Improvements in the Manufacture of Driving Belts or Flat Bands and in the Means or Apparatus Employed.
Year: 1885

page_text: The decision of the Comptroller-General, of the, 31st day of October 1893
allowed, under Section 18 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883, an Amendment
of this Specification.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Driving Belts or Flat Bands
and in the Means or Apparatus Employed.
1 ROBERT DICK, of the firm of R. & J. Dick of Greenhead Glasgow
Lanarkshire Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my Invention to be as
follows-
The object of my Invention is to produce driving belts or flat bands of great
tensile strength and gripping power.
This object I attain by forining composite belts or flat bands from hard or strong
woven cotton fabrics by treating the fabric in the web with gutta percha solution
and folding the fabric if necessary to form the requisite breadth and the requisite
number of plies of cloth with or without the addition of a layer or layers of gutta
percha or gutta-percha compounds which would give the whole greater flexability
and gripping power. I apply the gutta percha solution to the fabrics by brushing
or otherwise while it is slowly traversed in a continuous length over a table and
I ensure the thorough penetration of the solution into the pores of the fabric by
causing the fabric to travel in front of a fire or other source of heat which has the
effect of driving this adhesive solution of gutta percha into the fibres and interstices
of the cloth. The fabric is thence carried over a series of spiked rollers for a
considerable length to give ample time for the evaporation of the solvents and
drying of the gutta percha solution before being finally wound into a roll on a reel
or beam. The cloth is afterwards unwound and submitted to the same operation
of brushing and coating on the reverse side and is then subjected to the rays of the
fire, and after passing over the series of rollers is wound again into a roll ready for
the next operation. In passing to and from the fire, the fabric is carried through
a flame trap which may consist of a shallow box of sheet iron with a slit at each
end large enough merely to permit the free passage through it of the fabric, the
object being to prevent the extension to the main body of the fabric of the
flame in the event of the solution catching fire where exposed to the heating
process.
The belts or flat bands may be formed from the fabric so treated with gutta
percha solution by passing the fabric through a heating chamber to soften it and
cutting or folding it to the requisite breadth and thickness, and passing it while the
solution is soft through pressing rolls. I prefer however by these jipprovements

page_text: to forin the belts or flat bands of alternating layers of "solutionised" cloth and
gutta percha or gutta percha compounds. I cut the fabric longitudinally into
strips of the breadth or of two three or greater number of times the breadth of
belt required and fold them to the desired breadth. In general I find it advan-
tageous to employ these flat bands made up of-double plies of "solutionised "clotb.
I fold the fabric by passing it through an orifice across the middle of which is
fitted a pin or tooth which evenly divides the fabric so that it is delivered to a
pair of said rolls with the edges of the fabric forming a seam or joint in the centre
of the width or band. I afterwards traverse this band so formed through a heated
chamber to soften the solution and in front of the chamber I fit a series of one two
or more pairs of compressing rolls preferably finely corrugated with annular sharp
ridges and grooves upon a suitable framing. As the band so far formed emerges
from the heating chamber it is carried through between the rolls while an
attendant lays gutta percha or said gutta percha compound in a heated or soft
state on the surface of the band. In passing through the rolls the gutta percha is
pressed out in a thin layer adhering to the fabric, and after trimming the edges by
removing superfluous gutta percha the composite band so formed is then ready for
use as light belting.
In forming belts of great strength two or more composite flat bands so formed
are united together by passing them through the heating chamber to soften the
solution on one side of the band and the layer of gutta percha compound on the
other side, and the bands are guided into and through the rolls which by pressing
the gutta percha of the one band in contact with the solutionised fabric of the
other cause the bands to adhere firmly and form a single strong helt of two or
more plies. The composite belts so produced have a surface of the gutta percha
compound on one side and a surface of solutionised fabric on the other, either of
which may serve as the driving surface. In cases where the surface of gutta
percha is not desired, I combine together a composite belt of one or more plies, and
a "solutionised" belt by passing them through the heating chamber and through
the pressing rolls. Solutionised belts and composite belts formed in the manner
described are I find highly superior in tensile strength and in gripping power to
cotton or rubber cloth belting, the warp and weft of the cotton or other fabric
employed being bound together by thoroughly impregnating the fabric with the
gutta percha solution, and the heating of the belts by friction when in use having
the effect of slightly softening the solution or the gutta percha so that a fast grip
of the driving pulley is obtained.
Instead of forming the solutionised belts by treating cutting and folding the
woven fabric, I may forin such belts from ordinary sewn cotton belts by impreg-
nating such belts with gutta percha solution and I may form composite belts
therefrom by superadding a layer or layers of gutta percha in the manner before
described.
The gutta percha or gutta percha compound employed in the manufacture of
these belts or flat bands should be of a flexible and elastic character such as the
mixture of gutta percha with "Balata" which is the gum of the "Bullet" tree or
other equivalent which would give the soft flexible and slightly elastic character
desired. The object of introducing the layers of gutta percha compound between
the layers of fabric in the belts or flat bands being to give them flexability and
gripping power which cannot well be obtained by the mere use of layers of gutta
percha or gutta percha solution with the cotton cloth.
DL:
1
2000

page_text: Inprovements in the Manufacture of Driving Belts or Flat Bands
and in the Means or Apparatus Employed.
I, ROBERT DICK, of the firm of Robert an 1 James Dick, of Greenhead, Glasgow,
Lanarkshire, Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement in writing, reference being had to
the accompanying Sheets of Drawings and to the reference letters and figures
marked thereon, that is to say :-
The object of my invention is to produce driving belts or flat bands of great
tensile strength and gripping power.
---
And in o der that the nature an 1 novelty of my said invention, and the manner
of performing the same may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended
two Sheets of explanatory Drawings, in which the same reference letters indicate
equivalent parts in all the Figures where shown. Figure 1 on Sheet 1 shows a
sectional elevation, and Figure 2 a plan or horizontal section taken on the irregular
line 11 in Figure 1, of the uachine, or arrangement of mechanisın, for coating
the canvas A in web with gutta-percha solution, first on one side, and then on the
other, while passing it through the machine at two different operations for making
the belts out of such prepared webs, with a great part of the machine shown as
broken away at 2 - - - 2 and 3 - 3 to enable it to be shown in the Drawings.
Figures 3 and 4 on Sheet 2 show a side elevation and corresponding plan, both
parily in section, at the heating box and fire, while a part of the length of the
imachine is shown as broken away at 4---4, to enable it to be shown in the
Drawings; all for bending or folding the belts out of the various thicknesses of
the canvas as prepared from the first machine shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Figures 5 and 6 show a transverse section and an end elevation respectively,
to a large scale, of the front part of the machine shown in Figures 3 and 4, for
folding and rolling and pressing the canvas into the width and thickness of belt
desired. While Figures 7, 8, and 9 are an end and a side sectional elevation and
plan respectively, of a machine for cutting the webs of canvas and gutta-percha, as
prepared in the machine shown in Sheet 1, into strips of the proper width for
being folded and pressed into the thickness and width of the belts required, while
passing through the arrangement of mechanisin shown in Figures 3 to 6 of Sheet 2
of the Drawings.
Referring to these Drawings, my invention consists in forming composite belts
or flat bands from canvas or strong woven cotton fabrics by treating the fabric in
the web with gutta percha solution while passing through the machine shown in
Figures 1 and 2, and then in folding the fabric into the required breadth, and the
requisite number of plies or thicknesses with or without the addition of a layer or
layers of gutta percha or gutta percha compounds, preferably between each alternate
layer of the canvas, and on one side of the complete belt, which would give the
whole greater flexibility and gripping power, as indicated in Figures A 2 to A 5.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the fabric A is first rolled on a beam B mounted in
bearing brackets B1 in the front part of the framing B of the machine, and led
forward under and over the guide rollers D, D, carried in bearings in the same
frame behind the beam B, over the top of a table D' down or under three guide
rollers D within the close box D', up in front of a heating fire-grate C, over and
horizontally along the series of pinned or spiked and plain guide rollers D'
Ds, carried in journal bearings on hanging frames E, supported from the beams E',
and standards E" under the roof of the apartinent, and all enclosed within sheet
iron chambers E², E³, throughout the length of the machine, to prevent the flames

page_text: running along the web A of fabric should it take fire while being heated in front of
the grate C. I apply the gutta percha solution to the fabric A by brushing or
otherwise, while it is slowly traversed in a continuous length over the table D¹, and
I ensure the thorough penetration of the solution into the pores of the fabric A by
causing the fabric to travel in front of a fire C, or it might be other source of heat,
which has the effect of driving this adhesive solution of gutta percha into the fibres
and interstices of the cloth A. The fabric A is thence carried over a series of
spiked rollers D, and other guide rollers D', for a considerable length, to give
ample time for the evaporation of the naphtha or solvents, and drying of the gutta
percha solution before being returned over the under guide rollers D+, and finally
wound into a roll on a reel or beam as at H.
The arrangement for so winding or beaming the web A of canvas, whether
dressed or coated on the one side, or on both sides, with the solution of gutta-
percha as described, is shown as driven from an overhead motive-power shaft F,
carried by hangers E* from the beams or joists E' of the roof, and driven by a
belt F1 passed over a small pulley on the shaft F, and a cone speed pulley F2,
. below on a shaft F1, carried in journal bearing brackets F, secured to the
standards E" of the framing. The web of fabric A to be beamed is passed down
under a loose revolving adjustable roller G, carried by adjustable screws and
guides at G', and passed up over the roller G in front of this roller G, on to the
beaming roller H, carried in journal bearing standards H', actuated by a belt G³
from a pulley on the spindle F", all so as to wind or beam it at a very slow rate,
as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1. The coated beam of fabric A is wound
over a trough H provided with a water pipe and tap H', so that this may be
instantly filled, with water, should the naphtha and gutta percha of the fabric by
any accident take fire; and a winding handle H³ is mounted on the spindle of the
beam or roller H, so as to wind the fabric up by hand when anything goes wrong
with the winding mechanism, and rotate it within the water when this is required
to extinguish the fire. The rolls of fabric A, when so coated and finished on the
one side is then removed from the beam H, and placed on the beam B in a reverse
manner. The cloth A is then again unwound from the beam B, and submitted to the
same operation of brushing and coating on the reverse side, and also subjected to
the rays of the fire C, so as to have the inner side of the fabric A coated all as, and
in the same manner as the first side'; and after passing over the series of
rollers D, D, is wound again into a roll on the beam H completely coated on
both sides ready for the next operation of being cut into the widths desired for
making the belts as will hereinafter be described.
In passing to the fire C, the fabric A is carried through a flame trap D2, which
consists of a shallow box lined with or formed of sheet iron with slits at the ends c
large enough merely to permit the free passage through it of the fabric A, and
then after passing up froin the fire C it is led along the upper part of the apartinent
through similar long flame traps or close chambers E, E³, with close slits e, at their
ends for allowing the fabric to pass, but prevent the extension of the flame to the
main body of the fabric A, in the event of the solution catching fire where exposed
to the heating process. A fine wire gauze screen would be interposed at C₁--- C',
between the grate fire C, and the upward traversing prepare d vertical face of the
canvas A, A, to prevent sparks from the fire getting at the naphtha and gutta-
percha solution of the prepared face, to ignite this. The darts indicate the
radiation of heat out from the fire C towards the prepared fabric A.
The rolls of fabric A so prepared on both sides with gutta-percha solution, are
removed from the beam or roller H, of the beaming mechanism of the machine
shown in Sheet 1, and placed on the beam or spindle I, carried in bearing
brackets 1', at one end of the frame I', of the cutting machine shown in Figures 7,
8, and 9, of sheet 2, so as to be cut into the strips or widths preferably twice the
breadth of the belt required and suitable for being folded and rolled into the exact
width of the belts to be made from these strips. The web A, as indicated by the
arrows, is passed from the reel beam I, over the guide roller i of the table I³, and

page_text: under and over the guide rollers 1, 2, at the centre of the table, and on each side
of the cutting knife or knives J J', carried in a slotted transverse rail J2, and then
over the guide roller, at the other or delivery end of the machine, where the
man stands and pulls the fabric through the machine and between the angle iron
guides, ¹, secured at each edge of the web A of fabric which keeps it parallel
while travelling through the machine and the guide rollers and cutters. Or the
strips might be wound on to a roller at this end I", of the machine as they were
cut and drawn forward by being wound on to the roller. Slotted guide bars or
frames,, are secured across the table I³, below the guide rollers 2, 22, for
securing the slide guides j, j', at any width to suit that of the fabric being cut, the
small guide rollers, 12, working through holes in the vertical angled sides of the
guides, ¹, carried in journal bearings at their ends. I cut the solutionised fabric A
longitudinally as described, into strips, preferably of twice the width, (or it might
be of three or a greater number of times) of that of the belt required, as dotted
at a a', and fold them to the desired width A - A¹ as shown in the cross
section diagram of a belt Figure A I.
In general I find it advantageous to employ these flat bands made up of double
plies of the "solutionised" canvas as just described and shown, I fold the fabric in
this manner by passing it through a short tube or orifice K, shown particularly in
the detailed views Figures 5 and 6, and inserted in a transverse bar of wood L
which is secured by pinching screws L' in the frame L2 over the table L³, at the
entering end of the rolling and pressing mechanism shown particularly at M, M, in
the general arrangement Figures 3 and 4.
A screw pink is fitted in the tube K having at its inner end a folding disc or
tooth which divides and folds the fabric A, evenly and regularly as it is entered
by hand, and drawn in afterwards by the drawing and pressing rollers 771, mt, and
indicated in dotted lines in Figure 6, so that it is delivered in a folded state to the
first set of pressing and drawing rollers m, m¹, with the edges of the fabric forming
a sean or joint a" on the one side, either in the centre or somewhat to one side of
the width of the band, as indicated in Figure A I; and so that when a belt is
nade of two double plies the seams are placed in the centre, that is adjacent to
each other, but breaking bond in the width of the band as indicated at all -- all
in Figure A 3 showing a section of a quadruple or four ply belt. These belts or
flat bands of double thickness, as indicated in Figure A I, may by one method be
formed from the fabric A so treated with gutta-percha solution, by passing the
strip A, cut to the width required, through the close heating chamber or box P, to
soften it, and then fold it by passing it while the solution is soft through the said
folding or doubling guide tuho K, and then through the pressing rolls m, m' to
form or compress it to the requisite breadth and thickness as will hereinafter be
more particularly described. I prefer however by these improvements to form the
belts or flat bands of alternating double layers of "solutionised
cloth and gutta-
percha compounds. That is by feeding in a thin layer a', of a tough elastic
compound of gutta-percha on the top of the joint surface a, a, with a large
proportion of "Balata" in it, in a heated plastic state while passing the doubled
belt shown in Figure A I a second time through the machine, leaving this layer of
gutta-percha compound all along its upper surface, as indicated at a², and which
answers for the lighter form of belts, only having the solutionised canvas on the
one side A, A', while having the gutta percha compounds a² on the other side, and
either side inay be made to act on the pulleys as desired. But when stronger belts
are required, I prefer to make them by joining two of these double thicknesses
together, indicated in Figure A 2; by passing them in a heated state through the
machine and between the rollers m, m', which thus gives the double ply of
canvas A first secured together by the solution, and then the succeeding double
plies secured together by a layer of the said elastic compound mixture a², a²,
alternately between the double layers A, as indicated in the transverse section
Figure A 3.
When still stronger belts are required, they are made of three or it
"

page_text: might be more plies of these doubled thicknesses of solutionised canvas A, A¹, and
alternate layers of gutta-percha compound a², a², as shown particularly in
figures A 2, A 3, A 4.
The general construction and arrangement of the parts of the machine or
mechanism shown in Figures 3 to 6 on sheet 2 for so heating doubling and
compressing or rolling these strips of prepared canvas, cut to their widths into
the belts or flat bands as described consist all as follows-Of a fire grate C, erected
at one end of the apartment in front of an air heating box C, the fire directly
heating the front side of the box, while a portion of the flames and heated products
of combustion pass from the lower part of the fire under the box, to heat it and
then pass up a Hue C close to the back of the box so as to heat this also. The
air to be heated is led in through a pipe ŋ, and undulates through passages g¹, g¹, in
the box, divided off by plates ", and is led off by the pipe 92, in a highly heated
state by the small double branch pipe 9³, into the lower part of the close heating
chamber P, preferably formed of wood lined with sheet metal, and erected on a
framing P close to the heating fire. The strips or widths of canvas A to be folded
and doubled as described, are mounted on spindles and reels R in journal brackets R¹
in the lower part of the frame of the doubling, rolling and compressing machine M.
The strips of canvas A are led from the reel R up over a guide bar or roller at Q,
through a slit P, in the lower part of the heating box P, forward through a
slit P, in the front end ofthe box over the guide roller Q', back through the
upper division P* of the heating box P, to soften the solution, and through another
slit P, over the slit P", in the rear end of the box above the level of the table 1,3
of the rolling and pressing machine M, to and through the first pair of rollers m, m³,
and then through the others in succession, four sets of which are shown in the
mac hine M. These rolls m, m', are preferably finely corrugated annularly with
sharp ridges and grooves to assist in the better compression of the canvas A, and
its solution while passing through them. The lower set of rollers m, have long
spindles and are inounted in bush bearings m", below the surface level of the.
table L³, in the main frames M, M, and in a supplementary framing M carried on
brackets M, on the back frame M of the machine. Each spindle of the lower
roller m has mounted on its back end a screw wheel p, actuated by a screw p², on
the first motion shaft p², mounted longitudinally in bush bearings M, in the
brackets M", having on its overhanging end a fast and loose pulley p³, actuated by
a cross belt p111, from band pulleys on inain driving shaft carried in the upper
part of the building, but not shown in the drawing, this belt p111, being shifted by
à belt fork and lever pt. The lower rollers m, m, are mounted to carry the band A,
just slightly above the surface of the table L³, and have small spur pinions o
incunted on them, which gear into larger pinions o¹ mounted on studs projecting
from the back frame M, gearing into wheels o mounted on corresponding studs in
brackets projecting up from the back frame M; these wheels o¹¹, gear into small
pinions o, on the upper rollers m³, so as to actuate them at various heights above
the lower rollers m. The upper rollers m¹ of the first set of rollers, is simultaneously
raised and lowered at both ends to the desired height by screw spindles mili
connected to their slide bushes m², mounted in their vertical slide guides m³, by a
horizontal band spindle n, carried in cap bushes n, on the upper ends of the
spindles m, through bevelled or initre wheels n' on it, and on the upper end of
these screw spindles, all so as to regulate the pressure that will be given to
the prepared strips A passing through thein, and also regulate the thickness of the
layer of gutta-percha compound 2, 2, being fed in by an attendant over the strip
in front of these rollers, in a heated and plastic state.
The upper rollers m' of the other three sets, have spiral springs n², mounted
above their bushes m², with pinching screws n³, in their slide guides m³ for
regulating the pressure that is to be put on these rollers respectively over the
prepared strip or strips A passing through them. The belt A thus prepared passes
in a firm and nearly cooled state on to the endless travelling band N, actuated by

page_text: the end roller N¹, through a pulley and belt N2, and passed over the carrying and
guide rollers N, to the extreme delivery end roller N', from which the finished
band is wound on to a reel A³, on the spindle S', of the revolving winding table or
disc S, actuated from the roller N³, by the cross belt S", and friction pulley S²,
acting on the edge of the disc S. The thin layer a², a of gutta-percha fed on by
the attendant over the top is pressed out sideways by the rollers, and the superfluous
gutta-percha compound is afterwards trimmed or dressed off along the edges, oven
with the edges of the canvas by a hot blunt knife, either by hand or automatically
in front of the set of rollers m, m², when the band would then be ready for use as
light belting in the formn shown in Figure A 2.
In forming belts of great strength, two or more composite flat bands A, a², so
formed (as shown in Figure A 2), are united together by mounting them in separate
rolls or reels R, in the bearing brackets R' under the table frame M, and passing
them through the heating chamber or box P, separated by moistened guides or
rollers so as not to touch each other, to soften the solution on one side of the
band A, and the layer of gutta-percha compound a², on the other side; the bands.
being guided from the heating box into and through the rolls m, m², which by
pressing the gutta-percha a² of the one band A in contact with the solutionised
fabric of the other band A, cause the bands to adhere firmly and forin a single
strong band A as indicated at Figures A 3, A 4. Or a three ply belt might be so
formed as indicated at Figure A 5, out of one width A of canvas, coated on the one
side with the gutta-percha compound a². The composite belts so produced have a
surface layer of the gutta-percha compound a² between each double thickness of
the prepared canvas, and a layer on the one outside surface, and a surface of
solutionised canvas on the other outside surface, either of which outside surfaces
may serve as the driving surface. In cases where the surface thickness a² of gutta
percha compound is not desired, either between the layers or on the outside, I combine
together a composite belt of one or more plies, and a "solutionised" belt by passing
then through the heating chamber and through the pressing rolls, with a sufficient
thickness of solution on the surface to be united as to insure their complete attach-
ment by passing through the set of pressing rollers.
Solutionised belts, and composite belts, formed in the manner described and
shown in cross section in the several figures A 1, A2, A3, A 4, and A 5, are I find
highly superior in tensile strength and transmitting and gripping power on their
pulley surfaces, as compared with the cotton or the rubber cloth belting heretoforo
in use; the warp and weft of the canvas or other strong cotton fabric employed
being greatly bound together by the fibres being thoroughly impregnated with the
gutta percha solution. The slight heating of the belts by the friction of driving
has the effect of sufficiently softening the solution or the gutta percha mixture a²
on the acting side, to give a great gripping action on their driving pulleys and so
prevent all slipping.
Instead-of-forming-the-solutionised belts A,-by-coating, heating, and treating-the
woven fabric,-and-then-cutting, folding and rolling the-same-as-described; I-may
form-such-belts-from ordinary sewn-cotton belts, stitched together by thoroughly
impregnating-ench-belts-with-gutta-percha-solution-from-both-sides; and I may
form-composite-bolts-therefrom-by-superadding-a-layer-or-alternate-layers-of-the
said-tough-yielding-or-elastic gutta-percha-compound-a² in-the--manner--before
described in reference to the forming of my improved belting-Figures-A-I, to-A-ñ,
without-sewing,
The gutta-percha, or gutta-percha compound, when employed for forming the
layers in the manufacture of these belts or flat bands, should be of a tough
flexible and elastic character, such as the mixture of gutta percha with "Balata"
(which is the gum of the "Bullet" tree) or other equivalent which would give the
soft flexible and slightly elastic character described and desired for the purpose of
these improvements, and be of a tensile strength nearly equal to that of the canvas
in proportion to their relative thickness. My new or improved flat belts or bands
so forined are finished by stretching them while the gutta percha and its compounds

page_text: are slightly heated to the best tensile strain the canvas or fabric will bear without
injury, and allowed to cool and dry under the strain, so that these belts may
stretch little or none when put to use. The object of introducing the layers of
gutta-percha compound a², between the layers or double layers of canvas or other
strong fabric in these belts or flat bands, is to give them flexibility and gripping
power and a tensile strength equal to the canvas, and which cannot well be
obtained by the mere use of layers of pure gutta-percha, or gutta-percha solution
with the cotton cloth, and which has the further effect of preventing the canvas or
fabric from wearing or cracking, as ordinary cotton or canvas belts as heretofore
made are liable to do.
Other beaming arrangements than those shown at F, F, G, G², H, in Figures 1
and 2 for winding the finished solutionised webs of fabric, may be used; and
fanners or exhausters, might be used for blowing or drawing off the naphtha
vapours rising from the solutionised surface of the fabric, or from the boxes D²,
E, E, it is passed through, although these are not shown in the Drawings.
Although the heating box P, P2, in Figures 3 and 4 is shown as horizontal, it might
be arranged vertically, and the various strips or bands A, to be heated in passing
through it for being rolled into a composite belt, would in either case be kept
separate by flanged rollers or other equivalent guides, preferably hollow and
perforated and covered with cloth over them to retain moisture, so as to prevent
the belts touching each other or sticking to the guide rollers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
First. The manufacture, or construction of, and mode of constructing, flat belts
or bands, (for transmitting motion and force or power), out of cotton, canvas, or
other strong woven web fabrics, prepared with gutta-percha solution, and either
with or without alternate a layer or layers of gutta percha compounds, all sub-
stantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Second. The general construction of machine, or arrangement of mechanism for
treating or coating and impregnating webs of cotton, canvas or such like strong
woven fabrics, with gutta-percha solution, all substantially as and for the purposes
herein described, especially in reference to and shown in Figures 1 and 2 on
Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The heating and the doubling, or folding and rolling of gutta-percha
solutionised webs, or cut strips of these webs, into flat belts or bands of any
desired width, for transmitting motion and power, all substantially as or in the
inanner and by the means or mechanism herein described in reference to and shown
in Figures 3 to 6, and AI to A 5, on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. The coating of such single or double and rolled gutta-percha solutionised
flat belts or bands on one side with a layer of gutta-percha compound while it is
passing hot through one or more pairs of rollers, for forming single, double,
triple, or more ply belting, composed of alternate single or double thicknesses of
solutionised canvas, and a layer of gutta-percha compound, all as described in
reference to and shown in Figures 3 to 6 and Figures A 2 to A 5, on Sheet 2 of
the accompanying Drawings.
Fifth. The general construction of machine, or arrangement of mechanism, for
heating, folding, or doubling the said solutionised bands, and coating the same
with a layer of gutta-percha compound, and rolling these into composite belts of
two or more thicknesses of the canvas alternating with the gutta-percha compound
to form the said compound prepared bands, all substantially as herein described
in reference to and shown in Figures 3 to 6 on Sheet 2 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Sixth-The-mode-of, and--construction--of-machine--or--mechanism-for,-entting
gutta percha--solutionised-or-conted--webs--of-woven-fubries-into-suitable-strips-or

page_text: widths-for-making any desired size of flat-belts-or-bands for-the-transmission-of
motion-and-power, all-substantially-as-herein-described, in-reference-to-and-shown
in Figures 7, 8, -and-9,-on-Sheet-2-of-the-accompanying-Drawings.

page_text: Bands and in the Means or Apparatus Employed.
I ROBERT DICK of the firm of R. & J. Dick of Greenhead Glasgow Lanarkshire
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my Invention to be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is to produce driving belts or flat bands of great
tensile strength and gripping power.
This object I attain by forming composite belts or flat bands from hard or strong
woven cotton fabrics by treating the fabric in the web with gutta percha solution
and folding the fabric if necessary to form the requisite breadth and the requisite
number of plies of cloth with or without the addition of a layer or layers of gutta
percha or gutta-percha compounds which would give the whole greater flexability
and gripping power. I apply the gutta percha solution to the fabrics by brushing
or otherwise while it is slowly traversed in a continuous length over a table and
I ensure the thorough penetration of the solution into the pores of the fabric by
causing the fabric to travel in front of a fire or other source of heat which has the
effect of driving this adhesive solution of gutta percha into the fibres and interstices
of the cloth. The fabric is thence carried over a series of spiked rollers for a
considerable length to give ample time for the evaporation of the solvents and
drying of the gutta percha solution before' being finally wound into a roll on a reel
or beam. The cloth is afterwards unwound and submitted to the same operation
of brushing and coating on the reverse side and is then subjected to the rays of the
fire, and after passing over the series of rollers is wound again into a roll ready for
the next operation. In passing to and from the fire, the fabric is carried through
a flame trap which may consist of a shallow box of sheet iron with a slit at each
end large enough merely to permit the free passage through it of the fabric, the
object being to prevent the extension to the main body of the fabric of the flame
in the event of the solution catching fire where exposed to the heating process.
The belts or flat bands may be formed from the fabric so treated with gutta
percha solution by passing the fabric through a heating chamber to soften it and
cutting or folding it to the requisite breadth and thickness, and passing it while the
solution is soft through pressing rolls. I prefer however by these improvements
to form the belts or flat bands of alternating layers of "solutionised" cloth and
gutta percha or gutta percha compounds. I cut the fabric longitudinally into
strips of the breadth or of two three or greater number of times the breadth of

page_text: belt required and fold them to the desired breadth. In general I find it advan-
tageous to employ these flat bands made up of double plies of "solutionised" cloth.
I fold the fabric by passing it through an orifice across the middle of which is
fitted a pin or tooth which evenly divides the fabric so that it is delivered to a
pair of said rolls with the edges of the fabric forming a seam or joint in the centre
of the width, or band. I afterwards traverse this band so formed through a heated
chamber to soften the solution and in front of the chamber I fit a series of one two
or more pairs of compressing rolls preferably finely corrugated with annular sharp
ridges and grooves upon a suitable framing. As the band so far formed emerges
from the heating chamber it is carried through between the rolls while an
attendant lays gutta percha or said gutta percha compound in a heated or soft
state on the surface of the band. In passing through the rolls the gutta percha is
pressed out in a thin layer adhering to the fabric, and after trimming the edges by
removing superflous gutta percha the composite band so formed is then ready for
use as light belting.
In forming belts of great strength two or more composite flat bands so formed
are united together by passing them through the heating chamber to soften the
solution on one side of the band and the layer of gutta percha compound on the
other side, and the bands are guided into and through the rolls which by pressing
the gutta percha of the one band in contact with the solutionised fabric of the
other cause the bands to adhere firmly and form a single strong belt of two or
more plies. The composite belts so produced have a surface of the gutta percha
compound on one side and a surface of solutionised fabric on the other, either of
which may serve as the driving surface. In cases where the surface of gutta
percha is not desired, I combine together a composite belt of one or more plies, and
"solutionised " belt by passing them through the heating chamber and through
the pressing rolls. Solutionised belts and composite belts formed in the manner
described are I find highly superior in tensile strength and in gripping power to
cotton or rubber cloth belting, the warp and weft of the cotton or other fabric
employed being bound together by thoroughly impregnating the fabric with the
gutta percha solution, and the heating of the belts by friction when in use having
the effect of slightly softening the solution or the gutta percha so that a fast grip
of the driving pulley is obtained.
8
Instead of forming the solutionised belts by treating cutting and folding the
woven fabric, I may form such belts from ordinary sewn cotton belts by impreg
nating such belts with gutta percha solution and I may form composite belts
therefrom by superadding a layer or layers of gutta percha in the manner before
⚫ described.
The gutta percha or gutta percha compound employed in the manufacture of
these belts or flat bands should be of a flexible and elastic character such as the
mixture of gutta percha with "Balata" which is the gum of the "Bullet" tree or
other equivalent which would give the soft flexible and slightly elastic character
desired. The object of introducing the layers of gutta percba compound between
the layers of fabric in the belts or flat bands being to give them flexability and
gripping power which cannot well be obtained by the mere use of layers of gutte
percha or gutta percha solution with the cotton cloth.

page_text: Improvements in the Manufacture of Driving Belts or Flat
Bands and in the Means or Apparatus Employed.
I, ROBERT DICK, of the firm of Robert and James Dick, of Greenhead, Glasgow,
Lanarkshire, Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement in writing, reference being had to
the accompanying Sheets of Drawings and to the reference letters and figures
marked thereon, that is to say :—
The object of my invention is to produce driving belts or flat bands of great
tensile strength and gripping power.
And in order that the nature and novelty of my said invention, and the manner
of performing the same may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended
two Sheets of explanatory Drawings, in which the same reference letters indicate
equivalent parts in all the Figures where shown. Figure 1 on Sheet 1 shows a
sectional elevation, and Figure 2 a plan or horizontal section taken on the irregular
line 1-1 in Figure 1, of the machine, or arrangement of mechanism, for coating
the canvas A in web with gutta-percha solution, first on one side, and then on the
other, while passing it through the machine at two different operations for making
the belts out of such prepared webs, with a great part of the machine shown as
broken away at 2-2 and 3 3 to enable it to be shown in the Drawings.
Figures 3 and 4 on Sheet 2 show a side elevation and corresponding plan, both
partly in section, at the heating box and fire, while a part of the length of the
machine is shown as broken away at 4---4, to enable it to be shown in the
Drawings; all for bending or folding the belts out of the various thicknesses of
the canvas as prepared from the first machine shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Figures 5 and 6 show a transverse section and an end elevation respectively,
to a large scale, of the front part of the machine shown in Figures 3 and 4, for
folding and rolling and pressing the canvas into the width and thickness of belt
desired. While Figures 7, 8, and 9 are an end and a side sectional elevation and
plan respectively, of a machine for cutting the webs of canvas and gutta-percha, as
prepared in the machine shown in Sheet 1, into strips of the proper width for
being folded and pressed into the thickness and width of the belts required, while
passing through the arrangement of mechanism shown in Figures 3 to 6 of Sheet 2
of the Drawings.
Referring to these Drawings, my invention consists in forming composite belts
or flat bands from canvas or strong woven cotton fabrics by treating the fabric in
the web with gutta percha solution while passing through the machine shown in
Figures 1 and 2, and then in folding the fabric into the required breadth, and the
requisite number of plies or thicknesses with or without the addition of a layer or
layers of gutta percha or gutta percha compounds, preferably between each alternate

page_text: layer of the canvas, and on one side of the complete belt, which would give the
whole greater flexibility and gripping power, as indicated in Figures A 2 to A 5.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the fabric A is first rolled on a beam B mounted in
bearing brackets B¹ in the front part of the framing B' of the machine, and led
forward under and over the guide rollers D, D, carried in bearings in the same
frame behind the beam B, over the top of a table D¹ down or under three guide
rollers D within the close box D2, up in front of a heating fire-grate C, over and
horizontally along the series of pinned or spiked and plain guide rollers D₁,
D³, carried in journal bearings on hanging frames E, supported from the beams E¹,
and standards El under the roof of the apartment, and all enclosed within sheet
iron chambers E, ES, throughout the length of the machine, to prevent the flames
running along the web A of fabric should it take fire while being heated in front of
the grate C. I apply the gutta percha solution to the fabric A. by brushing or
otherwise, while it is slowly traversed in a continous length over the table D¹, and
I ensure the thorough penetration of the solution into the pores of the fabric A. by
causing the fabric to travel in front of a fire C, or it might be other source of heat,
which has the effect of driving this adhesive solution of gutta percha into the fibres
and interstices of the cloth A. The fabric A. is thence carried over a series of
spiked rollers D, and other guide rollers D³, for a considerable length, to give
ample time for the evaporation of the naphtha or solvents, and drying of the gutta
percha solution before being returned over the under guide rollers D', and finally
wound into a roll on a reel or beam as at H.
The arrangement for so winding or beaming the web A of canvas, whether
dressed or coated on the one side, or on both sides, with the solution of gutta-
percha as described, is shown as driven from an overhead motive-power shaft F,
carried by hangers E' from the beams or joists E¹ of the roof, and driven by a
belt F¹ passed over a small pulley on the shaft F, and a cone speed pulley F³,
below on a shaft F1, carried in journal bearing brackets Full, secured to the
standards E of the framing. The web of fabric A to be beamed is passed down
under a loose revolving adjustable roller G, carried by adjustable screws and
guides at G', and passed up over the roller G in front of this roller G, on to the
beaming roller H, carried in journal bearing standards H³, actuated by a belt G³
from a pulley on the spindle F¹¹, all so as to wind or beam it at a very slow rate,
as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1. The coated beam of fabric A is wound
over a trough H" provided with a water pipe and tap H³, so that this may be
instantly filled, with water, should the naphtha and gutta percha of the fabric by
any accident take fire; and a winding handle H³ is mounted on the spindle of the
beam or roller H, so as to wind the fabric up by hand when anything goes wrong
with the winding mechanism, and rotate it within the water when this is required
to extinguish the fire. The rolls of fabric A, when so coated and finished on the
one side is then removed from the beam H, and placed on the beam B in a reverse
manner. The cloth A is then again unwound from the beam B, and submitted to the
same operation of brushing and coating on the reverse side, and also subjected to
the rays of the fire C, so as to have the inner side of the fabric A coated all as, and
in the same manner as the first side; and after passing over the series of
rollers D¹¹¹, D³, is wound again into a roll on the beam H completely coated on
both sides ready for the next operation of being cut into the widths desired for
making the belts as will hereinafter be described.
In passing to the fire C, the fabric A is carried through a flame trap D³, which
consists of a shallow box lined with or formed of sheet iron with slits at the ends e
large enough merely to permit the free passage through it of the fabric A, and
then after passing up from the fire C it is led along the upper part of the apartment
through similar long flame traps or close chambers E2, E3, with close slits e, at their
ends for allowing the fabric to pass, but prevent the extension of the flame to the
main body of the fabric A, in the event of the solution catching fire where exposed
to the heating process. A fine wire guaze screen would be interposed at C¹---C₁,

page_text: between the grate fire C, and the upward traversing prepared vertical face of the
canvas A, A, to prevent sparks from the fire getting at the naphtha and gutta-
percha solution of the prepared face, to ignite this. The darts indicate the
radiation of heat out from the fire C towards the prepared fabric A.
The rolls of fabric A so prepared on both sides with gutta-percha solution, are
removed from the beam or roller H, of the beaming mechanism of the machine
shown in Sheet 1, and placed on the beam or spindle I, carried in bearing
brackets I¹, at one end of the frame I³, of the cutting machine shown in Figures 7,
8, and 9, of sheet 2, so as to be cut into the strips or widths preferably twice the
breadth of the belt required and suitable for being folded and rolled into the exact
width of the belts to be made from these strips. The web A, as indicated by the
arrows, is passed from the reel beam I, over the guide roller i of the table I³, and
under and over the guide rollers i, i, at the centre of the table, and on each side.
of the cutting knife or knives J, J, carried in a slotted transverse rail J', and then
over the guide roller i³, at the other or delivery end of the machine, where the
man stands and pulls the fabric through the machine and between the angle iron
guides j,, secured at each edge of the web A. of fabric which keeps it parallel.
while travelling through the machine and the guide rollers and cutters. Or the.
strips might be wound on to a roller at this end I111, of the machine as they were
cut and drawn forward by being wound on to the roller. Slotted guide bars or
frames, are secured across the table I, below the guide rollers 2, i, for
securing the slide guides j, j¹, at any width to suit that of the fabric being cut, the
small guide rollers i, i, working through holes in the vertical angled sides of the
guides j, carried in journal bearings at their ends. I cut the solutionised fabric A
longitudinally as described, into strips, preferably of twice the width, (or it might
be of three or a greater number of times) of that of the belt required, as dotted
at a a¹, and fold them to the desired width A A¹ as shown in the cross
section diagram of a belt Figure A I.
-α
In general I find it advantageous to employ these flat bands made up of double
plies of the "solutionised" canvas as just described and shown, I fold the fabric in
this manner by passing it through a short tube or orifice K, shown particularly in
the detailed views Figures 5 and 6, and inserted in a transverse bar of wood L.
which is secured by pinching screws L³ in the frame L' over the table L³, at the
entering end of the rolling and pressing mechanism shown particularly at M, M, in.
the general arrangement Figures 3 and 4.
A screw pink is fitted in the tube K having at its inner end a folding disc or
tooth k¹, which divides and folds the fabric A, evenly and regularly as it is entered.
by hand, and drawn in afterwards by the drawing and pressing rollers m, m³, and
indicated in dotted lines in Figure 6, so that it is delivered in a folded state to the
first set of pressing and drawing rollera m, m¹, with the edges of the fabric forming
a seam or joint all on the one side, either in the centre or somewhat to one side of.
the width of the band, as indicated in Figure AI; and so that when a belt is
made of two double plies the seams are placed in the centre, that is adjacent to.
each other, but breaking bond in the width of the band as indicated at all. - all
in Figure A 3 showing a section of a quadruple or four ply belt. These belts or
flat bands of double thickness, as indicated in Figure A I, may by one method be.
formed from the fabric A so treated with gutta-percha solution, by passing the
strip A, cut to the width required, through the close heating chamber or box P, to.
soften it, and then fold it by passing it while the solution is soft through the said
folding or doubling guide tube K, and then through the pressing rolls m, m¹ to
form or compress it to the requisite breadth and thickness as will hereinafter be
more particularly described. I prefer however by these improvements to form
the belts or flat bands of alternating double layers of "solutionised" cloth and
gutta-percha compounds. That is by feeding in a thin layer a³, of a tough elastic
compound of gutta-percha on the top of the joint surface. a, a¹, with a large-
proportion of "Balata" in it, in a heated plastic state while passing the doubled

page_text: belt shown in Figure A. I a second time through the machine, leaving this layer of
gutta-percha compound all along its upper surface, as indicated at a³, and which
answers for the lighter form of belts, only having the solutionised canvas on the
one side A, A¹, while having the gutta percha compounds a³ on the other side, and
either side may be made to act on the pulleys as desired. But when stronger belts
are required, I prefer to make them by joining two of these double thicknesses
together, indicated in Figure A 2; by passing them in a heated state through the
machine and between the rollers m, m³, which thus gives the double ply of
canvas A first secured together by the solution, and then the succeeding double
plies secured together by a layer of the said elastic compound mixture a², a³,
alternately between the double layers A, as indicated in the transverse Figure A 3.
When still stronger belts are required, they are made of three or it might be more
plies of these doubled thicknesses of solutionised canvas A, A¹, and alternate layers
of gutta-percha compound a³, a³, as shown particularly in figures A2, A3, A 4.
The general construction and arrangement of the parts of the machine or
mechanism shown in Figures 3 to 6 on sheet 2 for so heating doubling and
compressing or rolling these strips of prepared canvas, cut to their widths into
the belts or flat bands as described consist all as follows:-Of a fire grate C, erected
at one end of the apartment in front of an air heating box C, the fire directly
heating the front side of the box, while a portion of the flames and heated products
of combustion pass from the lower part of the fire under the box, to beat it and
then pass up a flue C¹¹ close to the back of the box so as to heat this also. The air
to be heated is led in through a pipe g, and undulates through passages g¹, g¹, in
the box, divided off by plates g11, and is led off by the pipe g³, in a highly heated
state by the small double branch pipe g³, into the lower part of the close heating
chamber P, preferably formed of wood lined with sheet metal, and erected on a
framing P¹ close to the heating fire. The strips or widths of canvas A to be folded
and doubled as described, are mounted on spindles and reels R in journal brackets R¹
in the lower part of the frame of the doubling, rolling and compressing machine M.
The strips of canvas A are led from the reel R up over a guide bar or roller at Q,
through a slit Pч, in the lower part of the heating box P, forward through a
slit Pi, in the front end of the box over the guide roller Q1, back through the
upper division P2 of the heating box P, to soften the solution, and through another
slit P, over the slit P, in the rear end of the box above the level of the table L³
of the rolling and pressing machine M, to and through the first pair of rollers m, m²,
and then through the others in succession, four sets of which are shown in the
machine M. These rolls m, m³, are preferably finely corrugated annularly with
sharp ridges and grooves to assist in the better compression of the canvas A, and
its solution while passing through them. The lower set of rollers m, have long
spindles and are mounted in bush bearings m", below the surface level of the
table L, in the main frames M, M, and in a supplementary framing M³ carried on
brackets M¹¹, on the back frame M of the machine. Each spindle of the lower
roller m has mounted on its back end a screw wheel p, actuated by a screw p¹, on
the first motion shaft p', mounted longitudinally in bush bearings M1, in the
brackets M, having on its overhanging end a fast and loose pulley p³, actuated by
a cross belt p, from band pulleys on a main driving shaft carried in the upper
part of the building, but not shown in the drawing, this belt pl, being shifted by
a belt fork and lever p'. The lower rollers m, m, are mounted to carry the band A,
just slightly above the surface of the table L³, and have small spur pinions o
mounted on them, which gear into larger pinions o' mounted on studs projecting
from the back frame M, gearing into wheels o¹ mounted on corresponding studs in
brackets projecting up from the back frame M; these wheels oll, gear into small
pinions o, on the upper rollers m³, so as to actuate them at various heights above
the lower rollers m. The upper roller m¹ of the first set of rollers, is simultaneously
raised and lowered at both ends to the desired height by screw spindles m¹Ïi
connected to their glide bushes m³, mounted in their vertical slide guides m³, by a

page_text: horizontal hand spindle n, carried in cap bushes n¹¹, on the upper ends of the
spindles m, through bevelled or mitre wheels n¹ on it, and on the upper end of
these screw spindles m, all so as to regulate the pressure that will be given to
the prepared strips A passing through them, and also regulate the thickness of the
layer of gutta-percha compound a³, as, being fed in by an attendant over the strip.
in front of these rollers, in a heated and plastic state.
The upper rollers m¹ of the other three sets, have spiral springs n³, mounted
above their bushes m³, with pinching screws n³, in their slide guides m³ for.
regulating the pressure that is to be put on these rollers respectively over the
prepared strip or strips A passing through them. The belt A thus prepared passes
in a firm and nearly cooled state on to the endless travelling band N, actuated by
the end roller N¹, through a pulley and belt N', and passed over the carrying and
guide rollers N", to the extreme delivery end roller N°, from which the finished
band is wound on to a reel A³, on the spindle S¹, of the revolving winding table or
disc S, actuated from the roller N³, by the cross belt S, and friction pulley S²,
acting on the edge of the disc S. The thin layer a³, a² of gutta-percha fed on by
the attendant over the top is pressed out sideways by the rollers, and the superfluous
gutta-percha compound is afterwards trimmed or dressed off along the edges, even
with the edges of the canvas by a hot blunt knife, either by hand or automatically
in front of the set of rollers m, m³, when the band would then be ready for use as
light belting in the form shown in Figure A 2.
In forming belts of great strength, two or more composite flat bands A, u², so
formed (as shown in Figure A 2), are united together by mounting them in separate
rolls or reels R, in the bearing brackets R¹ under the table frame M, and passing
them through the heating chamber or box P, separated by moistened guides or
rollers so as not to touch each other, to soften the solution on one side of the
band A, and the layer of gutta-percha compound a³, on the other side; the bands
being guided from the heating box into and through the rolls a, a¹, which by
pressing the gutta-percha a of the one band A in contact with the solutionised
fabric of the other band A, cause the bands to adhere firmly and form a single
strong band A as indicated at Figures A 3, A 4. Or a three ply belt might be su
formed as indicated at Figure A 5, out of one width A of canvas, coated on the one
side with the gutta-percha compound a³. The composite belts so produced have a
surface layer of the gutta-percha compound a² between each double thickness of
the prepared canvas, and a layer on the one outside surface, and a surface of
solutionised canvas on the other outside surface, either of which outside surfaces
may serve as the driving surface. In cases where the surface thickness a³ of gutta
percha compound is not desired, I combine together a composite belt of one or more
plies, and a "solutionised "belt by passing them through the heating chamber and
through the pressing rolls, with a sufficient thickness of solution on the surface to
be united as to insure their complete attachment by passing through the set of
pressing rollers.
Solutionised belts, and composite belts, formed in the manner described and
shown in cross section in the several figures A1, A2, A3, A4, and A 5, are I find
bighly superior in tensile strength and transmitting and gripping power on their
pulley surfaces, as compared with the cotton or the rubber cloth belting heretofore
in use; the warp and weft of the canvas or other' strong cotton fabric employed
being greatly bound together by the fibres being thoroughly impregnated with the
gutta percha solution. The slight heating of the belts by the friction of driving
has the effect of sufficiently softening the solution or the gutta percha mixture a³
on the acting side, to give a great gripping action on their driving pulleys and so
prevent all slipping.
Instead of forming the solutionised belts A, by coating, heating, and treating the
woven fabric, and then cutting, folding and rolling the same as described; I may
form such belts from ordinary sewn cotton belts, stitched together by thoroughly
impregnating such belts with gutta percha solution from both sides; and I may

page_text: form composite belts therefrom by superadding a layer or alternate layers of the
said tough yielding or elastic gutta-percha compound a' in the manner before
described in reference to the forming of my improved belting Figures A I, to A 5,
without sewing.
The gutta-percha, or gutta-percha compound, employed for forming the layers a
in the manufacture of these belts or flat bands, should be of a tough flexible and
elastic character, such as the mixture of gutta percha with "Balata" (which is the
gum of the "Bullet" tree) or other equivalent which would give the soft flexible
and slightly elastic character described and desired for the purpose of these
improvements, and be of a tensile strength nearly equal to that of the canvas in
proportion to their relative thickness. My new or improved flat belts or bands so
formed are finished by stretching them while the gutta percha and its compounds
are slightly heated to the best tensile strain the canvas or fabric will bear without
injury, and allowed to cool and dry under the strain, so that these belts may
stretch little or none when put to use. The object of introducing the layers of
gutta-percha compound a³, between the layers or double layers of canvas or other
strong fabric in these belts or flat bands, is to give them flexibility and gripping
power and a tensile strength equal to the canvas, and which cannot well be
obtained by the mere use of layers of pure gutta-percha, or gutta-percha solution
with the cotton cloth, and which has the further effect of preventing the canvas or
fabric from wearing or cracking, as ordinary cotton or canvas belts as heretofore
made are liable to do.
Other beaming arrangements than those shown at F, F, G, G³, H, in Figures 1
and 2 for winding the finished solutionised webs of fabric, may be used; and
fanners or exhausters, might be used for blowing or drawing off the naphtha
vapours rising from the solutionised surface of the fabric, or from the boxes D*,
E, Es, it is passed through, although these are not shown in the Drawings.
Although the heating box P, P', in Figures 3 and 4 is shown as horizontal, it might
be arranged vertically, and the various strips or bands A, to be heated in passing
through it for being rolled into a composite belt, would in either case be kept
separate by flanged rollers or other equivalent guides, preferably hollow and
perforated and covered with cloth over them to retain moisture, so as to prevent
the belts touching each other or sticking to the guide rollers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. The manufacture, or construction, and mode of constructing flat belts or
bands, (for transmitting motion and force or power), out of cotton, canvas, or other
strong woven web fabrics, prepared with gutta-percba solution, and either with or
without alternate layers of gutta percha compounds, all substantially as herein
described in reference to and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Second. The general construction of machine, or arrangement of mechanism for
treating or coating and impregnating webs of cotton canvas, or such like strong
woven fabrics, with gutta-percha solution, all substantially as and for the purposes
herein described, especially in reference to and shown in Figures 1 and 2 on
Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The heating and the doubling, or folding and rolling of gutta-percha
solutionised webs, or cut strips of these webs, into flat belts or bands of any
desired width, for transmitting motion and power, all substantially as or in the
manner and by the means or mechanism herein described in reference to and shown
in Figures 3 to 6, and AI to A 5, on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. The coating of such single or double and rolled gutta-percha solutionised
flat belts or bands on one side with a layer of gutta-percha compound while it
passing hot through one or more pairs of rollers, for forming single, double,
triple, or more ply belting, composed of alternate single or double thicknesses of

page_text: solutionised canvas, and a layer of gutta-percha compound, all as described in
reference to and shown in Figures 3 to and Figures A2 to A. 5, on Sheet 2 of
the accompanying Drawings.
Fiftb. The general .construction of machine, or arrangement of mechanism, for
heating, folding, or doubling the said solutionised bands, and coating the same
with a layer of gutta-percha compound, and rolling these into composite belts of
two or more thicknesses of the canvas alternating with the gutta-percha compound
to form the said compound prepared bands, all substantially as herein described
in reference to and shown in Figures 3 to 6 on Sheet 2 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Sixth. The mode of, and construction of machine or mechanism for, cutting
gutta-percha solutionised or coated webs of woven fabrics into suitable strips or
widths for making any desired size of flat belts or bands for the transmission of
motion and power, all substantially as herein described, in reference to and shown
in Figures 7, 8, and 9, on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.