US3866483A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drive belt construction
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-03-06
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1994-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A drive belt is fabricated on a pulley-like form having an endless groove by installing a reinforcing wire in the groove for a plurality of spaced turns followed by installing, in turn, a polyurethane loop and a compression band over the wire. The polyurethane material is heated, by use of the reinforcing wire as a heater in one embodiment, and compressed into the recesses so that the wire is effectively embedded in the polyurethane body. In another embodiment two layers of polyurethane are placed in the groove with the reinforcing wire between the layers.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:19
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D29/00; B29D29/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A METHOD OF FABRICATING A REINFORCED DRIVE BELT COMPRISING: ASSEMBLING AT LEAST ONE LOOP OF POLYURETHANE MATERIAL AND A PLUTALITY OF LOOPS OF GENERALLY NONEXTENSIBLE REINFORCING MATERIAL ON A FORM THAT DEFINES AN ENDLESS GROOVE, SAID LOOPS OF REINFORCING MATERIAL BEING PLACED IN SAID GROOVE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH ONE SURFACE OF SAID LOOP OF POLYURETHANE MATERIAL AND WITH SUCCESSIVE LOOP BEING SPACED AND ELECTRICALLY INSULATED FROM ADJACENT REINFORCING LOOPS; ASSEMBLING A COMPRESSION BAND OVER SAID REINFORCING AND POLYURETHANE MATERIAL; HEATING SAID POLYURETHANE MATERIAL TO EFFECT A SOFTENING THEREOF FOR EMBEDDING THE LOOPS OF REINFORCING MATERIAL IN THE POLYURETHANE MATERIAL; COOLING THE POLYURETHANE MATERIAL; AND REMOVING THE COMPRESSION BAND AND THE FABRICATED BELT FROM THE FORM.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A METHOD OF FABRICATING A REINFORCED DRIVE BELT COMPRISING: ASSEMBLING AT LEAST ONE LOOP OF POLYURETHANE MATERIAL AND A PLUTALITY OF LOOPS OF GENERALLY NONEXTENSIBLE REINFORCING MATERIAL ON A FORM THAT DEFINES AN ENDLESS GROOVE, SAID LOOPS OF REINFORCING MATERIAL BEING PLACED IN SAID GROOVE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH ONE SURFACE OF SAID LOOP OF POLYURETHANE MATERIAL AND WITH SUCCESSIVE LOOP BEING SPACED AND ELECTRICALLY INSULATED FROM ADJACENT REINFORCING LOOPS; ASSEMBLING A COMPRESSION BAND OVER SAID REINFORCING AND POLYURETHANE MATERIAL; HEATING SAID POLYURETHANE MATERIAL TO EFFECT A SOFTENING THEREOF FOR EMBEDDING THE LOOPS OF REINFORCING MATERIAL IN THE POLYURETHANE MATERIAL; COOLING THE POLYURETHANE MATERIAL; AND REMOVING THE COMPRESSION BAND AND THE FABRICATED BELT FROM THE FORM.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method of fabricating a reinforced drive belt as defined in claim 1 wherein said reinforcing material comprises an elongated length of electrically conductive wire wrapped on said form for a plurality of continuous loops and connected to a source of electrical power for effecting electrical resistive heating of said reinforcing material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method of fabricating a reinforced drive belt as defined in claim 1 wherein said reinforcing material comprises electrically conductive wire that is first formed into a plurality of individual closed loops for assembly in said groove and wherein the form and belt components are subjected to magnetic induction to effect inductive heating of said loops of reinforcing material.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of fabricating a reinforced drive belt comprising: assembling at least one generally nonextensible reinforcing element on a form that defines an endless groove and that includes means for supporting the reinforcing element at a first radius spaced outwardly from a second inner radius at the base of the groove, a plurality of loops of said reinforcing element being placed in said groove at said first outer radius with successive loops being spaced from adjacent turns; assembling a loop of polyurethane elastomeric material over said reinforcing element in said groove; assembling a compression band over said polyurethane material; heating said polyurethane material to effect a softening thereof for compression of the polyurethane material around the loops of reinforcing element and into said second inner radius to effectively embed the reinforcing element in the polyurethane material: cooling the polyurethane material to retain the reinforcing element embedded therein; and removing the compression band and fabricated belt from the form.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of fabricating a reinforced drive belt comprising: assembling at least one generally nonextensible reinforcing element on a form that defines an endless groove and that includes means for supporting the reinforcing element at a first radius spaced outwardly from a second inner radius at the base of the groove, a plurality of loops of said reinforcing element being placed in said groove at said first outer radius with successive loops being spaced from adjacent turns; assembling a loop of polyurethane elastomeric material over said reinforcing element in said groove; assembling a compression band over said polyurethane material; heating said polyurethane material to effect a softening thereof for compression of the polyurethane material around the loops of reinforcing element and into said second inner radius to effectively embed the reinforcing element in the polyurethane material: cooling the polyurethane material to retain the reinforcing element embedded therein; and removing the compression band and fabricated belt from the form.