Abstract: An annular support structure for a track vehicle is disclosed herein. The annular support structure includes a first piece and a second piece. The first piece includes a first hub portion, a first web extending radially outward from the first hub portion, and a first outer body extending radially outward from the first web. The second piece includes a second hub portion, a second web extending radially outward from the second hub portion, and a second outer body extending radially outward from the second web. The first piece and the second piece joined together at an inner joint located proximate to the first hub portion and the second hub portion and the first piece and the second piece adjacent to each other at an outer joint located proximate to the first outer body and the second outer body.

Abstract: A belt pulley decoupler is provided for transmitting drive torque from belts of an auxiliary unit belt drive to the shaft of one of the auxiliary units, including: a belt pulley, a hub secured to the shaft, and a series circuit arranged in the drive torque flow between the belt pulley and the hub and including a decoupler spring and a wrap-around band that extends in the direction of the rotational axis of the belt pulley decoupler and is arranged radially between the belt pulley and the decoupler spring. Both ends of the wrap-around band open out radially when the drive torque is transmitted, the first end of the wrap-around band is braced against the inner surface of a first sleeve rotationally fixed in the belt pulley, and the second end of the wrap-around band is braced against the inner surface of a second sleeve rotationally mounted in the first sleeve.

Abstract: A postal sorting machine comprises an unstacker in a mailpiece feed inlet, a sorting conveyor, and sorting outlets, each of which is provided with a receptacle designed for storing the mailpieces in a stack and on an edge. Each sorting outlet is provided with a wheel having a helical blade. The wheel projects through an opening in the bottom of the receptacle and is mounted on a transmission shaft. The transmission shaft is disposed under the receptacle to impart a rotary movement to the helical blade so that the helical blade pushes the base of a current mailpiece in the receptacle against the stack of mailpieces that is being formed. The wheel is also mounted on the transmission shaft by being clipped by moving in translation across the axis of rotation of the transmission shaft.

Abstract: A chain transmission device includes chain guides capable of guiding a chain. The chain guides include a plurality of spaced apart rollers for guiding the chain, and a distance L (m) between contact points of a trained portion of the chain is set to satisfy the following inequality: L < 1 2 ? ? MAX ? T ? , where ?MAX is a maximum excitation frequency (Hz) from a crankshaft, ? is a mass of the chain per unit length (kg/m), and T is a time-average tension of the chain (N).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting seal failure of a sealed region within a conveyor component. A fluid line extends out of the sealed region and a sensor is connected to the fluid line. A valve is connected subsequent to the sensor, and a fluid pump that is connected subsequent to the valve. A controller is connected to the sensor, the valve, and the fluid pump. The sensor is external to the sealed region and the valve is a solenoid valve. The sealed region is within an idler pulley that has a drum shell with an end lid affixed at an axial end thereof, and a shaft. The sealed region can be contained within a motorized drum or a hollow conveyor frame structure. A method detects seal failure by forming a sealed region bounded by a surface and a seal, and altering a fluid pressure, th time rate of change of which is monitored.

Abstract: A friction wheel includes a hub, two bearings mounted in the hub and each having an axle, and a friction member mounted between the hub and the axle of each of the two bearings. Thus, the friction member is mounted between the hub and the axle of each of the two bearings to increase the friction between the hub and the axle of each of the two bearings so that the user has to apply a larger force to overcome the friction between the hub and the axle of each of the two bearings so as to move the cart forward, thereby preventing the cart from being moved freely.

Abstract: A drive system for a rotary device, such as an automotive alternator compensates for and dampens the effect of sudden bidirectional rotational velocity variations of the pulley caused by sudden acceleration and deceleration of an internal combustion engine without using a one-way clutch. The drive system in one aspect comprises an axially movable cam member rotatably supported on a hub that is connected to the alternator shaft and that is journaled within the pulley. The cam member is coupled to the pulley by splines so that it rotates with the pulley while affording axial movement. Springs urge the cam member into engagement with a cam follower on the hub. Upon sudden acceleration or deceleration of the pulley, the cam member rotates angularly relative to the cam follower and moves axially to compress the springs, which exert a restoring force on the cam member and cam follower to eliminate their relative angular rotation.

Abstract: A hollow cylindrical pulley body 5 is carried rotatably by a hollow cylindrical shaft member 11. A support rod 8 is inserted in the shaft member 11, and the shaft member 11 is elastically supported to the support rod 8 through an elastic body 10. The elastic body 10 is provided within a quarter of the periphery of the support rod 8 that is located, when viewed along the axis of the shaft member 11, forward of the line of action of a radial shaft load on the shaft member 11 with respect to the direction of rotation of the pulley body 5. With this configuration, when the drive belt 3 deviates to one side, the pulley body 5 is immediately angularly moved so that it is inclined with a level difference with respect to the direction of the radial shaft load and is positioned obliquely relative to the drive belt 3. In this manner, a force of compensating for the deviation of the drive belt 3 is produced to avoid its wobbling.

Abstract: A crank shaft assembly includes a socket, a crank shaft, two roller bearings, two mounting portions, two covers, and two steel ball sets. Thus, the roller bearings and the steel ball sets are arranged in different axial directions to bear the forces of two different directions. In addition, the roller bearings and the steel ball sets are arranged in different axial directions to increase the force bearing area of the crank shaft assembly, thereby preventing from producing stress concentration, so as to increase the lifetime of the crank shaft assembly.

Abstract: The over-running clutch pulley of the preferred embodiments of the invention includes a sheave member defining a sheave input surface adapted to engage an input device, a hub member defining a hub output surface adapted to engage an output device, and a clutch cartridge. The clutch cartridge includes a sheave engagement sleeve coupled to a sheave cartridge surface of the sheave member, a hub attachment sleeve coupled to a hub cartridge surface of the hub member, and a coil spring having the first end attached to the hub attachment sleeve. The coil spring is adapted to engage the sheave engagement sleeve upon the acceleration of the sheave member in a first rotational direction relative to the hub member, and to disengage the sheave engagement sleeve upon the deceleration of the sheave member in the first rotational direction relative to the hub member.

Abstract: An idler having a flexible member. The flexible member comprises a rubber or elastomeric material. The flexible member also defines a gas chamber. The spring rate of the flexible member is a function of the flexible material and the size of and pressure in the gas chamber. A belt or chain bearing surface of the flexible member bears upon a belt or chain trained between two pulleys. The flexible member is compressible in response to a preload caused as the idler is pressed against the chain or belt. The flexible member damps vibrations in the belt or chain during operation. This results in quieter operation of the idler/pulley system as well as increases the operating life of the belt.

Abstract: A pulley housing with a cylindrical exterior surface and a cylindrical interior surface is provided. A pair of shafts at opposite ends of the pulley housing mount the pulley housing for rotation about the pair of shafts. A motive source operatively connected with the pulley housing is adapted to drive the pulley housing in rotation. A wiper is positioned and adapted to wipe thermal transfer fluid from the interior surface of the pulley housing and to direct the thermal transfer fluid into thermally conductive contact with the motive source, preferably with both sides thereof, such that the thermal transfer fluid absorbs heat directly from the motive source. A method of cooling a conveyor pulley includes redirecting the thermal transfer fluid into thermally conductive contact with the motive source such that heat is directly transferred from the motive source to the redirected thermal transfer fluid.

Abstract: In a motorized conveyor pulley of the type comprising a cylindrical pulley drum with axially opposite end plates enclosing an electric motor and drive transmission, the pair of end plates of the pulley are constructed with an increased axial thickness compared to prior art end plates and are supported on a pair of shaft ends by pairs of bearings and are sealed by a pair of lubricant seals between each pair of bearings. The enlarged end plates and the pairs of bearings resist bending loads exerted on the conveyor pulley by the conveyor belt and thereby reduce loading stresses on the motor and drive transmission contained in the pulley permitting more economical manufacture of the motor and drive transmission.

Abstract: An idler having a flexible member. The flexible member comprises a rubber or elastomeric material. The flexible member also defines a gas chamber. The spring rate of the flexible member is a function of the flexible material and the size of and pressure in the gas chamber. A belt or chain bearing surface of the flexible member bears upon a belt or chain trained between two pulleys. The flexible member is compressible in response to a preload caused as the idler is pressed against the chain or belt. The flexible member damps vibrations in the belt or chain during operation. This results in quieter operation of the idler/pulley system as well as increases the operating life of the belt.

Abstract: A method of constructing a pulley comprising a shaft, annular members and a rim, wherein the shaft has an integral tapered surface of a uniform slope near each end. The annular members have an interior periphery of a slightly larger diameter than the outside diameter of the shaft. The interior periphery of the annular members also includes a tapered surface with substantially the same slope as the outside diameter of the shaft at its tapered surfaces. In constructing the pulley, the shaft is inserted through the rim. The annular members are then placed over the ends of the shaft and displaced axially toward the tapered surfaces of the shaft until the tapered surface of the annular members are mateably engaged over the tapered surfaces of the shaft. A compressive interference connection is thereby created between the tapered surfaces. A continuous weld is placed all around the outside face of the annular member where the annular member intersects the shaft.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tension roller made of a plastic material for adjusting a tension in a belt drive, comprising a wheel (7) having an inner ring (9) and an outer ring (10) connected to each other by axially oriented, circumferentially spaced ribs (12) and by a central web (8), the wheel (7) being rotatably mounted on a support element (2) which bears by a running face against the belt (3). According to the invention, successive ribs (12) enclose different angles with reference to a central point of the wheel.

Abstract: An idler roller 40 replaces idler sprockets in roller chain 20 applications to reduce wear on the system components. The roller chain side bars 24, 26 rest in parallel alignment grooves 50, 52 in the non-resilient idler 40. In a second form, the outer circumference is still rigid, but includes a resilient dampening layer thereunder.

