CA1163466A

CA1163466A - Metal transmission belt

Info

Publication number: CA1163466A
Application number: CA000373227A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Paul M. Bateman; John C. Warner
Original assignee: Borg Warner Corp
Current assignee: Borg Warner Corp
Priority date: 1980-04-21
Filing date: 1981-03-17
Publication date: 1984-03-13
Also published as: FR2480885B1; DE3113236C2; GB2074285A; JPS56156539A; DE3113236A1; GB2074285B; FR2480885A1

Abstract

METAL TRANSMISSION BELT

Abstract:

A flexible power transmission means comprising an assembly of a pair of spaced, generally parallel chains (10,12), each constructed of a plurality of sets of interleaved links (18,22).
Each set is joined to its next adjacent set by a pin (24), each pin serving both chains.
Generally trapezoidal-shaped load blocks are located between the chains and having cut-outs (30,32) in the sides locating the chains. The load blocks (14) are generally contoured at their edges (26,28) to fit into the V of a pulley and are disposed between the chains. The load is carried by the chains and its pins. The load blocks (38) are longitudinally positioned with respect to the chains by the chains' pins.

Description

3~
Flexible power transmission means comprising an assembly of a plurality of superimpos~d steel s-trlps and a plurality of V-shaped blocks of metal are known in the art.
An example of such construction is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,720,113 granted March 13, 1973 to ~.J. Van Doorne et al.
In the patented structure, the blocks are provided with lateral guides having top edges which overlie the steel strips to maintain the parts in assembled relationship. The load is carried by the blocks and the blocks c~n slide along the band.
Another example of a flexible power transmission means is dçscribed in U.S. Pa~ent NoO 3,949,621 granted Apri-l 13, 1976 to seusink, deceased, et al in which metal plates are mounted on metal strips, the strips being received in slots in one of the latèral edges of the plates.
Other flexible power transmission means comprising an assembly of links, pins and pulley contact members are described in U.S. Patents Nos. 2,038,583~ granted April 28, 1936 to Maurer and 2,475,264, granted July 5, 1949 to Sutton.
According to the present invention there is provided an endless power transmission belt especially adapted for drivingly connecting at least a pair of pulleys in a pulley transmission, the belt including metal links, pivot means and load blocks~ The links are arranged in laterally arranged sets with the links of the next adjacent sets laced together and pivotably interconnected by the pivot means, the pivot means also joining corresponding laterally arranged sets to thus provide an integral chain with laterally spaced and joined sets of linksO The load block which is metal is located between each adjacent pivot means and substan'ially fills the space between each of the adjacent pivot means. Each load block has lateral edges shaped to frictionally engage the pulleys of a pulley transmission. A pair of cut-out slot-like openings intersect and open to opposite edges of the blocks so as to define a generally centrally located block portion which spaces a lateral set of links and applies a load to a least sb~

~3~
one of the pivot me~ns adjacent -there-to.
One way of carrying out the'invention is described in detail below with reference to drawings whi.ch illustrate only one specific embodiment, in which:
FIGt 1 is a partial side view of a portion of a flexible power transmission means according to this invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIGo l, FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the means of FIG. 1 takèn on line 3~3 of FIG. l;
FIG. 4 is a partial side view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the articulation of ~he structure around a sheave or pulley;
FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing a pulley with which the means may be u.sed.
The power transmission means of this invention compris~s a pair of spaced chains 10, 12 and a plurali~y o~
generally trapezoidal load blocks 14. Each chain 10 and 12 comprises sets of interleaved links 16, 18 and 20, 22, respectively, which are - sb/~e 3~

joined by pins 24. The load blocks. 14 have tapered sides 26, 28 and cut-outs.30 and 32,.
- each to receive a.portion of a chain and each load block l4 is loca.ted between the next adjacent pins S 24. Thus the load blocks 14 are longitudinally positioned by the chains' pins 24, and the load is carried by the pins and the chains. The load blocks 14 may be described as genPrally I-shaped in section.
The tapered sides 26, 28 of each load block.14 may be roughened to enhance the frictional contact with the flanges 34, 36, respectiveIy of a pulley 38~ In actual use, the assembly connects spaced pulleys to provide a drive therebetweenl the pulleys may be of a.variable nature so that the drive ratio therebetween is variable, as is known in the art.
The load blocks 14 may be constructed of:steel or other suitable material and can be.stamped from strip material; the chain linkæ are generally stamped from sheet metal ribbon stock and the pins are generally die formed metal stock. The opposite ends of the pins can be upset:to retain.the assembly of links, or in a preferred embodiment, the outside links of the chains are press-fit on the pins during the assembly of the links and load blocks while the inner links are slip-fit on the pins~

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An endless power transmission belt especially adapted for drivingly connecting at least a pair of pulleys in a pulley transmission and comprising the combination of metal links, pivot means and load blocks, the links being arranged in laterally arranged sets with the links of the next adjacent sets laced together and pivotably interconnected by said pivot means, said pivot means also joining corresponding laterally arranged sets to thus provide an integral chain with laterally spaced and joined sets of links, and a metal load block located between each adjacent pivot means and substantially filling the space between each said adjacent pivot means, each load block having lateral edges shaped to frictionally engage the pulleys of a pulley transmission and a pair of cut-out slot-like openings intersecting and opening to opposite edges of said block and defining a generally centrally located block portion which spaces a lateral set of links and applies a load to at least one of the pivot means adjacent thereto.