Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. A collapsible tube is positioned about the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel and the collapse of the tube to form an anchor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. A collapsible tube is positioned about the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel and the collapse of the tube to form an anchor.

Abstract: A device for fastening a panel-shaped component in a receiving groove of a carrying rail, comprises a holding element for holding the panel-shaped component in the receiving groove such that an end face of the panel-shaped component introduced into the receiving groove is supported on the bottom of the receiving groove via the holding element, two clamping elements for clamping the panel-shaped component between the flanks of the receiving groove, and at least one tension anchor for positioning the clamping elements. At least one of the tension anchors is flexible and reaches over from one side of the panel-shaped component around the end face of the panel-shaped component to the clamping element, which is to be positioned by the flexible tension anchor, on the other side of the panel-shaped component.

Abstract: A self-locking adjustable loop construction and a method of forming the construction are disclosed. The construction can include a flexible member having a first end, a second end and a first portion therebetween. The first end can be passed back through the first portion at a first point such that the first end passes through the first portion from a first side of the flexible member to a second opposite side of the flexible member. The first end can be passed through the first portion at a second point spaced apart from the first point such that the first end passes through the first portion from the second side to the first side so as to place the second end outside of the first portion.

Abstract: A continuous loop of material for use in mammals, particularly humans. One embodiment may have an air entanglement section therein and method of making the same. Another embodiment includes a hollow braided length having a first inner section and a second inner section, the sections formed by radially inserting the ends into the hollow braid and passing it along a portion of the hollow interior. These embodiments may also include a bone engagement member incorporated therein. A further embodiment is a loop assembly having a length of fiber, the length of fiber having two ends, and a bone engagement member having an end receiving member to securely receive the two respective ends therein.

Abstract: A fixturing apparatus that includes a member having a first end, a second end, a first surface, and a second surface, wherein the member is configured to include a bend such that the first end overlies the second end, wherein the member is formed to include an aperture extending therethrough at the bend, a plurality of locking teeth disposed on the first surface adjacent the second end, wherein the distal ends of each of the plurality of locking teeth define a passage between the plurality of locking teeth and the first surface adjacent the first end.

Abstract: A knotless suture system formed from two lengths of suture joined at a suture junction point, with at least four suture limbs extending from the suture junction. The knotless suture system provides the ability to construct a suture bridge for soft tissue repair and fixation across a medial and lateral row bone fixation anchor configuration while passing the suture system in a simplified method of suture management.

Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with a fixation device, a flexible strand and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand and provided within the body of the fixation device. A splice is formed by pulling on the shuttle/pull device subsequent to the fixation device being secured into the bone, to allow desired tensioning of soft tissue to be fixated or repaired relative to the bone.

Abstract: A robot joint driving apparatus has an improved structure, a robot having the same, and a cable linkage method of the robot joint driving apparatus. In the robot joint driving apparatus, lines of a cable to drive a robot joint unit are connected plural times in parallel, thereby increasing torsional stiffness of the robot joint unit. Further, a cable fixing unit is provided on an output pulley, thereby preventing slippage of the cable on the output pulley. Moreover, the overall size of the robot joint driving apparatus is reduced due to an improved power transmission structure from a driving motor to the output pulley.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations, tension is applied to a motion transmission element with periodic features by causing that element to mesh with a device that has a pitch slightly greater than the pitch of the motion transmission element. The motion transmission element with periodic features may include, for example: a belt with teeth, or a chain. Further, the motion transmission element may comprise either an open or a closed loop. In exemplary implementations, the width of the teeth of the motion transmission element is greater than the width of the teeth in the rack. This allows room for the teeth of the rack to both fit and move within the gap between the teeth in the motion transmission element. This extra width of the element's teeth is not necessary if the element is sufficiently elastic.

Abstract: A conveyor belt has a mono-ply construction comprising a central fabric ply, top and bottom cover layers and a connection interconnecting the opposite ends of the belt. The top and bottom cover layers are removed from the opposite ends of the belt to define exposed fabric ply regions which are arranged in a mutually overlapping relationship. Two connection plates extend generally over the entire width of the conveyor belt on opposite sides thereof, and fasteners extend through the connection plates and the opposite ends of the conveyor belt to form a secure, yet flexible, connection.

Abstract: A belt tensioning device for use in a machine motion application.

Abstract: A junction for a conveyor belt that includes first and second half-junctions attachable to one end of the conveyor belt. Each of the half-junctions having substantially matching shapes that allow the half-junctions to be interlinked. The half-junctions include a flexible core, and being respectively equipped with cup inserts and bush inserts allowing the passage of an assembly mechanism. Each of the cores extend towards the inside of each half-junction forming a fold at a free edge of each of the half-junctions. The top level of the first half-junction contains the fold and in which a front edge of the bottom level has substantially the same shape as a front edge of the top level, but is shifted towards the rear at least by the distance that separates the front edge of the top level from the cup inserts that are the furthest from the front edge of the top level.

Abstract: Belt piece, of the type which can be closed as a loop and usable for the transport of articles and/or for power transmissions, which comprises a central body (80) and two restrainable ends (2), (3), which: extend in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the belt piece (1); have transverse dimensions smaller than the ones of the central body (80); and at longitudinal sides (81), (82) have complementary coupling profiles (4), (5) comprising a plurality of first (6) and second portions (7). These portions are arranged in mutual contact when the ends (2), (3) are coupled and press the one against the other in case a longitudinal traction effort is applied to the belt piece (1), closed as a loop, to prevent the ends (2, 3) from sliding in longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A hollow yoke is inserted into a bore section of a frame. The yoke is connected to a slider via a slit in the frame. A timing belt is inserted into a belt hole of the yoke. Further, a pair of guide members are provided on both side surfaces of the yoke, which engage with guide grooves of the frame. The yoke is displaced along the guide grooves by the timing belt, under a driving action of a driving section. Accordingly, the slider is displaced in the axial direction along the frame.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a draper belt in a harvesting machine having first and second connecting bars on opposite first and second sides of belt end flanges and a flat belt splice along the leading or trailing edge of the draper belt. By providing a flat belt splice along the leading edge, the draper belt can be located underneath a belt cover to prevent grain from leaking out onto the ground.

Abstract: A method is provided for splicing a conveyor belt having vulcanized rubber with steel strands embedded in the vulcanized rubber, comprising the steps of exposing a plurality of strands at two belt ends, and applying a vulcanizable rubber composition to the exposed strands to form a spliced joint between the two belt ends, the vulcanizable rubber composition comprising 100 parts by weight of rubber, and the rubber comprising from about 1 to about 20 parts by weight of syndiotactic polybutadiene.

Abstract: An electric actuator comprises a rotary driving source, a timing belt which is circled or orbited under the driving action of the rotary driving source, a slider which is displaced by the timing belt in the axial direction, and a belt-adjusting mechanism which is connected to a side surface of the slider. Both ends of the timing belt are connected to the belt-adjusting mechanism respectively. The tension of the timing belt is adjusted by rotating an adjusting screw of the belt-adjusting mechanism.

Abstract: A seamed, conformable belt including a substrate having first and second opposing substantially planar surfaces, a first end, and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end of the substrate form a first seam, and an elastomeric layer having a first end and a second end, wherein the elastomeric layer is adjacent and in contact with the first surface of the substrate and wherein the first end and the second end of the elastomeric layer form a second detachable, substantially planar seam.

Abstract: A belt member is formed with a seam portion by overlapping and adhering both longitudinal end portions thereof to constitute an endless belt stretched and circulated by a rotative, first stretching member and a second stretching member. A length of the seam portion is no less than a length between a first point at which the endless belt is separated from one of the first stretching member and the second stretching member and a second point at which the endless belt is brought into contact with the other one of the first stretching member and the second stretching member.

Abstract: An adjustable emergency use v-belt is formed with a tapered end having a plurality of teeth and a housing adapted to engage and hold the teeth when inserted into the housing to allow the belt to be adjusted to the desired length when replacing the normal v-belt used in vehicular applications.

Abstract: An adjustable emergency use v-belt is formed with a tapered end having a plurality of teeth and a housing adapted to engage and hold the teeth when inserted into the housing to allow the belt to be adjusted to the desired length when replacing the normal v-belt used in vehicular applications.

Abstract: A splice joint is for joining first and second synchronous drive belt ends, of the belt type comprising a reinforcement material layer covering a base layer formed from a first thermoplastic material. The joint comprises a fused portion of the base layer of the first and second belt ends that define a splice region. At least one coating layer of thermoplastic material overlaps the reinforcement layer of the end portions in the splice region. The coating layer is comprised of a second elastomeric material intended to melt and penetrate into interstices of the reinforcement material layer while within the mold press. Migration of the base layer material through the reinforcement material layer to the pulley-engaging outer surface is thereby inhibited. The second elastomeric material composing the coating layer may be selected to provide desired frictional and wear characteristics.

Abstract: A seamed or seamless intermediate transfer member comprising a layer having an oxidized charge transport molecule, a charge transport molecule, or mixtures thereof, wherein in the seamed embodiment, the seam adhesive may also include an oxidized charge transport molecule, a charge transport molecule, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Seamed belts, particularly puzzle-cut imageable seam intermediate transfer belts, and marking machines that use such belts, that have a beveled sides across the thickness of the belt. When the first and second ends are interlocked the bevel points are adjacent one another and a substantially V-shaped channel is formed. An adhesive is disposed in that channel. The V-shaped channel beneficially continuously extends along the puzzle-cut seam.

Abstract: A preformed strip (20) of unvulcanized rubber having two-strand receiving grooves portions (22A and 22B) for splicing the ends (11, 12) of steel cord or strand reinforced rubber conveyor belts (10) is disclosed along with a method of forming the spliced joint.

Abstract: A hinge pin connector (20) is provided. The hinge pin connector includes a first load bearing component (32) having a perimeter and a second load bearing component (36) disposed around the first load bearing component. The hinge pin connector also includes a first boundary layer (34) disposed between the first and second bearing components to substantially surround the perimeter of the first load bearing component.

Abstract: A seamed flexible belt having a substrate and a seam having interlocking seam members, wherein the interlocking seam members are held together by an adhesive having polyamide and a doped metal oxide filler, for use in electrostatographic, contact electrostatic, digital and other like printing machines.

Abstract: A seamed, conformable belt including a substrate having first and second opposing substantially planar surfaces, a first end, and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end of the substrate form a first seam, and an elastomeric layer having a first end and a second end, wherein the elastomeric layer is adjacent and in contact with the first surface of the substrate and wherein the first end and the second end of the elastomeric layer form a second detachable, substantially planar seam.

Abstract: A seamed flexible belt having a substrate and a seam having interlocking seam members, wherein the interlocking seam members are held together by an adhesive having polyamide and a doped metal oxide filler, for use in electrostatographic, contact electrostatic, digital and other like printing machines.

Abstract: A seamed flexible belt having a substrate, a seam having interlocking seam members, and an optional overcoat, wherein the interlocking seam members are held together by an adhesive having a resistive, hot-melt processible, thermosetting resin and carbon filler, for use in electrostatographic, contact electrostatic, digital and other like machines.

Abstract: A fastener for splicing ends of conveyor belts together is provided having a rivet that is pre-inserted thereto to provide speed and ease in installation. The rivet is held in an aperture of the upper plate by an interference fit at the lower end thereof. Preferably, the interference fit is achieved by knurling of the lower end portion of the rivet shaft to create raised interference portions or ridges integral therewith that are sized to be in an interference fit in the upper plate aperture. The remainder of the shaft can be sized to provide clearance between it and the aperture. An applicator machine tool is also provided for automatically securing a strip of the pre-inserted rivet fasteners to a belt end in a fast and efficient manner. The tool uses operating members to first drive pilot nails through the belt lower surface into registry with the rivets, and thereafter the rivets are driven coordinated with the pilot nails that are withdrawn back through the belt.

Abstract: Seamed belts having puzzle-cut seam with edges that are themselves puzzle-cut: puzzle-cut on puzzle-cut seamed belts. Such belts beneficially may take the form of imageable seam intermediate transfer belts such as those used in marking machines. Belts are formed from a substrate having a puzzle-cut first end and a puzzle-cut second end that interlock to form a seam. That first end includes puzzle-cut tabs that have puzzle-cut edges and the second end includes puzzle-cut tabs that also have puzzle-cut edges. The first end and the second end interlock such that the puzzle tabs and the puzzle-cut edges mate to form the seam. Beneficially an adhesive is disposed over the seam. If the seamed belt is an imageable seam intermediate transfer belt the substrate is beneficially semiconductive.

Abstract: The invention comprises a power transmission belt having a compression section, a load carrying section and an outer cover layer. The outer cover layer comprises a fabric; fiber loaded stock or blended material for reinforcement. The cover layer is spliced together using a thin non-woven strip of material spanning across the butted ends of the cover layer. The thin strip used in the splice significantly reduces belt noise by being subsumed into the adhesion rubber layer during fabrication.

Abstract: An emergency belt for use on a motor drive unit that does not require tools for installation. A buckle on one end of the belt has an opening through which the opposite end of the belt is inserted. The buckle has a latching mechanism that engage notches formed on the under side of the belt. The latching mechanism allows tongue end of the belt to be inserted through the buckle in one direction yet prevents movement in the opposite direction. The belt is tightened by pulling the tongue end through the buckle.

Abstract: A emergency replacement belt for replacing a broken fan or drive belt. The emergency replacement belt includes a flexible elongate element with a pair of opposite ends that are detachably attached together with a connector having either a J-shaped or a T-shaped hooking portion.

Abstract: A fastener for splicing ends of conveyor belts together is provided having a rivet that is pre-inserted thereto to provide speed and ease in installation. The rivet is held in an aperture of the upper plate by an interference fit at the lower end thereof. Preferably, the interference fit is achieved by knurling of the lower end portion of the rivet shaft to create raised interference portions or ridges integral therewith that are sized to be in an interference fit in the upper plate aperture. The remainder of the shaft can be sized to provide clearance between it and the aperture. An applicator machine tool is also provided for automatically securing a strip of the pre-inserted rivet fasteners to a belt end in a fast and efficient manner. The tool uses operating members to first drive pilot nails through the belt lower surface into registry with the rivets, and thereafter the rivets are driven coordinated with the pilot nails that are withdrawn back through the belt.

Abstract: Seamed belts, in particular puzzle-cut imageable seam intermediate transfer belts and electrophotographic printing machines that use such transfer belts, that are resistant to unzipping. The seamed belts include a first substrate having a first end and a second end that mate to form a first seam that runs across the first substrate. Along at least one side edge of each end of the first substrate is a cut-out. With the first end and the second end mated to form the first seam the cut-outs align to form a larger cut-out. A second substrate is then fitted into the larger cut-out along a second seam. Beneficially, an adhesive is disposed over the first seam and the second seam. Imageable seam intermediate transfer belts have first and second substrates that are beneficially semiconductive and puzzle-cut seams.

Abstract: A double-meshing-type silent chain of a silent chain drive includes link plates having the identical side profile. Each link plate has two meshing teeth and a flat back face formed opposite to the meshing teeth. Two kinds of links are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the chain, while the adjacent links are connected by pins. In one kind of link, an odd number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In the other kind of link, an even number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In each link, the link plates are oriented such that the meshing teeth of link plates located at widthwise opposite ends project outwardly with respect to the chain and the meshing teeth of the remaining link plates project inwardly with respect to the chain. Various types of sprockets used for meshing with the double-meshing-type silent chain are also disclosed.

Abstract: Splice joint for plastic coated fabric conveyor belt or similar article which initially provides a mechanical bond between the two (2) conveyor belt ends to be joined prior to a vulcanization process. This is achieved by providing a “jig-saw puzzle” splice between the two (2) conveyor belt ends to be joined wherein at least one of the conveyor belt ends to be joined has outwardly extending mushroom shaped or arrow-head shaped tabs and the other conveyor belt end to be joined has corresponding inwardly extending sockets to provide both increased splice joint surface area, as well as a mechanical bond, between the two (2) conveyor belt ends to be joined.

Abstract: Electrophotographic marking machines having imageable seam intermediate transfer belts. A toner image is produced on a charged photoreceptor. That image is then transferred onto a seamed intermediate transfer belt without regard as to the relative position of the seam. The seam region has good electrical property correspondence with a far region away from the seam and a lateral resistivity greater than 108 ohms/square. That transferred toner image is subsequently transferred to a fusing member for fusing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flexible seamed endless belt having high strength and good smoothness, in which the seamed portion is as thick as the other part of the belt. The seamed endless belt is formed from a flexible belt-like member by joining its ends together. The belt-link member has end structures which can be engaged with each other such that the resulting seamed portion is unseparable in the advancing direction thereof. The seamed portion is covered with a cured film formed by curing a resin composition containing a curable resin. The curable resin may be a thermosetting resin and the cured film may be formed by heating the resin composition.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer belt with a mechanically and electrically invisible seam formed by joining two ends of the belt at a seam. Two regions of the belt are thus formed, a seam region at and around the seam and a far region away from the seam. The seam region has good electrical property correspondence (as explained in the patent) with the far region and a lateral resistivity greater than 108 ohms/square. The joining of the belt can occur along a kerf.

Abstract: In a power transmission belt the outer periphery or the inner periphery of which is covered with a cover fabric, the cover fabric is cylindrically formed of a plurality of fabric pieces joined one to another, one of joint sections of the cover fabric has a lap joint structure that adjacent fabric pieces are lap joined at corresponding ends thereof, and the other one or more joint sections of the cover fabric each have a butt joint structure that adjacent fabric pieces are butt seamed at corresponding ends thereof.

Abstract: A length of conveyor belt is provided with end sections of fusible material, such as the thermoplastic material, at opposite ends. A continuous belt is formed by the application of heat to end portions of the fusible end sections and by joining by the fusible end sections to each other and cooling the joined end sections.

Abstract: The invention provides a cover for an over-lapping conveyor belt joint. The cover prevents gaps between the belts at the joint and draws the bolt heads into a recess on the underside of the joint, thereby reducing belt jump as the bolt heads pass over the rollers. The invention may also protect the leading edge of the upper belt. The invention is well suited to use on agricultural swath pick-ups such as those used on combines.

Abstract: An ultraviolet curable adhesive for use in bonding seams of endless flexible seamed belts, sheets or films, and preferably for use with puzzle cut seams, wherein there is virtually no thickness differential at the seam and the seam has a pull strength of from about 15 to about 50 pounds/inch.

Abstract: An endless flexible seamed belt with a mechanically and electrically invisible seam, substantially equivalent in performance to a seamless belt, is formed by joining two ends of substrate material, each end of which has a plurality of mutually mating elements in a puzle cut pattern which are in interlocking relationship. After the two ends are joined, an bonding is applied to the seam of the belt. When the belt is to be an electrostatographic imaging member, the electrostatics of the belt become very important. The two ends of a flexible substrate with a conductive coating applied thereto are interlocked and a conductive bonding is applied to the gap between the interlocking surfaces. The undercoating layer can then be applied to the adhered seam in order to smooth the seamed surface for application of the charge generating layer and the charge transfer layer. The undercoating layer may be relatively thicker than current undercoating layers to insure that the seam surface is smooth.

Abstract: A treadmill belt is provided having a base layer of synthetic fabric over which a stabilizing layer of polyvinylchloride is deposited. The combined base layer and stabilizing layer are formed into a continuous belt over which a compressible cushion layer is deposited. The opposing ends of the cushion layer are stitched together at a select angle relative to a transverse axis extending across the treadmill belt.

Abstract: A connection device is provided for the receiving of at least one end of a drive device possessing profile, preferably of a toothed belt or a roller chain with the connection device possessing a negative form of the surface profile of the drive device with which the drive device meshes. In order to create a connection device for the connection by closure with a drive device possessing a profile which is simple to manufacture and easy to assemble, the end of the drive device can be joined with the connection device in accordance with the invention by a joining movement in the plane of the running surface of the drive means and in the longitudinal direction of the drive device profile.