PULLEY BELT KIT AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract: A relatively inexpensive pulley belt kit (20) for emergency repair of pulley systems in which pulley belt failure has occured is provided which facilitates fast replacement of defective pulley belts regardless of the length of the damaged belt. A method of installation is also provided which is sufficiently easy that most motorists, without training or the need for special tools other than those inexpensive tools provided with the kit, can safely complete emergency replacement of probably any one of the various pulley belts in their motor vehicles thereby eliminating the need to carry in their vehicle a variety of sizes of endless-type pulley belts. The kit preferably contains a 5 ft (1.5 m) length of nominal 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) reinforced rubberized V-belt stock (24), a screw awl (30) for making an incision in the belt stock, a belt vise (32), a linking means (34) and locking means (36), and a safety razor (26). Preferably the kit also contains a quick-setting adhesive (28) preferably a cyanoacrylate. Preferably the linking means (34) and locking means (36) are injection molded from high tensile strength polycarbonate plastic. Preferably the linking means (34) and locking means (36) are injection molded from high tensile strength nylon-type plastic. In an alternative embodiment the linking and locking means are constructed of metal.

Description: PULLEY BELT KIT AND METHOD OF USE Background of the Invention Today's motor vehicles, because of power assisted mechanisms, air conditioners, and a variety of other convenience devices, as well as general mechanical improvements, employ a variety of pulley systems and hence pulley belts most of which are needed for safe operation of such vehicles. Breakage of belt can render the vehicles inoperable and/or unsafe for use until the damaged belt is replaced. Continual use of a vehicle with a broken or severely damaged pulley belt can also cause serious damage to the engine and other parts. For motorists to carry spare belts for every pulley system in their vehicles would be expensive. Storage of numerous belts in the vehicle's trunk or elsewhere in the vehicle could result in damage to the belts unless special care is taken to prevent contact with heavy, sharp and abrasive objects. Furthermore, installation of endless-type pulley belts is frequeαtly very difficult and requires not only the exact replacement belt but a number of expensive tools and frequently special training in order to properly install a belt so that it is not only operational but safe. Still further, installation by an untrained person can result in a number of hand and arm injuries. Thus there is a need for a pulley belt kit which can be used to make emergency and/or permanent repairs to a variety of pulley systems without the need for an inventory of each size of endless belt, expensive cools, and special training. This invention addresses such a need as will be further explained. This invention in part provides a kit for the repair of a pulley system in which a pulley belt failure has occurred, and a method of installing a replacement belt which is considerably easier than the installation of endless-type pulley belts. In particular, this invention provides a kit having a surplus length of pulley belt stock which can be cut to 5 the desired length, then placed around the pulley system, and the ends quickly and easily fastened together. One known method joining the ends of a V-belt together is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,363,043. This method uses a steel U-type bolt which 10 is put through holes in the end of the V-belt and then secured thereto with a steel retainer, washers, and nuts. The rigidity of the U-bolt is compensated for by spherical shaped balls mounted midway on each arm of the U-bolt to provide an allegedly pivot point along 15 the pitch line of the V-belt. Unfortunately that design has several disadvantages, the first of which is that the design removes appreciable material from the V-belt to provide holes large enough to accommodate the spherical elements on the U-bolt thereby weakening the 20 belt adjacent the holes. Furthermore, the steel retainer, washer and nuts are not seen to be that easy to install in an emergency situation. Also the pivot points doubtlessly will cause wear in the holes which, it is believed, will cause belt loosening and eventual 2. early belt failure. This invention, however, provides a solution to such problems and at the same time is relatively easy to use and inexpensive to make including all the tools necessary to form and install replacement pulley belts on a variety of pulley 30 systems, Summary of the Invention This invention provides a kit that can be used for the fast and easy replacement of a damaged pulley belt. The kit is particularly useful for on-the-spot replacement of broken pulley belts in an automobile or any other motor vehicle. The kit can be used to repair any size pulley belt that is usually found on a motor vehicle regardless of the length or thickness of the belt. The kit contains all of the necessary tools for replacing a belt except for a wrench for loosening and tightening the adjustable pulley in the system. The kit has another advantage in that it .is relatively inexpensive to make when mass produced such as by using plastic injection molding techniques as will be further described. Accordingly, there is provided by this invention a pulley belt assembly and installation kit comprising a length of pulley belt stock having two ends and outward and inward surfaces and opposite pulley engaging surfaces and having a trapezoidal cross section; puncturing means for making an incision perpendicular to the length of the pulley belt stock and completely through the stock from the outward surface to the inward surface ' thereof at a point a predetermined distance from the end of the pulley belt stock; adhesive for bonding the ends of the pulley belt together; holding means for holding the ends of the pulley belt in substantial alignment while the ends are bonded together by the adhesive; linking means have a base element spaced between two arm elements which are operable for insertion from the inward surface of the pulley belt through incisions made by the puncturing means, the arm elements being long enough to traverse completely through the pulley belt stock and extend beyond the outward surface thereof a predesigned distance; and locking means for locking, when the linking means is inserted in incisions made by the puncturing means in the pulley belt stock, that part of each of the arm elements which extends beyond the outward surface of the stock, to the locking means in such a manner that the arm elements are locked to the locking means at a point adjacent the outward surface of the pulley belt stock, and further in such a manner that the ends of the pulley belt are securely fastened together by the combination of adhesive bonding of the ends together and the locking of the locking means to the linking means. In one embodiment' the arm elements of the locking means comprise a plurality of serrations or teeth which are operable to permit the locking means to be slipped over the arm elements and advanced towards the base elements while simultaneously being operable to prevent the locking means from being moved in a direction away from the base element after the locking means is slipped over the arm elements. In a further embodiment the locking means has two holes which contain internal serrations or teeth which are adopted to receive and lock onto the external serration or teeth in the arm elements in such a manner that the locking means can be slid on the arm elements and advanced towards the base element while preventing movement in the reverse direction. In other words, once the locking means is installed on the arm elements of the linking means it cannot be removed therefrom without destruction of one or both of the parts. In a further embodiment, the kit also comprises a cutting means. In still another embodiment the kit contains an instruction card for advising the reader on the use of the kit. In a further embodiment the components of the kit are mounted on the card by a clear plastic wrap. In a preferred embodiment the clear plastic wrap is shrunk fitted to the instruction card thereby securing the various components of the kit to the card. In another embodiment the linking and locking means are resilient and flexible. In one embodiment the linking and locking means are formed from a plastic, preferably a thermoplastic. In one embodiment the plastic has a tensile strength of at least about 7000 psi (490 kg/sq. cm), a modulus of elasticity in tension of at least about 180,000 psi (13,000 kg/sq. cm); and an impact strength (Izod notched) of at least about 0.6 ft-lb/in (3.3 m-kg/m) . In another embodiment the plastic has an ultimate elongation between about 45 and about 300%. In a further embodiment the plastic has a flexural strength of at least about 11,000 psi (770 kg/sq. cm), a compressive strength of at least about 7,000 psi (490 kg/sq. cm), and a modulus of elasticity in flex of at least about 410,000 psi (29,000 kg/sq. cm). In one embodiment the plastic is a poiyamide, and preferably a nylon having the structure - NH - (CH 2 ) 6 -NH In an especially preferred embodiment the plastic is a nylon resin-type M39R Zytel or nylon 66 brand by E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company. In another embodiment the linking and locking means are formed from a high impact strength plastic. In yet another embodiment the linking and locking means are produced by a process comprising injection molding. In one embodiment the adhesive is quick-setting adhesive. In one embodiment the adhesive will set within a period of time no greater than about three minutes. In still another embodiment the adhesive comprises a cyanoacrylate or similar fast setting strong bonding adhesives. In a still further embodiment the adhesive is contained In a plastic or soft metal ampule which can be easily cut to extrude therefrom the adhesive. In one embodiment the puncturing means has a V--"shaped surface operable for holding the pulley belt stock in a fixed relationship thereto while making an incision into the pulley belt stock. In still another embodiment the puncturing means contains a stop plate 5 which prevents the end of the pulley- belt from being inserted into the means more than a predetermined amount thereby enabling an incision to be made in the belt stock at a predetermined distance from the end of the belt stock. In a further embodiment the 10 predetermined distance is substantially equal to 1/2 of the distance between the center lines of the arm elements of the linking means thereby enabling the incision to be made in the ends of the belt stock so that when the ends are abutted the incisions will be 15 spaced apart a distance which is substantially equal to the distance between the center lines of the arm elemen . In another embodiment, the puncturing means has a frame subassembly and a puncturing subassembly, wherein 2.0 the frame subassembly has a V-shaped channel for holding pulley belt stock in predetermined orientation, a stop plate for abutting the end of the belt stock against it, and a nut, wherein the puncturing subassembly has a screw which is threaded into the nut, 25 a pin fixed to the inward end of the screw and an axial alignment therewith for making an incision into belt stock, and a handle fixed to the outward end of the screw for facilitating turning the screw for advancing the pin Into belt stock placed in the V-shaped channel. 0 In a further embodiment the holding means and the puncturing means, except for the pin, are plastic. In a still further embodiment the puncturing means and the holding means are produced, at least in a major part, by a process comprising injection molding. Preferably 3 such means are produced, except for the pin, completely from high impact strength injected molded plastic. In one embodiment the plastic has a tensile strength of at least about 7000 psi (490 kg/sq. cm), a modulus of elasticity in tension of at least about 290,000 psi (20,000 kg/sq. cm), and an impact strength (Izod notched) of at least about 8 ft-lb/in (43 m-kg/m) . In another embodiment the plastic has a modulus of elasticity in flex of at least about 350,000 psi (25,000 kg/sq. cm), a flexural strength of at least about 11,000 psi (770 kg/sq. cm), a compression strength (0.1 % offset) of at least about 11,000 psi (770 kg/sq. cm), and an elongation between about 20 and about 100%. In one embodiment the plastic is selected from the group consisting of polycarbonates, poly- sulfonates, polyethylenes , polypropylenes , acryloni- trile-butadiene-s yrenes (ABS), polyetherimides, and the like. In one embodiment the polycarbonates have the structure where R comprises an aliphatic or aryl group. A pre¬ ferred polycarbonate, derived from bisphenol A and diphenyl carbonate, has the structure In another embodiment the plastic is an alloy of poly- carbonate and ABS. In another embodiment the polysulfonates have the structure -J a It is to be understood that the "n" is an integer in the various structures mentioned herein. In one embodiment the incisions made in the belt stock are made without removing any substantial amount, if any, material from the belt stock by merely compacting the belt stock away from the axis of the incision, as by puncturing the stock with a nail, wherein a very slight and insignificant amount of stock might be pushed out with the emerging nail. By not removing a significant amount or no material from the belt stock when making the incisions or holes therein, the belt stock is stronger than where material is cut away to form such holes as occurs in drilling or punching in which a substantial core of belt stock is removed to form such holes. By not removing belt stock when making the incisions, the inserted arm elements. of the linking means are tightly gripped by the belt stock throughout its height. Furthermore by using resilient and flexible plastic linking and locking means a tight joint is formed, which in combination with not removing belt stock at such incisions, will result in a joint, which structurally more closely resemble the belt stock itself. There is also provided a fastener comprising a U-shaped member and a flat member. The U-shaped member has two arm elements separated by and fixed to a base element. The arm elements are substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular to the base element. The arm elements are spaced apart a predetermined distance and each arm element has a plurality of ex¬ ternal teeth. The flat member has two holes completely through the thickness thereof and which are spaced apart a distance which is subs antially equal to the predetermined distance that the arm elements are separated. The holes in the flat member have a plural- iς.y of internal teeth. The external teeth of the arm elements and the internal teeth in the two holes of the flat member permit sliding movement of the arm elements through such holes in a direction which advances the flat member towards the base element; however, the teeth prevent movement of the arm elements in the holes in the opposite direction, that is a direction in which the flat member moves away from the base element. There is also provided by this invention a method of installing a pulley belt on a pulley system. In most pulley systems, particularly pulley systems on motor vehicles, at least one of the pulleys is adjustable to facilitate installing endless-type pulley belts. Where the system has an adjustable pulley, after the correct length of pulley belt stock has been determined and the incisions made near the ends of the belt stock as described above, the adjustable pulley is adjusted to its innermost position, the adhesive is applied to the belt stock ends, the belt is looped over the pulleys, and the ends aligned and pressed together and held together with a suitable holding means until the ends are firmly bonded together. A linking means is then inserted through the incisions and a locking means is slid over the arm elements of the linking means and advanced in the direction of the base element of the linking means until the base element is pressed tightly against the inward surface of the belt stock and the locking means is pressed -ightly against the outward surface of the belt stock. In a further embodiment the making of the incisions in the belt stock is by compacting the belt stock away from the center line of the incision point without any sub¬ stantial or no removal of belt stock. Excess arm element material then can be clipped off, and the adjustable pulley moved outwardly to provide the desired belt tightness. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a view of a kit in a preferred packaging arrangement. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a screw awl used for making incisions in a pulley belt. Fig. 3 is a view of one end of the pulley belt inserted into a screw awl. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a belt vise used for holding ends of a pulley belt together. Fig. 5 is' an end view of the belt vise on Fig. 4, showing a pulley belt in cross section. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a plastic link and plastic lock used for coupling ends of pulley belts together. Fig. 7 is a view of a two pulley system, as viewed perpendicular to the axes of the pulleys, showing the belt vise of Fig. 4 holding together the ends of a pulley belt which has been installed on the pulleys. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of two ends of a pulley belt connected together with the plastic link and plastic lock shown in elevation. Fig. 9 is a view taken through line 9-9 of Fig. 6 showing details of internal teeth. Fig. 10 is an alternate embodiment of member 36 with internal teeth which are segmented. Fig. 11 is a view taken through line 11-11 of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion of an arm element of an alternative embodiment having segmented teeth. Fig. 13 is an end view of the arm element of Fig. 12. Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown pulley belt assembly kit 20 conveniently vacuum sealed in clear plastic on instruction card' 22 which contains a supply of pulley belt stock 24, safety razor blade 26, ampule of rapid setting adhesive 28, screw awl 30, belt vise 32, plastic link 34, and plastic lock 36. Replacement of a damaged pulley belt on a motor vehicle will be described as an example. The damaged pulley belt is removed and if its length can be determined an equal length of pulley belt stock is cut from belt supply 24 using razor 26. Care should be taken to cleanly and smoothly cut the belt stock perpendicular to its stretched out length. If the required length of pulley belt cannot be determined accurately from the damaged pulley belt, then the proper length can be determined by stretching belt stock 24 over the pulley system and marking the length required on the belt stock at the point at which the free end thereof overlaps the stock. After the pulley belt is cut to its proper length, the ends of the belt are inserted into screw awl 30 as shown In Figs. 2 and 3 until the end of stock is flush against stop 38. Awl 30 has a V-shaped channel 40 for holding stock and preventing rotation or movement thereof during sub¬ sequent puncturing of the stock. Awl 30 also has steel pin 42 fixed to screw 44 the other end of which is fixed to handle 46. Nut 48 fixed to the main body of awl 30 serves to precisely orient the incision point in the end of pulley belt stock 50. When an incision has been made in each end of the belt stock, razor 26 is used to cut adhesive ampule 28 and a drop or two of adhesive is applied to each end face of the cut and punctured belt stock. The stock is then installed over pulley system 52a and 52b as shown ia Fig. 7 and the ends containing the adhesive aligned and pressed together and held together in precise alignment by belt vise 32. As seen in Figs. 4 and 5, belt vise 32 has slanted side 54, screw 56a spaced between face member 58a and handle 60a. Nut 62a is fixed to the main frame of vise 32. Vise 32 also has a second clamping subassembly provided by screw 56b, face member 58b, handle 60b, nut 62b and slanted side 54. The ends of the belt stock are positioned midway between screw face members 58a and 58b, as shown by dotted line 64, and held in place by turning handles 60a and 60b to advance face members 58a and 58b against the belt stock which is then forced against slanted side 54. After bonding of the belt ends together, plastic link 34, which has arm elements 66a and 66b separate by integrally constructed base element 68 as shown in Fig. 6, is inserted through the incisions in pulley belt from inward surface 70 thereof, through the belt stock until base element 68 is adjacent inward surface 70. Arm elements 66a and 66b are long enough to- extend completely through the belt stock with an excess protruding from outward surface 72 as shown in Fig. 8. Plastic lock 36 has two holes 74 which permit it to be slid on to arm elements 66a and 66b in the direction of base 68. Arm elements 66a and 66b and holes 74 have a plurality of serrations or teeth 76, as shown in enlarged detail in Fig. 9, which permit lock 36 to slide on the arm elements only in the direction of base 68, as shown by arrow 77, but which serrations or teeth prevent lock 36 from being moved or pulled away from base 36. Lock 36 and base 68 are squeezed together as tightly as possible without unduely compressing the belt stock. Excess arm element material 78 is then cut off using razor 36. The pulley belt is then tightened on the pulley system by moving adjustable pulley 52b In direction shown by arrow 80 in Fig. 7. Preferably the plastic link and lock are con¬ structed from a nylon-type plastic having a tensile strength of at least about 10,000 pel (700 kg/sq. cm), a modulus of elasticity in tension of at least about 200,000 psi (14,000 kg/sq. cm), and an impact strength (Izod notched) of at least about 1.0 ft-lb/in (5.4 m-kg/m). In one preferred embodiment the plastic link and lock are made from a nylon resin type M39R Zytel by E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company. In a preferred embodiment as shown in Fig. 6, arm elements 66a and 66b have a root diameter, as shown by arrow 82, of about 0.06 inch (1.5 mm) and have a plurality of teeth 76 which protrude from the root diameter about 0.01 inch (0.25 mm). ' Preferably the teeth are spaced apart about 0.05 inch (1.3 mm) and there are at least about 10 teeth on each arm element. Preferably the overall length of each arm element is about 1.1 inches (27 mm). Preferably the axis of the arm elements are spaced apart about 1 inch (25 mm). Preferably base element 68 is flat like a strap and has a length which is long enough to be securely attached to the base of arm elements 66a and 66b. In the pre- ferred embodiment shown in Fig. 6, this length is about 1.1 inches (27 mm). Preferably the width of base element 68 is about 0.22 inch (5.5 mm) and the thick¬ ness about 0.06 inch (1.5 mm). As shown in Fig. 9, preferably holes 74, in plastic lock 36, have three or more internal teeth 84 which correspond to the external teeth of the arm elements and which internal teeth are spaced axially apart the same distance as the external teeth of the arm elements so that when the arm elements are inserted through the two holes there will be at least three sets of teeth which are abutted together for each hole and arm element. In order for the plastic lock to have maximum flexibility, preferably the thickness of the central portion of the locking means is less than that surrounding the holes. For example, the plastic lock shown in Fig. 6 has a thick¬ ness in the central portion thereof of about 0.04 inch (1 mm) while at the end portions thereof, the thickness is about 0.12 inch (3 mm) or enough to permit three sets of internal teeth to be provided in each hole 74. Preferably the length of each end portion of plastic lock 36 is about 0.25 inch (6.4 mm) while the overall length of plastic lock 36 is about 1.25 inches (32 mm). Preferably the width of plastic lock 36 is about 0.25 inch (6.4 mm). By having the central portion of the plastic lock only as thick as necessary for strength in tension and by selecting the plastic material so that such thickness is thin enough to permit flexing, with¬ out breaking, a flexible linking means is provided which allows the belt joint to perform like that of an endless belt. Regardless of the number of teeth 84 in holes 74, the diameter of holes 74 should be just slightly larger than the root diameter of the arm element but smaller than the largest external diameter of external teeth 76 on arm elements 66a and 66b. In the embodiments shown In Fig. 6 the root diameter of holes 74 is about 0.002 inch (0.05 mm) larger than the root diameter of the arm elements. Preferably, the smallest internal diameter of the internal teeth in holes 74 is slightly smaller than the root diameter of the arm elements. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the smallest internal diameter of the internal teeth is about 0.002 inch (0.05 mm) smaller than the root diameter of the arm elements. Preferably the external teeth of the arm elements are frusto-conical axially spaced sections wherein the larger diameter or base of such sections face the base section of the plastic link. Preferably, the internal teeth of holes 74 have (i) flat surfaces which are perpendicular to the axis of the holes and abut corres¬ ponding flat surfaces of the arm elements which are perpendicular to the axis thereof and formed by the bases of the frusto-conical sections thereof, and (ii) conical sections which serves as ramps for the corres- ponding conical surfaces of the arm elements. In one embodiment as shown in Fig. 6, the external teeth run completely around the circumference of the arm elements. In one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, the internal teeth run completely around the circumfer- ence of the holes in the plastic lock. In another embodiment, as shown in Figs. 10 to 13, the external and/or internal teeth are segmented. In one embodiment, as shown in Figs 10 to 13, the teeth are segmented so that each tooth comprises two parts which are spaced circumferentially apart and diametrically opposed. For example, each tooth on the arm elements can consist of a first part 94a which is on one side of the arm element and a corresponding second part 94b which is spaced 180° from the first part as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. Similarly, each tooth in holes 74 of plastic lock 36 can consist of one part 96a and a second part 96b separated from the first part and circumferentially spaced 180° from the first part as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. When segmented teeth are used on both the arm elements and the holes in the plastic lock, the parts of the external teeth on the arm elements should be positioned so that they will abut and be in register with the parts of the internal teeth in the holes of the plastic lock. The use of segmented teeth permits larger teeth to be used since the parts thereof can be compressed more easily when arm elements are inserted into the holes of the plastic lock. The degree of segmentation can be varied and instead of two parts to each tooth there can be three or four parts or more all of which preferably are equally spaced apart from neighboring parts. Of course the advantage of segmenting decreases as the space between neighboring parts decreases either from more parts or greater circumference width of parts. Preferably the screw awl and belt vise are made from an injection mold plastic having a tensile strength of at least about 9000 psi (630 kg/sq. cm), a modulus of elasticity in tension of at least about 300,000 psi (21,000 kg/sq. cm) and an impact strength (Izod notched) of at least about 12 ft-lb/in (65 m-kg/m) . In one embodiment the screw awl and belt vise are made from a high strength 'Inj ection mold polycarbonate. In one embodiment the body of the screw awl and the belt vise are made from an acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene-polycarbonate resin, while the vise handle and screw awl handles, as seen in Figs 3 and 4, elements 46, 60a and 60b, are made from bispheαol polycarbonate, such as Merlon brand polycarbonate resins by Mobay Chemical Company. In a preferred embodiment pin 42 is made of steel having a square barbed cross section approximately 0.3 cm by 0.3 cm. The square cross section and barbing prevent rotation and slippage of pin 42 relative to threaded element 44. Preferably the thread size of screw awl elements 44 and 48 and belt vise elements 56a, 56b, 62a and 62b is 5/16 inch (0.794 cm) diameter, 18 threads per inch (7.09 threads/cm). In one embodiment the pulley belt supply is a 5 ft (1.5 m) length of nominal 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) Aramid brand fiber rubber automotive V-belt stock. In one embodiment the linking and locking means are constructed of metal. For example, link 34 and lock 36 can be made of steel or aluminum as well as plastic. If steel is used, spring steel is preferred. In still another embodiment the kit does not contain an adhesive. In this embodiment the linking and locking means are operable to hold the ends of the pulley belt stock together without the aid of an adhesive between the abutting end faces of the belt stock. It is to be understood that the present disclosure and embodiment of this invention described herein are for purposes of illustration and example and that modifications and improvements may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the claims. The claims, therefore, are to be accorded a range of equivalents commensurate In scope with the advances made over the art.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A pulley belt installation kit comprising: a length of pulley belt having two ends and outward and inward surfaces; puncturing means for making an incision perpendicular to said length of pulley belt and completely therethrough from said outward surface to said inward surface at a point a predetermined distance from said end of said pulley belt; adhesive for bonding said ends of said pulley belt together; holding means for holding said ends of said pulley belt in substantial alignment while said ends are bonded together with said adhesive; linking means having a base element spaced between two arm elements which are operable for insertion from said inward surface of said pulley belt through incisions made by said puncturing means, said arm elements being long enough to ' traverse completely through said pulley belt and extend beyond said outward surface a predesigned distance; and locking means for locking, when said arm elements of said linking means are inserted in incisions made by said puncturing means in said pulley belt, that part of each said arm elements which extends beyond said outward surface, to said linking means in such a manner that said arm elements are locked to said locking means at a point adjacent said outward surface, and further in such a manner that said ends of said pulley belt are securely fastened together by the combination of adhesive bonding of said ends together and the locking of said locking means to said linking means. 2-. The kit of claim 1 , wherein said arm elements comprise a plurality of teeth which are operable to permit said locking means to be slipped over said arm elements and advanced towards said base element while simultaneously being operable to prevent said locking means from being moved in a direction away from said base element after said locking means is slipped over said arm elements. 3. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a cutting means for cutting said pulley belt. 4. The kit of claim 3, further comprising an instruction card for instructing how to use said kit and for mounting components comprising said length of pulley belt, said puncturing means, said adhesive, said holding means, said linking means, said locking means, and said cutting means thereon; and clear plastic wrap for sealing said components to said instruction card. 5. The kit of claim 1, wherein said linking means and said locking means are resilient and flexible. 6. The kit of claim 1, wherein said linking means and said locking means are formed from a plastic. 7. The kit of claim 6, wherein said plastic is a nylon type plastic. 8. The kit of claim 6, wherein said linking means and said locking means are produced by a process comprising injection molding. 9. The kit of claim 1, wherein said adhesive is quick-setting. 10. The kit of claim 1, wherein said adhesive comprises cyanoacrylate. 11. The kit of claim 1, further comprising an ampule containing said adhesive. 12. The kit of claim 1, wherein said puncturing means comprises a V-shaped surface which is operable for holding said pulley belt in a predetermined fixed relationship to said V-shaped surface when using said puncturing means for making an incision in said pulley belt. 13. The kit of claim 1, wherein said puncturing means comprises frame subassembly and a puncturing subassembly, wherein said frame subassembly has a V-shaped channel for holding a pulley belt in predetermined orientation, a stop plate for abutting the end of a pulley belt there against, and a nut fixed to said frame subassembly, and wherein said puncturing subassembly has a screw which is threaded into said nut, a pin fixed to the inward end of said screw and in axial alignment therewith for making an incision into a pulley belt stock, and a handle fixed to the outward end of said screw for advancing the pin into pulley belt stock placed in said V-shaped channel. 14. The kit of * claim 13, where said holding means and said puncturing means, except for said pin, are plastic. 15. The kit of claim 13, wherein said puncturing means and said holding means are produced at least in a major part, by a process comprising injection molding. 16. The kit of claim 1, wherein said predetermined distance is from about 1 to about 2 centimeters. 17. The kit of claim 1, wherein said puncturing means forms an incision no larger than about 0.1 centimeters in diameter by compacting the belt stock away from the axis of such incision. 18. The kit of claim 1, wherein said arm elements have a plurality of external serrations, and said locking means has two holes which contain internal serrations adapted to receive said external serrations, said external and internal serrations being operable to permit said locking means to be advanced along said arm elements in the direction of said base element of said locking means, and simultaneously being operable to prevent said locking means from being moved in a direction away from said base element. 19. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a safety razor blade. 20. The kit of claim 1, wherein at least a major part of said puncturing means and said holding means are constructed from a plastic selected from the group consisting of polycarbonates, polysulfonates , poly ' ethylenes , polypropylenes , acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrenes , polyetherimides, and mixtures thereof. 21. A fastener comprising a U-shaped member, and a flat member, wherein said U-shaped member has two arm elements separated by and fixed to a base element, said arm elements being substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular to said base element, said arm elements being spaced apart a predetermined distance, each of said arm elements having a plurality of external teeth, said flat member having two holes completely through the thickness thereof and spaced apart a distance which is substantially equal to said pre¬ determined distance, said holes having a plurality of internal teeth, said external teeth and said internal teeth being operable to permit movement of said arm elements through said holes so that said flat member advances towards said base element and simultaneously operable to prevent movement of said arm elements through said holes so that said flat member moves away from said base element. 22. A method of installing a pulley belt having two ends and outward and inward surfaces, over a 5 plurality of pulleys at least one of which is adjustable for tightening or loosening a pulley belt thereon comprising: (a) cutting an excess length of * pulley belt to a predetermined length so that said ends thereof are 10 perpendicular to said length of pulley belt; (b) making incisions in said pulley belt perpendicular to said predetermined length of said pulley belt at a predetermined distance from each end thereof; said incisions being completely • 3 through said pulley belt from said outward surface thereof to said inward surface thereof; (c) loosening said adjustable pulley; (d) applying an adhesive, operable for bonding said ends of said pulley belt together, to said 0 ends of said pulley belt; (e) placing said predetermined length of pulley belt over said plurality of pulleys; (f) aligning said ends, after applying said adhesive thereto and after placing said pulley 5 belt over said plurality of pulleys, with each other and holding said aligned ends together for a period of time operable for said adhesive to bond said aligned ends together; (g) inserting arm elements separated by a base 0 element of a linking means into said incisions from said inward surface of said pulley belt through said pulley belt so that said base element is adjacent said inward surface and so that a part of each of said arm elements extend outwardly from 3 said outward surface; and 23 (h) locking a locking means on each of said arm elements at a point thereon adjacent said outward surface thereby securely fastening said ends together by the combination of said adhesive bonding of said ends together and said locking of said locking means to said arm elements of said linking means. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein said making of said incision in step (b) does not remove any more than a very small amount of material from said pulley belt. 24. The method of claim 22, wherein said making of said incision in step (b) is by compacting the pulley belt stock away from said incision. 25. The method of claim 22, wherein said incision forms a hole no larger than about 0.1 centimeters in diameter. 26. The method claim 22, further comprising adjusting said adjustable pulley to tighten said pulley belt on said plurality of pulleys. 27. The fastener of claim 21, wherein said internal teeth and said external teeth are segmented into circumferentially spaced parts. 28. The fastener of claim 21, wherein said internal teeth and said external teeth extend completely around the circumference of said arm elements and said holes respectively.

Inventors: RADEMACHER JAMES JOSEPH, RADEMACHER, JAMES, JOSEPH
Applicants: BELT REPAIR KITS INC, BELT REPAIR KITS, INC.
Application year: 1985
Main classification: B32B7
IPC codes: B29C65, F16G3, F16G7