Adjustable endless belt

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an adjustable endless belt particularly adapted for use in high speed power transmission and commonly termed a fan belt. The belt is comprised of a length of flexible and durable polymeric material, having a central longitudinal channel extending therethrough and a length of flexible and durable cord slightably disposed within the channel and extending the length thereof. The desired belt size is determined by cutting the length of polymeric material with the cord contained therein to the desired length, pulling a portion of the cord from one end of the length polymeric material, applying an adhesive to the exposed cord and the ends of the polymeric material and inserting the exposed cord within the open channel then defined by the other end of the length of polymeric material.

I claim: 
     
       1. A continuously adjustable endless belt for use in power transmission comprising an outer length of flexible tear-resistant material, a cylindrical channel of constant radius extending .[.logitudinally.]. .Iadd.longitudinally .Iaddend.through said outer length of material, .[.at least one length of reinforcing material disposed in said outer length of material and extending the length thereof,.]. a cylindrical cord of constant radius constructed of flexible tear-resistant material slidably disposed within said channel, .[.a length of reinforcing material disposed in said cord and extending the length thereof, the length of said cord being equal to the length of said outer length of flexible material.]. such that upon pulling a portion of said cord from one end of said outer length of material, applying an adhesive material to said portion of said cord and disposing said portion within said channel in the other end of said outer length of material, a continuous belt of uniform construction is defined. 
     
     
       2. The combination of claim 1 .[.wherein said.]. .Iadd.including at least one length of .Iaddend.reinforcing material in said outer length of material .[.comprises two strips of Kevlar and said channel is disposed between said strips. 
     
     
       3. A continuously adjustable belt for use in power transmission comprising an outer length of flexible tear-resistant material, a cylindrical channel of constant radius extending longitudinally therethrough, a plurality of lengths of reinforcing material disposed in said outer length of reinforcing material disposed in said outer length of tear-resistant material above and below said channel and extending the length of said material, a cylindrical cord of constant radius constructed of a flexible tear-resistant material slidably disposed within said channel, said cord having a central core of reinforcing material extending the length thereof, said outer length of material and said cord being of equal length such that upon withdrawing a portion of said cord from one end of said outer length of material, an open channel is defined in the other end of said outer length of material equal in length to said portion of said cord and upon applying an adhesive material to said portion of said cord and inserting said portion of said cord within said open channel a continuous endless belt of uniform construction is defined. 
     
     
       4. The endless belt of claim 3 wherein said outer length of tear-resistant material and said cord as constructed of polyurethane or flexible ABS and said core of said cord is constructed of Kevlar. 
     
     
       5. The endless belt of claim 3 wherein said plurality of lengths of reinforcing material disposed in said outer length of tear-resistant material define a pair substantially flat strips of Kevlar of about 0.02 inches in thickness. 
     
     
       6. The endless belt of claim 3 wherein said plurality of lengths of reinforcing material disposed in said outer length of tear-resistant material include an equal number of cords constructed of Kevlar disposed above said channel and below said channel. 
     
     
       7. The process of forming an endless belt of desired length and uniform construction for power transmission comprising the steps of slidably disposing a constant radius .[.reinforced.]. tear-resistant cord in a continuous mating relationship within a constant radius cylindrical channel extending longitudinally through an outer belt of flexible tear-resistant material .Iadd.substantially .Iaddend.equal in length to said cord, withdrawing a portion of said cord from one end of said outer belt, applying an adhesive material to said portion of said cord, and inserting said portion of said cord into said channel in the other end of said outer belt such that the ends of said belt are in an abutting relationship and the ends of said cord are in an .[.abutting.]. .Iadd.adjacent .Iaddend.relationship within said outer belt and spaced from said ends of said belt thereby forming said endless belt of desired length and uniform construction. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 7 including the step of applying an adhesive to the ends of said outer belt of flexible tear-resistant material. 
     
     
       9. The process of forming an endless belt of desired length and uniform construction for power transmission comprising the steps of slidably disposing a constant radius .[.reinforced.]. tear-resistant cord in a continuous mating relationship within a constant radius cylindrical channel extending longitudinally through an outer belt of flexible tear-resistant material .Iadd.substantially .Iaddend.equal in length to said cord, withdrawing a portion of said cord from one end of said outer belt, applying an adhesive to said portion of said cord, reinserting a portion of said portion of said cord into said one end of said outer belt thereby leaving an exposed portion, and inserting said exposed portion into said channel in the other end of said outer belt such that the ends of said belt are in an abutting relationship and the ends of said .[.channel are in an abutting relationship.]. .Iadd.cords are disposed adjacent each other .Iaddend.within said outer belt spaced from said ends of said belt. 
     
     
       10. The process of claim 9 including the step of applying adhesive to the ends of said outer belt of tear-resistant material.