US3576138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reversible drive
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-05-01
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Granted: 1971-04-27
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Expires: 1989-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A reversible drive of the belt-and-pulley type, comprising coaxial, axially spaced drive pulleys and coaxial, axially spaced idler pulleys offset to one side of the drive pulleys and rotatable about an axis perpendicular to and spaced laterally from the axis of the drive pulleys. An endless belt is trained around one of the drive pulleys, one of the idler pulleys, the other of the drive pulleys and the other of the idler pulleys, in that order. A movable mount for the idler pulleys slackens and tightens the belt, while a clutch respectively connects and disconnects the drive pulleys. With the belt slackened and the drive pulleys connected, a direct drive between the drive pulleys is obtained. With the belt tightened and the drive pulleys disconnected, a reverse drive between the drive pulleys is achieved. The belt is an O-ring the built-in memory of which causes it to tend to assume a circular configuration, whereby the belt inherently and automatically disengages the drive pulleys when the belt is slackened and the drive pulleys are connected in direct drive. This precludes rubbing of the belt in direct drive.
Inventors
- 👤 Cornelius Wildhagen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:03
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H3/00; F16H2712/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
270 words
In a reversible drive of the belt and pulley type, the combination of: a. a supporting structure; b. coaxial, axially spaced drive pulleys rotatably mounted on said supporting structure; c. coaxial, axially spaced idler pulleys offset to one side of said drive pulleys and rotatable about an axis perpendicular to and spaced laterally from the axis of said drive pulleys; d. an endless belt trained around one of said drive pulleys, one of said idler pulleys, the other of said drive pulleys and the other of said idler pulleys, in that order; e. shiftable mounting means on said supporting structure and carrying said idler pulleys and movable toward and away from said drive pulleys to slacken and tighten said belt; f. engageable and disengageable clutch means for connecting and disconnecting said drive pulleys; g. actuating means connected to said mounting means and said clutch means for either engaging said clutch means to connect said drive pulleys and shifting said mounting means toward said drive pulleys to slacken said belt, and thus achieve a direct drive between said drive pulleys, or, alternatively, disengaging said clutch means to disconnect said drive pulleys and shifting said mounting means away from said drive pulleys to tighten said belt, and thus achieve a reverse drive between said drive pulleys; and h. said belt having a circular cross section and having a builtin memory causing it, when unrestrained, to assume a circular configuration so that said belt acts as a belt disengaging means for disengaging itself from at least said drive pulleys when said drive pulleys are connected in direct drive and said belt is slackened.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
270 words
In a reversible drive of the belt and pulley type, the combination of: a. a supporting structure; b. coaxial, axially spaced drive pulleys rotatably mounted on said supporting structure; c. coaxial, axially spaced idler pulleys offset to one side of said drive pulleys and rotatable about an axis perpendicular to and spaced laterally from the axis of said drive pulleys; d. an endless belt trained around one of said drive pulleys, one of said idler pulleys, the other of said drive pulleys and the other of said idler pulleys, in that order; e. shiftable mounting means on said supporting structure and carrying said idler pulleys and movable toward and away from said drive pulleys to slacken and tighten said belt; f. engageable and disengageable clutch means for connecting and disconnecting said drive pulleys; g. actuating means connected to said mounting means and said clutch means for either engaging said clutch means to connect said drive pulleys and shifting said mounting means toward said drive pulleys to slacken said belt, and thus achieve a direct drive between said drive pulleys, or, alternatively, disengaging said clutch means to disconnect said drive pulleys and shifting said mounting means away from said drive pulleys to tighten said belt, and thus achieve a reverse drive between said drive pulleys; and h. said belt having a circular cross section and having a builtin memory causing it, when unrestrained, to assume a circular configuration so that said belt acts as a belt disengaging means for disengaging itself from at least said drive pulleys when said drive pulleys are connected in direct drive and said belt is slackened.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A reversible drive according to claim 1 wherein said belt is an O-ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A reversible drive as set forth in claim 2 wherein Said supporting structure includes guard means limiting outward displacement of said belt away from said drive pulleys when said drive pulleys are connected in direct drive and said belt is slackened.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
A reversible drive as defined in claim 3 wherein one of said drive pulleys is shiftable axially toward and away from the other by said actuating means to engage and disengage said clutch means, and wherein said actuating means includes means for axially moving a corresponding portion of said belt toward the stationary drive pulley when axially moving said shiftable drive pulley toward said stationary drive pulley.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A reversible drive according to claim 3 wherein said mounting means includes guard means limiting outward displacement of said belt away from said idler pulleys when said drive pulleys are connected in direct drive and said belt is slackened.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A reversible drive as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a crank having arms carrying said idler pulleys and an arm connected to said clutch means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a belt and pulley drive, the combination of: a. pulleys rotatable about axes at angles to each other; b. a belt trained around said pulleys in sequence; c. means for moving at least one of said pulleys toward and away from another thereof to slacken and tighten said belt; d. said belt having a circular cross section and having a built-in memory causing it, when unrestrained, to assume a circular configuration; and e. whereby said belt inherently disengages at least one of said pulleys when slackened.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a belt and pulley drive, the combination of: a. pulleys rotatable about axes at angles to each other; b. a belt trained around said pulleys in sequence; c. means for moving at least one of said pulleys toward and away from another thereof to slacken and tighten said belt; d. said belt having a circular cross section and having a built-in memory causing it, when unrestrained, to assume a circular configuration; and e. whereby said belt inherently disengages at least one of said pulleys when slackened.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-26 | 1974-10-26 | 1975-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-26 | 1978-10-26 | 1979-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-26 | 1982-10-26 | 1983-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |