Abstract: A preforming device and method of use thereof, the device including a rack, a pinion, belt, belt tensioning feature, and mechanism for supporting a variably appliable enhanced pressure, such as may be applied using a bladder or bladders having one or more valves, the device capable of engaging a mandrel to form at least one ply and a binder against the exterior of the mandrel.

Abstract: A vacuum pressure forming apparatus which is capable of uniformly heating a sheet member and preventing the occurrence of wrinkles or rain drops in the sheet member. The apparatus is equipped with an endless belt having a number of air holes and is stretched between a heating drum and a cooling drum. After preheating, the sheet member is placed closely into contact with a surface of the endless belt through the use of a pressing roller and the sheet member is clamped between the endless belt and a metal pattern having a plurality of cavities formed therein. The apparatus further includes a pressure difference producing device which supplies pressurized air from a rear surface side of the endless belt toward the sheet member such that pressure on an upper surface of the sheet member becomes higher than pressure on a lower surface thereof. Consequently, the sheet member is formed into configurations corresponding to the configurations of the cavities of the metal pattern.

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of toothed belt constructions and a set of such belt constructions are provided, the method including the steps of disposing tubular sleeves of stretchable fabric material respectively onto a plurality of toothed mold members having different diameters, forcing mold material against the outside surfaces of the sleeves to tend to stretch the fabric material into the grooves of the toothed mold members as the mold material enters the grooves of the mold members so that the resulting toothed belt constructions will have the fabric material thereof carried in certain positions relative to the respective teeth thereof, and forming the sleeves from the same fabric material and with the same diameters in the nonstretched condition thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous vacuum forming of a hot plasticized material such as vinyl onto a moving flat forming surface defined between a first and second roller member which are continuously rotatable with a flexibly resilient belt and a woven flexible support belt extending therearound. The upper belt is of a flexibly rubber material and the lower belt is of an open woven metallic material to allow air to be drawn therethrough. These belts pass through a flat forming station positioned between two rollers against which vacuum forming is performed. A flexibly resilient pattern form is defined on the flexibly resilient belt including a plurality of vacuum apertures therein such that as the pattern form passes through the flat forming station a vacuum is applied through the woven support belt and to the apertures defined in the form to draw down the hot plasticized material onto the pattern form for continuous vacuum forming.

Abstract: A vulcanizing apparatus including a cylindrical vulcanizing drum for winding and molding unvulcanized rubber belt materials thereover, the vulcanizing drum being removably and rotatably supported on a transfer mechanism. A pair of endless pressurizing bands are arranged to oppose each other with the vulcanizing drum between, the pressurizing bands arcuately surrounding and pressing the corresponding portions of the circumferential surface of the vulcanizing drum. While the circumferential surface of the vulcanizing drum is heated inside, and the respective pressurizing bands are opposingly pressed against the vulcanizing drum, the respective pressurizing bands are synchronously rotated so as to turn the vulcanizing drum and continuously vulcanize the unvulcanized rubber belt molding on the drum.

Abstract: Installation for the automated manufacture of transmission belts, having equipment for the preparation of a multi-belt sleeve including at least one coiling machine (SP) on toothed drum, a calendering machine (CL1) for the application of a rubber composition, a molding and curing station (V1) and a final station (FN) having at least one checking machine (CQ) connected to a central control unit (UCC). The checking process is based on the use of a narrow range of tolerance wherein the values of the magnitude under control are acceptable, and of a wider range of tolerance external to the previous one, wherein the values of the magnitude are acceptable in a conditional manner, for example, in relation to the time of permanence within such range, and in any case after a final verification of the product affected by the anomaly.

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: An extrusion head 1 for producing sheet material 2, particularly elastomeric material, reinforced internally with relatively close-packed metal or textile cords 3; on which a die adapter 8 houses a "mandrel" 23 aligned with an output die 16 for the extruded sheet material 2 and having an axial slot 31 for feeding the reinforcing cords 3 to the die 16; the aforementioned mandrel 23 having, on its front end facing the die 16, an insert 32 defining, together with the die adapter 8, an upper channel 34 and a lower channel 35 for supplying plastic material; which insert 32 consists of an upper element 40 and a lower element 41, the front ends of which are arranged contacting so as to define a cord output guide member 56, and the rear ends of which are gripped together with the interposition of an intermediate element 47, so as to define two superimposed cord input guide members 61, 62 converging inside the output guide member 56, having a cord density equal to half that of the output guide member 56, and offset by

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a conveyor belt made of urethane having reinforcement embedded therein which reinforcement permits the stretching of the belt under controlled conditions. The reinforcement consists of a fabric or a plurality of aligned strands that are embedded in the urethane body of the belt proper that allow for a controlled stretch in the conveyor belt under such fabric or cords limit the stretching of such belt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a conveyor belt made of urethane having reinforcement embedded therein which reinforcement permits the stretching of the belt under controlled conditions. The reinforcement consists of a fabric or a plurality of aligned strands that are embedded in the urethane body of the belt proper that allow for a controlled stretch in the conveyor belt until such fabric or cords limit the stretching of such belt.