Abstract: A belt and belt connector is provided for forming a continuous belt loop. The belt connector includes a first element insertable into a first end of the belt and a second element insertable into a second end of the belt. The first element may include exterior threads for positively engaging the interior of the belt. Additionally, the belt connector may include a connecting link that connects the first and second elements so that the first and second elements are pivotable relative to one another. Additionally, the connecting link may be configured to that the first element is pivotable relative to the connecting link about a first pivot axis and the connecting link may be pivotable relative to the second element about a second pivot axis that is transverse the first pivot axis.

Abstract: A belt and belt connector is provided for forming a continuous belt loop. The belt connector includes a first element insertable into a first end of the belt and a second element insertable into a second end of the belt. The first element may include exterior threads for positively engaging the interior of the belt. Additionally, the belt connector may include a connecting link that connects the first and second elements so that the first and second elements are pivotable relative to one another. Additionally, the connecting link may be configured to that the first element is pivotable relative to the connecting link about a first pivot axis and the connecting link may be pivotable relative to the second element about a second pivot axis that is transverse the first pivot axis.

Abstract: A mounting device for coaxially anchoring a machine element upon a rotary shaft is provided. The device fits between the interior bore of the machine element and the cylindrical surface of the shaft and is effective to position the element at any desired position longitudinally of the shaft and at any angular position circumferentially of the shaft. The device has inner and outer sleeves, the mating surfaces of which are similarly tapered so that relative axial displacement of the sleeves affects expansion and contraction of the interior bore and external surface of the combined elements. Rotation of a threaded nut at one end of the device effects the relative axial displacement of the inner and outer sleeves to afford expansion and contraction of the sleeves without excessively straining the material of the sleeves or the nut.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an object by an additive process, commonly referred to as 3-D printing, is provided. The apparatus includes a filament comprising a series of irregularities along the length of the filament, a nozzle depositing a layer of melted material onto a surface and a feeder feeding the filament to the nozzle. A heating element melts the filament and a controller controls the position of the nozzle in a plane to control the configuration of the layer of melted material deposited by the nozzle. Additionally, a method for forming polymer filament used in 3-D printing devices is also provided. The method includes the steps of melting a polymer, selecting an extrusion characteristic calculated to induce a polymer flow instability and extruding the melted polymer using the selected extrusion characteristic to produce an extrusion having distortions created by the polymer flow instability.

Abstract: A mounting device for coupling two rotatable elements is provided. Specifically, a device for mounting a machine element onto a shaft, and in particular for mounting a narrow machine element on to a shaft, is provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a radially deformable inner sleeve that cooperates with an outer sleeve. A locking nut threads onto the inner sleeve to displace a thrust plate toward the outer sleeve so that the machine element is clamped between the thrust plate and the outer sleeve. In another embodiment, the device includes opposing pairs of inner and outer sleeves having mating tapered surfaces to provide axial clamping force and radial clamping force. The machine element is axially clamped between the pairs of inner and outer sleeves.

Abstract: A mounting device for coaxially anchoring a machine element upon a rotary shaft is provided. The device fits between the interior bore of the machine element and the cylindrical surface of the shaft and is effective to position the element at any desired position longitudinally of the shaft and at any angular position circumferentially of the shaft. The device has inner and outer sleeves, the mating surfaces of which are similarly tapered so that relative axial displacement of the sleeves affects expansion and contraction of the interior bore and external surface of the combined elements. Rotation of a threaded nut at one end of the device effects the relative axial displacement of the inner and outer sleeves to afford expansion and contraction of the sleeves without excessively straining the material of the sleeves or the nut.

Abstract: A mounting device for coaxially anchoring a machine element upon a rotary shaft. The device fits between the interior bore of the machine element and the surface of the shaft and is effective to position the element at any desired position longitudinally of the shaft and at any angular position circumferentially of the shaft. The device has inner and outer sleeves, the mating surfaces of which comprise tapered surfaces so that relative axial displacement of the sleeves effects expansion and contraction of the interior bore and external surface of the combined elements. Rotation of a threaded nut at one end of the device effects the relative axial displacement of the inner and outer sleeves to afford expansion and contraction of the sleeves.