Tracking mechanisms for abrasive belt machines

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.

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. 
   
     
     
         2 . The self-contained tracking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the cam assembly is configured to mount to a frame of the abrasive belt machine. 
     
     
         3 . 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.   
     
     
         4 . 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. 
     
     
         5 . The self-contained tracking mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein the handle is a sprocket. 
     
     
         6 . 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.   
     
     
         7 . The self-contained tracking mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein the cam assembly further includes a mounting shaft configured to mount to the frame. 
     
     
         8 . 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. 
     
     
         9 . The self-contained tracking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the bore is defined through a longitudinal axis of the axle. 
     
     
         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. 
   
     
     
         11 . The self-contained tracking mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein the cam assembly is configured to mount to a frame of the abrasive belt machine. 
     
     
         12 . 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. 
     
     
         13 . The self-contained tracking mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the axle and the crowned wheel are disposed between the handle and the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The self-contained tracking mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the cam assembly includes a mounting shaft configured to mount to the frame. 
     
     
         15 . 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. 
     
     
         16 . 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. 
     
     
         17 . 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.   
     
     
         18 . The self-contained tracking mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein the bore defines bore threads. 
     
     
         19 . The self-contained tracking mechanism of  claim 18 , wherein the shaft defines shaft threads complementarily configured with the bore threads. 
     
     
         20 . The self-contained tracking mechanism of  claim 19 , wherein the shaft selectively translates relative to the axle when rotating relative to the bore.