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of fabricating a reinforced drive belt as defined in claim 4 wherein the reinforcing element is metallic wire and is connected to an electric power supply to effect the heating of the polyurethane material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method of fabricating a reinforced drive belt as defined in claim 4 wherein the reinforcing element comprises a plurality of individual closed loops of electrically conductive material and wherein the assembly is subjected to magnetic induction for heating the metallic reinforcing loops.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of fabricating a reinforced drive belt as defined in claim 4 wherein an additional step comprises the fabrication of the polyurethane material as an endless loop for assembly over the reinforcing elements.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of fabricating a reinforced drive belt comprising: assembling a loop of polyurethane material and winding a metallic wire on a form that defines an endless groove, said wire being wound in said groove for engagement with one surface of said polyurethane material and being wound a plurality of turns with successive turns being spaced and electrically insulated from adjacent turns; assembling a compression band over said wire and polyurethane material; connecting said wire to an electric power supply and passing a heating current through said reinforcing wire for a period of time sufficient to soften the polyurethane material for compression thereof around the wire to effectively embed the wire in the polyurethane material; disconnecting the electric power supply from said reinforcing wire; cooling the polyurethane material; and removing the compression band and the fabricated belt from the form.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of fabricating a reinforced drive belt comprising: assembling a loop of polyurethane material and winding a metallic wire on a form that defines an endless groove, said wire being wound in said groove for engagement with one surface of said polyurethane material and being wound a plurality of turns with successive turns being spaced and electrically insulated from adjacent turns; assembling a compression band over said wire and polyurethane material; connecting said wire to an electric power supply and passing a heating current through said reinforcing wire for a period of time sufficient to soften the polyurethane material for compression thereof around the wire to effectively embed the wire in the polyurethane material; disconnecting the electric power supply from said reinforcing wire; cooling the polyurethane material; and removing the compression band and the fabricated belt from the form.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of fabricating a reinforced drive belt comprising: winding a metallic wire on a pulley-like form that defines a groove and that includes means for supporting the wire at a first radius spaced outwardly from a second radius at the base of the groove, said wire being wound in said groove at said first outer radius a plurality of turns with successive turns being spaced from adjacent turns; assembling a loop of polyurethane elastomeric material over said wire in said groove; assembling a compressIon band over said polyurethane material; connecting said wire to an electric power supply and passing a heating current through said reinforcing wire while the polyurethane material is subjected to pressure of said compression band for period of time of sufficient duration to soften the polyurethane material for compression around the turns of wire and into said second inner radius to effectively embed the wire in the polyurethane material; disconnecting the electric power supply; cooling the polyurethane material; and removing the compression band and the fabricated belt from the form.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of fabricating a reinforced drive belt comprising: winding a metallic wire on a pulley-like form that defines a groove and that includes means for supporting the wire at a first radius spaced outwardly from a second radius at the base of the groove, said wire being wound in said groove at said first outer radius a plurality of turns with successive turns being spaced from adjacent turns; assembling a loop of polyurethane elastomeric material over said wire in said groove; assembling a compressIon band over said polyurethane material; connecting said wire to an electric power supply and passing a heating current through said reinforcing wire while the polyurethane material is subjected to pressure of said compression band for period of time of sufficient duration to soften the polyurethane material for compression around the turns of wire and into said second inner radius to effectively embed the wire in the polyurethane material; disconnecting the electric power supply; cooling the polyurethane material; and removing the compression band and the fabricated belt from the form.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of fabricating a reinforced drive belt as defined in claim 9 wherein an additional step comprises the forming of the polyurethane as an endless loop for assembly over the wire turns.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of fabricating a reinforced drive belt as defined in claim 9 wherein an addition step comprises the assembling of a first loop of polyurethane material in said groove preceeding the winding of said wire in the groove.