# US 5,326,332 A · Endless elastomeric belt

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- Number: US 5,326,332 A
- Document ID: US5326332A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/074,524
- Filed: 1993-06-11
- Granted: 1994-07-05
- Earliest claimed: 1993-06-11
- Assignees: Caterpillar Inc.
- Inventors: Brent C. Bargfrede; Anthony E. Kirn; Brian D. McFeeters
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5326332A

## CPC

- B62D 55/24: of continuously flexible type, e.g. rubber belts
- F16G 1/28: with a contact surface of special shape, e.g. toothed
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- F16G: BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR

## Abstract

An endless elastomeric belt includes a plurality of longitudinally separated guide blocks each having a longitudinally extending slot in a tip portion thereof. The slot reduces the mass of the guide block at a location most effective for reducing acceleration forces generated in the belt at a position where the belt separates from the entrained wheels at high rotational speeds. Reducing the acceleration forces reduces fatigue failures tending to occur in the bond joint between the guide block and a belt body.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An endless elastomeric belt comprising:
an endless body of closed loop construction having an interior surface; and
a plurality of longitudinally separated guide blocks bonded to and extending interiorly from the interior surface, each guide block having a pair of opposite end surfaces, a pair of belt positioning side surfaces, a tip portion, and a longitudinally extending slot formed in the tip portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The endless elastomeric belt of claim 1 wherein the slot extends the full length of the guide block.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The endless elastomeric belt of claim 1 wherein the slot has a substantially flat bottom surface.