An Improved Method of Shifting Straps, Belts, Bands, or Ropes on Rotary Pullies.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Jan., 1895
Complete Specification Left. 31st July 1895 Accepted 31st Aug.
1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Shifting Straps, Belts, Bands, or Ropes
on Rotary Pullies.
MICHAEL O'CONNELL Builder Cappoquin, Co. Waterford Ireland do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved method of shifting straps belts bands or
ropes (used for transmitting power) from fast pullies to loose pullies or vice versa.
My invention consists of a roller or pulley placed in a convenient position between
the driving pulley and the driven pulley. This pulley or roller revolves on a shaft
or between suitable bearings which allow it to rotate and to at the same time press
against the belt. When it is desired to shift the belt from fast to loose pulley or
vice versa the relative angle of the roller axis with the shaft on which the fast &
loose pullies revolve is changed by suitable means & the belt is immediately guided
from fast to loose pulley or vice versa.
My chief claim is that I provide a belt or strap shifter which does not injure the
edges of any belts and thus enables them to wear longer. I also claim that any
kind of belt fastener or buckle can be used with my apparatus without the
same catching in any projections as is the case with all methods at present in
general use.
Dated this 19th day of January 1805
MICHAEL O'CONNELL,
Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, Ireland, Builder.
An Improved Method of Shifting Straps, Belts, Bands, or Ropes
on Rotary Pullies.
I, MICHAEL O'CONNELL, of Cappoquin, County Waterford, Ireland, Builder,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention has reference to a new or improved method of shifting belts in a
simple, expeditious and effectual manner, and whereby the ordinary shifting forks
as at present used are dispensed with.
The invention consists in mounting a roller in a convenient position between the
driving and the driven pulleys. This roller which presses against the belt rotates
on a shaft so arranged as to be capable of a horizontal movement so that its relative
angle to the axis on which the fast and loose pulleys are mounted may be altered as
presently described.
A suitable lever is attached to the axle of the movable roller whereby the same
may be operated as required.

page_text: The accompanying drawings will enable the nature and application of my
invention to be more readily understood.
Fig. 1, represents in elevation the arrangement and mode of operating my
improved method of shifting belts; and Fig. 2, is a plan view of same.
A, indicates an ordinary bench or frame, and may represent the, framework of
any machine or mechanical arrangement to which my invention is applicable;
b, is the driving pulley: c and fast and loose pulleys, and d, the movable or
shifting roller, the application of which constitutes the essential feature of my
invention.
To facilitate the description of operation, this roller is mounted on an overhung
axis e, projecting from the vertical standard e', which latter is carried in a suitable
socket e² so as to admit of a slight rotation.
To this standard is keyed the lever f, the free end of which works in a graduated
horizontal guide rack y, containing three slots 1 2 and 3 (Fig. 2).
As thus arranged the action of my invention is briefly thus:-
While the machinery is running in its normal condition the lever rests in its
normal position in slot 2, whereby the roller d, is held in a position truly parallel to
the respective axis carrying the driving pulley b, and the fast and loose pulleys c
and c¹.
Now it is desired to shift the belt from the fast pulley c, to the loose pulley c¹,
the lever is shifted from slot 2 to slot 3, whereupon the relative angle of the roller
being altered the belt creeps to the opposite side, and is automatically moved to the
said loose pulley.
The lever is then brought back to slot 2, and the belt continues to run on the
loose pulley.
To shift the belt again to the fast pulley, the lever is swung to slot 1, whereupon
the belt creeps to its original position, and the lever is restored to its normal
slot 2.
Thus it will be observed that the belt is readily shifted from one pulley to the
other by the simple movement of the lever.
In order to prevent the belt over-riding the edges of the shifting roller, the
latter may be provided with suitable flanges; and in order to farther ensure the
easy lateral movement of the belt, the periphery of the roller may be provided with
circumferential grooves, or may be covered with a layer of india-rubber or other
suitable material.
It is obvious that by the use of this method the edges of the belt are not injured,
as in the case of the present fork arrangement, consequently it is reasonable to
assume that belts thus operated will last much longer than hitherto.
It is also obvious that the arrangement enables any kind of belt fastener or
buckle to be used, since the operation of shifting is accomplished without rubbing
contact on the edges.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. The use and application of a movable or shifting roller in combination
with driving and driven pulleys, arranged and operating in the manner and for the
purpose substantially as specified.
Second. In apparatus for shifting belts, the use and application of a movable
roller, arranged, and operating in the manuer substantially as herein described and
set forth:
Dated this 20th do of T1- 100-
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9 Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.