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of fabricating a reinforced drive belt comprising: winding a metallic wire on a pulley-like form that defines a groove having a cog-like base including a first outer radius for receiving and supporting the wire spaced radially outwardly from a second inner radius, said wire being wound in said groove at said first outer radius a plurality of turns with successive turns being spaced from adjacent turns; assembling an endless loop of polyurethane elastomeric material in said groove over said wire; assembling an endless elastomeric compression band over said polyurethane material; connecting the ends of said wire to an electric power supply; passing a heating current through said reinforcing wire while subjected to pressure of said compression band; continuing the heating for a period of time of sufficient duration to soften the polyurethane material compression around the wire and into said second inner radius; interrupting the heating and disconnecting the power supply; cooling the polyurethane material; and removing the compression band and belt from the form.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of fabricating a reinforced drive belt comprising: winding a metallic wire on a pulley-like form that defines a groove having a cog-like base including a first outer radius for receiving and supporting the wire spaced radially outwardly from a second inner radius, said wire being wound in said groove at said first outer radius a plurality of turns with successive turns being spaced from adjacent turns; assembling an endless loop of polyurethane elastomeric material in said groove over said wire; assembling an endless elastomeric compression band over said polyurethane material; connecting the ends of said wire to an electric power supply; passing a heating current through said reinforcing wire while subjected to pressure of said compression band; continuing the heating for a period of time of sufficient duration to soften the polyurethane material compression around the wire and into said second inner radius; interrupting the heating and disconnecting the power supply; cooling the polyurethane material; and removing the compression band and belt from the form.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
151 words
A reinforced drive belt fabricated by winding a generally nonextensible reinforcing element on a form that defines an endless groove and that includes means for supporting the reinforcing element at a first radius spaced outwardly from a second inner radius at the base of the groove, said reinforcing element being wound in said groove at said first outer radius a plurality of turns with successive turns being spaced from adjacent turns; assembling a loop of polyurethane material over said reinforcing element in said groove; assembling a compression band outside of said polyurethane material; heating said polyurethane material to effect a softening thereof for compression of the polyurethane material around the turns of reinforcing element and filling in said groove to effectively embed the reinforcing element in the polyurethane material; cooling the polyurethane material to retain the reinforcing element embedded therein; and removing the compression band and fabricated belt from the form.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
151 words
A reinforced drive belt fabricated by winding a generally nonextensible reinforcing element on a form that defines an endless groove and that includes means for supporting the reinforcing element at a first radius spaced outwardly from a second inner radius at the base of the groove, said reinforcing element being wound in said groove at said first outer radius a plurality of turns with successive turns being spaced from adjacent turns; assembling a loop of polyurethane material over said reinforcing element in said groove; assembling a compression band outside of said polyurethane material; heating said polyurethane material to effect a softening thereof for compression of the polyurethane material around the turns of reinforcing element and filling in said groove to effectively embed the reinforcing element in the polyurethane material; cooling the polyurethane material to retain the reinforcing element embedded therein; and removing the compression band and fabricated belt from the form.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
134 words
A reinforced drive belt fabricated by assembling a first loop of polyurethane material on a form that defines a groove; assembling a reinforcing element in said groove over said loop of polyurethane material including a plurality of turns with successive turns being spaced from adjacent turns; assembling a second loop of polyurethane material over the turns of reinforcing element; applying a compression band over the second loop of polyurethane material; heating said polyurethane material for a period of time of sufficient duration to soften at least the juxtaposed surfaces of the loops of polyurethane material for compression thereof around the reinforcing element to effectively join the two layers of polyurethane material and to embed the reinforcing element therein; cooling the polyurethane material; and removing the compression band and the fabricated belt from the form.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
134 words
A reinforced drive belt fabricated by assembling a first loop of polyurethane material on a form that defines a groove; assembling a reinforcing element in said groove over said loop of polyurethane material including a plurality of turns with successive turns being spaced from adjacent turns; assembling a second loop of polyurethane material over the turns of reinforcing element; applying a compression band over the second loop of polyurethane material; heating said polyurethane material for a period of time of sufficient duration to soften at least the juxtaposed surfaces of the loops of polyurethane material for compression thereof around the reinforcing element to effectively join the two layers of polyurethane material and to embed the reinforcing element therein; cooling the polyurethane material; and removing the compression band and the fabricated belt from the form.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3404578A
Cited
US3736805A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |