Method and apparatus for automatic assembly of a belt and anchor plate

Claim 2

In an apparatus for interconnecting an elongated pliant belt and an anchor plate having an opening to receive said belt, the combination of: means for positioning said anchor plate with said opening exposed; a supply source for said pliant belt; means for moving from said supply source a belt with one end portion of uniform width with longitudinal edges normal to said plate and in alignment with said opening; means for folding said one end portion of said belt along longitudinally directed fold lines to provide upper and lower belt layers with said edges in proximity; said belt moving means passing said longitudinally folded end portion a selected distance through said opening to position said end portion on one side of said plate and the remaining belt portion on the other side of said plate with upper and lower belt layers retained in said opening; means for transversely folding upper and lower belt layers about said anchor plate and unfolding the belt portions on opposite sides of said plate for positioning said belt portions in opposed relation; and means securing said portions together.

Claim 3

In an apparatus as stated in claim 1, wherein said belt folding means longitudinally folds said belt end portion into said belt layers before said end portion enters said opening.

Claim 4

In an apparatus as stated in claim 1 including means for limiting lateral displacement of infolded edge margins.

Claim 5

In an apparatus as stated in claim 1 including means for holding said belt portion passed through said opening in folded relation against said anchor plate.

Claim 6

In an apparatus as stated in claim 1 wherein said means for moving said belt include a pair of belt drive wheels having their bite located in the path of advancement of a belt; and means for positioning the leading edge of said belt at said bite of said drive wheels.

Claim 7

In an apparatus for interconnecting an elongated belt and an anchor plate having an opening to recieve said belt, the combination of: means for positioning said anchor plate with said opening exposed; a supply source for said pliant belt; means for moving from said supply source a belt with one end portion normal to said plate and in alignment with said opening; means for folding said one end portion of said belt along longitudinally directed fold lines; said belt moving means passing said end portion a selected distance through said opening to position said end portion on one side of said plate and the remaining belt portion on the other side of said plate; means for transversely folding said belt about said anchor plate for positioning said belt portions in opposed relation; means for securing said portions together; and means including a biased member for releasably positioning said anchor plaTe with said opening exposed.

Claim 8

In an apparatus for interconnecting an elongated belt and an anchor plate having an opening to recieve said belt, the combination of: means for positioning said anchor plate with said opening exposed; a supply source for said pliant belt; means for moving from said supply source a belt with one end portion normal to said plate and in alignment with said opening; means for folding said one end portion of said belt along longitudinally directed fold lines; said belt moving means passing said end portion a selected distance through said opening to position said end portion on one side of said plate and the remaining belt portion on the other side of said plate; means for transversely folding said belt about said anchor plate for positioning said belt portions in opposed relation; means for securing said portions together; and means including a biased member for releasably positioning said anchor plaTe with said opening exposed.

Claim 9

In an apparatus as stated in claim 6 including means to eject said anchor plate from said releasable positioning means.

Claim 10

In an apparatus for interconnecting an elongated belt and an anchor plate having an opening to receive said belt, the combination of: means for positioning said anchor plate with said opening exposed; a supply source for said pliant belt; means for moving from said supply source a belt with one end portion normal to said plate and in alignment with said opening; means for folding said one end portion of said belt along longitudinally directed fold lines; said belt moving means passing said one portion a selected distance through said opening to position said end portion on one side of said plate and the remaining belt portion on the other side of said plate; means for transversely folding said belt about said anchor plate for positioning said belt portions in opposed relation; means for securing said portions together; means for holding said belt portions in folded relation about said anchor plate; and means for releasably retaining said holding means for said end belt portion.

Claim 11

In an apparatus for interconnecting an elongated belt and an anchor plate having an opening to receive said belt, the combination of: means for positioning said anchor plate with said opening exposed; a supply source for said pliant belt; means for moving from said supply source a belt with one end portion normal to said plate and in alignment with said opening; means for folding said one end portion of said belt along longitudinally directed fold lines; said belt moving means passing said one portion a selected distance through said opening to position said end portion on one side of said plate and the remaining belt portion on the other side of said plate; means for transversely folding said belt about said anchor plate for positioning said belt portions in opposed relation; means for securing said portions together; means for holding said belt portions in folded relation about said anchor plate; and means for releasably retaining said holding means for said end belt portion.

Claim 12

In an apparatus for interconnecting an elongated pliant belt and an anchor plate having an opening to receive said belt, the combination of: means for positioning said anchor plate with said opening exposed; a supply source for said pliant belt; means for moving from said supply source a belt with one end portion normal to said plate and in alignment with said opening; means for folding said one end portion of said belt along longitudinally directed fold lines; said belt moving means passing said longitudinally folded end portion a selected distance through said opening to position said end portion on one side of said plate and the remaining belt portion on the other side of said plate; means for transversely folding said belt about said anchor plate for positioning said belt portions in opposed relation; means for securing said portions together; said opening in said anchor plate having a maximum dimension less than the width of said pliant belt; means for guiding longitudinally folded edge margins of said belt end portion into said opening; said means for transversely folding of said pliant belt including pressure applying means on opposite sides of said plate for pressing said belt portions toward each other; and means movable between said pressure applying means and between said folded portions of said belt for uniformly folding and creasing said belt at said anchor plate.

Claim 13

In an apparatus for interconnecting an elongated pliant belt and an anchor plate having an opening to receive said belt, the combination of: means for positioning said anchor plate with said opening exposed; a supply source for said pliant belt; means for moving from said supply source a belt with one end portion normal to said plate and in alignment with said opening; means for folding said one end portion of said belt along longitudinally directed fold lines; said belt moving means passing said longitudinally folded end portion a selected distance through said opening to position said end portion on one side of said plate and the remaining belt portion on the other side of said plate; means for transversely folding said belt about said anchor plate for positioning said belt portions in opposed relation; means for securing said portions together; said opening in said anchor plate having a maximum dimension less than the width of said pliant belt; means for guiding longitudinally folded edge margins of said belt end portion into said opening; said means for transversely folding of said pliant belt including pressure applying means on opposite sides of said plate for pressing said belt portions toward each other; and means movable between said pressure applying means and between said folded portions of said belt for uniformly folding and creasing said belt at said anchor plate.

Claim 14

In an apparatus for interconnecting an elongated pliant belt and an anchor plate having an opening to receive said belt, the combination of: means for positioning said anchor plate with said opening exposed; a supply source for said pliant belt; means for moving from said supply source a belt with one end portion normal to said plate and in alignment with said opening; means for folding said one end portion of said belt along longitudinally directed fold lines; said belt moving means passing said longitudinally folded end portion a selected distance through said opening to position said end portion on one side of said plate and the remaining belt portion on the other side of said plate; means for transversely folding upper and lower belt about said anchor plate for positioning said belt portions in opposed relation; means for securing said portions together; said opening in said anchor plate having a maximum dimension less than the width of said pliant belt; means for guiding longitudinally folded edge margins of said belt end portion into said opening; and means for applying adhesive to one of said belt portions for temporarily securing said belt portions together.

Claim 15

In an apparatus for interconnecting an elongated pliant belt and an anchor plate having an opening to receive said belt, the combination of: means for positioning said anchor plate with said opening exposed; a supply source for said pliant belt; means for moving from said supply source a belt with one end portion normal to said plate and in alignment with said opening; means for folding said one end portion of said belt along longitudinally directed fold lines; said belt moving means passing said longitudinally folded end portion a selected distance through said opening to position said end portion on one side of said plate and the remaining belt portion on the other side of said plate; means for transversely folding upper and lower belt about said anchor plate for positioning said belt portions in opposed relation; means for securing said portions together; said opening in said anchor plate having a maximum dimension less than the width of said pliant belt; means for guiding longitudinally folded edge margins of said belt end portion into said opening; and means for applying adhesive to one of said belt portions for temporarily securing said belt portions together.

