Patent Description:
This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the disclosure. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Agricultural harvesting machines such as combine harvesters are used to reap, thresh, and winnow grain crops such as wheat, rye, barley, corn, soybeans, oats, flax, sunflower, canola, and the like. More specifically, combine harvesters are used to cut grain crops at the base, separate the grains from the remainder of the plant (the chaff), and sort the grain from the chaff. These machines require special adaptations to accommodate specific crops, navigate through field landscapes, and resist damage from the crops, stone, and the elements; especially moisture and high temperature which can lead to the degradation of the machine's rubber components.

Generally, combine harvesting machines gather crops using a header as the machine moves through a field. The header may be one of several types, each of which provides a means of gathering a particular type of crop. The header is connected to a feederhousing which provides a means of conveying the crop to a threshing mechanism which is part of the harvesting machine.

In one type of header which is useful for small grain, the gathered crops are pushed by a reel into a cutter bar, which runs the length of the header and is equipped with teeth made of metal or plastic to cut crops at their base. Headers may have a rigid or flexible header platform depending upon the operator's needs. Flexible header platforms, or "flex headers" have a cutter bar which is capable of flexing over uneven terrain. Machines using flex headers are most often used to cut soybeans, whereas conventional header platforms have a rigid cutter bar and are most often used to cut cereal crops. Freshly cut crops fall behind the cutter bar and onto a plurality of draper belts which are wrapped around parallel spaced rollers. Draper belts function primarily to consolidate crops and move the crops within the header towards a feederhousing, which then conveys the crops to a threshing mechanism. Alternatively, the freshly cut crop may be conveyed within the header to the feederhousing by augers.

A second type of header is useful for row crops such as corn. This type of header has dividers which define crop gathering gaps for each crop row. In each gap, the ears of corn containing the corn grain kernels is removed from the corn stock and is conveyed by auger or belt to the feederhousing. The stalk and other plant residue are separated from the ears and remain in the field so that the amount of material processed by the threshing mechanism is minimized.

A third type of header is useful for crops which have been previously cut and collected for drying or other aging in the field. This type of header includes a pickup apron to convey the cut crop into the header and onto a plurality of draper belts which are wrapped around parallel spaced rollers. The draper belts function primarily to consolidate crops and to gently move the crops within the header towards a feederhousing, which then conveys the crops to the threshing mechanism.

For each header type, the feederhousing movably supports the header and connects it to the threshing mechanism contained in the main body of the combine harvester. The feederhousing includes a closed channel, typically of rectangular cross section, having an inlet opening at the forward end which engages the header at the point where the header discharges the crop. The feederhousing has a discharge opening at the rearward end which engages the desired inlet area of the threshing mechanism. The crop is conveyed within the closed channel of the feederhousing from the header to the threshing mechanism by bars or cleats which are attached to chains or belts. The chains or belts are supported by a shaft and sprockets near the discharge opening, and by one or more shafts or drums near the inlet opening. Rotation of the belts or chains about the shafts moves the bars or cleats in a closed loop path from the inlet to the discharge. The moving bars or cleats carry or drag the crop from the header to the threshing mechanism.

Additional mechanisms within the feederhousing may be used to assist the conveyance of the crop. They may guide the path of the bars or cleats or chains, allow limited motion of the drums, and/or control the tension of the chain. The bars and belts or chains are subject to abrasive wear from contact with the crop, and to damage from foreign object that inadvertently enter the feederhousing. Belts made in a continuous loop are difficult to install in a traditional feederhousing, so an assembly of belts and bars in which the continuous loop can be opened for installation is useful.

Inside the threshing mechanism, the grain is separated from the plant stems, cobs, straw, leaves, and chaff. The threshed grains are collected in a grain collecting tank, and the plant waste, or chaff, is moved to discharge openings of the threshing mechanism for disposal to the field or for collection if desired as a secondary product.

Other harvesting machines are used for cutting silage. The header of this machine usually is made to engage with row crops, but instead of striping ears from the stalk, the stalk is cut near the ground and the entire plant is conveyed to the feederhousing. The feederhousing conveys the plant to a chopping mechanism instead of a threshing mechanism to produce animal feed.

<CIT> shows a timing belt comprising a tensile cords embedded in an elastic body. The timing belt comprises a plurality of tooth structures wherein each tooth of the plurality of tooth structures comprises a tooth flank a land and an easement area between the tooth flank and the land, wherein the easement area has a progressively decreasing radial thickness from the tooth flank to the land. <CIT> relates to a coupler for endless belts of conveyors for example for agricultural harvesters. The belt has a first hole at the first end and a second hole at the second end. The coupler comprises a first pin extending through the first hole and a second pin extending through the second hole when the belt ends are coupled by the coupler. <CIT> relates to a belt as an endless traction means for conveyor belts of agricultural machines. At least one fabric layer of each belt end is folded back onto itself and wraps around a thickening and runs between the thickening and a stop forming an abutment for the thickening, that it gets jammed between the thickening and the stop when tension acts on the belt in the return direction. <CIT> relates to a connecting unit connecting two ends of a timing belt. The connecting unit comprises an outer body and a clamping unit arranged inside the body. The clamping unit comprises an adjusting mechanism, that extends the clamping unit outwardly in a direction of a wall of the body. The belt ends are clamped between the clamping unit and the body.

Some problems with the use of chains to convey crops within the feederhousing are high weight, excessive noise generation while in operation, chain wear, and chain stretch. Accordingly, there is an ongoing need for improved feederhousing components which improve on the current problems in the art, the need met at least in part, by embodiments according to the disclosure.

The invention is as defined in claim <NUM>, wherein the splice comprises a pair of looped cords extending from ends of the tensile reinforcement section, a pair of glad hand connectors disposed between the pair of looped cords, a clamp disposed over the pair of glad hand connectors and the pair of looped cords on a side of the belt comprising the cover layer, and a bottom clamp disposed on an end of the one tooth, wherein a clamp connector extends through the clamp and between the pair of glad hand connectors, and wherein the clamp connector securely engages the bottom clamp. Some embodiments of the disclosure are directed to belts having a cover layer and opposing continuous tooth section defining an outer surface, a cross-linked elastomeric body, and a tensile reinforcement section disposed between the cover layer and the cross-linked elastomeric body. The continuous tooth section includes a plurality of tooth structures, each having tooth flank, a land, and an easement area between the tooth flank and the land, and the easement area has a progressively decreasing radial thickness from the tooth flank to the land. In some aspects, the easement area reduces shear stress between the tensile reinforcement and the elastomeric body of the tooth. In some aspects, the easement area provides a gradual change in belt bending stiffness from a high bending stiffness near the tooth flank to a low bending stiffness near the land. In some aspects, the easement area controls the bending radius of the tensile layer between the tooth flank and the land as the belt engages a sprocket.

In some aspects, the easement area near the land has a low angle of contact with the outer portion of a sprocket tooth when engaging a sprocket, and the low angle of contact may provide a radial or circumferential displacement of the belt with respect to the sprocket when forces applied to the belt tooth flank by the sprocket tooth are excessive, and the displacement of the belt can transfer a portion of those forces to other belt tooth structures of the continuous tooth section, thus limiting the force applied to an individual tooth. In some aspects, the belt is an endless belt, while in some other aspects, the belt is a spliced belt having a splice.

Where the belts are spliced belts, the belt is first made in an open loop containing a desired number of whole teeth along the loop, and with a partial tooth at each end of the loop. When the partial teeth are joined at installation, a splice is positioned in one tooth structure between a pair of corresponding lands. In some cases, the splice includes such elements as a pair of looped cords extending from ends of the tensile reinforcement section, a pair of connectors disposed between the pair of looped cords, a clamp disposed over the pair of connectors and the pair of looped cords on a side of the belt comprising the cover layer, and/or a bottom clamp disposed on an end of the one tooth, where a clamp connector extends through the clamp and between the pair of glad hand connectors, and where the clamp connector securely engages the bottom clamp. A deadman may be disposed within each loop of the pair of looped cords, and in some cases, the deadman have a kickstand structure.

Some other embodiments of the disclosure are spliced belts having a cover layer and opposing continuous tooth section defining an outer surface, where the continuous tooth section has a plurality of tooth structures, and where each tooth of the plurality of tooth structures has a tooth flank, a land, and an easement area between the tooth flank and the land. The belt also includes a cross-linked elastomeric body, a tensile reinforcement section disposed between the cover layer and the cross-linked elastomeric body, and a splice positioned in one tooth structure between a pair of corresponding lands. The splice has a pair of looped cords extending from ends of the tensile reinforcement section, a pair of glad hand connectors disposed between the pair of looped cords, a clamp disposed over the pair and the pair of looped cords on a side of the belt having the cover layer, and a bottom clamp disposed on an end of the one tooth. The clamp connector extends through the clamp and between the pair of glad hand connectors, and the clamp connector securely engages the bottom clamp. In some aspects, a deadman is disposed within each loop comprised in the pair of looped cords, and the deadman may have a kickstand structure.

The easement area has a progressively decreasing radial thickness from the tooth flank to the land, and the easement area may have a low angle of contact with a sprocket at the land end. By extending, within one tooth, the shear area between the tooth and the cord is increased, thus reducing the stress placed on the cord.

Yet other embodiments of the disclosure are directed to feederhousings having a plurality of elastomeric drive belts, where each belt comprised in the plurality of elastomeric drive belts includes a cover layer and opposing continuous tooth section defining an outer surface, a cross-linked elastomeric body, and a tensile reinforcement section disposed between the cover layer and the cross-linked elastomeric body. The continuous tooth section includes a plurality of tooth structures, each having a tooth flank, a land, and an easement area between the tooth flank and the land. The easement area has a progressively decreasing radial thickness from the tooth flank to the land, and may have a low pressure-angle of contact with a sprocket. In some aspects, the belt is an endless belt, while in some other aspects, the belt is a spliced belt having a splice.

Where the elastomeric drive belts are spliced belts, each of the spliced belts further include a splice positioned in one tooth structure between a pair of corresponding lands. The splice has a pair of looped cords extending from ends of the tensile reinforcement section, a pair of glad hand connectors disposed between the pair of looped cords, a clamp disposed over the pair and the pair of looped cords on a side of the belt having the cover layer, and/or a bottom clamp disposed on an end of the one tooth. A clamp connector extends through the clamp and between the pair of glad hand connectors, and the clamp connector securely engages the bottom clamp. In some cases, a deadman in disposed within each loop of the pair of looped cords, and the deadman may have a kickstand structure.

Certain embodiments of the disclosure will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various technologies described herein, and wherein:.

The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, its application, or uses. The description and examples are presented herein solely for the purpose of illustrating the various embodiments of the disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation to the scope and applicability of the disclosure. In the summary of the disclosure and this detailed description, each numerical value should be read once as modified by the term "about" (unless already expressly so modified), and then read again as not so modified unless otherwise indicated in context. Also, in the summary of the disclosure and this detailed description, it should be understood that a value range listed or described as being useful, suitable, or the like, is intended that any and every value within the range, including the end points, is to be considered as having been stated. For example, "a range of from <NUM> to <NUM>" is to be read as indicating each and every possible number along the continuum between about <NUM> and about <NUM>. Thus, even if specific data points within the range, or even no data points within the range, are explicitly identified or refer to only a few specific, it is to be understood that inventors appreciate and understand that any and all data points within the range are to be considered to have been specified, and that inventors had possession of the entire range and all points within the range.

In addition, use of the "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of concepts according to the disclosure. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless otherwise stated.

The terminology and phraseology used herein is for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited.

Also, as used herein any references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.

In general, belts according to the disclosure include a cover layer and opposing continuous tooth section defining an outer surface as depicted in <FIG>, which illustrates a portion of a belt in a fragmented perspective view according to one embodiment of the disclosure. In some cases, the belts are HNBR (hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber) belts where the back side of the HNBR belt is a cover <NUM> to protect the tensile cords. The cover can be elastomer HNBR or fabric impregnated with elastomer. The tensile cords <NUM> are embedded in a cord support elastomer <NUM> which may be the same elastomer as used in the cover <NUM> or the body <NUM>. It may be a different elastomer if required by the manufacturing process or by functional requirement of the elastomer region near the cords. The body <NUM> is commonly called the tooth stock elastomer and may not be continuous along the length of the belt. The toothed surface of the belt <NUM> is usually covered with one or more layers of continuous fabric that follow the contour of the tooth and the land between the teeth. The outer surface of the outer fabric layer <NUM> may be impregnated with an elastomer with low coefficient of friction and with resistance to abrasion as described in <CIT>. The inner surface of the inner layer of fabric may be impregnated with elastomer compatible with the body <NUM> or the cord encapsulant <NUM>. If more than one layer of fabric is used, the surfaces between the layers may be impregnated with the material of <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. The tensile cords <NUM> may be placed close to the inner fabric layer in the land area between the belt teeth and define the neutral plane of the belt in bending.

In some other aspects, the cross-linked elastomeric body <NUM> is based upon a urethane material, formed from the reaction product of a polyisocyanate and a hydroxyl functional polyol which react during a molding process used in forming belt <NUM>. The polyisocyanate and the hydroxyl functional polyol may be injected separately into the belt mold and reacted during the belt molding process. Further, the polyisocyanate and the hydroxyl functional polyol may envelop the fabric reinforcement prior to reacting during the belt molding process; or in some cases during reacting in the belt molding process. Prior to injection, the belt mold typically contains the outer tension section <NUM>, the tensile reinforcement section <NUM> and the fabric reinforcement <NUM> prior to injecting the polyisocyanate and the hydroxyl functional polyol.

However, while the above are just two examples of materials that may be used for the cross-linked elastomeric materials, any suitable material for the cross-linked elastomeric materials can be used. Other non-limiting examples of suitable elastomeric materials include chloroprene rubber ("CR"), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber ("NBR"), styrene-butadiene rubber ("SBR"), alkylated chlorosulfonated polyethylene ("ACSM"), epichlorohydrin, butadiene rubber ("BR"), natural rubber ("NR") and ethylene alpha olefin elastomers such as ethylene propylene terpolymer ("EPDM") and ethylene propylene copolymer ("EPM"), or a combination of any two or more of the foregoing.

The materials forming the elastomeric body <NUM> and cover layer <NUM> may be blended with conventional compounding ingredients including fillers, plasticizers, carbon black, agents to reduce static build up, stabilizers, vulcanization agents/curatives and accelerators, in amounts conventionally employed.

The tensile reinforcement section <NUM> disposed between the outer tension section and the cross-linked elastomeric body is useful for providing support and strength to belts. In some embodiments, the tensile reinforcement section <NUM> contains a plurality of cords <NUM> aligned longitudinally along the length of main body portion. It should be understood that, in general, any type of tensile reinforcement section known to the art may be utilized. Moreover, any desired material may be used as the tensile members in the tensile reinforcement section, such as cotton, rayon, nylon, polyester, aramid, steel, carbon fiber, PBO, and even discontinuous fibers oriented for low load carrying capability. In some aspects, the cords are embedded in a material, the embedding material being an elastomeric material.

As depicted in <FIG>, continuous tooth section <NUM> has a plurality of tooth structures. Each tooth <NUM> of the plurality of tooth structures includes tooth flanks <NUM>, lands <NUM>, and easement areas <NUM> between the tooth flanks <NUM> and the lands <NUM>, which is illustrated in <FIG>. According to embodiments of the disclosure, the easement areas <NUM> have a progressively decreasing radial thickness from the tooth flanks <NUM> to the lands <NUM>. The easement area <NUM> of the tooth profile may serve to support the plurality of cords <NUM> on a curve, as well as improves fatigue life of plurality of cords <NUM> by preventing small bend radiuses in the plurality of cords <NUM>, as belt <NUM> engages and bends around a sprocket.

At constant cord tension, the neutral plane does not get shorter or longer as the belt is bent around a sprocket. The tensile cords <NUM> are straight in the area above the tooth, the easements and the land between teeth when the belt is under tension between sprockets or other supports. The tensile cords <NUM> above the tooth may be straight or curved when the belt under tension is bent around a sprocket, depending on the bending stiffness of the belt in the area of the tooth. In the absence of an easement <NUM>, the tensile cords <NUM> above the land <NUM> may be bent to the radius of the top of the sprocket tooth, in an arc with total angle equal to the angle between adjacent belt teeth. The arc radius is much less than the outer radius of the sprocket teeth, and fatigue damage to the cord <NUM> is increased in the land area <NUM>. With the easement <NUM> present, the cord <NUM> is supported at a gently decreasing radius from the tooth flank to the land, and the arc length at the land is reduced to near zero, resulting in reduced fatigue of the cord <NUM>. The support of the cord <NUM> in the easement area <NUM> is partially due to the variable bending stiffness of the belt <NUM> in the easement area <NUM>, which also supports the cord <NUM> if the belt is bent around a flat drum instead of a sprocket. When the belt is bent around a sprocket, the support of the cord <NUM> in the easement area <NUM> is also due to decreasing radial thickness of the easement <NUM> from the tooth flank to the land which conforms to the flanks <NUM> of the sprocket tooth as the belt <NUM> is bent.

Now referencing <FIG>, which illustrates in a portion of conventional toothed belt in rack form (the neutral plane is a straight line). <FIG> shows one belt tooth <NUM>, top surface <NUM> of the belt and a portion of the belt lands <NUM>, <NUM> between the teeth on either side of the tooth <NUM>. Line <NUM> is the neutral plane of the belt which would be near the center of tensile cords. The trapezoidal tooth <NUM> defines bottom <NUM>. The tooth <NUM> also defines flanks <NUM>, <NUM> of the trapezoidal tooth, which are joined to the lands <NUM>, <NUM> and tooth bottom <NUM> with fillet curves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In one non-limiting example, the belt has a tooth pitch of <NUM>, neutral plane <NUM> to lands <NUM>, <NUM> of <NUM>, and neutral plane <NUM> to top surface <NUM> of <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a section of the trapezoidal toothed belt shown in <FIG>, when wrapped around a sprocket in an ideal form. Two cylindrical teeth <NUM>, <NUM> on sprocket <NUM> are shown. The angled lines <NUM>, <NUM> passing through the two cylindrical teeth <NUM>, <NUM> represent one pitch of sprocket <NUM> and meet on the center <NUM> of sprocket <NUM>. The belt also defines top surface <NUM> and neutral plane <NUM> which is near the center of tensile cords. The belt tooth <NUM> and lands <NUM>, <NUM> are deformed into an idealized shape where the lands are in contact with the outer diameter of sprocket <NUM>, and the lands <NUM>, <NUM> as well as belt tooth <NUM> are curved so that the belt neutral plane <NUM> is an arc with constant radius centered at the center <NUM> of the sprocket <NUM>. The bending radius of cords is the sprocket outside radius plus the belt neutral plane to land distance. This the condition which provides the largest possible cord bend radius for the given sprocket size (pitch and number of teeth). For example, where the belt tooth pitch is <NUM>, neutral plane to land is <NUM>, neutral plane to top is <NUM>, sprocket pitch is <NUM>, and number of teeth is <NUM>, the tooth-to-tooth angle is <NUM>°, having half angle of <NUM>°, sprocket pin outer diameter is <NUM>, cord bend radius is <NUM> and pitch line arc length is <NUM>.

Now referencing <FIG>, which illustrates a section of the trapezoidal toothed belt, such as that shown in <FIG>, when wrapped around a sprocket <NUM> in a form that has an undesirably small cord bending radius, and where the belt land wraps around the cylindrical teeth <NUM>, <NUM> of the sprocket <NUM>, at regions <NUM>, <NUM>. Here, the belt cords, positioned about belt neutral plane <NUM>, are under tension, which pulls the unsupported belt tooth <NUM> and parts of the lands <NUM>, <NUM> into a chordal straight-line X. The tension also holds part of the lands at regions <NUM>, <NUM> in an arc around the outer diameter of the cylindrical sprocket teeth <NUM>, <NUM>. The minimum bending radius of the cord is the radius of the sprocket pin plus the belt PLD neutral plane to land, which is significantly smaller than that depicted in <FIG>, and, for example, in comparison, has a cord bend radius of <NUM> at arc of <NUM>° with a ten tooth sprocket.

<FIG> depicts a section of a toothed belt according to the disclosure, when wrapped around pins of a sprocket. As shown, toothed belt <NUM> includes easements <NUM>, <NUM> wrapped around pins <NUM>, <NUM> of sprocket <NUM>. The easements <NUM>, <NUM> are a transition area between the belt tooth flank <NUM>, <NUM> and the land <NUM>, <NUM>, which significantly shorten the length of the land, between teeth, in comparison to that shown <FIG>. Such easements <NUM>, <NUM> prevent the undesirably small cord bending radius of <FIG> where the land <NUM>, <NUM> wraps around the sprocket tooth pin <NUM>, <NUM>. The belt cords, positioned about belt neutral plane <NUM>, are under tension and the bending stiffness of the belt <NUM> in the tooth <NUM> area may hold the cord above the tooth <NUM> in a straight chordal line or in a slight curve with a significantly larger cord bending radius than that depicted in <FIG>. The bottom <NUM> of the tooth <NUM> is unsupported. Further, easement <NUM> or <NUM> can be defined as a belt structure as having a progressively decreasing radial thickness, relative sprocket <NUM> center point <NUM>, between tooth flank <NUM>, <NUM> and land <NUM>, <NUM> respectively. This is contrast to that depicted in <FIG> where there exists a gap between a significant portion of the land and tooth flank relative the sprocket pin surface, as well as a consistent radial thickness over a majority of the land length, with an steep increase in radial thickness from the land to tooth flank (or otherwise a steep decrease in radial thickness between tooth flank and land). In another aspect, the radius of the belt at easement <NUM> or <NUM> are like or similar to the radius of the sprocket pin <NUM> or <NUM>.

Each easement area <NUM>, <NUM> acts as a tapered cantilever beam to support the cord at a variable radius, until the easement <NUM>, <NUM> deforms to contact the sprocket pin <NUM>, <NUM>. Upon contact between the sprocket pin <NUM>, <NUM> and the lower surface of the easement <NUM>, <NUM>, the cord bending radius is determined by the radial thickness of the deformed easement <NUM>, <NUM> at each point between the tooth flank <NUM>, <NUM> and the small remaining land <NUM>, <NUM>. The narrow land is in contact with the sprocket at the outer diameter of the sprocket pin, but the arc of contact is very small and the curve of the cord over the easement brings the cord tangent to the cord at the end of the easement of the next tooth. The minimum bend radius of the cord is much greater than the minimum radius shown in <FIG>.

In some aspects, belts according to the disclosure, having easement area designs which reduce the peak shear stress and increased tooth fatigue life due to larger shear area, may be useful in an endless belt where the drive shaft(s)/sprockets are removeable from the equipment in which the belt is used. In some other aspects, the belts according to the disclosure are spliced belts which are installed in equipment without removal of drive shaft(s)/sprockets.

Now referencing <FIG>, which depicts a splice of a spliced belt, in a cross-section view. In this embodiment, spliced belt <NUM> includes a first end <NUM> and opposing second end <NUM>. A tensile reinforcement section includes a plurality of cords <NUM>, disposed between a cover layer <NUM> and a cross-linked elastomeric body <NUM>. Cords <NUM> extend from both first end <NUM> and opposing second end <NUM>. The extended portion of the pair of cords <NUM> are each looped to form looped cords <NUM>, which are positioned in a tooth structure of spliced belt <NUM>, between a pair of corresponding lands <NUM>. An optional fabric layer <NUM> may be disposed on the outer surface of the tooth structure, or slightly inward therefrom. A pair of glad hand connectors <NUM> are disposed between the pair of looped cords <NUM>, and a clamp <NUM> disposed over the pair of looped cords <NUM> on a side of the belt <NUM> where the cover layer <NUM> is located. A bottom clamp <NUM> is disposed on an end of the tooth structure, and a clamp connector <NUM> extends through the clamp <NUM> and between the pair of glad hand connectors <NUM>, and the clamp connector <NUM> securely engages the bottom clamp <NUM>. After assembling the splice, an air space compression zone <NUM> may remain outwardly from looped cords <NUM>. In some aspects, a deadman <NUM> is disposed within looped cords <NUM>.

Ends <NUM> and <NUM> are two ends of the same belt, and each end contains one half of the tooth, including one deadman <NUM>, and one septum (<NUM>). <FIG> shows slightly more than one pitch and includes only the two half-tooth ends with the septums in contact, along with the top <NUM>, bottom clamp <NUM> and connector <NUM>. Bottom clamp <NUM> interferes with the tooth fabric and rubber in this assembled view. The looped cords are shown as turned in a <NUM> degree loop, which, as tension in the cords <NUM> increases, the loops provide a self-activating increase in the clamping force on the end of the cord loop between the deadman <NUM> and upper clamp <NUM>. In some other aspects of the disclosure, the loops could be turned in any suitable amount, such as, but not necessarily limited to, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, or even <NUM> degrees.

With reference to <FIG>, which depicts another splice of a spliced belt, in a cross-section view in accordance with the disclosure, and in this embodiment, spliced belt <NUM> includes a first end <NUM> and opposing second end <NUM>. Similar to above, tensile reinforcement section includes a plurality of cords <NUM>, disposed between a cover layer <NUM> and a cross-linked elastomeric body <NUM> where cords <NUM> extend from both first end <NUM> and opposing second end <NUM>. The extended portion of cords <NUM> are each looped to form looped cords <NUM>, positioned in a tooth structure of spliced belt <NUM>, between a pair of corresponding lands <NUM>. An optional fabric layer <NUM> may be disposed on the outer surface of the tooth structure, or slightly inward therefrom. A pair of glad hand connectors <NUM> are disposed between the pair of looped cords <NUM>, and a clamp <NUM> disposed over the pair of looped cords <NUM>. A bottom clamp <NUM> is disposed on an end of the tooth structure, and a clamp connector <NUM> extends through the clamp <NUM> and between the pair of glad hand connectors <NUM>, and the clamp connector <NUM> securely engages the bottom clamp <NUM>, while an air space compression zone <NUM> remains outwardly from looped cords <NUM>. A deadman <NUM> is disposed within looped cords <NUM>.

Deadman <NUM> includes a kickstand <NUM>. The kick stands <NUM>, glad hands <NUM> and mold used to form the belt end confine the deadman <NUM> and displace rubber encapsulating the cord <NUM> to create pinch points and glands. The first pinch point <NUM> is just above the <NUM>-degree cord bend from horizontal to vertical, and the first gland <NUM> is above the first pinch point <NUM>. A second pinch point <NUM> is in the <NUM>-degree bend at the top. The cut end of the cord ends at the top of the kickstand <NUM> in the second gland <NUM>. With <NUM> degrees of wrap, increasing the tension in the cords causes the deadman <NUM> to rotate when the cord and elastomer in the gland area <NUM> deforms. The kickstand <NUM> limits the rotation movement of the deadman <NUM> so that it is not separated from the septum <NUM> and overall pitch of the spliced tooth is accurately maintained.

Now referencing <FIG>, which depicts yet another splice of a spliced belt, in a cross-section view. In this embodiment, spliced belt <NUM> includes almost all of the same elements as shown in <FIG> for spliced belt <NUM>. However, ends of the cords are extended to be pinched between the deadman kickstand and the clamp. As depicted, the extended ends <NUM> from cord loops <NUM>, of cord <NUM>, is disposed between deadman <NUM> kickstands <NUM> and the clamp <NUM>, or otherwise extended over the tip of the kickstands <NUM> to clamp the ends of cord <NUM>. Initial clamping force is provided by top clamp <NUM> when securely connected to bottom clamp <NUM> via the clamp connector. When belt <NUM> tension increases, the cord <NUM> tension in a first bend increases the clamp force between the tip of kickstand <NUM> and clamp <NUM>. Rotation of the deadmans <NUM> is prevented by the pinch point and the contact of the cord ends <NUM> and encapsulating rubber in the first glands <NUM> against glad hands <NUM>. In <FIG>, the adhesion and compression of the cord and elastomer in gland <NUM> resist any tension in the cord near the end of the loop. However, in <FIG>, both the cord clamping effect of <FIG> and the limiting of deadman rotation by the kickstand in <FIG> are combined and gland <NUM> has the proper tapered shape.

The glad-hands shown on the above figures are formed of a pair of septums which are essentially symmetric with an interlocking feature. The septums can be brought in contact from the left and right with vertical and horizontal alignment controlled by glad-hand pins and sockets, after which the top and bottom clamp can be applied.

With reference to <FIG>, which depicts another splice of a spliced belt, in a cross-section view in accordance with the disclosure. In this embodiment, spliced belt <NUM> includes many of the same elements as described in the embodiments above including a first end <NUM> and opposing second end <NUM>, a plurality of cords <NUM>, where extended portion of cords <NUM> are each looped to form looped cords <NUM>, and a clamp <NUM> disposed over the pair of looped cords <NUM>. However, asymmetrical septum connectors <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed between the pair of looped cords <NUM>, and beneath clamp <NUM> disposed over the pair of looped cords <NUM>. Deadmans <NUM> with kickstands <NUM> are disposed within looped cords <NUM>. The bottom clamp mechanism is incorporated into septum connector <NUM> and clamp connector <NUM>, as a part of septum connector <NUM>, extends up between and between asymmetrical connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, and through clamp <NUM>, and is secured to clamp <NUM> with a fastener. Asymmetrical septum connectors <NUM> and <NUM> may have corresponding mating interlocking features <NUM> and <NUM>.

In contrast with the above figures, the septums <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG> are not a glad-hand design (i.e. symmetrical septums). Also, here a bottom clamp is incorporated in septum <NUM>, and the septums <NUM> and <NUM> cannot be brought in contact from the left and right unless septum <NUM> is lower than septum <NUM> so that the interlocking features <NUM> and <NUM> do not interfere. After the septum faces touch, the septum <NUM> must be slid upward to the same height as <NUM>. The vertical alignment is dependent on the engagement of interlocking features <NUM> and <NUM>.

Tensile testing was conducted on some belts according to the disclosure, as well as some conventional design control belts. Each tested belt sample was <NUM> wide. Belt sample N-<NUM>, from Table <NUM> was a straight tensile test of a belt strand without a splice, such as a test for an endless belt. Belt sample L-<NUM> had a lap splice extending over <NUM> teeth in length. For belt sample L-<NUM> one belt strand was cut to have a <NUM> wide groove on the strand centerline, and the second strand was cut to have a <NUM> wide tongue on the centerline. The tongue of the second strand was placed inside the groove of the first strand. The tongue and groove were connected by metal clamps at the centerline of each of <NUM> teeth.

Belt samples D-<NUM> to D-<NUM> and K-<NUM> to K-<NUM> were butt splices of the belt strand having the features of holding the ends of the cords by wrapping around a deadman and capturing the belt ends with top and bottom clamps, as described above for embodiments according to the disclosure. Belt samples D-<NUM> to D-<NUM> were similar to shown in <FIG>, where the deadman does not have a kickstand and where the path of the cables and encapsulating elastomer is relatively uniform in thickness.

Belt samples K-<NUM> to K-<NUM> were similar to embodiments shown in <FIG>, where the deadman does have a kickstand and where the path of the cables and encapsulating elastomer varies in thickness to bring the cables closer to the deadman at the pinch points and to provide a tapered gland of encapsulating elastomer between the pinch points. For belt samples K-<NUM>, K-<NUM> and K-<NUM>, the ends of the cables are captured by a pinch point between the top clamp and the kickstand of the deadman, as shown in <FIG>.

The belt samples tested in pairs by clamping them together and applying a tensile load to the free ends. The specimen which fails at the lowest tension is shown in the table. Belt sample K-<NUM> was tested with K-<NUM>, and did not fail.

Belts according to the disclosure may be used in any suitable application or equipment where the advantages of such belts provide improvement over the conventional belts used. One nonlimiting example of such equipment is a combine crop harvester feederhousing.

<FIG> depicts one example of a conventional combine crop harvester <NUM>, in perspective view, which is equipped with a removable head <NUM>, this is designed for particular crops. Shown is a corn head <NUM>, but other types include a grain platform, a flex head which can cut soybeans as well as cereal crops, wheat headers, also called "draper" headers, and the like.

Harvesting head <NUM> includes an auger <NUM> for conveying harvested crop from each side toward center <NUM>, where it then enters feederhousing <NUM>. The crop is carried up the feederhousing <NUM> by one or more belts and flight elevator, then fed into the thresher <NUM> having the threshing mechanism of the combine <NUM>, which generally includes a rotating threshing drum to which rasp bars are bolted, to separate the crop and chaff. After primary separation at the drum, the clean crop falls through a concave and to a shoe, and thereafter lifted to container <NUM>.

Now referencing <FIG>, which shows a front view of a feederhousing <NUM>, where harvested crop is received and concentrated. Feederhousing <NUM> generally includes an outer housing structure <NUM> which defines a hollow <NUM> therein. A feed drum <NUM> is disposed within hollow <NUM> and rotatably attached to outer housing structure <NUM>. Feed drum <NUM> is rotated by belts <NUM>, and attached to belts <NUM> are conveyor belt slats <NUM> (five shown). The feed drum <NUM>, belts <NUM> and conveyor belt slats <NUM> are part of a larger structure called a mid-frame, an example of which is showing in <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, a feederhousing mid-frame is shown in a perspective view. Mid-frame <NUM> includes feed drum <NUM> which is attachable to an outer housing structure (not shown), and an axle with drive sprockets <NUM>. Belts <NUM> are connected to both feed drum <NUM> and corresponding drive sprockets <NUM>. Attached to belts <NUM> are conveyor belt slats <NUM> (ten shown).

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be sufficiently thorough, and will convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure, but are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. It will be appreciated that it is within the scope of the disclosure that individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.

Claim 1:
A belt (<NUM>) comprising:
- a cover layer (<NUM>) and opposing continuous tooth section (<NUM>) defining an outer surface;
- a cross-linked elastomeric body (<NUM>); and,
- a tensile reinforcement section disposed between the cover layer (<NUM>) and the cross-linked elastomeric body (<NUM>);
wherein the continuous tooth section (<NUM>) is comprised of a plurality of tooth structures;
wherein each tooth (<NUM>) of the plurality of tooth structures comprises a tooth flank (<NUM>), a land (<NUM>), and an easement area (<NUM>) between the tooth flank (<NUM>) and the land (<NUM>);
wherein the easement area (<NUM>) has a progressively decreasing radial thickness from the tooth flank (<NUM>) to the land (<NUM>);
characterised in that the belt (<NUM>) is a spliced belt having a splice positioned in one tooth structure between a pair of corresponding lands (<NUM>); and,
in that the splice comprises a pair of looped cords (<NUM>) extending from ends (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the tensile reinforcement section, a pair of glad hand connectors (<NUM>) disposed between the pair of looped cords (<NUM>), a clamp (<NUM>) disposed over the pair of glad hand connectors (<NUM>) and the pair of looped cords (<NUM>) on a side of the belt (<NUM>) comprising the cover layer (<NUM>), and a bottom clamp (<NUM>) disposed on an end of the one tooth, wherein a clamp connector (<NUM>) extends through the clamp (<NUM>) and between the pair of glad hand connectors (<NUM>), and wherein the clamp connector (<NUM>) securely engages the bottom clamp (<NUM>).