Abrading – Abrading process
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-26
2001-04-17
Banks, Derris H. (Department: 3723)
Abrading
Abrading process
C451S296000, C451S302000, C451S307000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217414
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to power transmission belts and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for placing a power transmission belt to be processed around spaced pulleys for movement in an endless path, performing a process on the power transmission belt as it moves in the endless path, removing the power transmission belt after completing processing thereof, and directing the processed power transmission belt to a storage location.
2. Background Art
It is known to manufacture power transmission V-belts by applying various layers and components onto a support to form a cylindrical sleeve, cutting the sleeve to form individual belts each with a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, and thereafter vulcanizing the belts. Alternatively, the sleeve can be vulcanized and thereafter cut to produce individual belts.
The resulting V-belts may vary in length and cross-sectional shape as a result of thermal contraction of the components, displacement of load carrying cords within the belts, and machining errors. In the event of a dimensional variation, the seating of a belt in a cooperating pulley may change from that desired. This may result in a variation in the tension on the belt in the system in which it is operated and potentially vibration of the belt in use, which vibration may be induced to the equipment on which it is operated.
Accordingly, belts are commonly inspected and often are rejected due to improper formation. Typically, belts will be classified as acceptable if they have a length that falls within a predetermined range. A sizing reel is commonly used to make the distinction between an acceptable belt and a rejected belt. A rejected belt may be converted into an acceptable belt by polishing the pulley-engaging side surfaces on the belt.
In another belt forming process, belt components are reversely applied on a mandrel to define a sleeve, which is vulcanized. An abrasive element is used to cut the sleeve while rotating the mandrel, to thereby produce individual V-belts. An exemplary cutter for separating the individual V-belts from the sleeve is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,576, with an exemplary apparatus for effecting the cutting operation disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,711,996.
Another manner of forming V-belts is shown in JP-B-4-2425. There is disclosed therein an apparatus having drive and driven pulleys around which a belt is placed and moved in an endless path. Rotatable cutting blades cut the pulley-engaging side faces of the belt. A stabilizing roller acts against a surface of the belt to avoid unwanted belt shifting during the side cutting operation.
In this type of system, efficiency is an important goal. In operation, a belt is placed around the drive and driven pulleys, the stabilizing roller is brought into contact with the belt, the cutting blades are used to form the belt side surfaces, and the formed belt is removed and replaced by another belt. The time period between the removal of the completed belt and the substitution thereon of another belt to be formed may be substantial and represents wasted processing “down time”.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to an apparatus for repositioning and forming a power transmission belt. The apparatus has first and second hangers for supporting a plurality of power transmission belts and movable selectively between active and inactive positions. Each of the first and second hangers has a storage portion and a standby portion. At least one shifting mechanism is operable to move a power transmission belt from the storage portion to the standby portion on each of the first and second hangers. A first belt running unit has a first pulley around which a power transmission belt can be placed. The first belt running unit is movable selectively between a processing position and an attaching/detaching position. A second belt running unit has a second pulley around which a power transmission belt can be placed. The second belt running unit is movable selectively between a processing position and an attaching/detaching position. At least one belt transfer assembly is operable to move a power transmission belt at the standby portion on one of the first and second hangers that is in the active position for the one of the first and second hangers to around one of the first and second pulleys with the belt running unit having the one of the first and second pulleys located in the attaching/detaching position therefor. A processing assembly forms a part of the power transmission belt placed around one of the first and second pulleys.
The apparatus may further include a storage assembly for collecting power transmission belts after forming by the processing assembly.
At least one belt transfer assembly may be provided to move power transmission belts after forming by the processing assembly to the storage assembly.
A third pulley may be provided around which a power transmission belt placed around one of the first and second pulleys can be simultaneously placed with the belt running unit having the one of the first and second pulleys located in the processing position therefor.
At least one of the first pulley and the third pulley is movable relative to the other of the first pulley and the third pulley to adjust tension on a power transmission belt placed around the first and third pulleys.
The first and second hangers may be carried on a frame, with the frame being movable around a first axis to selectively change the first and second hangers between the active and inactive positions therefor.
The first and second hangers may project in cantilever fashion from the frame.
A drive may be operable to move the frame around the first axis.
In one form, the at least one belt transfer assembly is operable to move a power transmission belt in paths along multiple axes.
The apparatus may further include a plurality of power transmission belts with pulley-engaging sides arranged in side-to-side relationship surrounding the first hanger, with the at least one shifting mechanism including a pusher element which is engageable with one of the power transmission belts and movable to cause the one of the power transmission belts to move another power transmission belt surrounding the first hanger from the storage portion to the standby portion.
The belt running units may each be pivotable between the processing and attaching/detaching positions therefor.
The processing assembly may include a polishing element for polishing a surface of a power transmission belt.
A drive may be operable to cause a power transmission belt placed around the first pulley to move in an endless path while being formed by the processing assembly.
In one form, the first hanger has a stabilizing element thereon defining first and second spaced edges for supporting a power transmission belt surrounding and supported on the first hanger.
The stabilizing element may have a C shape in cross section.
The at least one shifting mechanism may have a pusher element that is movable in first and second transverse paths.
In one form, the belt transfer assembly has first and second jaws that are movable selectively towards and away from each other to selectively grip and release a power transmission belt.
The jaws may be movable along three transverse axes.
The apparatus may further include a conduit for directing a supply of pressurized air against a power transmission belt placed around the first pulley with the first belt running unit in the processing position for the first belt running unit.
A drive may be provided for moving the first belt running unit pivotably through 90° between the processing and attaching/detaching positions for the first belt running unit.
The apparatus may further include a shield plate having a vertically extending surface adjacent a power transmission belt placed around the first pulley with the first belt running unit in the processing position for the first belt running unit to thereby reduce vibration of a power transmission belt moving in an endless path around the first pu
Kotani Shinji
Michirura Hiromi
Banks Derris H.
Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
Wood Phillips VanSanten Clark & Mortimer
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for respositioning and forming a power... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for respositioning and forming a power..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for respositioning and forming a power... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2523187