Belt supporting
AssigneeNCR Corporation
InventorRobert Suttie
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed for supporting a flat belt member. The apparatus includes a drum member rotatable about a longitudinal axis of rotation and comprising an outer support surface that generally increases in diameter from a first end region to a central region and decreases in diameter from the central region to a further end region. The central region includes a groove in the support surface which extends circumferentially around the drum member. A ring member is located in the groove.
Claims15
Apparatus for supporting a flat belt member, comprising:
- a drum member rotatable about a longitudinal axis of rotation and comprising an outer support surface that generally increases in diameter from a first end region to a central region and decreases in diameter from the central region to a further end region, said central region comprising a groove in the support surface extending circumferentially around the drum member;
- and
- a ring member located in the groove.
Apparatus for conveying an item of media, comprising:
- a drum member rotatable about a longitudinal axis of rotation and comprising an outer support surface that generally increases in diameter from a first end region to a central region and decreases in diameter from the central region to a further end region, said central region comprising a groove in the support surface and a ring member in the groove;
- and
- a flat endless belt member that at least partially rides on the central region of the support surface.
A method of preventing slippage between a rotatable drum member and a flat belt member, comprising the steps of:
- providing a groove in an outer surface of a rotatable drum member;
- and
- providing a ring member in the groove whereby as the drum member rotates the ring member provides a non-slip surface between a flat belt member that at least partially rides on the outer surface and the ring member, and the ring member and the drum member.
A method of centring a flat belt member on a rotating drum member, comprising the steps of:
- providing a groove in a central region of an outer surface of a rotatable drum member;
- providing a ring member extending proud of the outer surface of the rotatable drum element in the groove;
- and
- locating the belt member at the central region of the drum member as the belt member rides on the ring member.
A method of driving an endless belt member, comprising the steps of:
- simultaneously and automatically centring a rotating belt member on a drive roller member and providing a non-slip interface between the belt member and roller member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.