Abstract: A vibration proofing system for an engine timing chain utilizes a tensioner on the slack side of the chain path, in which a ring-shaped, chain-engaging shoe is rotatably disposed on a circular frame mounted on the piston of a tensioner mechanism, and in which the shoe surrounds the frame and tensioner mechanism. Engine oil, which is used in the tensioner, is supplied from the tensioner to lubricate the rotatable chain-engaging shoe. On the tension side of the chain path, a guide includes fixed support, a first ring rotatable on the support, and a ring-shaped, chain-engaging shoe which is in off-centered relationship to the support and the inner diameter of which is larger than the outer diameter of the first ring. Engine oil is supplied through the support to lubricate the first ring.

Abstract: A paper feeding tractor in which perforated paper is fed by a pin carrying feed belt includes a feed belt driving sprocket which is housed between a pair of side frames. Two side faces of an inner circumferential portion of the sprocket body, except an outer circumferential portion formed with teeth, are formed with round fitting protuberances concentric with an axial hole therein such that the inner circumferential portion of the sprocket body is thinner than the outer circumferential portion. Thus, contact between the sprocket and the drive shaft is reduced to a relatively small sliding resistance. Paper can be moved in the axial direction of the drive shaft by a small force. During paper feed, any phase difference in rotation between the drive shaft and the sprocket can be eliminated. Alternatively, the feeding sprocket and a belt reception rotary member are housed within an auxiliary frame structure which is fit within and longitudinally slidable with respect to the main frame structure.

Abstract: A plastic element with an outer surface defining a running surface, particularly for a belt or chain, arranged at the outer circumference of a metallic insert designed as a rolling or sliding bearing, consisting of a polymeric plastic material hardened after polymerization produced in a mold comprising adding an expanding agent to the polymeric plastic material by mixing, inserting the metallic insert into the mold, filling the mold with polymeric plastic material containing an expanding agent at a low pressure compared to injection molding pressures, allowing the polymeric plastic material to expand by action of the expanding agent to the outer surface of the metallic insert and to the mold to form the running surface and hardening the polymer plastic material.

Abstract: A solid, dual arbor spindle including a central cylindrical section creating a central pulley surface, a large arbor longitudinally extending from the central section in a first direction, and a small arbor longitudinally extending from the central section in a second direction diametrically opposed to the first arbor. The central section of the spindle is rotatably retained between a pair of bearings which are confined in position between a pair of interconnected retaining rings.

Abstract: A feed belt driving sprocket has a body molded of an elastic material. Two side faces of an inner circumferential portion of the sprocket body, except an outer circumferential portion formed with teeth, are formed with round fitting recesses concentric with an axial hole therein such that the inner circumferential portion of the sprocket body is thinner than the outer circumferential portion. The axial hole formed at the center of the sprocket body has small protrusions on its inner circumferential faces. Notched holes are provided in the sprocket body for facilitating elastic deformation of portions of the sprocket body. If a drive shaft is fitted into the axial hole of the sprocket body, the portions of the sprocket body near the axial hole are partially elastically deformed. The clearance between the drive shaft and the axial hole of the sprocket body is thus eliminated and the sprocket is immovably fitted onto the drive shaft.

Abstract: A flywheel 2 comprising a hub 4 having at least one radially projecting disc 6, an annular rim 14 secured to said disc and providing a surface circumferential to said hub, a first plurality of resin-impregnated fibers 22 wound about said rim congruent to said surface, and a shell 26 enclosing said first plurality of fibers and formed by a second plurality of resin-impregnated fibers wound about said rim tangentially to said surface.

Abstract: A roller, especially a tension roller for a belt drive has a hollow hub supporting a rolling bearing, with a pulley or rotating body supported on the outer ring of the bearing. The hollow hub has at least one closed end, with a mounting hole therethrough to enable mounting to a machine frame. The closed end or bottom of the hub is setback from the adjoining facing end of the hub, by an axially projecting annular rim. The hub may be formed of one part, or of two parts, each having a setback closed bottom.

Abstract: A wheel comprising a tread, at least a rim provided on an outer side thereof with one half of an axially assemblable claw coupling, a wheel hub including a wheel bushing fixed axially with respect to and fixed for rotation with the rim and including an axle bushing positioned generally within the wheel bushing and fixed axially and rotatable with respect to the rim, and a hub cap provided with the other half of the axially assemblable claw coupling and adapted to be connected for rotation with a wheel axle.

Abstract: A sprocket-wheel, gear-wheel or like wheel, substantially manufactured of a synthetic material, comprising a hub which is divided along a plane which lies perpendicular to the center line of the hub-boring, said hub parts being provided with adjacent recesses for jointly accommodating a toothed ring member and being affixed to one another by bolts or the like to clamp the toothed ring member therebetween.

Abstract: A tooth grip belt pulley of deformed sheet metal with a hub formed in one piece therewith and constructed pot-shaped; the cylindrical wall of the hub is constructed as an interference seat for a shaft end and the bottom wall thereof as axial abutment for the shaft end; the edge of the hub passes over into webs of the tooth grip belt pulley.