Reinforced cog belt

A V-section cog belt having a rubber body provided with longitudinally spaced inner cogs defining an inner surface. The belt is provided with conventional tensile cords extending longitudinally thereof. Rigid metal reinforcement members are provided in the cogs extending transversely across the belt in outwardly spaced relationship to the inner surface thereof. The reinforcement members may have any one of a plurality of different configurations, including tubular configurations and solid cross section configurations. The outer and inner surfaces of the tubular configurations may be similar or different as desired. In one form, the reinforcement members are spring plates. The reinforcement members may be provided as single members in each of the cogs or a plurality of members in the cogs as desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to V-belts and in particular to cog-type V-belts. 
2. Description of the Background Art 
In one form of V-shaped power transmission belt, the inner surface portion 
thereof is wave-shaped so as to define a plurality of longitudinally 
spaced cogs for providing improved flexibility of the belt in passing 
around the pulleys of the drive system. Because of the resiliency of the 
rubber body, the belt tends to warp laterally and otherwise deform in 
engaging the pulleys, thus decreasing the power transmission ability of 
the belt and causing damage to the belt so as to undesirably shorten the 
useful life thereof. 
One attempted solution to this problem has been to provide reinforcement in 
the cog portion of such a V-belt formed of Stiflex, reinforcing fabric, 
reinforcing tire cords, etc. It has been found that use of such 
reinforcement has been inadequate to meet the high power transmission 
demands of modern machinery and apparatus, illustratively such as in 
transmission mechanisms of motorcycle torque converters, farming machine 
torque converters, etc. 
Another attempted solution to the problem has been the provision of 
synthetic resin buried in the belt cog portions. This attempted solution 
has not been completely satisfactory because of the fusing of the resin by 
heat developed during the driving operation of the belt, resulting in 
abrasion and deformation of the belt. 
Similarly, another attempted solution has been to use rigid rubber elements 
in the belt cog portions. These have not proven completely satisfactory 
because of the elasticity thereof. 
Illustratively in U.S. Pat. No. 2,189,049, Gustave Ungar discloses a V-belt 
wherein the inner surface of the compression section of the belt consists 
of a fabric layer having a weft consisting of alternating metal rods and 
cotton cords. More specifically, the inner section of the belt consists of 
a number of light metal rods which are surrounded on the inside by one or 
more plies of fabric and on the outside by one or more plies of fabric. 
The fabric layers are bent around the rods so as to in engagement with 
each other and are fastened together by means of stitches or staples. 
The fabric forming the compression section defines one or more plies 
arranged in waves in such a manner that the cotton weft forms the crests 
and the metal rods form the sides of the waves. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention comprehends an improved V-section cog belt structure 
wherein elongate, rigid metal reinforcing members extend transversely 
across the belt cogs in outwardly spaced relationship to the inner surface 
of the rubber body thereof. 
In one form, the inner surface of the rubber body is covered with a fabric 
layer. 
In one form, the outer surface of the rubber body is covered with a fabric 
layer. 
In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcing members alternatively 
comprise tubular members or solid cross section members. 
In one form, the reinforcement members are provided with a rounded outer 
periphery, and in another form, the reinforcement members are provided 
with a polyhedral outer periphery. 
In still another form, the reinforcement members are provided with an outer 
periphery defining a plurality of projections. 
In one form of the belt construction utilizing tubular reinforcement 
members, the reinforcement members have an outer configuration different 
from the inner configuration thereof. 
In one form, the metal reinforcement members extend the full width of the 
rubber body in the cogs, and in another form, they extend less than the 
full width so as to have the opposite ends thereof spaced inwardly from 
the opposite side surfaces of the belt. 
The invention comprehends that a plurality of the reinforcement members be 
provided in each of the cogs. 
In another form of the invention, the reinforcement members comprise flat 
springy plates embedded in the cogs. 
In the illustrated embodiment, the plates have a thickness in the range of 
approximately 0.15 to 2 mm., and an elastic coefficient of at least 
approximately 15,000 kg/mm.sup.2. 
In one form, the springy plates are formed of a synthetic resin. 
The invention comprehends the provision of the reinforcement members of a 
material having high thermal conductivity so as to provide improved 
dispersion of heat developed in the V-belt during operation thereof to the 
outside surfaces for heat transfer to the ambient atmosphere for improved 
long life of the belt. 
Thus, the cog belt of the present invention is extremely simple and 
economical of construction while yet providing the highly desirable 
features discussed above.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
In the illustrative embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 
4 of the invention, a V-section cog belt generally designated 10 is 
provided for use in a drive system generally designated 11 having driving 
and driven pulleys 12 and 13 about which the belt is entrained in 
providing a driving connection therebetween. 
As seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, belt 10 includes a V-section cushion rubber body 
14 having longitudinally spaced inner cogs 15 defining an inner surface 
16. A fabric layer 17 covers inner surface 16. 
The belt body further defines an outer surface 18 which is provided with a 
covering fabric 19. A plurality of longitudinally extending tensile cords 
20 are provided in the belt body outwardly of the cogs and inwardly of the 
outer surface 18 for providing controlled longitudinal strength of the 
belt. 
The invention comprehends the provision in cogs 15 of elongate rigid metal 
reinforcement members 21 extending transversely across the cogs in 
outwardly spaced relationship to inner surface 16 so as to be effectively 
embedded in the cogs. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the reinforcement 
members comprise tubular members having an outer periphery 22 and an inner 
periphery 23. 
Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 3, a cog belt generally designated 24 
is shown to comprise a cog belt similar to cog belt 10 but wherein the 
reinforcement members 25 comprise solid cross section members in lieu of 
the hollow members 21 of belt 10. In all other respects, belt 24 is 
similar to belt 10. 
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the reinforcement members 21 or 25 of belts 10 or 
24 may extend fully across the width of the cog 15 so as to terminate in 
the side surfaces 26 and 27 of the belt. Alternatively, as illustrated in 
FIG. 5, in a modified form of the belt 10a or 24a, the reinforcement 
members 21a or 25a may have a length less than the width between the side 
surfaces of the belt so as to terminate in inwardly spaced relationship to 
the side surfaces, thereby avoiding engagement of the reinforcing members 
with the sidewalls of the pulley 12 or 13. In all other respects, the 
belts 10a and 24a are similar to the belts 10 and 24 discussed above. 
Referring now to FIGS. 6(a-e), the invention comprehends the provision of 
the reinforcing members in any one of a plurality of different 
cross-sectional configurations. Thus as seen in FIG. 6 relative to the 
tubular reinforcement members generally designated 21, such members may 
have a plurality of different outer peripheral configurations and inner 
peripheral configurations. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6a, one illustrative 
tubular reinforcement member 21a' may be provided with a circular outer 
peripheral surface 21a" and a circular inner surface 21a'". 
In FIG. 6b, the outer surface 21b" of the member 21b' is rectangular, and 
more specifically, is square, and the inner surface 21b'" is retangular, 
and more specifically, square. 
In FIG. 6c, the outer surface 21c" of member 21c' is triangular and the 
inner surface 21c'" has a different configuration from the outer surface, 
and more specifically, as illustrated, is round or circular. Thus, the 
embodiment of FIG. 6 illustrates the arrangement wherein the outer surface 
differs in configuration from the inner surface. 
As further illustrated in FIG. 6d, the outer surface 21d" of member 21d' 
may be polyhedral, and more specifically, as illustrated, is hexahedral. 
As shown, the inner surface 21d'" may be round. 
Another form of tubular member 21e' is illustrated in FIG. 6e as having a 
plurality of outwardly extending projections 21e" defining the outer 
surface thereof. In the embodiment 21e', the inner surface 21e'" is round. 
