Including Nonmetallic Belt-engaging Surface Portion Patents (Class 474/190)
  • Patent number: 11952240
    Abstract: A roller for an elevator system has a roller body made of a metal material and a shell made of a POM material forming a running surface of the elevator roller. The shell and the roller body each have a wave profile running in a circumferential direction on a shared contact surface, wherein the shell has, on the running surface, a V-ribbed profile aligned with the wave profile of the roller body that has a rib spacing which substantially corresponds to a wave spacing of the wave profile. The elevator roller is manufactured using a molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Florian Dold, Gian-Reto Petruzzi, Volker Zapf
  • Patent number: 11473665
    Abstract: A pulley device for a transmission element having a pulley, a bearing, and at least one sleeve mounted freely in the bore of the inner ring of the bearing. The pulley device includes at least one annular protection shield, the shield retained axially in a first element from the pulley and coming into immediate proximity with the other element, the other element having at least one shoulder projecting radially ensuring that it is axially retained with the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Benoit Arnault, Nicolas Tronquoy
  • Patent number: 9228856
    Abstract: Using integrated multi-component assembly injection molding, a two-part magnetic rotational angle sensor system having high sensing accuracy is very efficiently integrally produced in a tool as a functional unit that can be directly applied, comprising a polymer-bonded permanent magnet as a passive transmitter part in the first section, which can be rotated relative to the material of the active sensor receiver part, which material is sprayed thereon and then shrunk, with the potted receiver. For this purpose, injection molding materials are used that are mutually incompatible for adhesion and lift off from one another over the mutual contact regions due to shrinkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: OECHSLER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Winfried Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20150033802
    Abstract: A pulley has a plastic body having a peripheral seat and a central hub defining a through opening, with teeth extending from the central hub into the through opening. A metal insert is located within the hub and has at least a portion circumscribing the through opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: THOMAS D. KLEINMANNS, KURT WERNER
  • Publication number: 20140296010
    Abstract: In order to allow a friction drive belt to have an effect of reducing slip noise produced between the belt and pulleys for a long period even when the belt gets wet with water or suffers from wearing out, a V-ribbed belt B as the friction drive belt includes a belt body 10 made of a rubber composition and configured to be wrapped around the pulleys to transmit power. The surfaces of V-shaped ribs 15 serving as a pulley contact-side surface of the belt body 10 are covered with a fabric layer 16 which is integrated with the surfaces of V-shaped ribs 15, and the fabric layer 16 retains powder 17 embedded between fibers of the fabric layer 16 and integrally stuck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Keisuke Yoshida, Sungjin Kim
  • Publication number: 20140221140
    Abstract: A pulley comprising: a central hub; a peripheral crown; a first intermediate section comprising a plurality of radial ribs that radially extend from the hub, and a second intermediate section comprising a plurality of peripheral ribs that end into the peripheral crown and intermediate circular rib concentric with the center of the pulley and having a radius basically equal to half radius of the pulley, the circular intermediate rib separating the first intermediate section from the second intermediate section, the circular intermediate rib comprising connection points of radial ribs and of peripheral ribs, wherein the connection points of radial ribs are distant from those of the peripheral ribs; the peripheral ribs being suitably inclined mutually and with respect to the radial ribs in such way to intersect at least in one crossing point to form a web structure in the second intermediate section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MECCANICA GENERALE - S.R.L.
    Inventor: Walter Emilio Garlatti
  • Publication number: 20140090921
    Abstract: A torque transmitting assembly is provided. The assembly includes a ball nut having an outer diameter and keyway slot therein, and a pulley positioned on the ball nut. The pulley includes a cylindrical outer surface, a bore extending through the pulley such that the pulley includes an inner surface, and at least one torque member formed on the inner surface and projecting radially inward to be received by the keyway slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Troy P. Strieter, Tony M. Dodak, Jeffrey M. Otto, Conrad G. Vorwerck
  • Patent number: 8348019
    Abstract: In an elevator element for driving or reversing an elevator suspension device in an elevator system, that interacts with an elevator suspension device, the arithmetic mean of the roughness value of the contact surface measured in the circumferential direction of the elevator element, and the mean roughness value of the contact surface measured in the axial direction of the elevator element, are different. The arithmetic mean roughness value of the contact surface measured in the circumferential direction of the elevator element is less than 1 micrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Hans Blochle, Ernst Ach
  • Publication number: 20120153714
    Abstract: A compound rim assembly for a rotatable idler in an undercarriage system of a track-type machine includes a one-piece annular base configured for mounting the compound annular rim assembly upon an outer peripheral surface of an idler hub. The one-piece annular base is formed of a relatively lower hardness metallic material, and the compound rim assembly further includes a first annular track contacting rim a second annular track contacting rim positioned upon the one-piece base and being formed of a relatively higher hardness metallic material. The compound rim assembly further includes a track guiding ring trapped axially between the first and second annular track contacting rims and abutting the outer cylindrical surface of the one-piece annular base, the track guiding ring being formed of a non-metallic material and projecting radially outward of the first and second annular track contacting rims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventor: Alexei P. Yelistratov
  • Patent number: 8196738
    Abstract: A lagging for a belt conveyor pulley comprises a continuous and homogeneous rubber volume and a number of small plate-like ceramic lagging elements. The ceramic elements may be of rectangular, square, oval or circular shape in various patterns with and without grooving. The lagging is hot vulcanization bonded to the periphery of a pulley in a manner without seams or other paths for liquid or debris ingress to pulley rubber bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Precision, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Wolf, Darrell Huffine, Matt Roozeboom
  • Publication number: 20120094796
    Abstract: A resin pulley includes an outer cylindrical portion including an outer circumferential surface on which a belt is to be wound, an inner cylindrical portion, and a plurality of ribs connecting an inner circumferential surface of the outer cylindrical portion and an outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion, which are formed of a resin material. The ribs are provided so as to be inclined towards a circumferential direction relative to a radial imaginary line as viewed in an axial direction. Radially outer end portions of the ribs are formed such that inclination angles of the respective radially outer end portions relative to the radial imaginary line increase as the ribs extend radially outward, and radially inner end portions of the ribs are formed such that inclination angles of the respective radially inner end portions relative to the radial imaginary line increase as the ribs extend radially inward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki HAMADA, Hiroshi Ueno, Kunio Yanai, Masanori Shinohara, Tomoki Uno
  • Publication number: 20120052998
    Abstract: A method of making a plastic wheel (105) having a plurality of spokes (155) includes the step of injecting melted plastic material into a mold, wherein the melted plastic material is injected into the mold in regions corresponding to every spoke of the wheel to be formed. Molding equipment is also provided to carry out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Mihail GEORGESCU, Paolo BORTOLOTTI
  • Patent number: 7971856
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a drive system for theatrical rigging, comprising a drive rope and a drive pulley. The drive rope has a fiber or cable core, surrounded by a plastic jacket. Formed on or in the surface of the drive rope are traction features that engage corresponding grooves in the drive pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: J.R. Clancy, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Kochan
  • Patent number: 7947149
    Abstract: A web of a first sheet material and a web of a second sheet material are laminated together by a process wherein the sheet materials are wound, in an interleaved relationship, upon a roller having a radially displaceable outer surface. The roller and webs and then subjected to heating and/or a low-pressure environment so as to complete the lamination. A body of adhesive material, such as a hot melt adhesive, may be interposed between the webs and the heating or low pressure environment can activate this adhesive. Further disposed are particular configurations of rollers with radially displaceable surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: United Solar Ovonic LLC
    Inventors: Arthur Myatt, Gregory Demaggio, Kevin Beernink, Kermit Jones, Kenneth Lord
  • Patent number: 7850558
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus for a compressor used in an air conditioner for a vehicle including a damper mounted to one side of a pulley rotated by a driving power transmitted from an engine wherein the damper and an elastic portion is formed between an outer ring and an inner ring, and wherein a mounting flange of the outer ring is coupled to the pulley and a mounting flange of the inner ring is coupled to a limiter. The limiter has a plate shape and comprises: a middle portion in a ring shape, an outside portion in a ring shape around the edge of the middle portion, and a neck portion connecting the middle portion and the outside portion, whereby upon overload, the neck portion is broken. The middle portion of the limiter is coupled to a hub, and the hub penetrates the center of the inner ring and is coupled to the limiter between the damper and the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corp.
    Inventor: Seong Taek Oh
  • Publication number: 20100184548
    Abstract: Injection molded plastic pulleys (10) reinforced with glass fibers (at least 15 weight percent) are provided which exhibit low levels of out-of-roundness. The low levels of out-of-roundness can be achieved without the need for machining through the use of disc gating and perimeter venting. The pulleys (10) have belt-engaging surfaces (15) whose out-of-roundness is less than or equal to 35 microns when measured at any location up to 1 millimeter from the outside edges (16) of the belt-engaging surface (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: PLASTIC MOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Paul Langlois, Jay Addison Haverstraw, Lowell Green, Daniel Lawrence Bell
  • Publication number: 20080076612
    Abstract: There is provided a power transmission apparatus for a compressor used in an air conditioner for a vehicle. In the power transmission apparatus, a damper 20 is mounted to one side of a pulley 40 rotated by a driving power transmitted from an engine. In the damper 20, an elastic portion 21 is formed between an outer ring 23 and an inner ring 25, wherein a mounting flange 23a of the outer ring 23 is coupled to the pulley 40 and a mounting flange 25a of the inner ring 25 is coupled to a limiter 10. The limiter 10 has a plate shape and comprises: a middle portion 11 in a ring shape, an outside portion 12 in a ring shape around the edge of the middle portion 11, and a neck portion 13 connecting the middle portion 11 and the outside portion 12. Upon overload, the neck portion 13 is broken. The middle portion 11 of the limiter 10 is coupled to a hub 30, and the hub 30 penetrates the center of the inner ring 25 and is coupled to the limiter 10 between the damper 20 and the pulley 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Seong Taek OH
  • Patent number: 6857187
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a measuring wheel for wireline operations includes the step of machining a metal wheel to achieve a first outer radius. The metal wheel is positioned within a ceramic ring having an inner radius that exceeds the first outer radius by an amount in the range of 0.005 to 0.010 inches, defining a gap between the ceramic ring and the metal wheel. The gap is substantially filled with a suitable epoxy, and the epoxy is cured to adjoin the ceramic ring to the metal wheel. The perimeter of the ceramic ring is machined to achieve a second outer radius and a desirable surface finish and pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: Jeffrey S Epstein
  • Patent number: 6692392
    Abstract: A lagging system for conveyor belt pulleys is provided that allows for significant flexibility in attaching lagging members to the face of the pulleys while also providing improved distribution of the lagging material on the pulley face, and doing this while avoiding the creation of unduly long and circumferentially wide gaps between adjacent lagging members attached on the pulley. The lagging system can include lagging strips having non-linear leading/trailing edges thereof to allow adjacent strips to be attached without the undesired gaps formed therebetween. Preferably, the strips have projecting portions with fitment spaces defined therebetween with the projecting portions being offset on either side of the strip axis so that portions from one strip can be interfit in fitment spaces of an adjacent strip with lagging material or tiles thereon overlapping the lagging material or tiles on the projecting portions of the adjacent strip in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Finnegan, Peter M. Ramsey, Michael J. Gayford
  • Patent number: 6672983
    Abstract: A drive system comprising a driver pulley, a driven pulley (22), and a belt (10). The belt (10) has a pulley engaging surface (16) comprised of a plurality of transversely extending self-tracking teeth (18). The driven pulley (22) has a non-grooved, crownless belt engaging surface (24). The material (20) forming the pulley engaging surface (16) of the belt (10) having a relatively low coefficient of friction, and the material (28) forming the belt engaging surface (24) of the driven pulley (22) having a relatively high coefficient of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: John Alan Mohr, Jeffery Dwight Lofgren, Vinod Pius Raju, Travis Ray Toline
  • Patent number: 6540629
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: John D. Redmond
  • Patent number: 6401871
    Abstract: A tension member for an elevator system has an aspect ratio of greater than one, where aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of tension member width w to thickness t (w/t). The increase in aspect ratio results in a reduction in the maximum rope pressure and an increased flexibility as compared to conventional elevator ropes. As a result, smaller sheaves may be used with this type of tension member. In a particular embodiment, the tension member includes a plurality of individual load carrying ropes encased within a common layer of coating. The coating layer separates the individual ropes and defines an engagement surface for engaging a traction sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Pedro S. Baranda, Ary O. Mello, Hugh J. O'Donnell, Karl M. Prewo