Claim 16

In an apparatus as stated in claim 10 including clamp means for pressing said belt portions together after said adhesIve is applied to one of said belt portions.

Claim 17

In an apparatus for interconnecting an elongated belt and an anchor plate having an opening to receive said belt, the combination of: means for positioning said anchor plate with said opening exposed; a supply source for said pliant belt; means for moving from said supply source a belt with one end portion normal to said plate and in alignment with said opening; means for folding said one end portion of said belt along longitudinally directed fold lines; said belt moving means passing said one portion a selected distance through said opening to position said end portion on one side of said plate and the remaining belt portion on the other side of said plate; means for transversely folding said belt about said anchor plate for positioning said belt portions in opposed relation; means for securing said portions together; means for holding said belt portions in folded relation about said anchor plate; and means for resetting said belt portion holding means for a succeeding operational cycle.

Claim 18

In an apparatus for interconnecting an elongated belt and an anchor plate having an opening to receive said belt, the combination of: means for positioning said anchor plate with said opening exposed; a supply source for said pliant belt; means for moving from said supply source a belt with one end portion normal to said plate and in alignment with said opening; means for folding said one end portion of said belt along longitudinally directed fold lines; said belt moving means passing said one portion a selected distance through said opening to position said end portion on one side of said plate and the remaining belt portion on the other side of said plate; means for transversely folding said belt about said anchor plate for positioning said belt portions in opposed relation; means for securing said portions together; means for holding said belt portions in folded relation about said anchor plate; and means for resetting said belt portion holding means for a succeeding operational cycle.

Claim 19

In an apparatus for interconnecting an elongated flexible pliant member and a rigid anchor member therefor having a through opening to receive said pliant member, the combination of: means for releasably positioning said anchor member with said opening normal to the advancement of the pliant member; means for reducing by longitudinally folding the width of said end portion of said pliant member and for increasing stiffness thereof to facilitate passage through said opening; means for moving one member relative to and normal to the other member for passing through said opening a selected length of said folded pliant member whereby an end portion and a remaining portion of said pliant member lie on opposite sides of said anchor member and a folded portion lies in said opening; means for transversely folding at least one of said end and remaining portions into opposed relation with respect to the other portion; and means for securing said portions about said anchor member.

Claim 20

In an apparatus for interconnecting an elongated flexible pliant member and a rigid anchor member therefor having a through opening to receive said pliant member, the combination of: means for releasably positioning said anchor member with said opening normal to the advancement of the pliant member; means for reducing by longitudinally folding the width of said end portion of said pliant member and for increasing stiffness thereof to facilitate passage through said opening; means for moving one member relative to and normal to the other member for passing through said opening a selected length of said folded pliant member whereby an end portion and a remaining portion of said pliant member lie on opposite sides of said anchor member and a folded portion lies in said opening; means for transversely folding at least one of said end and remaining portions into opposed relation with respect to the other portion; and means for securing said portions about said anchor member.

Claim 21

In an apparatus as stated in claim 13 including means for holding said end portion in folded relation about said anchor member.

Claim 22

In an apparatus for assembling a pliant belt with a connector member having an opening to receive a portion of said belt, the belt portion having longitudinal edges, the combination of: means for holding the connector member in a selected position; means for positioning said belt portion adjacent to said connector member and at an angle to the connector member for threading longitudinally the belt portion through said opening; means for folding the belt portion along longitudinally directed lines with said edges in proximity before pushing said belt portion into said opening; means for applying a force to said belt portion longitudinally thereof to push one end of said belt portion through said opening to assemble said belt portion with said connector member; means for transversely folding said belt portion into overlying relation to form a loop of said longitudinally folded end portion with said longitudinal edges in proximity in said opening and with said connector member assembled therewith; and means to secure said overlying belt portion to retain said connector member in assembled relation with said loop.

Claim 23

In an apparatus for assembling a pliant belt with a connector member having an opening to receive a portion of said belt, the belt portion having longitudinal edges, the combination of: means for holding the connector member in a selected position; means for positioning said belt portion adjacent to said connector member and at an angle to the connector member for threading longitudinally the belt portion through said opening; means for folding the belt portion along longitudinally directed lines with said edges in proximity before pushing said belt portion into said opening; means for applying a force to said belt portion longitudinally thereof to push one end of said belt portion through said opening to assemble said belt portion with said connector member; means for transversely folding said belt portion into overlying relation to form a loop of said longitudinally folded end portion with said longitudinal edges in proximity in said opening and with said connector member assembled therewith; and means to secure said overlying belt portion to retain said connector member in assembled relation with said loop.

Claim 24

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said means to secure said belt portions includes a sewing means.

Claim 25

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 15 including means for temporarily holding said belt portion in such overlying relation prior to actuation of said securing means.

Claim 26

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said means for transverse folding of said belt portion includes a projectible and retractable member on one side of said connector member engagable with that part of the belt portion passed through said opening for folding the belt portion against an edge of the opening in said connector member.

Claim 27

In an apparatus as stated in claim 15 wherein said longitudinal folding means includes a set of wheels having cooperable circumferential edges forming a channel section in said belt portion to longitudinally partially fold edge margins of said belt portion; said longitudinal folding means including guide means to receive said partially folded longitudinal edge margins on the belt portion and to fold said edge margins into close spaced relation with the adjacent belt portion.

Claim 28

In an apparatus as stated in claim 15 wherein said longitudinal folding means includes guide means to receive said folded longitudinal edge margins on said belt portion and to fold said edge margins into close spaced relation with the adjacent belt portion.

Claim 29

In an apparatus for assembling a belt with a connector member having an opening to receive a portion of said belt, the combination of: means for holding the connector member in a selected position; means for positioning said belt portion adjacent to said connector member and at an angle to the connector member for threading longitudinally the belt portion through said opening; means for folding the belt portion along longitudinally directed lines with said edges in proximity before pushing said belt portion into said opening; means for applying a force to said belt portion longitudinally thereof to push one end of said belt portion through said opening to assemble said belt portion with said connector member; means for transversely folding said belt portion into overlying relation to form a loop of said end portion with said connector member assembled therewith; and means to secure said overlying belt portion to retain said connector member in assembled relation with said loop; said longitudinal folding means including a set of wheels having cooperable circumferential edges forming a channel section in said belt portion to longitudinally fold edge margins of said belt portion, and guide means to receive said partially folded longitudinal edge margins on said belt portion and to fold said edge margins into close spaced relation with the adjacent belt portion; said guide means including a guide member connected with each wheel of said set of wheels; and means for moving said set of wheels and guide members toward and away from each other.

Claim 30

In an apparatus for assembling a belt with a connector member having an opening to receive a portion of said belt, the combination of: means for holding the connector member in a selected position; means for positioning said belt portion adjacent to said connector member and at an angle to the connector member for threading longitudinally the belt portion through said opening; means for folding the belt portion along longitudinally directed lines with said edges in proximity before pushing said belt portion into said opening; means for applying a force to said belt portion longitudinally thereof to push one end of said belt portion through said opening to assemble said belt portion with said connector member; means for transversely folding said belt portion into overlying relation to form a loop of said end portion with said connector member assembled therewith; and means to secure said overlying belt portion to retain said connector member in assembled relation with said loop; said longitudinal folding means including a set of wheels having cooperable circumferential edges forming a channel section in said belt portion to longitudinally fold edge margins of said belt portion, and guide means to receive said partially folded longitudinal edge margins on said belt portion and to fold said edge margins into close spaced relation with the adjacent belt portion; said guide means including a guide member connected with each wheel of said set of wheels; and means for moving said set of wheels and guide members toward and away from each other.