstract: A multiribbed power transmission belt and method of manufacturing the same, wherein an unvulcanized belt preform is provided with transversely extending staple fibers in the compression section thereof. The compression section is caused to be vulcanized while being urged against a mold having projections forming shallow grooves in the inner surface thereof. The grooves have a depth in the range of approximately 20% to 50% of the height of the ribs intended to be formed in the final power transmission belt. The ribs are formed in the belt by removing material from the compression section of the vulcanized preform, such as by the conventional machining operations of grinding, cutting, etc. The angular deflection of the reinforcing fibers in the compression section is caused to be no more than approximately 25% to provide the improved belt construction.