  • Patent number: 6371448
    Abstract: A traction sheave for driving synthetic fiber ropes, preferably of an elevator installation, ensures a consistently good selected tractive capacity that is largely independent of external influences which reduce friction. At least part of the rope running surface on the traction sheave is provided with a selected roughness grade of N7 to N12. The selected roughness grade on the running surface is formed either by mechanical machining or by use of a suitable coating, preferably a plasma coating of corundum. For example, only the bed of the rope groove, the area of the flanks of the rope groove, or a wide area of the surface of the rope groove can be of the selected roughness grade. By correspondingly suitable arrangement of these differently formed rope grooves on the traction sheave, a desired tractive behavior can be systematically effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Claudio De Angelis
  • Publication number: 20010034281
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventor: John D. Redmond
  • Patent number: 6168544
    Abstract: A lagging material for application to the surface of a pulley, said material being integrally formed in elongate strip form and having an upper surface including a plurality of discrete nodules extending therefrom and arranged regularly or randomly according to a predetermined pattern and including a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart elongate and transversely extending cutting sipes laterally defined by the nodules so as to form a partial or complete boundary wall of each sipe; wherein said nodules are arranged over the upper surface of said material so as to allow cutting of a predetermined size of lagging from a larger sheet or strip of said lagging by effecting cuts along or across said cutting sipes and between said nodules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Edwin Arthur Barnes, Anthony John Lobb
  • Patent number: 6162141
    Abstract: A belt tensioner for a mechanical power transmission such as in a motor vehicle engine. The belt tensioner includes a wheel for bearing against the belt and a resilient return device for ensuring that the wheel bears against the belt with pre-stress. The wheel further includes a covering of vibration absorbing material. The invention is particularly applicable to mechanical engineering and specifically to the car industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Hutchison
    Inventors: Claude Rointru, Denis Tricoche, Herve Varin
  • Patent number: 6106422
    Abstract: A power transmission member is constructed by molding a resin material obtained by mixing a carbon fiber, an aromatic polyamide fiber, graphite, and talc with phenol resin. The preferred contents of the carbon fiber, the aromatic polyamide fiber, the graphite and the talc in the resin material are respectively 5 to 30% by weight, 5 to 15% by weight, 10 to 15% by weight, and 5 to 20% by weight. The phenol resin is filled with the carbon fiber and the aromatic polyamide fiber in order that the power transmission member has high strength and suitable flexibility. The phenol resin is filled with the graphite in order to suitably lower the coefficient of friction of the power transmission member to improve the wear resistance thereof. The talc is used for adjusting the frictional force of the power transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Arai
  • Patent number: 6099426
    Abstract: A resin-made belt pulley (p) including a rim (2) over which a belt is engaged and a web (3) molded together with the rim and mounted on a rotating shaft, (1) extending through a position radially inside of the pulley, characterized in that a mounting position (30) of the web (2) on the rotating shaft (1) is offset (12) from the center (8) of the rim (2) in an axial direction, and the web (3) includes a vertical web portion (7) extending from the mounting position (30) of the web in a radially outward direction of the rotating shaft (1) and inclined web portions (9) diagonally connecting the vertical web portion (7) to the center (8) of the rim in the axial direction. Since a belt tension acting on the rim (2) is born at the center position (8) of the rim (2), deformation of the rim (2) caused by the belt tension can be minimized even if the pulley (p) is fabricated from resin which is a material of low rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Akira Nakagomi, Shinobu Nishi
  • Patent number: 6092639
    Abstract: A driven terminal for a passenger conveyor for transferring passenger or luggage. The driven terminal according to the present invention includes a pair of rotating plates mounted on both ends of a rotating shaft, an outer wheel forcibly contacted with the pallet chains having a smooth contacting surface, and an inner wheel having one surface contacted with a periphery of the rotating plate and the other surface contacted and secured to the outer wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: LG Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung Dae Reo
  • Patent number: 6053832
    Abstract: A belt driving device in which an endless belt is spanned around a drive pulley and a driven pulley and the belt is driven by rotation of the drive pulley includes a belt shift correcting member for correcting shifting of the endless belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Saito
  • Patent number: 5931755
    Abstract: A pulley is provided which is capable of being used as an alternator pulley. The pulley has a central hub portion for connecting the pulley to a shaft and a belt engaging portion disposed radially outward from the central hub portion. The central hub portion and the belt engaging portion are injection molded from a thermoplastic polyphenylene sulfide polymer material. The pulley provides approximately a 75% weight reduction in comparison to conventional metal pulleys used in automotive applications. The pulley is injection molded having a sprue gate located substantially in a center of said central hub portion. A bushing is optionally provided in a center opening in said central hub portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventors: John Mailey, John Cooper
  • Patent number: 5800300
    Abstract: A device for exploring the transferring of motion from one body to another body which utilizes a motion transfer surface is presented. The device is a hollow structure for receiving an object which has a motion transfer surface on its exterior. The hollow structure may be a tube or a polygon, such as for example a pyramid. The hollow structure can be opened and closed so that the object can be secured therein. Preferably, the object is spherical. Further, the object may have a gyroscope seated within its interior. The gyroscope may be activated by waves having a frequency, such as for example sound waves or electronic waves. Further objects, each having a motion transfer surface may also be seated within the hollow structure. Preferably where two or more objects are present, each object has a motion transfer surface and is in frictional contact with another object. Additionally, a toothed ribbon suitable for use as a motion transfer surface is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Ellen Childress
  • Patent number: 5797819
    Abstract: A resin pulley was made of a resin material wherein an inorganic fiber such as glass fiber, an inorganic powder such as silica powder, an organic fiber such as cotton cloth fiber, and an elastomer are blended in a phenol resin.Each content of the inorganic fiber, inorganic powder, organic fiber and elastomer in the above resin material is within the following range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Bakelite Company, Limited
    Inventor: Hirokazu Arai
  • Patent number: 5720685
    Abstract: A plastic pulley and stub shaft are integrally formed with one another and used as a unitary component in the drive train of a clothes washing machine. In the washing machine, an electric motor is used to drive both an agitator mechanism and a water pump of the washing machine. The pulley has a co-axial bore on one side for receiving a motor shaft of the electric motor. The pulley also has a circumferential groove configured for receiving a belt therearound which is, in turn, connected to the agitator mechanism of the washing machine. The stub shaft extends co-axially from the opposite side of the pulley as the bore. The stub shaft is configured for engaging an impeller of the water pump for driving the water pump. Thus, the electric motor is operatively connected to and drives both the agitator mechanism and the water pump via the integral plastic pulley and stub shaft component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Malone
  • Patent number: 5651745
    Abstract: An device and a method for exploring the transferring of motion from one body to another body which utilizes motion transfer surfaces is presented. Further, a kit for recycling bottles caps into a construction toy where the caps are typically formed of plastic and have a motion transfer surface affixed thereon to form fritches is shown. Additionally, a toothed ribbon suitable for use as a motion transfer surface is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Inventor: Ellen Carol Childress
  • Patent number: 5593366
    Abstract: To reduce the generation of noise in a belt drive for auxiliary units in an internal combustion engine, a guide roller for the belt has an approximately cylindrical surface formed with a bead which extends along the surface in a direction oblique to the side surfaces of the guide roller. The resulting variation in the location of the bead with respect to a drive belt engaging the guide roller surface causes the unsupported vibratable length of the belt to vary according to the location of the contact point of the belt with the bead, which varies as the roller rotates. This produces a variation in the natural frequencies of tensile strands in the drive belt, which reduce the sympathetic vibrations of the belt and hence the propagation of noise through the guide roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Alois Puzik
  • Patent number: 5515790
