Endless belt power transmission systems or components – Friction drive belt – Including particular means connecting opposite ends to form...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-21
2001-10-30
Hannon, Thomas R. (Department: 3682)
Endless belt power transmission systems or components
Friction drive belt
Including particular means connecting opposite ends to form...
C474S257000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309318
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a connecting element for holding profiled belt ends.
For carrying out limited positioning movements, as occur for example during the opening and closing of gates or when operating machines that perform oscillatory movements, profiled belts, e.g. toothed belts, are used. Compared to chain drives the use of such belts has the advantage that they produce less noise. To meet the different requirements with regard to the length of the belts to be used, normally endless belts are used which can easily be reduced to the required size. Before operation the belt ends are joined together by connecting elements.
Such a connecting element is known from the DE-GM 87 17 016. The disclosed connecting element comprises two opposite engaging elements provided with a negative image of the profiled belt end, into which the belt ends are placed to create a connection which is form-locking in the direction of movement of the belt. This connection is secured against separating or shifting by pushing a sleeve onto each of the engaging elements with belt end. The sleeve has inside walls which are dimensioned in such a way that a pressing force is exerted on the belt end and engaging element when the sleeve has been pushed on, which is to avoid not only a separating of the two parts to be connected, but also loosening of the sleeve. In the DE-GM 89 05 227 a connecting device is disclosed with which the loosening of the pushed on sleeve is to be prevented by providing the sleeve with a projection which engages into an annular groove of the connecting element.
Such devices have the disadvantage that, due to the many parts that are required, the manufacture and installation becomes relatively complicated and expensive. Furthermore, the problem exists that, for example, due to vibrations or temperature fluctuations during operation the sleeve, the belt ends come loose from the connecting element.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to create a connecting element for profiled belt ends which ensures a secure connection and can easily be manufactured and installed.
Proceeding from a device of the type mentioned in the foregoing this object is achieved in that the connecting element according to the invention comprises at least two parts which can be connected to one another and in the installed state enclose the belt end, wherein one or more of the parts have sections with a negative profiling corresponding to the profile of the belt end, and wherein the belt end can be inserted into one or more of the parts in such a way that the connection is form-locking in all directions that deviate from the direction of the joint. Inserting the belt end into a part with a section shaped in this manner ensures that the inserted belt end is secured against shifting or separating not only in the direction of movement of the belt, but also in all directions that deviate from the direction of the joint. In the installed state the inserted belt end is enclosed by two or more parts, wherein the parts can be connected so that also a shifting in the direction of the joint is excluded.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the parts of the connecting element are made identical. This simplifies the manufacture and supply of these parts and the replacing of a damaged part will not pose any problems.
If belts or belt ends with different profiles must be connected, then the parts of the connecting element according to the invention can be made such that differently profiled sections are provided for accommodating the belt ends.
To facilitate a joining together of the connectable parts of the connecting elements during installation, the parts may comprise pins and pin holes. For every pin on one of the parts a corresponding pin hole is provided on the to be connected part, so that an exact installation of the parts is possible.
In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the outside diameter of the pins and the inside diameter of the pin holes are made such that both during the joining together of the parts and also during the loosening of the parts frictional forces must be overcome. These frictional forces exceed the stresses that occur during operation as a result of vibrations or temperature fluctuations, as a result of which a loosening of the parts from one another and accordingly a loosening of the belt end from the connecting element is prevented.
The connection of the pins with the pin holes can be secured by material adhesion. Such a connection can be produced, for example, by applying an adhesive layer on the pins prior to the joining together.
In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the parts of the connecting element are provided with aligned bores to hold a screw. The inside diameter of such bores may be greater than the outside diameter of the screws, so that the screws must be secured by a nut. If the diameter of the bore is smaller than the outside diameter of the screws, screws are used for the connection which during the insertion cut a screw thread and in this way create a solid connection. The bores may also be provided with a pre-cut screw thread to hold corresponding screws.
The joining together of the parts of the connecting elements by screws ensures that the parts are joined together detachable, but also solidly, so that a shifting or loosening of the belt end in the direction of the joint is prevented.
For a further securing of the connection of the parts of the connecting element, the parts may have flexible projections as well as recesses, wherein the flexible projections of the one part engage in corresponding recesses of the part to be connected. This ensures a stable connection already before the parts are screwed together.
In a further embodiment of the present invention it is provided that, to loosen the projections from the recesses, openings are provided which extend from the outside of the parts of the connecting element to the projections. These openings are made in such a way that they are in line with the projections. If the parts of the connecting element must be separated, it is possible, for example, to introduce a screwdriver through the opening, as a result of which the flexible projections are bent in such a way that they are disengaged from the corresponding recesses.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present connection it is provided that the sections provided with a negative profiling are made in such a way that they correspond accurately to the profile of the belt end, as a result of which a force-locking in the direction of the joint is obtained. This ensures on the one hand a holding in position of the belt end in the parts of the connecting element during installation and on the other hand an additional securing against a shifting of the belt end in the direction of the joint.
The connecting element may be provided with a recess or groove to hold a driver. With gate drives, for example, this driver is provided on a skid which moves in accordance with the movement of the belt and by a mechanical connection with a gate brings about the opening an closing of the gate.
In a further embodiment of the present invention it is provided that in the installed state the connecting element has a cylindrical shape and the outside diameter of the cylinder is only slightly larger than the width of the accommodated belt. This embodiment has the advantage that the connecting element can also be used when only limited space is available and a construction with projections or edges would obstruct the movement of the belt or of the connecting element.
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patent: 4049357 (1977-09-01), Hamisch, Jr.
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patent: 5057058 (1991-10-01), Crudup
patent: 5391121 (1995-02-01), Schramm
patent: 5846151 (1998-12-01), Hormann
patent: 890522
Dilworth & Barrese LLP
Hannon Thomas R.
Marantec Antriebs-und Steuerungstechnik GmbH & Co. Produktions K
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