As further illustrated in FIGS. 7(a-e), the reinforcing members 25 having a 
solid cross section illustratively may comprise members having different 
outer surface configurations. Thus, reinforcing member 25' of FIG. 7a may 
be provided with a circular outer surface 25a". 
Reinforcing member 25b' in FIG. 7b may be provided with a rectangular, and 
more specifically, as illustrated, square outer surface 25b". The solid 
section reinforcing members may have any desirable polyhedral surface 
configuration, and as illustrated in FIG. 7c, reinforcement member 25c' is 
provided with a tetrahedral outer surface configuration 25c". 
Reinforcement member 25d in FIG. 7d is provided with a hexahedral outer 
surface 25d". Reinforcement member 25e' is provided with an outer surface 
defining a plurality of projections 25e". 
The different surface configurations illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 are 
exemplary. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, other suitable 
surface configurations may be employed within the scope of the invention 
as desired. 
Still another modified form of belt embodying the invention generally 
designated 28 is illustrated in FIG. 8 to comprise a belt generally 
similar to belt 10, but wherein the reinforcement members 29 comprise a 
plurality of spring plate members. As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of the 
spring plate members may be provided in each cog in parallel spaced 
relationship. 
The belt body may be formed of suitable power transmission belt material, 
such as natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, polychloroprene rubber, 
nitrile rubber, etc. The rubber body may be formed in the conventional 
manner utilizing an outer rubber layer 14a and an inner rubber layer 14b 
cooperatively embedding the tensile cords 20. As is further conventional, 
the rubber material of the body may comprise rubber blends, as desired. 
The outer covering fabric 19 preferably comprises a bias fabric 
illustratively formed of cotton warp and woof yarns. Further 
illustratively, the fabric 19 may comprise a wide angle fabric. The cover 
fabric may be laminated to the outer surface 18 of the rubber body in one 
or more layers, such as from one to three layers. 
The tensile cords may comprise conventional polyester, aliphatic polyamide, 
glass fiber, etc., cords having relatively high strength and low 
extensibility. 
In the illustrated embodiment, the fabric 17 comprises a fabric similar to 
fabric 19. Alternatively, fabric 17 may comprise an elastic woven fabric 
formed of wood, a fabric formed of crimped nylon warp and normal nylon 
weft yarns, etc. 
In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcing members are preferably 
formed of a strong metal. Illustratively, the metal may comprise a ferrous 
metal, such as iron or an iron alloy, such as steel, aluminum or an 
aluminum alloy. 
The reinforcing plates 29 of belt 28 are preferably formed of an elastic 
metal having a thickness in the range of approximately 0.15 to 2 mm., and 
a coefficient of elasticity of at least 15,000 kg/mm.sup.2. In the 
illustrated embodiment, the plurality of plates 29 in each cog may be 
provided in the form of a laminate with interposed layers of synthetic 
resin or may be embedded in spaced relationship in the rubber material of 
the belt body, as desired. Alternatively, the plates may be formed of 
synthetic resin. The pitch and configuration of the cogs may be varied as 
desired by the user. 
As discussed above, the reinforcing members provide improved lateral 
stability of the belt. The reinforcing members provide for absorption of 
impulsive stresses developed in the belt during driving operation. The 
reinforcing members resist dishing of the belt as may occur with 
conventional belt configurations so as to provide improved power 
transmission and effectively prevent permanent dish deformation as occurs 
in prior art belts. 
The use of the spring plates 29 resists the shearing forces developed by 
the loading of the belt during driving operation. The elasticity of the 
plates and the interposed rubber or synthetic resin layers causes the 
stresses to be dispersed in the cogs to provide improved stable 
transmission characteristics. It has been found that this belt 
construction transmits power with less belt volume while reducing the 
amount of floating of the belt caused by the centrifugal forces developed 
in high speed operation. 
Still further, by use of reinforcing members having high thermal 
conductivity as discussed above, heat developed within a belt during the 
drive operation is readily transmitted to the ambient atmosphere, thereby 
substantially improving the belt life. 
The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of the 
broad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.