    Abstract: A rope traction device includes a sheave having an annular rope receiving groove and being driven and rotated with a traction rope received in the rope receiving groove to cause the traction rope to be wound on the sheave and the rope traction device thereby moves along the traction rope. The sheave includes a pair of side walls made of an elastic material and formed integrally with the sheave for formaing the rope receiving groove. The interval between inner surfaces of the side walls in a rope holding portion is made smaller than the diameter of the traction rope by a predetermined value. The rope receiving groove may be formed in a U-shaped section, a V-shaped section or a section which is a combination of the U-shaped section and the V-shaped section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Nihon Biso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shizuka Kuryu
  • Patent number: 5368525
    Abstract: A pulley formed of resin having improved strength. The pulley includes a central body formed from a synthetic resin material. The main body has a belt-retaining portion along the outer peripheral surface thereof. A boss made of a metallic cylindrical body is embedded in the axial center of the main body. The boss is adapted to be secured to a rotary shaft. A plate-shaped metallic insert extends from an outer periphery of the boss to the interior of the main body. A plurality of service holes are formed in the insert, as is at least one engaging hole. The engaging hole is filled with the same synthetic resin material as the central body is formed of.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuaki Funahashi
  • Patent number: 5284457
    Abstract: There is provided a clam shell shaped belt guide pulley having first and second curved halves which are hinged together. Each pulley half has curved inner and outer surfaces. The pulley is adapted to be placed on a large diameter shaft without the need to remove the shaft from the remainder of the machine. There is no supporting structure between the inner surfaces of the pulley halves and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: R. G. Technical Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland W. Gerstenberger, William R. Joyce
  • Patent number: 5281189
    Abstract: An improved construction for a crowned and lagged pulley for a belt conveyor includes a roller tube having a central portion and two outer end portions. A pair of circumferentially extending grooves are formed in the outer surface of the roller tube between the central portion and respective end portions. An elastomeric member is disposed around the central portion of the roller tube and includes first and second end received in respective grooves such that the ends of the elastomeric member lie flush with the outer end portions of the roller tube. The thickness of the elastomeric member, when added to the outside diameter of the roller tube, produces a crown. Also, the elastomeric member serves as lagging for the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Interroll Holding A.G.
    Inventor: Charles Agnoff
  • Patent number: 5244439
    Abstract: A tightener roller 40 replaces idler sprockets in roller chain 20 applications to decrease noise and reduce wear on the system components. The roller chain 20 wears parallel alignment grooves 50, 52 in the resilient material 44 of the tightener 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Inventor: Thomas E. Rogus
  • Patent number: 5222919
    Abstract: A three-piece, all-plastic idler pulley assembly. There is a first unitary bell end portion having a first circular, inward-facing face with a concentrically-disposed, cylindrical shaft extending outward therefrom and perpendicular thereto. The cylindrical shaft has a concentric longitudinal bore therein. There is also a second unitary bell end portion having a second circular, inward-facing face with a concentrically-disposed, cylindrical projection extending outward therefrom and perpendicular thereto. The cylindrical projection is disposed within the longitudinal bore of the cylindrical shaft whereby the second circular, inward-facing, vertical face is disposed at the end of the cylindrical shaft perpendicular to the first inward-facing face and the second bell end portion is connected to the first bell end portion and spaced therefrom. A plastic cylindrical hub is rotatingly mounted on the cylindrical shaft between the first inward-facing face and the second inward-facing face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: CalComp Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Stauder
  • Patent number: 5120279
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Jurgen Rabe
  • Patent number: 5021034
    Abstract: A pulley construction, drive system utilizing the pulley construction and method of making the pulley construction are provided, the pulley construction being utilized with an endless drive belt and comprising a body member having a peripheral groove therein for receiving part of the belt therein and having a securing unit, and a hub member having a securing unit secured to the securing unit of the body member so as to hold the members in aligned assembled relation to rotate in unison, the hub member having structure for being interconnected to a shaft so that the pulley construction and the shaft will be adapted to rotate in unison, the securing units are so constructed and arranged that the securing unit of one of the members has a part thereof that is adapted to break away from the one member under a certain normal driving force of the belt when the shaft is prevented from rotating so as to permit relative rotational movement between the members while the securing units maintain the thus relatively rotatab
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Allen
  • Patent number: 4929217
    Abstract: A variable speed pulley adapted to be mounted on a shaft has a resilient member with an exterior surface adapted to support a belt thereon. The compression of the resilient member is controlled to adjust the location of the exterior surface of the resilient member. The effective diameter of the pulley increases or decreases as a function of the location of the exterior surface of the resilient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Rudolph Merbler
  • Patent number: 4906223
    Abstract: A pulley construction, drive system utilizing the pulley construction and method of making the pulley construction are provided, the pulley construction being utilized with an endless drive belt and comprising a body member having a peripheral groove therein for receiving part of the belt therein and having a securing unit, and a hub member having a securing unit secured to the securing unit of the body member so as to hold the members in aligned assembled relation to rotate in unison, the hub member having structure for being interconnected to a shaft so that the pulley construction and the shaft will be adapted to rotate in unison, the securing units are so constructed and arranged that the securing unit of one of the members has a part thereof that is adapted to break away from the one member under a certain normal driving force of the belt when the shaft is prevented from rotating so as to permit relative rotational movement between the members while the securing units maintain the thus relatively rotatab
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Allen
  • Patent number: 4838841
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pulley and bearing assembly for attachment to a cooling fan clutch of an internal combustion engine. The pulley is of polymeric construction, having a peripheral rim and an axial end integral therewith, the other end being open. It defines an internal chamber with guide ribs therein to locate the bearing assembly radially and axially within the chamber. The exterior has a belt engagement surface of desired type.The bearing assembly preferably has a wave form spacer for controlled spacing of individual bearing elements, and novel lubricant dispenser structure. The polymeric pulley can be of various forms combined with the bearing assembly which acts as a universal type bearing for fitting various type engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Kysor Industrial Corporation
    Inventor: William O. Harvey
  • Patent number: 4838838
    Abstract: Undesirable noise developing from relative sliding between a belt and a pulley when the traction between the belt and the pulley is loosened to halt the belt from being driven by the pulley is eliminated or alleviated by roughening the inner surface of the pulley to a consistency somewhat like that of sanded wood surface. Preferably, the inner surface is roughened in accordance with published Moldtech Standard 1055-5. The belt has a circular cross-section and is formed of polyurethane. Moreover, the roughened surface on the drive pulley improves the traction between the belt and the drive pulley when the belt is tightened in order to be driven by the drive pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Shop-Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Berfield
  • Patent number: 4820246
    Abstract: A pulley construction, drive system utilizing the pulley construction and method of making the pulley construction are provided, the pulley construction being utilized with an endless drive belt and comprising a body member having a peripheral groove therein for receiving part of the belt therein and having a securing unit, and a hub member having a securing unit secured to the securing unit of the body member so as to hold the members in aligned assembled relation to rotate in unison, the hub member having structure for being interconnected to a shaft so that the pulley construction and the shaft will be adapted to rotate in unison, the securing units are so constructed and arranged that the securing unit of one of the members has as part thereof that is adapted to break away from the one member under a certain normal driving force of the belt when the shaft is prevented from rotating so as to permit relative rotational movement between the members while the securing units maintain the thus relatively rotata
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Allen
  • Patent number: 4781661
    Abstract: A boss mounted, non-metallic pulley comprising a base member with a central aperture therein and an annular pulley track formed on an outer periphery of the base member which is axially offset with respect to and perpendicular to the hub, and a boss carrier formed on an inner surface of and integral with a base member, the boss carrier including a plurality of bosses, each with a mounting bore formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Inventor: John E. Emmett