← Back to Patent Explorer
US4380326A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Belt tightening tool

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-09-14
•
Granted: 1983-04-19
•
Expires: 2001-09-14
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A tool to facilitate the tightening of a belt which operates between a power output shaft of an engine and a power generating device, such as a generator or alternator, which is mounted spaced from the engine. The power generating device is to be pivotally mounted with respect to the engine block. Each end of the tool of the first embodiment is specially configured into an L-shaped section. The long leg of the L-shaped section terminates in a hook with there being an elongated cut-out section adjacent the hook. The hook is to be inserted within a ventilating opening assembly provided within the power generating device and the tool then positioned so that torque can be applied to the power generating device tending to pivot such about its mounting bracket until the belt assumes a sufficiently taut configuration. The mounting bracket assembly is then fixed by appropriate fastening means to prevent pivotal movement of the power generating device with respect to the engine. In the second embodiment, only one end is operative. This operative end includes a planar cross plate mounted in an inclined manner relative to the longitudinal center axes of the tool. Either outer free end of the inclined plate is capable of functioning as a fulcrum point against the housing of the power generating apparatus. One fulcrum point is used for one type of generating apparatus installation, with the other fulcrum point to be used for another type of installation. Each fulcrum point works in conjunction with a hook formed at the outer end of the operative end.

Inventors

  • 👤 Ermanno A. Marzorati
  • 👤 Murrel A. Mathis

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 19:07
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B25/00; B25B27/00; B25B27/0035; F; F16; F16H; F16H7/00; F16H7/08; F16H7/10; F16H7/14; F16H2007/0876; F16H2007/088

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 258 words
In combination with an engine, a power generating apparatus mounted on said engine by a pivot bracket assembly, said power generating apparatus being spaced from said engine and being pivotable in respect thereto, a belt connecting said engine and said power generating apparatus, a tool to facilitate tightening of said belt, said tool comprising: an elongated member terminating in a fore end and an aft end, said elongated member having a main body section located substantially in a first plane, a cross plate forming a second plane, said cross plate being secured to said elongated member, said fore end terminating in a hook, said hook being located within said first plane, a cut-out section formed within said said fore end adjacent said hook, said cut-out section terminating in an inner edge and an outer edge, said cross plate forming said inner edge of said cut-out section with said hook forming said outer edge, the ends of said cross plate forming first and second fulcrum points, whereby said hook is to engage with said power generating apparatus and one of said fulcrum points is to be placed against the exterior of said power generating apparatus and by exerting force against said main body section the said power generating apparatus is caused to pivot about said pivot bracket assembly thereby tightening said belt; and said second plane being inclined in respect to said first plane so that the spacing between said first fulcrum point and said hook being less than the spacing between said second fulcrum point and said hook.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 258 words
In combination with an engine, a power generating apparatus mounted on said engine by a pivot bracket assembly, said power generating apparatus being spaced from said engine and being pivotable in respect thereto, a belt connecting said engine and said power generating apparatus, a tool to facilitate tightening of said belt, said tool comprising: an elongated member terminating in a fore end and an aft end, said elongated member having a main body section located substantially in a first plane, a cross plate forming a second plane, said cross plate being secured to said elongated member, said fore end terminating in a hook, said hook being located within said first plane, a cut-out section formed within said said fore end adjacent said hook, said cut-out section terminating in an inner edge and an outer edge, said cross plate forming said inner edge of said cut-out section with said hook forming said outer edge, the ends of said cross plate forming first and second fulcrum points, whereby said hook is to engage with said power generating apparatus and one of said fulcrum points is to be placed against the exterior of said power generating apparatus and by exerting force against said main body section the said power generating apparatus is caused to pivot about said pivot bracket assembly thereby tightening said belt; and said second plane being inclined in respect to said first plane so that the spacing between said first fulcrum point and said hook being less than the spacing between said second fulcrum point and said hook.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein: the angle of inclination of said second plane relative to said first plane being approximately eighteen degrees.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 29 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein: said hook including a smoothly contoured beveled surface, said beveled surface assuming a general inclination substantially parallel to said second plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 29 words
The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein: said hook including a smoothly contoured beveled surface, said beveled surface assuming a general inclination substantially parallel to said second plane.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2087148A Cited
US2629584A Cited
US2681791A Cited
US2718374A Cited
US2896910A Cited
US3011249A Cited
US3680834A Cited
US4211446A Cited
US4183503A Cited
US4244559A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-04-18 1986-10-18 1987-04-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-04-18 1990-10-18 1991-04-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-04-18 1994-10-18 1995-04-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag