# US 2025/0083277 A1 · Tracking mechanisms for abrasive belt machines > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2025/0083277 A1 - Document ID: US20250083277A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/367,380 - Filed: 2023-09-12 - Published: 2025-03-13 - Earliest claimed: 2023-09-12 - Inventors: Marinus Du Preez Kuyl - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20250083277A1 ## CPC - B24B 21/20: for controlling or adjusting the tracking or the tension of the grinding belt - B24B 23/06: with abrasive belts, e.g. with endless travelling belts; Accessories therefor - B24B 41/02: Frames; Beds; Carriages - B24B: MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING (grinding of gear teeth B23F, of screw-threads B23G1/36; by electro-erosion B23H; abrasive or related blasting B24C; tools for grinding, buffing or sharpening B24D; polishing compositions C09G1/00; abrasives C09K3/14; electrolytic etching or polishing C25F3/00; grinding arrangements for use on assembled railway tracks E01B31/17); DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS ## Abstract Self-contained tracking mechanisms for an abrasive belt machine. The self-contained tracking mechanisms include an axle, a crowned wheel, a cam assembly, and an actuator. The axle and the cam assembly collectively define a bore. The bore defines bore threads. The crowned wheel is configured to support an abrasive belt. The crowned wheel is mounted on the axle. The cam assembly is configured to selectively tilt the axle. The cam assembly is mounted to the axle. The actuator is configured to selectively actuate the cam assembly to tilt the axle. The actuator includes a shaft defining shaft threads complementarily configured with the bore threads. The actuator is supported by the axle. The shaft extends through the bore and selectively abuts the cam assembly. The shaft selectively translates relative to the axle when rotated relative to the bore. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A self-contained tracking mechanism for an abrasive belt machine, comprising: an axle defining a bore; a crowned wheel mounted on the axle and configured to support an abrasive belt; a cam assembly mounted to the axle and configured to selectively tilt the axle; and an actuator supported by the axle and configured to selectively actuate the cam assembly to tilt the axle; wherein: the bore defines bore threads; the actuator includes a shaft defining shaft threads complementarily configured with the bore threads; the shaft selectively translates relative to the axle when rotated relative to the bore; the shaft extends through the bore and selectively abuts the cam assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the cam assembly is configured to mount to a frame of the abrasive belt machine. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 2, wherein: the actuator includes a handle coupled to the shaft; the handle is adapted for a user to selectively rotate the shaft to selectively translate the shaft relative to the axle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 3, wherein the handle is disposed on a distal side of the crowned wheel distal the cam assembly and distal the frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 3, wherein the handle is a sprocket. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 3, wherein the cam assembly includes: a collar fixed to the axle; and a pivoting member pivotally coupled to the collar. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 6, wherein the cam assembly further includes a mounting shaft configured to mount to the frame. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 6, wherein the shaft selectively abuts the pivoting member to selectively tilt the pivoting member relative to the collar and to selectively tilt the axle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the bore is defined through a longitudinal axis of the axle. ### Claim 10 A self-contained tracking mechanism for an abrasive belt machine, comprising: an axle defining a bore; a crowned wheel mounted on the axle and configured to support an abrasive belt; a cam assembly mounted to the axle and configured to selectively tilt the axle; and an actuator supported by the axle; wherein: the actuator includes: a shaft extending through the bore and configured to selectively translate relative to the axle within the bore; and a handle coupled to the shaft on a distal side of the crowned wheel opposite the cam assembly and configured to selectively translate the shaft relative to the axle within the bore; the actuator is configured to selectively actuate the cam assembly to tilt the axle when a user uses the handle to selectively translate the shaft relative to the axle to press on the cam assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 10, wherein the cam assembly is configured to mount to a frame of the abrasive belt machine. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 11, wherein the cam assembly is configured to support the axle, the crowned wheel, and the actuator from the frame. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 11, wherein the axle and the crowned wheel are disposed between the handle and the frame. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 11, wherein the cam assembly includes a mounting shaft configured to mount to the frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 14, wherein the mounting shaft is configured to be recessed within the frame when coupled to the frame to not extend beyond the frame on a side of the frame opposite the crowned wheel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 14, wherein the cam assembly includes a pivoting member fixed to the mounting shaft and configured to pivot relative to the axle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 16, wherein: the cam assembly includes a collar fixed to the axle; and the pivoting member is pivotally coupled to the collar. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 10, wherein the bore defines bore threads. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 18, wherein the shaft defines shaft threads complementarily configured with the bore threads. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The self-contained tracking mechanism of claim 19, wherein the shaft selectively translates relative to the axle when rotating relative to the bore.