US 4,376,668 A · Apparatus for and method of making V-belts

Abstract

An apparatus for making V-belts comprising a base member, a cover for the base member, a channel-like guide means carried by the base member for receiving a length of belting from a supply, first slot means cooperating with said guide means for receiving and guiding a cutting means to cut a predetermined length of said belting required to form a closed loop of said belting, second slot means cooperating with said guide means for receiving and guiding a cutting means in making a slot in each free end of said belting for receiving a web-like splice element adapted to bridge the free ends of said predetermined length of belting to form said loop, and heating means carried by said apparatus for vulcanizing the free ends of the predetermined length of belting to form a splice between the free ends of the belting. The method which comprises cutting a predetermined length of belting from a supply of V-belting, forming a slot in each free end of the predetermined length of belting, positioning a web-like splice element in bridging relation to said free ends, and vulcanizing said free ends and said splice element whereby to provide a strong and secure spliced joint between said free ends. In the preferred embodiment, a reinforcing strap made of a suitable material such as nylon is secured to the outer surface of the two free ends in bridging relation thereto by fastening means which pass into the belting and through the one or more splice elements.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An apparatus for making V-belts comprising a base member, a cover for said base member, said cover being mounted on said apparatus for movement selectively into closing or opening relation to said base member, a guide means carried by said base member for receiving a length of belting from a supply, first means cooperating with said guide means for receiving and guiding cutting means to cut a predetermined length of said belting required for forming a closed loop of said belting, second means cooperating with said guide means for receiving and guiding a cutting means in making a slot in each free end of said belting for receiving a weblike splice element adapted to bridge the free ends of said predetermined length of belting to form said loop, and heating means carried by said apparatus for vulcanizing the free ends of said predetermined length to form a splice between said free ends.

The method of making a V-belt loop from a length of V-belting which comprises the steps of:

(1) measuring a predetermined required length of V-belting from a supply of V-belting, said belting including a substantial content of rubber-like material;
(2) cutting the V-belting to separate the required predetermined length of belting from the supply of V-belting;
(3) making a slot in each free end of said predetermined length of belting, each of said slots extending inwardly of said predetermined length in a lengthwise direction from the corresponding free end of said predetermined length, whereby to provide a slot in each of said free ends;
(4) positioning a web-like splice element in the oppositely-disposed slots of the two ends of said predetermined length of belting, with said two free ends being in substantially abutting relation to each other and with said splice element being in bridging relation to said ends of said belting;
and
(5) vulcanizing the region of said belting comprising said abutting ends and said splice element, whereby to provide a strong and secure spliced joint between said two ends of said predetermined length.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for and method of making V-belts

Life of this patent

Apparatus for and method of making V-belts

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16