Positioning tool and system

Abstract

A positioning tool for repositioning adjacent objects in mutually spaced, coplanar relation, such as the ends of a so-called endless belt or chain, is used to facilitate their coupling/uncoupling. The tool has a fixed head portion for attachment to one end of the belt or chain, and a travelling portion for attachment to the other end that is to be repositioned, with parallel links to maintain the fixed and the travelling heads parallel. The gripping heads may be replaceable. A threaded jacking bolt connects the fixed and moving tool portions and applies the required jacking force. For rubber belts the attaching claws are inclined at about 22 degrees from the normal, to ensure grip and to avoid belt delamination. A range of tool widths and types may include provision for use as a wheel or pulley puller.

1 . A positioning tool for repositioning two mutually adjacent objects in spaced, coplanar relation, the positioning tool having a first fixed portion for engagement with a first said object, and a second, travelling portion for engagement with a second said object that is to be repositioned relative to said first object, said positioning tool having parallel links connecting said first and second portions to maintain constant the relative orientation between said fixed and said travelling portions.  
     
     
         2 . The positioning tool as set forth in  claim 1 , said first and second portions each having a tool head portion for engaging a respective said adjacent object.  
     
     
         3 . The positioning tool as set forth in  claim 2 , said tool head portions being replaceable.  
     
     
         4 . The positioning tool as set forth in  claim 3 , said tool head portions including inclined engagement means for use in penetrating relation with the ends of a looped transfer medium.  
     
     
         5 . The positioning tool as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said inclined engagement means includes claw means for use in penetrating relation with a belt.  
     
     
         6 . The positioning tool as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said inclined engagement means includes a tooth for use in penetrating relation with the link of a chain.  
     
     
         7 . The positioning tool as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first portion has downwardly depending claw means to engage a flexible belt in surface-penetrating relation therewith.  
     
     
         8 . The positioning means as set forth in  claim 7 , said claw means having a forward rake, being inclined at an angle in the range of 20 to 30 degrees from the vertical.  
     
     
         9 . The positioning means as set forth in  claim 8 , said forward rake being about 22 degrees from the vertical.  
     
     
         10 . The positioning tool as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first portion has downwardly depending tooth means to engage a chain in link-penetrating relation therewith.  
     
     
         11 . The positioning means as set forth in  claim 10 , said tooth means having a forward rake, to positively engage and retain said link in engaged relation.  
     
     
         12 . The positioning means as set forth in  claim 3 , each said tool head portion including a square socket portion having a slender disc positioned outwardly therefrom, and projecting below said socket portion, to enable engagement thereof with an edge of a said object.  
     
     
         13 . The positioning means as set forth in  claim 3 , said tool head portion having a square socket portion, with a laterally extending blade portion projecting from both sides of said socket portion.  
     
     
         14 . The positioning means as set forth in  claim 13 , said blade portion being inclined from the vertical with a forward rake, to promote stable engagement of the blade portion with a said object.  
     
     
         15 . The positioning tool as set forth in  claim 1 , said travelling portion having a pair of apertures to receive said parallel links in entered relation therein; a threaded aperture to receive jacking bolt means in threaded relation therein, and at least one threaded aperture to receive puller bolt means in threaded attached relation therewith.  
     
     
         16 . The positioning tool as set forth in  claim 15 , having two said threaded apertures in mutually spaced relation for said puller bolt means.  
     
     
         17 . The method of re-coupling the ends of an endless belt, consisting of the steps of locating the ends of the belt on a substantially smooth surface; engaging end portions of the belt located in mutually adjacent relation, by way of gripping means; drawing said gripping means along a linear path to move said belt ends along said surface into predetermined, mutually interengaging relation; and inserting coupling means in securing relation with the two ends of said belt.  
     
     
         18 . The method as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein said step of engaging with gripping means includes the insertion of claw means into a penetratable surface portion of said belt, at an angle of inclination predetermined to promote a firm grip by said claw of said belt, while substantially precluding delamination of said belt.