US3597985A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible power transmission drive
Assignee: Borg Warner Corp
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Filing: 1970-02-05
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1990-02-05
Abstract
Abstract For the purpose of illustrating the present invention, a flexible power transmission drive is disclosed herein which includes a flexible band that can be a chain, a belt, or the like, which is adapted to drivingly encircle and engage a sprocket. The sprockets and cooperating band structures disclosed herein have a mismatched pitch and are provided with complemental engaging surfaces to provide a smooth transitional engagement between the band and the sprocket and to cause the band to move with the sprocket along a constant sprocket-pitch radius.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph O Jeffrey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:19
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H7/00; F16H7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A flexible power transmission drive comprising a flexible toothed chain having sets of drive links and guide links pivotally interconnected to form said chain and drivingly encircling first and second rotatably supported sprockets having teeth drivingly engaging the teeth of said chain to cause a tight and a slack band side respectively on opposite sides of said sprockets, said sprockets having tooth roots between the teeth thereof, said chain having support surfaces complementally engaging a sprocket shoulder, said sprockets having shoulder support surfaces complementally engaging said chain support surfaces to position said band circumferentially on said sprockets on a constant sprocket pitch radius and preventing said chain teeth from engaging said sprocket tooth roots, said chain teeth having a pitch different than the pitch of said sprocket teeth to cause maximum driving engagement force between said chain teeth and said sprocket teeth on only one side of said sprockets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A flexible power transmission drive comprising a flexible toothed chain having sets of drive links and guide links pivotally interconnected to form said chain and drivingly encircling first and second rotatably supported sprockets having teeth drivingly engaging the teeth of said chain to cause a tight and a slack band side respectively on opposite sides of said sprockets, said sprockets having tooth roots between the teeth thereof, said chain having support surfaces complementally engaging a sprocket shoulder, said sprockets having shoulder support surfaces complementally engaging said chain support surfaces to position said band circumferentially on said sprockets on a constant sprocket pitch radius and preventing said chain teeth from engaging said sprocket tooth roots, said chain teeth having a pitch different than the pitch of said sprocket teeth to cause maximum driving engagement force between said chain teeth and said sprocket teeth on only one side of said sprockets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A flexible power transmission drive as defined in claim 1 wherein said chain teeth have a pitch less than said sprocket teeth thereby causing the maximum driving force between said chain teeth and said sprocket teeth to occur on the slack side.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A flexible power transmission drive as defined in claim 1 wherein said chain teeth have a pitch greater than said sprocket teeth thereby causing the maximum driving force between said chain teeth and said sprocket teeth to occur on the tight side.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
103 words
A flexible power transmission drive as defined in claim 1 wherein the pitch of the teeth on one of said sprockets is greater than that of the teeth on said chain thereby causing the maximum driving force between said chain teeth and said sprocket teeth to occur on the slack side of the chain, and the pitch of the teeth on the other of said sprockets is less than that of the teeth on said chain and thereby causing the maximum driving force between said chain teeth and the teeth of this said sprocket to occur on the tight side of the chain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A flexible power transmission drive as defined in claim 1 wherein said sprockets are of different diameters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
A flexible power transmission drive as defined in claim 5 wherein said chain support surfaces are provided in laterally spaced sets wIth one set for each sprocket respectively, and said sprocket shoulder surfaces are provided on said sprockets to correspond respectively with said chain support surfaces whereby each of said sprocket shoulder surfaces will engage a respective chain support surface only to position said chain circumferentially on said respective sprocket on a constant radius for said sprocket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A flexible power transmission drive as defined in claim 1 wherein an arcuate convex sprocket shoulder engaging surface is provided on said guide links as a tangential extension of said chain-supporting surfaces to provide a smooth transitional engagement between said sprocket shoulder and said guide link support surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A flexible power transmission drive as defined in claim 7 wherein said convex shoulder-engaging surface has a radius concentric with the adjacent pivotal interconnection of said links, and the sum of the convex radius plus the concave radius of said chain support surface equals the sprocket pitch radius at the point of tangency of said two radii.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |