Abstract A V-belt for coupling at least two pulleys together, the pulleys having a substantially V-shaped groove, the belt being manually installable without moving or adjusting the distance between the pulleys. The particular usage of the present invention is for temporary (emergency) or permanent installation of a "fan" belt found on (but not limited to) conventional vehicles of the V-belt type. The device allows anyone, upon the destruction of a fan belt, to readily and quickly install a temporary pulley belt manually, without tools. For a permanent installation, a small implement may be used with the present device for increased tensioning of the belt in its proper position. The improved belt includes first and second free ends (male and female respectively that are firmly connected together by longitudinally interlocking a plurality of laterally disposed, inclined teeth located near the male end with lateral rows of inclined grooves located in an interlock passage in the female end. During installation, once the belt is positioned around the pulleys, the male end is inserted into the interlock passage. The male end is tapered for a short length in thickness for easy insertion (expanding away from the end point) to let a length of excess belt through the female end where the tightening device may be used. Beyond the tapered segment, the belt (male end) remains the same thickness to the female end. The interlocking force increases as a function of the length of the male end received through the interlock passage because of the increasing thickness of the male end.
A flexible belt for connecting together at least two pulleys, comprising: a flexible elongated body of unitary construction, the body having a cross-section shape in the form of a trapezoid, the body having a female end and a male end, said male end being interlockable into said female end, the female end having an opening and a chamber, said female end chamber having a cross-sectional shape in the form of a trapezoid, said shorter parallel wall of said chamber having a plurality of teeth laterally disposed thereon, said longer parallel wall of said female chamber having a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough sized to selectively receive the male free end of said belt, said male end of said belt member having a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, said male end being tapered in height diminishing to a smaller thickness, said male end having a plurality of inclined interlockable teeth disposed along the shorter parallel side whereby said male end may be inserted into the female end opening and chamber and adjusted in length until it is interlocked with the inclined teeth of the female end and exists through one of said apertures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A flexible belt for connecting together at least two pulleys, comprising: a flexible elongated body of unitary construction, the body having a cross-section shape in the form of a trapezoid, the body having a female end and a male end, said male end being interlockable into said female end, the female end having an opening and a chamber, said female end chamber having a cross-sectional shape in the form of a trapezoid, said shorter parallel wall of said chamber having a plurality of teeth laterally disposed thereon, said longer parallel wall of said female chamber having a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough sized to selectively receive the male free end of said belt, said male end of said belt member having a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, said male end being tapered in height diminishing to a smaller thickness, said male end having a plurality of inclined interlockable teeth disposed along the shorter parallel side whereby said male end may be inserted into the female end opening and chamber and adjusted in length until it is interlocked with the inclined teeth of the female end and exists through one of said apertures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
In combination with the belt of claim 1, a tool for tensioning the belt ends together, comprising: a pair of lockable but spreadable clamping arms connectable to the female end of said belt; a handle pivotally connected at one end to said clamping arms; and a second clamp pivotally connected to said handle for attaching the male end of said belt to said handle.