Endless belt power transmission systems or components – System including spaced pulleys interconnected by a belt
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-23
2003-11-11
Hannon, Thomas R. (Department: 3682)
Endless belt power transmission systems or components
System including spaced pulleys interconnected by a belt
C474S150000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06645103
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to document processing systems, and is particularly directed to a belt apparatus for use in a document processing system, such as an image-based check processing system.
A typical image-based check processing system includes a check processing transport which has a document track and a number of check processing modules positioned along the document track for performing specific document processing operations on document items including checks moving downstream along the document track. The check processing system also includes a transport processor which executes a transport application program which is stored in memory to control operation of the check processing modules positioned along the document track and thereby to control operation of the check processing transport.
More specifically, the check processing transport includes a hopper module into which a stack of document items including checks are placed. A document feeder module adjacent the hopper module selectively feeds or drives each document item from the stack of document items in the hopper module to transport the document item from the upstream end to the downstream end along the document track to sorting pockets of a pocket module located at the end of the document track. The pockets receive document items which have been sorted in accordance with the transport application program.
Each check processing module typically includes a number of bearing assemblies. Each bearing assembly includes a drive pulley, a bearing housing, and a drive shaft rotatably supported by the bearing housing and having one end connected to the drive pulley. The other end of the drive shaft is connectable to a drive wheel for engaging document items to move the document items. A drive belt is drivingly coupled to the drive pulley. The drive pulley and the drive belt are located below a baseplate of the check processing module. During operation of the check processing module, bearings contained within the bearing housing become worn due to frictional wear. Eventually, the bearing assembly including the bearings, the bearing housing, the drive shaft, and the drive pulley needs to be removed and replaced with a new bearing assembly.
Presently, when a bearing assembly is worn and needs to be replaced, a field-service operator disassembles some hardware parts on the check processing module so that the baseplate can be lifted and pivoted about a hinging mechanism in order to gain access to the space below the baseplate. Access to the space below the baseplate is needed because, after the worn bearing assembly is replaced with a new bearing assembly, the field-service operator needs to couple the drive belt to the drive pulley of the new bearing assembly. The amount of work required to replace the worn bearing assembly with the new bearing assembly is usually quite extensive. It would be desirable to minimize the amount of work required to replace the worn bearing assembly with the new bearing assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a belt apparatus is provided for use in a document processing system having a baseplate, a removable bearing assembly connected to the baseplate and having a drive pulley to which a drive belt is drivingly coupled. The belt apparatus comprises a bracket coupled to the baseplate and for supporting the drive belt when the bearing assembly including the drive pulley is removed from the baseplate. The bracket supports the drive belt below the baseplate to allow the drive belt and the drive pulley of a replacement bearing assembly to be easily coupled together without having to lift the baseplate to gain access to the space below the baseplate.
Preferably, the bracket comprises a substantially U-shaped bracket. The bracket may include a pair of flanges on which the drive belt rests when the bearing assembly is removed from the baseplate. The pair of flanges extend in substantially opposite directions relative to each other and substantially parallel with the plane in which the baseplate lies. The bracket supports the drive belt below the baseplate to allow the drive belt and the drive pulley of a replacement bearing assembly to be easily coupled together when the bearing assembly is removed from the baseplate and replaced with the replacement bearing assembly. The belt apparatus may include a belt tensioner mechanism for enabling the tension of the drive belt to be adjusted after the drive belt and the drive pulley of the replacement bearing assembly have been coupled together. The belt tensioner mechanism may include a torsion spring for enabling correct tension to be applied to the drive belt. The belt tensioner mechanism may include a belt tensioner handle accessible from above the baseplate for, when operated by a field-service operator, releasing tension from the drive belt to allow the bearing assembly to be more easily removed from the baseplate.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a belt apparatus is provided for use in a document processing system having a baseplate, a removable bearing assembly connected to the baseplate, and a drive belt drivingly coupled to the bearing assembly. The belt apparatus comprises means for supporting the drive belt when the bearing assembly is removed from the baseplate, and means for adjusting tension in the drive belt after the drive belt and a replacement bearing assembly have been coupled together.
Preferably, the supporting means comprises a substantially U-shaped bracket. The bracket supports the drive belt below the baseplate to allow the drive belt and a replacement bearing assembly to be easily coupled together without having to lift the baseplate to gain access to the space below the baseplate. The bracket may include a pair of flanges on which the drive belt rests when the bearing assembly is removed from the baseplate. The pair of flanges extend in substantially opposite directions relative to each other and substantially parallel with the plane in which the baseplate lies. The supporting means supports the drive belt below the baseplate to allow the drive belt and a replacement bearing assembly to be easily coupled together when the bearing assembly is removed from the baseplate and replaced with the replacement bearing assembly. The adjusting means may include a belt tensioner mechanism for enabling the tension of the drive belt to be adjusted after the drive belt and the replacement bearing assembly have been coupled together. The belt tensioner mechanism may include a torsion spring for enabling correct tension to be applied to the drive belt. The belt tensioner mechanism may include a belt tensioner handle accessible from above the baseplate for, when operated by a field-service operator, releasing tension from the drive belt to allow the bearing assembly to be more easily removed from the baseplate.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of servicing a document processing system having a baseplate, a removable bearing assembly connected to the baseplate, and a drive belt drivingly coupled to the bearing assembly comprises the steps of supporting the drive belt below the baseplate to allow the drive belt and a replacement bearing assembly to be easily coupled together when the bearing assembly is removed and replaced with the replacement bearing assembly, and adjusting tension in the drive belt after the drive belt and the replacement bearing assembly have been drivingly coupled together. The method may further comprise the step of removing the bearing assembly connected to the baseplate without having to lift the baseplate to gain access to the space below the baseplate.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4404649 (1983-09-01), Nunley et al.
patent: 4730448 (1988-03-01), Wolf et al.
patent: 5240461 (1993-08-01), Hohnl
patent: 5374222 (1994-12-01), Hoffman et al.
patent: 5669212 (1997-09-01), Bening et al.
patent: 5890710 (1999-04-01), Phillips et al.
Doroslovac Svetozar
Kallin Fredrik L. N.
Chan Michael
Hannon Thomas R.
Johnson Vicky A.
NCR Corporation
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