US 5,690,776 A · Belt splicing system

Abstract

A belt splicing tool for thermally joining first and second ends of thermoplastic belts. The tool includes a position control means and first and second clamping mechanisms cooperatively engaged and diametrically opposed along a longitudinal axis. The first clamping mechanism holds a first end section of a belt and the second clamping mechanism holds a second end section of a belt. The position control means repositions the clamping mechanisms relative to one another along the longitudinal axis between a first position where the longitudinal spacing between the clamping mechanisms is minimized, and a second position where the longitudinal spacing between the clamping mechanisms is maximized. The tool retains and aligns both belt ends in an opposed abutting relationship while permitting longitudinal movement of the belt ends relative to one another. Splicing is accomplished by (i) placing the belt end sections in the tool, (ii) melting the end portion of at least one of the belts, and (iii) holding the end portions together until the material solidifies.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A belt splicing tool for joining first and second belt ends comprising:

a) first and second clamping mechanisms cooperatively engaged and diametrically opposed along a longitudinal axis, wherein:
i) each clamping mechanism has (A) a width measured along the longitudinal axis, (B) a length measured along a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and (C) a height measured along a transverse axis orthogonal to both the longitudinal and the lateral axes;
(ii) the first clamping mechanism is configured and arranged for holding a first end section of a belt;
and (iii) the second clamping mechanism is configured and arranged for holding a second end section of a belt;
b) a position control means effective for repetitively repositioning the clamping mechanisms relative to one another in a linear fashion along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position wherein the first position provides a smaller longitudinal gap between the clamping mechanisms than the second position;
and
c) a means for biasing the clamping mechanisms in favor of the first position.

4 more elements

A belt splicing tool for joining first and second belt ends comprising:

a) first and second clamping mechanisms cooperatively engaged and diametrically opposed along a longitudinal axis, wherein:
i) each clamping mechanism has (A) a width measured along the longitudinal axis, (B) a length measured along a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and (C) a height measured along a transverse axis orthogonal to both the longitudinal and the lateral axes;
(ii) the first clamping mechanism is configured and arranged for holding a first end section of a belt;
(iii) the second clamping mechanism is configured and arranged for holding a second end section of a belt;
(iv) the first clamping mechanism includes (A) a first base element having a first major surface configured to provide a first channel having a first width effective for accommodating a first belt end section, (B) a first retention element having a first major surface, and (C) a means for clamping the first base element and the first retention element together so as to securely retain a first belt end section positioned within the first channel between the first major surfaces of the first base element and the first retention element;
and (v) the second clamping mechanism includes (A) a second base element having a first major surface configured to provide a second channel having a second width effective for accommodating a second belt end section, (B) a second retention element having a first major surface, and (C) a means for clamping the second base element and the second retention element together so as to securely retain a second belt end section positioned within the second channel between the first major surfaces of the second base element and the second retention element;
b) a position control means effective for repetitively repositioning the clamping mechanisms relative to one another in a linear fashion along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position wherein the first position provides a smaller longitudinal gap between the clamping mechanisms than the second position;
and
c) an adaptor plate having a first major surface configured to provide a third channel having a third configuration which is different than the channel configurations provided by the first and second base elements;
whereby mounting of the adaptor plate between the first major surface of the base element and the corresponding retention element--with the first major surface of the adaptor plate facing the first major surface of the retention element--provides a differently configured channel for retention of a belt end segment.

7 more elements

A method for splicing together first and second belt ends comprising:

a) obtaining a first belt end section and a second belt end section wherein each belt end section includes a longitudinal end having a cross-sectional
b) obtaining a tool which includes at least:
i) first and second clamping mechanisms cooperatively engaged and diametrically opposed along a longitudinal axis, wherein:
(i) each clamping mechanism has (A) a width measured along the longitudinal axis, (B) a length measured along a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, (C) a height measured along a transverse axis orthogonal to both the longitudinal and the lateral axes, and (D) an inner facing surface;
(ii) the first clamping mechanism is configured and arranged for holding the first belt and section;
and (iii) the second clamping mechanism is configured and arranged for holding the second belt end section;
ii) a position control means effective for repetitively repositioning the clamping mechanisms relative to one another in a linear fashion along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position wherein the first position provides a smaller longitudinal gap between the clamping mechanisms than the second position;
iii) a means for biasing the clamping mechanisms in favor of the first position;
and
iv) a spacer means operable in a first mode for maintaining the clamping mechanisms in a longitudinal position intermediate the first and second positions against the force exerted by the biasing means, and operable in a second mode for passively allowing the biasing means to bias the clamping mechanisms in favor of the first position;
c) positioning the clamping mechanisms in the second position;
d) securing the first belt and section in the first clamping mechanism and the second belt end section in the second clamping mechanism such that an end portion of each secured belt end section longitudinally protrudes a distance from the inner surface of each clamping mechanism with the belt cross-sectional ends facing one another;
e) melting at least part of the protruding end portion of both belt end sections across substantially the entire surface of the cross-sectional end;
and
f) repositioning the clamping mechanisms towards the first position so as to abut the melted cross-sectional ends of the belt and sections and maintaining such abutting relationship until the melted belt ends solidify sufficiently to bond the belt end sections together.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Belt splicing system

Life of this patent

Belt splicing system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12