Belt sprocket wheel

Claim 2

A sprocket wheel for a toothed belt, the sprocket wheel having an axis, hub, generally oppositely axially facing imperforate sides, and rim wherein the improvement comprises: a generally polygonal rim portion with substantially equilateral peripheral sides that are successively interconnected with peripheral secondary rim portions, and a first plurality of circumferentially spaced sprocket teeth attached to and extending from at least one axially facing side with one tooth extending from each secondary rim portion, the sprocket teeth extending substantially axially with respect to the wheel axis and wherein the sprocket teeth have generally radial sides that are substantially flat and extend from the secondary rim portions to a tapered hub and define generally axially extending driving surfaces coextensive of the radial sides, and wherein the sides of successive sprocket teeth, the imperforate side of the wheel, and the tapered hub define a belt tooth receiving cavity for engaging a belt tooth and directing foreign debris from the sprocket when in use.

Claim 3

The sprocket wheel as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a second plurality of spaced sprocket teeth attached to and extending from an opposite axially facing side of the wheel at the secondary rim portions, the second plurality of sprocket teeth in extending axial and lineal alignment with the first plurality of sprocket teeth.

Claim 4

The sprocket wheel of claim 1 wherein the secondary rim portions are arcuate.

Claim 5

The sprocket wheel of claim 1 which further includes means for fastening the wheel in axial alignment to a second similar wheel.

Claim 6

A sprocket wheel for a toothed belt, the sprocket wheel having an axis, generally oppositely axially facing imperforate sides, and hub comprising: first and second oppositely facing co-axial halves with aligned generally polygonal rim portions with substantially equilateral peripheral sides successively interconnected with peripheral secondary rim portions, each rim portion having a flat side that faces each other and oppositely facing sides; a plurality of circumferentially spaced sprocket teeth extending axially from the oppositely facing sides of each half from the secondary rim portions, the sprocket teeth of the first and second halves substantially axially aligned with respect to the sprocket wheel axis and the sprocket teeth of the first and second halves lineally aligned with each other and wherein the sprocket teeth have generally radial sides that are substantially flat and extend from the secondary rim portions to a tapered hub wherein the sides of successive sprocket teeth, the imperforate sides of the wheel, and the tapered hub define a belt tooth receiving cavity for engaging a belt tooth and directing foreign debris from the sprocket when in use; and means for holding the halves together.

Claim 7

A sprocket wheel for a toothed belt, the sprocket wheel having an axis, generally oppositely axially facing imperforate sides, and hub comprising: first and second oppositely facing co-axial halves with aligned generally polygonal rim portions with substantially equilateral peripheral sides successively interconnected with peripheral secondary rim portions, each rim portion having a flat side that faces each other and oppositely facing sides; a plurality of circumferentially spaced sprocket teeth extending axially from the oppositely facing sides of each half from the secondary rim portions, the sprocket teeth of the first and second halves substantially axially aligned with respect to the sprocket wheel axis and the sprocket teeth of the first and second halves lineally aligned with each other and wherein the sprocket teeth have generally radial sides that are substantially flat and extend from the secondary rim portions to a tapered hub wherein the sides of successive sprocket teeth, the imperforate sides of the wheel, and the tapered hub define a belt tooth receiving cavity for engaging a belt tooth and directing foreign debris from the sprocket when in use; and means for holding the halves together.

Claim 8

The sprocket wheel of claim 5 wherein each half and the sprocket teeth are integrally molded of a polymer.

Claim 9

The sprocket wheel of claim 6 wherein the holding means includes an axially aligned fastener disposed through at least one sprocket tooth of each half.

Claim 10

The sprocket of claim 7 wherein a substantially rigid disk is disposed between the first and second halves.

Claim 11

The sprocket of claim 8 wherein the disk includes means for mounting to a shaft.

Claim 12

In a sprocket wheel for a toothed belt having two rows of belt teeth, the sprocket wheel having an axis, generally oppositely axially facing imperforate sides, a hub, a rim, and axially oriented sprocket teeth extending in alignment from each imperforate side, the improvement comprising: a generally polygonal rim portion with substantially equilateral peripheral sides that are successively interconnected with arcuate secondary rim portions, the sprocket teeth extending from the secondary rim portions and having generally radial sides that are substantially flat and extend from the secondary rim portions to a tapered hub to define generally axially extending surfaces coextensive of the radial sides wherein the sides of successive sprocket teeth, the imperforate sides of the wheel, and the tapered hub defines a belt tooth receiving cavity for engaging a belt tooth and directing foreign debris from the sprocket when in use.

Claim 13

In a sprocket wheel for a toothed belt having two rows of belt teeth, the sprocket wheel having an axis, generally oppositely axially facing imperforate sides, a hub, a rim, and axially oriented sprocket teeth extending in alignment from each imperforate side, the improvement comprising: a generally polygonal rim portion with substantially equilateral peripheral sides that are successively interconnected with arcuate secondary rim portions, the sprocket teeth extending from the secondary rim portions and having generally radial sides that are substantially flat and extend from the secondary rim portions to a tapered hub to define generally axially extending surfaces coextensive of the radial sides wherein the sides of successive sprocket teeth, the imperforate sides of the wheel, and the tapered hub defines a belt tooth receiving cavity for engaging a belt tooth and directing foreign debris from the sprocket when in use.