CN1769036A - Method, apparatus and power transmission belt for forming a power transmission belt/belt sleeve - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve by obliquely cutting a side surface thereof using a cutter. The belt/belt sleeve preform is drawn around at least two spaced apart shafts and driven so that the sides are reconfigured by the cutter. The cutter may be held in a cutting gap defined by the outer circumference of the running belt/belt sleeve preform. The belt/belt sleeve preform begins with a shape in which the spaced sides are parallel to each other. The side surfaces of the rear portion may be kept parallel when the oblique cutting is performed. Apparatus for forming a power transmission belt/belt sleeve and a power transmission belt are also contemplated.

Description

Method, apparatus and power transmission belt for forming a power transmission belt/belt sleeve

technical field

The present invention relates to a power transmission belt, and more particularly, to a power transmission belt having chamfered side surfaces. The present invention also claims a method and apparatus for manufacturing/forming power transmission belts/belt sleeves, including those having chamfered side surfaces.

Background technique

It is common to manufacture V-belts by initially forming a belt sleeve constructed of rubber and other constituent parts. The belt sleeves were vulcanized and then cut to produce individual belts with trapezoidal cross-sections. This common manufacturing process often results in structural changes, both in the belt's performance and in its operation. The length and cross-sectional shape of the belt will change as the material that defines the belt shrinks. The load cords between the elongation and contraction will be less than optimal. Other defects in the machining process can also make the finished belt less than ideal.

Among these problems, changes in cross-sectional size and shape are of particular concern. This situation causes fluctuations in the position of the belt in the mating pulley grooves radially relative to the pulley shaft. This fluctuation causes vibrations during operation. This condition can also cause fluctuations in belt tension, which can cause vibrations in the pulleys the belt pulls and associated equipment.

In order to solve the above problems, it is known to sand the individual V-belts cut from the sleeve. An exemplary structure and method for realizing such processing are disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3553371. The cut belt is drawn around a pair of pulleys and driven on a circular path. As the belt runs, the sides are polished to be within dimensional tolerances.

An advantage of the polished side is that a large area of artificial reinforcing staple fibers is exposed on the side surface of the belt. Ultimately, the coefficient of friction between the side surfaces and the cooperating pulleys is reduced, so that noise generation, especially during start-up, remains generally acceptably low. On the other hand, due to the reduced coefficient of friction, the belt can slip, creating unnecessary wear and heat.

In another process, the curing sleeve can be turned inside out and placed on the mandrel. While the mandrel is being rotated, the v-grooves can be cut into sleeves with a grindstone, after which a knife is used to separate the individual belts. An exemplary structure and method for forming a belt in this manner is described in US Patent No. 3,818,576.

Another belt forming apparatus and method is shown in JP-B-4-2425 patent publication. An apparatus disclosed therein includes a drive pulley and a driven pulley around which a belt preform is drawn along an endless path. The driven pulley can move along the guide bar. Use a pair of rotary blades for structuring/forming the belt sides. Push rollers are provided to support the back of the belt at the cutting position, strengthening the belt as the blade presses against it. Cutting occurs when the belt is driven and the blade rotates.

With such a device, the rotating blades are arranged relative to each other such that both sides of the belt are inserted between the rotating blades for synchronous operation. Ultimately, knives require a relatively large number of components, including blades, to achieve the required coordinated movement between the belt and the knives. Typically, as a device increases in complexity and size, so does its weight and manufacturing cost.

In the patent publication of JP-A-55-28883, there is shown an apparatus and method in which the cutting of the belt sleeves is performed so that the finished form of the adjacent belts conforms sideways. Ultimately, the amount of material to be removed and that must be handled or disposed of is reduced relative to systems with spaces between adjacent belts.

The sides of adjacent belts coincide, which saves a certain amount of material. However, there is still a large amount of waste generated. Therefore, there is room for improvement with respect to the minimization of waste generation.

Considering that the previously described methods generate considerable waste or residue, the latter methods are better in this respect. For example, the blade can remove many rings of waste material on each side surface. In the above-mentioned methods, however, the waste generated by grinding, scraping or polishing is also very large. In general, it is highly desirable to reduce the amount of scrap generated in the belt forming process in order to save material and time and to avoid the inconvenience of disposing of the scrap.

It is also an object of the designers of this type of equipment to provide a compact and low-cost construction which allows the manufacture of high quality power transmission belts. Another goal of the system designer is that these processes can be performed in a time efficient manner.

Contents of the invention

In one form, the invention relates to a method of making a power transmission belt/belt sleeve. The method includes the steps of providing an endless belt/belt sleeve preform having an inner side, an outer side, and a spacer side, and further comprising a shrinking rubber layer, an elongating rubber layer, and the belt/belt sleeve preform inner and outer sides at least one load element between; the traction belt/belt sleeve preform is wound on at least first and second shafts, the first and second shafts have first and second axes; drive at least one shaft so that the belt / The belt sleeve preform travels in an endless path; providing a push assembly at a first position of at least one of an inner side and an outer side of the belt / belt sleeve preform; providing at least one guide element to support the belt / belt sleeve preform At least one side of the member to limit the movement of the belt/belt sleeve preform; providing a knife; guiding the knife to move from the other of the inner side and the outer side of the belt/belt sleeve preform at the first position or an adjacent position To the belt/belt sleeve preform such that one of the inner and outer sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform is supported by the support assembly, thereby reconfiguring the belt/belt sleeve preform.

In one form, the first shaft has a small diameter portion between spaced apart large diameter portions, and the step of pulling the belt/belt sleeve preform includes placing the belt/belt sleeve preform on the spaced apart between the large diameter parts.

The step of pulling the belt/belt sleeve preform includes placing an elongated rubber layer and at least a portion of a contracted rubber layer between the spaced apart large diameter portions.

In one form, the first and second axes are substantially parallel, and the step of directing the knife includes causing the knife to cut the shrinking rubber layer obliquely relative to a reference plane orthogonal to the first and second axes.

In one form, the step of providing an endless belt/belt sleeve preform includes providing an endless belt/belt sleeve preform with spaced sides substantially parallel to the reference plane.

The step of providing an endless belt/belt sleeve preform includes providing a belt/belt sleeve preform having a width at least nominally equal to the desired width of the final power transmission belt.

The step of providing a push assembly may include providing push rollers.

The step of providing at least one guide element may comprise providing at least one guide roller on each spaced apart side of the endless belt/belt sleeve preform.

The step of providing the pusher assembly may include providing the pusher assembly at a location such that the pusher assembly cannot contact the knife when the knife is guided towards the belt/belt sleeve preform.

The method also includes varying the spacing between the large diameter portions of the first shaft to accommodate the width of the belt/belt sleeve preform.

In one form, the load element has an inner side and an outer side, and the step of providing a belt/belt sleeve preform includes providing a belt/belt sleeve preform having an elongated portion and a contracted portion, the elongated portion defining a belt / outside of the belt sleeve preform, while the constricted portion defines the inside of the belt / belt sleeve preform. The distance L is defined as the distance from the outside of the belt/belt sleeve preform to the outside of the load cell. The interval sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform are cut obliquely with respect to the bisecting plane of the belt/belt sleeve preform between the interval sides, from the boundary position to the inside of the belt/belt sleeve preform, the boundary The location is spaced 90-100% of the distance L from the outside of the belt/belt sleeve preform.

The step of directing the cutter may include causing the cutter to divide the belt/belt sleeve preform annular portion which, once divided, encloses one of the spaced apart large diameter portions of the first shaft so as to follow the rotational movement of the first shaft.

The step of providing an endless belt/belt sleeve preform may include providing a length of staple fiber extending between sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform, which may be exposed at the diagonally cut spaced sides of the shrink rubber layer.

In one form, each of the diagonally cut spacer sides has an area, and the step of providing staple fibers includes providing staple fibers in an amount such that the staple bonded area exposed on each spacer side is equal to the oblique direction of each spacer side. 20-70% of the cutting area.

The step of providing a belt/belt sleeve pre-form may comprise providing the belt/belt sleeve pre-form having a length and teeth at regular intervals along the length of the belt/belt sleeve pre-form.

The step of pulling the belt/belt sleeve preform may include pulling the belt/belt sleeve preform to define an inner perimeter within which a cutting gap is defined. The step of directing the knife includes (a) moving the knife in one direction within the cutting gap to reconfigure one of the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform, and (b) moving the knife in a direction generally opposite to this direction in the The cutter is moved between cuts to reconfigure the belt/belt sleeve preform spaced apart from the other side.

The step of providing a knife includes providing the knife with first and second blades fixable relative to each other to respectively configure one and the other of the belt/belt sleeve preform spacer sides.

In one form, the step of providing a cutter may comprise providing a cutter with first and second disk-shaped blades, each having an axis, wherein the first and second blades overlap radially and the first and second blades The axes are not aligned.

The method may further comprise the step of changing the knife from the first state, pivoting the first disk-shaped blade about its axis, thereafter changing the state of the knife back to the first state, thereby fixing the position of the first disk-shaped blade.

The step of providing a push assembly may include providing the push assembly to reinforce the belt/belt sleeve preform when the knife is moved in one direction. The method may also include the step of providing a second pusher assembly to reinforce the belt/belt sleeve preform when the knife is moved in a direction opposite to that one.

In another form, the invention relates to a method of making a power transmission belt/belt sleeve. The method includes the steps of: providing an endless belt/belt sleeve preform having an inner side, an outer side, and a spacer side, and comprising a contracted rubber layer, an elongated rubber layer, and a belt/belt sleeve preform between the inner side and the outer side and have at least one load element on the inside and outside, where the distance from the outside of the belt/belt sleeve preform to the outside of the load element is L; with respect to the distance between the sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform The bisecting plane cuts the spacer side obliquely, from a boundary position 90-100% of the distance L from the outside of the belt/belt sleeve preform, to the inside of the belt/belt sleeve preform.

The step of providing a belt/belt sleeve preform includes providing a belt/belt sleeve preform having spaced sides substantially parallel to one another.

The method may include the step of pulling the belt/belt sleeve preform about first and second spaced apart axes. In one form, the step of diagonally cutting includes diagonally cutting the spaced side at a location where the belt/belt sleeve preform is under tension between the first and second shafts.

The method also includes providing a pusher assembly at the first location to reinforce the belt/belt sleeve when making a miter cut.

The step of pulling the belt/belt sleeve preform may include pulling the belt/belt sleeve preform to define an inner perimeter within which a cutting gap is defined. The step of cutting diagonally may include cutting diagonally using a knife. The method may also include the steps of (a) moving the tool in one direction within the cutting gap to reconfigure one of the belt/belt sleeve preform spacer sides, and (b) substantially aligning with this one direction in the cutting gap The tool is moved in the opposite direction to reconfigure the other of the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for forming a power transmission belt/belt sleeve. The apparatus has first and second shafts about which an endless belt/belt sleeve preform can be drawn. At least one of the first and second shafts may be driven such that the belt/belt sleeve preform wrapped around the first and second shafts moves into a path of cyclic operation. The first shaft has small diameter portions between spaced apart large diameter portions such that the belt/belt sleeve preform wrapped around the first and second shafts resides between the large diameter portions. A push assembly is provided at the cutting location. At least one guide element is also provided at the cutting location. A tool is provided which supports and forms part of the belt/belt sleeve preform which travels about the first and second axes. The pusher assembly is used to reinforce the belt/belt bushing preforms wound on the first and second shafts and supported on the tool. At least one guide member position supports one side of the belt/belt sleeve preform traveling about the first and second axes, thereby limiting movement of the belt/belt sleeve preform at the cutting position.

The apparatus may also be combined with an endless belt/belt sleeve preform drawn around the first and second shafts, the belt/belt sleeve preform having inner, outer, and spacer sides and comprising shrink rubber layer, an elongated rubber layer, and at least one load element between the inside and outside of the belt/belt sleeve preform.

The spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform may be substantially parallel to each other prior to being shaped by the tool.

The belt/belt sleeve preform between the first and second shafts may be under tension.

In one form, the at least one guide element includes first and second rollers each supporting a side of the belt/belt sleeve preform.

The push assembly can be a push roller.

In one form, the knife is movable relative to the belt/belt sleeve preform to cut diagonally one of the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform.

A layer of shrink rubber may reside between the larger diameter portion of the first shaft.

In one form, the relative position of the pusher assembly and the knife is such that the knife cannot contact the pusher assembly when the device is in operation.

In one form, one of the larger diameter portions can be selectively moved towards and away from the other larger diameter portion.

The sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform can be held between the large diameter sections.

In one form, the distance L is defined from the outside of the belt/belt sleeve preform to the outside of the load cell. The spacer sides of the belt/belt sleeve preforms are cut obliquely with respect to the bisecting plane between the spacer sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform, from 90- 100% boundary location, to the inside of the belt/belt sleeve preform.

In one form, as the belt/belt sleeve preform is cut diagonally, the annular portion of the belt/belt sleeve preform is separated and surrounds one of the spaced apart large diameter portions of the first shaft, thereby Rotational movement with the first axis.

In one form, a belt/belt sleeve preform is wound around first and second shafts, the belt/belt sleeve preform defining an inner perimeter within which a cutting gap is defined and (a) during cutting The tool can be moved in one direction in the gap to reconfigure one of the belt/belt sleeve preform spacer sides, and (b) move the tool in the cutting gap in a direction generally opposite to this direction to reconfigure the belt/belt The sleeve preform is spaced from the other of the sides.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for forming a power transmission belt/belt sleeve having a first and a second shaft around which an endless belt/belt sleeve preform can be wound. At least one of the first and second shafts may be driven such that the belt/belt sleeve preform wrapped around the first and second shafts travels in a revolving path. A push assembly is provided at the cutting location. A knife is provided and can be moved in a cutting position (a) in one direction to reconfigure one of two spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform wound on the first and second shafts, and (b) along the generally Moving the tool in the opposite direction to this direction reconfigures the other of the two spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform wrapped around the first and second shafts.

The apparatus may be combined with an endless belt/belt sleeve preform drawn around the first and second shafts, wherein the belt/belt sleeve preform has an inner side, an outer side, and a spacer side and includes a shrink rubber layer , an elongated rubber layer, and at least one load element between the inside and outside of the belt/belt sleeve preform.

In one form, the inner perimeter defined by the belt/belt sleeve preform defines a cutting gap in which the knife is placed.

The spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform may be substantially parallel to each other prior to being shaped by the cutter.

In one form, the cutter has first and second blades which are fixed relative to each other, said blades being arranged such that one of the blades reconfigures one of the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform while the other The blade reconfigures the other of the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform.

In one form, the cutter includes first and second disc-shaped blades, each having an axis. The blades overlap radially and the axes of the first and second blades do not coincide.

In one form, the first blade may be selectively fixed at different angular positions about the circumference of the first axis.

The push assembly reinforces the belt/belt sleeve preform as the tool moves in one direction. The apparatus may also include a second pusher assembly to reinforce the belt/belt sleeve preform when the knife is moved in a direction opposite to that one.

In one form, the blade cuts the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform obliquely relative to a bisecting reference plane between the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform.

In one form, the belt/belt sleeve preform between the first and second shafts may be under tension.

In one form, the knife includes first and second blades supported on arms projecting into the cutting gap.

In one form, the arm is elongated with a length extending in a direction substantially parallel to an axis about which the movable first shaft is located.

The arm can optionally move in directions parallel and normal to the length of the arm.

The invention also relates to a power transmission belt having a main body having an inner side, an outer side, and spaced sides, and comprising a shrinking rubber layer, an elongating rubber layer, and at least one load element between the main body inner side and the outer side. The load element has an inner side and an outer side. The distance from the outside of the main body to the outside of the load element is defined as L. The spacer sides of the body are cut obliquely with respect to the bisecting plane between the sides of the body, from a border position of 90-100% of the distance L from the outside of the body, to the inside of the body.

In one form, the body has staple fibers therein having lengths extending between sides of the body.

Short fibers may be present in the shrink rubber layer.

When the body is cut obliquely, the fibers can be exposed on the side surface of the body.

In one form, each of the diagonally cut body sides of the body has an area, and the exposed area of the short fibers on each side of the body is equal to 20-70% of the area of the diagonally cut body sides.

The short fibers may be flush with the sides of the body.

In one form, the body has a length and has teeth at regular intervals along the length of the body.

The power transmission belt may be one of (a) a V-belt, (b) a V-ribbed belt, and (c) a flat belt.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a power transmission belt that can be manufactured in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of one form of a power transmission belt manufactured in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the side portion of the power transmission belt circled in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a partial side view of the mold on which the belt/belt sleeve preform assembly is formed;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a tooth pad used to form a belt/belt sleeve preform;

Figure 6 is an enlarged, partial, front view of a portion of a mold with a reinforcing fabric layer placed on the mold by geared rollers;

Figure 7 is a side view of a mold with a shrinking rubber layer formed around the mold, ready for processing under controlled temperature and pressure conditions;

Figure 8 is a view after the shrinkage rubber layer of Figure 7 has been processed;

Figure 9 is a partial side view of the mold surrounding the belt/belt sleeve assembly used to manufacture the belt shown in Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a right-angle belt preform used to construct the belt of Figure 2;

Figure 11 is a schematic front view of one form of belt forming apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 12 is identical with Fig. 11, is the view that rotates 90 ° from the state shown in Fig. 11;

Figure 13 is the same as Figure 11, where the belt/belt sleeve preform is cut and the scrap removed during cutting remains intact;

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the belt forming apparatus along line 14-14 in Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the belt forming apparatus along line 15-15 in Figure 13;

Figure 16 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of a shaft on a belt forming apparatus of the present invention around which a belt/belt sleeve preform is wound and scrap material is cut from and around the shaft;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a modification of the belt forming apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the belt forming apparatus along line 18-18 of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the cutter and its extended support arm on the apparatus of Figures 17 and 18.

Detailed ways

The present invention may be used with virtually any type of power transmission belt, generally indicated at 8 in Figure 1, having pulley engaging side surfaces 10, 11 spaced apart from each other.

A particular exemplary form of a power transmission belt made in accordance with the present invention is shown at 12 in FIGS. 2 and 3 . The power transmission belt 12 is commonly referred to as a raw toothed belt and is often used as a variable speed belt on a variety of equipment, such as snowmobiles, scooters, and general industrial machinery. The main body 14 of the belt 12 has an inner side 16 , an outer side 18 , and opposite and spaced apart sides 20 , 22 .

The main body 14 includes a contracting rubber layer 24 , an elongating rubber layer 26 , and a cushioning rubber layer 28 between the contracting and elongating rubber layers 24 , 26 . The helically wound load element/cord 30 defines the neutral axis of the belt, the outside of which forms the elongate portion 32 and the inside of which forms the constriction 34 . The load-bearing cords 30 may be made of fibers and embedded in the buffer rubber layer 28 . On the outer side 38 of the elongated rubber layer 26 a reinforcing fabric layer 36 is provided. A similar reinforcing fabric layer 40 is provided on the inner side 42 of the shrink rubber layer 24 .

Body 14 has a loop length, indicated by double-headed arrow LL. Teeth 44 are arranged at regular intervals along the length of the body 14 .

The side surface portions 46, 48 are cut at right angles in the elongate portion 32, ie are flat and substantially parallel to each other. The side surface portions 50, 52 are cut obliquely with respect to a reference plane P bisecting the body 14 between the sides 20, 22 of the body. The square cut side surface portions 46 , 48 are substantially perpendicular to the outer surface 54 of the main body 14 defined by the reinforcing fabric layer 36 .

In FIG. 1 , the dimension "L" represents the distance from the outer surface 54 of the body 14 to the outer side 56 of the load cord 30 . The vertical dimension of the obliquely cut side surface portions 50, 52 is indicated by dimension L1. The transition between the right-angle cut side surface portions 46, 48 and the obliquely cut side surface portions 50, 52 occurs at the boundary portion BL. The vertical dimension of the square-cut side surface portions 46, 48 is denoted by L3. According to the invention, the dimension L3 is equal to 90-100% of the distance/dimension L.

In this embodiment, the sides 20, 22 each form an angle θ with respect to the vertical. The angle θ is preferably 20-60°. This type of belt is called a wide angle belt.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the boundary position BL coincides with the outer side of the load cord 30 . That is, L3 is equal to L, or in other words, the distance L is the distance between the transition location between the side surface portions 46, 48 and 50, 52 to the outer surface 54. When the belt 12 is in this shape, the centerline of the load cord 30 will always be in contact with the cooperating pulley 57 . Therefore, the power transmission efficiency of the belt 12 can be maintained at a high level. At the same time, the amount of waste produced in the manufacture of the belt 12 can be kept relatively low.

If the boundary position BL is moved upwardly from the outer side 56 of the load cord 30 such that the boundary line BL is spaced less than 90% of L from the outer surface 54, there is generally no problem with the power transmission efficiency of the belt 12. However, this situation is not ideal because a large amount of cutting waste is generated during the belt forming process.

If the boundary position BL moves such that the distance from the boundary position BL to the outer surface 54 is greater than 100% of L, the load cords 30 will come off the sides of the cooperating pulley 57, eventually compromising the power transmission efficiency of the belt 12. Belt jumping will also occur. In addition, the cutting waste produced during the forming process of the belt 12 is also very thin, and the cutting waste is easy to break and loose when the belt is running during the forming process of the belt.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, short, cut-to-length reinforcing fibers 58 are embedded in the shrink rubber layer 24, the length of which extends generally transversely. The end surfaces 60 of the fibers 58 exposed at the sides 20,22 are preferably cut flush at the sides 20,22. Ultimately, the bonded area of exposed fiber surface 60 can be controlled relative to the overall surface area of sides 20, 22 in which fibers 58 are provided, thereby increasing the coefficient of friction between sides 20, 22 and cooperating pulley 57 as desired. Ultimately, initial start-up wear and heat from belt slippage can be controlled. High durability belts can be manufactured with this construction.

Preferably, the total area of exposed fiber surfaces 60 is between 20-70% of the total area of the obliquely cut side surface portions 50,52. If this ratio is lower than 20%, the coefficient of friction between the sides 20, 22 and the cooperating pulley 57 increases, resulting in noise due to adhesive wear. Additionally, due to the relatively small cumulative area of exposed fiber surfaces 60, the reinforcing effect of fibers 58 may be insufficient.

On the other hand, if the ratio exceeds 70%, the belt 12 will have a tendency to slip relative to the pulley 57, causing wear and generating frictional heat.

The present invention contemplates that any load element may be used between the extension and compression sections 32,34. In this embodiment, the load-bearing cords 30 shown may be made of polyester fibers, aramid, and/or glass fibers. Ideally, the cord is a group of polyester fiber filaments with a total denier (silk, rayon, a unit of denier for fibers) of 4,000-8,000, mainly composed of ethylene-2,6-naphthalate, twisted together and bonded. Attached processing. The rate at which the belt slips can thus be controlled. Plus, belt life can be kept at a decent level. In a specific embodiment, the final twist amount of the cord 30 is 10-23/10 cm, and the initial twist amount is 17-38/10 cm.

If the total denier is less than 4,000, the modulus of the load cord 30 becomes too low. If the total denier exceeds 8,000, the belt 12 becomes too thick, eventually compromising bending performance and making the belt 12 prone to bending fatigue.

The rubbers of the extension and contraction portions 32, 34 may be the same or different. Suitable rubbers are: natural rubber, butyl rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, butene-propylene rubber, alkylated chlorosulfur polyethylene, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber and unsaturated carboxyl Mixed polymers of acid metal salts. The above-mentioned components may be used alone or in any combination.

The fibers 58 may be aramid fibers, polyamide fibers, polyester fibers, cotton, or the like. The preferred length of fibers 58 depends on the fiber composition. Usually, the preferred length is 1-10 mm. For example, if aramid fiber is used, the preferred length becomes 3-5 mm. In the case of polyamide fibers, polyester fibers and cotton, the preferred length is 5-10mm.

As indicated above, the length of fibers 58 is generally oriented from side to side. Assuming a 90° angle directly from side to side, it is preferred to orient the length of fiber 58 within the range of 70°-110°.

Preferably, the elongated rubber layer 26 does not include any reinforcing fibers 58 . Reinforcing fibers 58 may be provided in the cushion rubber layer 28, however, preferably no fibers are provided therein.

The fabric layers 36, 40 may be made of cotton, polyester, nylon or the like, using a plain weave, twill weave or satin weave. The fabric layers 36, 40 may be wide-angled canvas with warp and weft threads intersecting at an angle in the range of 90-120°. The fabric layers 36, 40 may be RFL treated, after which the fabric is covered with an abrasion resistant coating rubber. In one embodiment, the RFL solution is made by mixing the initial condensates of resorcinol and formaldehyde with the latex. Suitable latexes include: chloroprene, styrene-butadiene-vinylpyridine terpolymer, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, and nitrile rubber (NBR).

One particular method of forming belt 12 is shown in FIG. 4 . In FIG. 4 , the body 14 is defined by the shrinking rubber layer 24 , the load cords 30 and the elongating rubber layer 26 manufactured continuously on a mold 62 . The peripheral surface 64 of the mold 62 has alternating protrusions and grooves 66 , 68 disposed at regular intervals around the surface 64 .

As another mold structure shown in FIG. 4 , a mold with an inner die in which corresponding protrusions and grooves are alternately formed at a fixed pitch in the circumferential direction may be used.

Yet another way, as shown in FIG. 5, preformed tooth pads 70 can be used to form the belt 12. As shown in FIG. The tooth pad 70 is manufactured as follows. In one embodiment, one or more layers of reinforcing fabric, a layer of unvulcanized rubber that will become the partially contracted rubber layer 24, and a layer of unvulcanized rubber that will become the cushioning rubber layer 28, are stacked on top of each other and Placed on a flat metal mold (not shown) pre-machined with the desired alternating pattern of protrusions and grooves. These components are then pressurized and finally molded to form teeth 44 and grooves 74 between adjacent teeth 44 .

One end 76 of the tooth pad 70 is cut obliquely at the crest 78 to form an angle α, preferably 0-40°. The tooth pad 70 is turned over and the other end 80 is cut diagonally in the opposite oblique direction in the same manner at the spaced apex 82 . With this arrangement, the end portions 76 , 80 can abut each other in close contact with each other, thereby creating the endless configuration of the tooth pad 70 .

The mold 62 of Figure 4 can then be attached to a forming machine (not shown). The tooth pads 70 in turn engage the peripheral surface 64 of the mold 62 such that the teeth 44 and grooves 74 complementarily engage the protrusions 66 and grooves 68 on the mold 62 . The length of the tooth pad 70 is controlled such that the tooth pad 70 extends continuously around the mold 62 with the ends 76, 80 abutting. Once the tooth pad 70 is in place, the load cord 30 is wound helically. Thereafter, the reinforcing fabric from one layer to multiple layers, and the unvulcanized rubber layer which will become the elongated rubber layer 26 , are wound on the load cord 30 . Through this process, a belt/belt sleeve preform assembly is constructed.

Once these steps are complete, the assembly is jacketed, placed in a vulcanization vessel and vulcanized using conventional processes. The jacket and belt/belt sleeve preforms are separated from the mold 62 after vulcanization is complete.

Alternatively to making the belt/belt sleeve preform, the reinforcing fabric/canvas 40 can be attached, eg, by geared rollers, in the groove 68 of the mold 62, as described next. A rubber layer is wound thereon with its end faces abutted to form an endless body. This rubber layer is then applied heat and pressure from the periphery and is preliminarily fitted in an engaging manner onto the peripheral surface 64 of the mold 62, as described above. On the exposed surface of the rubber layer covering the mold 62, a load cord and a separate rubber layer are sequentially wound to complete the belt/belt sleeve preform.

In all the embodiments described here, the width of the starting preform can be equal to the width of a single belt or it can be wide enough to cut several belts from it. For simplicity, in the description and claims herein, the preform will be collectively referred to as a "belt/belt sleeve" preform, it being understood that this term encompasses any sleeve of varying width, which may be a single belt Or multiple straps. Hereafter the belt/belt sleeve will be designated with reference numeral "12" and the corresponding preform with reference numeral "12''.

The above-mentioned use of the reinforcing fabric layer 40 on the mold 84 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6 . A rubber adhesive 85 , such as glue, is applied by spraying, brushing or roller over the protrusions 86 and grooves 88 on the peripheral surface 90 of the mold 84 . In this embodiment, a cylindrical master is attached to the metal mold. A reinforcing fabric layer 40, which may or may not be adhered, is then applied to the peripheral surface 90. Thereafter, the gear drum 92 moves radially inwardly, and one of a series of teeth 94 on it engages one of the grooves 88 on the mold 84 . The mold 84 is then rotated about its axis 96 in the direction of arrow 98 . The reinforcing fabric layer 40 , shown A at the protrusion, is pressed against one side of its top region by a circular peripheral surface 100 on the gear drum 92 from which the teeth 94 protrude. At this point, the free ends 102 of the engaging teeth 94 extend into the groove 88 to press the reinforcing fabric layer 40 flush against the peripheral surface 90 at the bottom of the groove 88 .

As the mold 84 and gear drum 92 continue to make relative rotation from the position of FIG. 94 secures the fabric layer 40 there before moving into the groove 88 at B, after which the surface 100 presses the fabric layer 40 against the top side of the protrusion 86 at C.

Through this sequential process, the reinforcing fabric layer 40 can be smoothly and compatibly fitted in each groove 88 without forcing the reinforcing fabric layer 40 to be elongated. With one active tooth 94 in the groove 88, the adjacent tooth 94 is spaced from the reinforcing fabric layer 40 so as not to tend to stretch it. Deformation or movement of the reinforcing fabric layer 40 is therefore impossible to occur. This action is repeated by successive meshing rotations of mold 84 about axis 96 and geared drum 92 about axis 104 so that reinforcing fabric layer 40 fits tightly over the entire peripheral surface 90 of mold 84 . One to four reinforcing fabric layers 40 may be applied in this way. The process culminates in cutting the layers of reinforcing fabric and gluing the cut ends onto the mold 84 .

The adhesive used to secure the reinforcing fabric layer 40 may include various solvent soluble rubber compounds such as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and toluene intermixed with each other. With this rubber adhesive, the reinforcing fabric layer 40 can be tightly and securely fixed on the peripheral surface 90 of the mold 84 .

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the shrink rubber layer 24 for the mold 84 is wrapped around the mold and the cut ends 106, 108 are butted together to form the endless shape. Here, the compression rubber layer 24 is unvulcanized. The ends 106, 108 are preferably cut to facilitate connection at the joint 110 and remain intact. The connection at joint 110 may be secured using a pressurized clamp (not shown). Additionally, heat and pressure, such as a heat press (not shown), may be applied to better secure the connection of the ends 106,108.

In one embodiment, heat pressurization is performed at a temperature from 80-120° C. at a surface pressure of 1 to 2 kg/cm ² for 10-30 seconds. Preferably, the joint 110 is located in the groove 88 on the mold 84 . If the splice 110 is located at the protrusion 86 , the splice 110 will tend to move towards the bottom of the tooth 44 in the finished belt 12 . Therefore, it is easier to initiate fracture at the joint 110 .

A resin film having good heat resistance and good releasability is wound around the shrink rubber layer 24 . It is best to use a single layer. Resin films can be made from the release medium polymethylpentene or polyethylene terephthalate.

The shrink rubber layer 24 on the mold 84 is vulcanized using a vulcanization jacket 116 . The assembly is then placed in a vulcanization vessel and treated for 5-10 minutes at a temperature of 160-180° C. and an external pressure of 0.8 to 0.9 MPa. Through this process, the shrink rubber layer 24 is fitted on the mold 84 as shown in FIG. 8 . During the vulcanization process, no cracks were generated at the joint 110 .

It should be understood that the joining of the mold can be done by heating and pressurizing the outside of the shrink rubber layer 24 by a belt system or a pressure system without the use of vulcanization jackets and containers.

In FIG. 9 , the mold 84 on which the shrunk rubber layer 24 is formed is placed in a forming machine (not shown) and thereafter the load cord 30 is helically wound therearound, as previously described. Thereafter, a cushioning rubber layer 28 is placed followed by an elongation rubber layer 26 and a reinforcing fabric layer 36 . The mold 84 may then be removed from the forming machine and placed on a support table engaged with the aforementioned vulcanization jacket 116 .

This combination can then be placed in a vulcanization vessel for vulcanization in the usual manner. After vulcanization is complete, the outer casing 116 is separated from the mold 84 and the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is in turn separated from the mold 84.

Next, the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is placed on the mandrel and cut at right angles corresponding to the desired width of the final belt 12 to a predetermined width. Thus, the final belt preform 12' is rectangular, as shown in FIG. 10 . The individual belt preforms 12' are then mounted on a belt forming apparatus 120, as shown in Figures 11-16. The sides 20', 22' of the belt preform 12' are then cut diagonally by a knife comprising a pair of blades 124, 124', separating the endless endless scrap from the finished belt 12. The belt 12 is formed by forming the sides 20 , 22 (see FIG. 2 ) with final square cut side surface portions 46 , 48 and tangentially cut side surface portions 50 , 52 .

A preferred embodiment of the belt forming apparatus 120 will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11-16. Belt shaping apparatus 120 includes spaced shafts 126, 128 that are rotatable about spaced parallel shafts 130, 132, respectively. Belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is wound around shafts 126,128. Shaft 126 is driven by motor 134 to rotate about axis 130 in the direction of arrow A, thereby causing belt/belt sleeve preform 12' to move in a cyclic path of motion, as indicated by arrow A1.

Both shafts 126, 128 in Figures 11 and 13 protrude from left to right in a cantilever fashion. Shaft 126 includes a mounting assembly 136 having a small diameter portion 138 bounded by large diameter portions 140 , 142 . Large diameter portion 140 is defined by fixed flange 144 and large diameter portion 142 is defined by movable flange 146 . The outer surface 54 (FIG. 10) of the belt preform 12' The corners 150, 152 on the flanges 144, 146 respectively are radially radial/rounded to facilitate guiding the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' onto it to rest against the surface between the flanges 144, 146 148.

Flange 146 is cylindrical and is movable along axis 130 toward and away from fixed flange 144 as indicated by double arrow 154 . Flange 146 may be guided along surface 148 . So arranged, the belt receiving groove 156 is formed by the surface 148 and the flanges 144 , 146 together.

The corresponding mounting assembly 136' of the shaft 128 has a small diameter portion 138' bounded by a large diameter portion 140', 142' formed on the fixed and movable flanges 144', 144', respectively. 146' on. Belt receiving groove 156' aligned with groove 156 is thus formed.

Shaft 128 can optionally be moved toward and away from shaft 126 in the direction of double arrow 158 to selectively decrease or increase the distance between shafts 126 , 128 . The belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is loosely wound around shafts 126, 128, and the shaft 128 can be moved away from the shaft 126 to tension the belt/belt sleeve preform 12'. Moving the shaft 128 toward the shaft 126 releases the tension around the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' to facilitate removal of the finished belt/belt sleeve 12.

The width W of the grooves 156, 156' can be optionally narrowed and widened by moving the flanges 146, 146' toward and away from the securing flanges 144, 144', respectively, along the double-arrowed lines 154, 154'. With the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' wrapped around the shaft 126, 128, the flanges 146, 146' can move toward the flanges 144, 144' to clamp the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' on the shaft between the large diameter portions 140 , 142 on 126 and between the large diameter portions 140 ′, 142 ′ on shaft 128 . The movable flanges 146, 146' may be moved synchronously, such as by pneumatic or hydraulic means 160, so as to keep the width W of the grooves 156, 156' the same at all times.

The radial depth of the grooves 156, 156' is preferably such that at least a portion of the constricted portion 34 (Fig. 10) is received in the groove and retained between the large diameter portions 140, 142 and 140', 142'. If only the elongated portion 32 is received in the groove 156, 156', the removal waste 161, 161' (FIG. 13), which will be described in detail later, will not be able to move through the large diameter portions 140, 142 and 140', 142' and follow its moving. Eventually, the scrap will interfere with the basic cutting operation and will have to be removed in an operation. Additionally, a deeper groove configuration can be utilized to more tightly grip the belt/belt sleeve preform 12'.

The belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is initially installed by moving the shaft 128 toward the shaft 126 so that the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' can be loosely wound around the shaft 126, near the grooves 156, 156'. 128 on. Thereafter, the shaft 128 is moved away from the shaft 126 to tension the installed belt/belt sleeve preform 12'. At best, the belt tension is 400-1,200N.

In this embodiment, as more clearly shown in FIG. 12, there are two spaced apart cut locations 162, 162' in the cut gap 164, with the inner circumference 166 of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' as the boundary of the cutting gap 164 . The cut location 162 is on the length 168 of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' between the shafts 126, 128 and thus under operating tension, i. The cut location 162' is on the length 170 of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12 between the shafts 126, 128, in the return path portion and therefore is not subject to tension.

A pusher assembly 172, such as in the form of a synthetic resin roller, is mounted at the cutting location 162 and applies force to the outer side 18 of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' to strengthen it during cutting. A similar push assembly 172' is provided at the cutting location 162' to perform the same function.

Guide elements 174, 176 are provided to apply force to the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' to limit movement transverse to the length of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' during the cutting operation. . In this embodiment, there are two guide elements 174, 176 on each side of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12'.

The same guide elements 174', 176' are provided at the cutting location 162'. The guide elements 174, 176, 174', 176' are all in the form of rollers which rotate when force is applied to the running belt/belt sleeve preform 12'. Likewise, during cutting, the push rollers 172, 172' may rotate about their axes 178, 178' as they apply force to the running belt/belt sleeve preform 12'.

The guide rollers 174, 176' each have a fixed axis of rotation. By suitable means (not shown) the rollers 176, 174' are movable laterally along the length of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' and selectively approach and away from the rollers 174, 176' to conform to the installed belt/belt sleeve The specific width of the preform 12'. All rollers 174, 174', 176, 176' can rotate synchronously when applying force to the running belt/belt sleeve preform 12'. As can be seen in Figure 11, the push roller 172 is held vertically between the pair of guide rollers 174, 176, and the push roller 172' is likewise held vertically between the pair of guide rollers 174', 176'.

The apparatus 120 is arranged so that the outer side 18 (Fig. 10) of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is applied by push rollers 172, 172' to a predetermined pressure. The pressure between the push rollers 172, 172' and the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' can be adjusted in the range of 15-50N. Movable rollers 176, 174' are adjustable in a direction transverse to the length of the belt/belt sleeve preform so that the roller pairs 174, 176 and 174', 176' are on the sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' Captive pressure is applied or placed adjacent the sides 20', 22'.

With device 120 so arranged, motor 134 may be operated to drive shaft 126 . This causes the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' to run on an endless path, since the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is captively disposed within the grooves 156, 156' and on the guide rollers 174, 174' , 176, 176', so the cycle path should be set in advance. Thus, the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' can be guided continuously without large deviations from the linear running path. Thus, precise cutting of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is facilitated.

In the cutting position 162, the blade 124 has a disc-shaped body 180 inclined relative to the belt/belt sleeve preform. The disc-shaped body 180 is rotated about axis 182 in the direction of arrow 184 by contact with the running belt/belt sleeve preform 12'. As previously described, the blade 124 is provided in vertical alignment with the push roller 172 in the cutting position, thereby clamping the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' therein during the cutting process. The main body 180 of the blade 124 pierces the belt/belt sleeve body obliquely from the inside, thereby bisecting the belt/belt sleeve preform 12′ on both sides thereof relative to the aforementioned, and perpendicular to the axis 130, The reference plane P of 132 performs oblique cutting.

The blade 124 and push roller 172 are configured and positioned relative to each other such that the blade 124 cannot contact the push roller 172 during operation of the device 120 . Finally, the push roller 172 will not be damaged by the blade 124, thus having a long service life. In addition, since the guide assembly will not be damaged during use, the precision of cutting can be maintained.

Blade 124' has a corresponding disc-shaped body 180' which is rotatable about axis 182' in the direction of arrow 184'. In the same manner as the blade 124 cooperates with the push roller 172, the blade 124' also cooperates with the push roller 172' as described above.

As before, the oblique cut of the sides 20, 22 goes from the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' up to the boundary location BL. In this particular embodiment, the distance L3, representing the vertical dimension of the right-angle cut side surface portions 46, 48, is equal to L. The angle of attack θ of the blades 124, 124' can be set as required, preferably within the range of 20-60°.

The complete operation of forming the belt 12 of FIG. 2 using the apparatus 120 will now be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the moving device 160 is operated to move the flanges 146, 46' away from the flanges 144, 144' so that the grooves 156, 156' are wider than the belt/belt sheath to be drawn around the shafts 126, 128. The barrel preform 12' is wider. Likewise, the guide rollers 176, 174' move away from the rollers 174, 176', again spaced apart a wider distance than the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' to be cut.

The shaft 128 moves toward the shaft 126 so that the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' can be drawn around the shafts 126, 128 and pre-aligned with the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' at the grooves 156, 156'. The shaft 128 is then moved away from the shaft 126, thereby tensioning the belt/belt sleeve preform 12'. The movement device 160 is then operated to advance the flanges 146, 146' towards the flanges 144, 144' thereby snugly retaining the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' in the grooves 156, 156'. As previously mentioned, the grooves 156, 156' extend radially sufficiently so that a portion of the shrink rubber layer 24 is retained therein. The square cut side surface portions 46, 48 are thus snug between the large diameter portions 140, 142 and 140, 142'. A portion of the shrink rubber layer 24 also remains between the large diameter portions 140, 142 and 140', 142' so that the belt/belt sleeve preform is firmly held in consistent alignment.

The guide rollers 176, 174' are then moved toward the guide rollers 174, 176' for snug engagement with the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' at the cutting positions 162, 162'.

The motor 134 can then be operated to drive the tensioned belt/belt sleeve preform 12' in a cyclical travel path. At each cutting position 162, 162', the blade 124, 124' presses obliquely into the shrink rubber layer 24 at an angle θ with respect to the reference plane P, pressing the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' snugly against the blade 124 , 124' and push rollers 172, 172' between. Ultimately, one side 20' of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is cut diagonally by one blade 124, while the other side 22' is cut diagonally by the other blade 124'. When cutting at the cutting position 162, 162', the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' rests against the blades 124, 124', the push rollers 172, 172' and the guide rollers 174, 174', 176, 176' which work together to stabilize ground and remain in its linear path of travel.

The looped scrap pieces 161, 161' are separated from the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' by the blades 124, 124' respectively. Upon separation, the waste pieces 161, 161' are pressed axially outward relative to the shaft axis 130, 132 to engage and surround the large diameter portions 140, 140', 142, 142', thereby following the shaft 126, 128 swivel movement. The scrap pieces 161, 161' are actually wedged axially outward by the pressing force assembly between the blades 124, 124' and the push rollers 172, 172'. Alternatively, the scrap pieces 161, 161' can be considered to be pushed out by the wedge shape of the leading end of the blades 124, 124'. The rounded corners 150, 152 on the flanges 144, 146, and the same rounded corners 150', 152' on the flanges 144', 146' facilitate the removal of the waste pieces 161, 161' from the small diameter portions 138, 138'. The transition of a region to the large diameter portion 140, 140', 142, 142'. The scrap pieces 161, 161' move around and continue to follow the shafts 126, 128 until the tension on the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is released. Thus, these scrap pieces 161, 161' are less likely to interfere with the operation of the device 120 during cutting. At the same time, the waste pieces 161, 161' can be conveniently recovered upon completion of the cutting operation by releasing the tension and allowing the parts to be simply separated as a single part.

Upon completion of the cutting operation, rotation of the shaft 126 is stopped, and the blades 124, 124', guide rollers 176, 174' and flanges 146, 146' return to their original positions. Thereafter, the belt tension can be removed and the belt/belt sleeve 12 and the waste pieces 161, 161' separated.

The invention contemplates many variations from the basic structure, which, as mentioned above, is really only an example. As an example, the belt structure is not limited to a belt having teeth in its constricted portion. A double-toothed belt with teeth also provided on the elongate portion 32 can also use the same inventive concept.

As another variation, the push rollers 172, 172' act on the outside of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12', while the push rollers 172, 172' can operate on the opposite side, in this embodiment, on the On the side where the teeth are formed, ie on the constriction 34 . The push rollers 172, 172' are also adjustable relative to the operable belt/belt sleeve preform.

Although two shafts 126, 128 are described, three or more shafts may be used to guide the movement of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12', and may operate on paths that are not continuous linear. Especially in the case of long belts with a rectangular cross-section, it is possible to cut the belt obliquely as it runs around three or more axes, as long as an appropriate tension is applied at each cut position of the belt.

Although the mounting assembly 136, 136' has been described as having one fixed flange 144, 144' and one movable flange 146, 146', it is also possible to practice the invention using two fixed and two movable flanges. Ideally, the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is firmly sandwiched between the large diameter sections, and in the case of the belt construction shown, preferably with the shrink rubber layer between the large diameter sections.

Although the moving means 160 is described as moving the flanges 146, 146' synchronously, the movement of the flanges 146, 146' could be performed sequentially, or in other ways.

Although the cut is at locations 162, 162' where one location of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is under running tension and the other is in the return path/untensioned section, both The cutting positions can also be in tensioned/untensioned position. If so, more particularly, the cutting can be performed at a location where the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is under running tension, thereby avoiding deflection of the belt during cutting. Any significant offset will compromise the precision of the bevel cutting process.

Additionally, the positions of the blades 124, 124' and pusher assemblies 172, 172' could be reversed.

As another improvement, the rounded/radial corners 150, 152, 150', 150' can be omitted. However, this configuration is ideal. As an alternative to rounding the corners, the corners may be chamfered, or otherwise altered.

The blades 124, 124' may operate synchronously, or one after the other with a time delay.

Also as mentioned above, the invention can be practiced on virtually any type of belt, toothed or not.

A particular manufacturing and forming process for the exemplary shape of belt 12 will now be described. The load-bearing cords 30 are made of aramid fibers sold under the trademark TWARON. The cord 30 has a denier of 1,500 and is twisted in a direction opposite to the vertical direction with a final twist amount of 19.7 twists per 10 cm and an initial twist amount of 15.8 twists per 10 cm to obtain a 2×3 non-woven fabric with a total denier of 9,000. Handle the cord. Untreated cords are pre-soaked in isocyanate binder, dried at about 170-180°C, and dipped in RFL solution. The cords are then subjected to an elongation heat-fixing treatment at 200-240°C.

For the reinforcing fabric layers 36, 40, wide-angle plain weave canvases with twisted yarns were used, in which aramid fibers sold under the trademark TWARON and polyethylene terra phthalate were mixed in a weight ratio of 50:50. Formyl (PET) fibers. The canvas was dipped in the RFL solution and heat-treated at 150°C for two minutes. Afterwards, the treated canvas is coated with a rubber compound using a friction coating process.

The contraction and extension rubber layers 26, 28 are made of neoprene rubber embedded with aramid staple fibers in an amount of 25 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of rubber. The buffer rubber layer 26 is made of chloroprene rubber which does not contain artificial short reinforcing fibers.

The tooth pad 70 is manufactured as follows. A reinforced fabric and a layer of shrink rubber are superimposed and placed in a flat mold with alternating grooves and protrusions. The system was pressurized at 75°C. Through this process, the tooth pad 70 is formed. Both ends of the tooth pad are cut off vertically at the top.

Tooth pads 70 are wound around the inner master mold, made of vulcanized rubber, attached to the cylindrical mold, and the ends are butted against each other. The load cord 30, the unvulcanized rubber layer for the elongation rubber layer 26, and the reinforcing fabric layer 36 are wound thereon one by one. The jacket is placed over the assembly and placed into a vulcanization vessel for vulcanization. A belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is thus produced.

The final belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is cut at right angles with a knife and into individual belt preforms 12' having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The belt preform 12' is disposed on the shafts 126, 128 of the belt forming apparatus 120 and passes through the shrinking rubber layer of the belt preform 12' supported by push rollers 172, 172' as cutting occurs. The border position BL is set to 100% of L, and the sides 20', 22' are cut obliquely with the blades 124, 124'. Thus, the raw toothed belt 12 is produced.

The sides 20, 22 are cut at a 42° angle, leaving the staple reinforcing fibers 58 flush on the sides 20, 22. The final unedged toothed belt has a length of 300mm and is placed on V-shaped pulleys with a diameter of 90mm and a winding angle of 45°. A load of 2.7 N is applied to one end of the belt, and the load F necessary to pull it at a speed of 30 mm per second at the other end is measured. From this load F the coefficient of friction can be obtained.

The belt 12 described above was placed on a two-axis horizontal running tester with a driving pulley with a diameter of 167.4 mm and a driven pulley with a diameter of 133.0 mm. A load of 330kgf was applied to the driven pulley. The drive pulley rotates at 3,000rpm. After the six-hour test run, the wear was measured by dividing the belt weight measured after the six-hour test run by the belt weight measured before the run test began.

The results of running the tests are described below. When the friction coefficient of a conventional belt whose obliquely cut surface is ground and polished is 1, the friction coefficient of the belt of the present invention is 1.4. The amount of wear was compared after the six-hour running test, and the amount of wear was 1 in the case of the normal belt. On the other hand, the abrasion amount of the belt of the present invention was 0.7.

Also, the side temperature of the normal belt was 135°C after running the test for one hour. On the other hand, the side temperature of the belt of the present invention was 126°C, which was lower than that of the conventional belt.

As previously mentioned, the belt of the present invention can be made so that the amount of belt slippage is small, especially at the beginning of operation, so that the amount of wear during initial installation can be suppressed, and the temperature of the belt can be kept relatively low.

In Figures 17-19, a modified form of belt forming apparatus according to the invention is shown at 120'. Belt forming apparatus 120' includes a main body 188 and drive and driven shafts 126', 128' Shafts 126', 128' rotate about axes 130', 132', respectively. Shafts 126', 128' project out of the page of FIG. 17 in a cantilever fashion from body 188. At least one of the shafts 126', 128' can be moved toward the other of the shafts 126', 128' to change the vertical spacing therebetween to facilitate installation of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' therearound. This facilitates the installation and removal of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' and the handling of different belt sizes before and after the process.

Motor 134' drives shaft 126' in the direction of arrow 190 about axis 130'. At this point, the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' wrapped around the shafts 126', 128' enters an endless path, thereby causing the shaft 128' to rotate about its axis 132' in the direction of arrow 192. So arranged, the belt belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is under tension in the portion of the passage indicated by arrow 194 and returns to a relaxed state in the portion of the passage indicated by arrow 196.

The belt/belt sleeve preform 12' can be of any construction and is shown as a wedge-toothed belt which can be as previously described with reference to Figure 2 . The belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is pre-cut so that the sides 20', 22' are parallel to each other and the body 14 is rectangular in cross-section. With the toothed configuration, the teeth 44 (not shown in detail), on the inner periphery 166, delimit the cutting gap 164'.

Shafts 126', 128' may have the same construction as shafts 126, 128, as previously described, or a different construction. In a preferred form, the shaft 126' has a groove 156". The shaft 126' has a small diameter portion 138" defined by large diameter portions 140", 142", corresponding to the structure and construction of the same numbered components in the previous embodiments. Function. Likewise, shaft 128' has a small diameter portion 138'' defined by large diameter portions 140'', 142''.

The width of the grooves 156", 156'' can be fixed or varied by the mechanism of the belt forming apparatus 120 as described or by other different mechanisms. So arranged, the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' can be drawn around Shafts 126', 128' are clamped around and between large diameter portions 140", 142" and 140'', 142'' so as to be stably guided on a linear path of travel.

A knife 198 is provided in the cutting gap 164 and is designed to cut the running belt/belt sleeve preform 12' obliquely at the cutting positions 162", 162''', corresponding to the aforementioned cutting positions 162, 162'.

At each cutting location 162", 162'', a belt guide/support assembly 200, 200' is provided. Belt guide/support assembly 200 includes the same components as at cutting location 162; namely push assembly/roller 172 and guide assembly/roller 174. , 176. Likewise, the belt guide/support assembly 200' includes the same components at the cutting location 162'; namely, the push assembly/roller 172' and the guide assembly/roller 174', 176'.

Knife 198 includes disk-shaped blades 202, 202' attached to base 204 on cantilever 206, which protrude into cutting gap 164'. The length of the arm 206 in the direction of the double arrow 208 is generally parallel to the axis of rotation 130', 132' of the shafts 126', 128'.

The belt forming apparatus 120' includes a knife control mechanism 210 with a first fixed support table 212. The rotating base 214 is mounted on a slider 216 which is guided in linear translation relative to the table 212 , indicated by the double arrow 217 . The base 214 supports a second stage 218 that is rotatable about a vertical axis 220 relative to the slider 216 . The arm carrier 222 includes a base 224 and a cantilever mounted on the base 224 as an extension bracket 226 . The substrate 224 is guided to move relative to the second stage 218 along the line indicated by the double arrow 228 , which is perpendicular to the line indicated by the arrow 217 . The elongate bracket 226 has a free end 230 remote from the base 224 to which the arm 208 is cantilevered. Arm 208 extends a length substantially orthogonal to the length of extension bracket 226 .

Servo motors or other mechanisms (not shown) are provided to move slider 216 relative to first stage 212 , pivot rotating base 214 relative to slider 216 , and move base 224 relative to second stage 218 . Through programmed, coordinated movements, the knife 198 on the arm 208 can be translated and repositioned within the cutting gap 164 .

The blades 202, 202' have the same construction, but this need not be the case. They each form disc-shaped blades. With such a configuration, the entire periphery of each blade 202, 202' defines a cutting edge 232, 232'.

The blades 202, 202' are connected to the base 204 and the arm 206 as described below. In this embodiment, the blades 202, 202' are secured to the base 204 and arm 206 with threaded set screws 233 (one shown). The blades 202, 202' have a central axis 234, 234', respectively. The blades 202, 202' are axially offset from each other by a distance equal to the thickness of the base 204, but remain in a radially partially overlapping relationship, and the axes 234, 234' are not coincident. The blades 202, 202' are substantially parallel to each other. Blades 202, 202' are fixed relative to each other and base 204 and arm 206.

Being axially spaced from each other, the blades 202, 202' can be positively fixed without interfering with each other. It is impossible for the blades 202, 202' to collide or otherwise interfere with each other. Ultimately, the blades 202, 202' are not damaged, so routine maintenance associated therewith, such as grinding or replacement, is dispensed with.

In the first state, the blades 202, 202' are fixed to the cutter 198, and the fastening screws 233 are tightened. This state of the cutter 198 can be changed by loosening the fastening screw 233, thereby causing the blades 202, 202' to rotate about their respective axes 234, 234' to expose another portion of the periphery of the cutting edge 232, 232' for use. Thereafter, the knife 198 can be changed back to the fixed position of the first state blade 202, 202'. The plane in which the cutting edges 233, 233' lie is angled relative to the length line of the arm 206.

The cutting operation will now be described with respect to the belt forming apparatus 120' described above. In the preceding embodiments, the rectangular belt/belt sleeve preform 12' may be placed in the grooves 156", 156''' and wrapped around the shafts 126', 128'. One of the shafts 126, 128' may be either Both can be moved to increase the spacing between them, thereby tensioning the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' that is wound around them. The depth of the grooves 156", 156'' is preferably such that the shrinkage of the rubber layer 24 A portion remains between the large diameter portions 140", 142" and 140'', 142''. Push assemblies/rollers 172, 172' and guide elements 174, 174', 176, 176' are adjusted as previously described, or may be pre-configured for a particular belt/belt sleeve preform configuration.

Once the system is thus established, the motor 134' is activated. The knife control mechanism 210 is then operated to diagonally cut one side of the belt/belt sleeve preform using the blade 202 and then cut the other side using the blade 202'.

More particularly, as shown in FIG. 18, the cutter 198 is driven in the direction of arrow 236 such that the protruding blade 202' bisects the belt/belt sleeve preform 12 between its sides 20', 22' relative to 'The reference plane P is oblique, so that the side 22' is cut obliquely at an angle θ. Thereafter the knife 198 moves in the direction of the arrow 238 substantially in the opposite direction to the arrow 236, and likewise cuts the other side 20' of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12', cutting this side obliquely relative to the reference plane P forms an angle θ.

In this embodiment, the cutting positions 162", 162'' are actually at the same vertical height, so that there is no need to change the vertical position of the cutter 198. However, this is not necessary. The push rollers 172, 172' are positioned at the belt/belt sleeve The belt/belt sleeve preform 12' is reinforced during the cutting operation on each side of the profile 12'. With this arrangement, the belt/belt sleeve preform 12 ' is fixed exactly and remains in the path of the linear run.

Since the knife 198 comprises a unitary structure in which the blades 202, 202' move as one, the knife 198 can be made relatively compact to work in the cutting gap 164. Ultimately, the overall system structure can be simplified, and the weight can be made relatively light.

In addition, because the knife 198 reverses movement in the horizontal narrow cutting gap 164, relatively small movements of the knife 198 are required, which may reduce processing time compared to previous process equipment.

Likewise, the support structure for cutter 198, including cantilever 206, can be made relatively simple and compact.

The radially overlapping relationship of the blades 202, 202' also contributes to the compactness of the overall system.

The fact that the blades 202, 202' can be pivoted avoids frequent replacement of the blades 202, 202'. By selectively pivoting and re-fixing the blades 202, 202', other distinct portions of the cutting edge 232, 232' can also be provided in the event some portions are damaged, worn, or otherwise dulled. Therefore, overall maintenance cost and inconvenience can be reduced.

Because the cutters 198 operate at the same vertical height on both sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12', the same cutter 198 can be used to machine relatively shorter belts/belt sleeve preforms 12'.

The present invention contemplates many variations on the basic structure described above. Some of them are described below. The positioning of the blades 202, 202', as well as the distance between their axes, can be varied according to the angle of the bevel cut and the depth of cut.

As in the previous embodiments, the belt/belt sleeve preform 12' may be wound on more than two shafts and processed in substantially the same manner.

The nature of the belt guide/support assembly 200, 200' may vary from that shown. The number and arrangement of push rollers can be varied. As an example, push rollers may be arranged to push the outer surface of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12'. Pushing rollers may be arranged to form the region of the teeth in the structure shown, pushing the inside of the belt/belt sleeve preform 12'.

The particular configuration of cutting control mechanism 210 is merely an example in nature. Those skilled in the art can devise an infinite number of different ways to reposition the cutter 198, significantly different from the configuration shown.

The present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it being understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (60)

1. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve, the method comprising the steps of: An endless belt/belt sleeve preform is provided having an inner side, an outer side, and spaced sides, and further comprising at least one of a contracted rubber layer, an elongated rubber layer, and a belt/belt sleeve preform between the inner side and the outer side load element; winding the belt/belt sleeve preform on at least first and second shafts having first and second axes; driving at least one shaft such that the belt/belt sleeve preform runs on an endless path; providing a push assembly at a first location on one of the inside and outside of the belt/belt sleeve preform; providing at least one guide element to support at least one side of the belt/belt sleeve preform to limit movement of the belt/belt sleeve preform; provide knives; and guiding the cutter against the belt/belt sleeve preform from the other of the inner side and the outer side of the belt/belt sleeve preform at or adjacent to the first position so that the belt/belt sleeve preform Said one of the inner and outer sides of the is supported by the push assembly, thus reconfiguring the belt/belt sleeve preform. 2. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first shaft has small diameter portions between spaced apart large diameter portions, said traction belt/belt sleeve preform The step of forming the parts includes placing the belt/belt sleeve preform between the spaced apart large diameter sections. 3. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said step of winding the belt/belt sleeve preform comprises placing the elongated rubber layer and at least a portion of the contracted rubber layer Placed between the large diameter sections of the spacer. 4. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second axes are substantially parallel, and said step of guiding the tool comprises positioning the tool relative to the first A reference plane orthogonal to the second axis cuts the shrink rubber layer obliquely. 5. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 4, wherein said step of providing an endless belt/belt sleeve preform comprises providing an endless belt/belt sleeve preform which The spacer sides are substantially parallel to the reference plane. 6. The method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 3, wherein said step of providing an endless belt/belt sleeve preform comprises providing a belt/belt sleeve preform The width is at least nominally equal to the desired width of the final power transmission belt. 7. The method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of providing a pusher assembly includes providing pusher rollers. 8. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the step of providing at least one guide element comprises providing at least one guide roller on each spaced side of the endless belt/belt sleeve preform . 9. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of providing the push assembly includes the push assembly in a position such that when the tool is guided against the belt/belt sleeve preform , the push assembly cannot touch the tool. 10. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the step of varying the spacing between the large diameter portions of the first shaft to accommodate the width of the belt/belt sleeve preform. 11. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load element has an inner side and an outer side, and the step of providing a belt/belt sleeve preform comprises providing a preform having an elongated portion and a constricted A partial belt/belt sleeve preform with an elongated portion defining the outside of the belt/belt sleeve preform, a constricted portion defining the inside of the belt/belt sleeve preform, and extending from the belt/belt sleeve The distance between the outer side of the barrel preform and the outer side of the load element is set as L, and the spacer side of the belt/belt sleeve preform is cut obliquely with respect to the bisecting plane between the spacer sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform, From the boundary position at 90-100% of the distance L from the outside of the belt/belt sleeve preform to the inside of the belt/belt sleeve preform. 12. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 2 wherein the step of directing the tool comprises causing the tool to separate the annular portion of the belt/belt sleeve preform which, once separated, encloses One of the large diameter portions is spaced apart from the first shaft for rotational movement with the first shaft. 13. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 11 wherein the step of providing an endless belt/belt sleeve preform comprises providing a length between the sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform Extended short fibers are exposed on the sides of the obliquely cut spacers of the shrunk rubber layer. 14. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 13, wherein each of the diagonally cut spaced sides has an area, and the step of providing staple fibers comprises providing staple fibers in an amount such that The bonding area of the short fibers exposed on the sides of each spacer is equal to 20-70% of the obliquely cut area of each spacer side. 15. The method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of providing a belt/belt sleeve preform comprises providing the belt/belt sleeve preform having a certain length and having Regularly spaced teeth along the length of the belt/belt sleeve preform. 16. The method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of winding the belt/belt sleeve preform comprises winding the belt/belt sleeve preform to define its An inner periphery of the cutting gap is defined therein, and the step of guiding the cutter includes (a) moving the cutter in one direction in the cutting gap to reconfigure one of the belt/belt sleeve preform spacer sides, and (b) This one moves the knife in the cutting gap in the opposite direction to reconfigure the other of the belt/belt sleeve preform spacing sides. 17. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 16, wherein the step of providing a tool includes providing the tool with first and second blades fixable relative to each other to respectively configure the belt / The belt sleeve preform is spaced from one of the sides and the other. 18. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 17, wherein the step of providing a cutter comprises providing the cutter with first and second disk-shaped blades, each blade having an axis, Wherein the first and second blades radially overlap and the axes of the first and second blades do not coincide. 19. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 18, further comprising the step of changing the cutter from the first state, pivoting the first disk-shaped blade about its axis, and thereafter turning the cutter The state of the first state is changed back to the first state, thereby fixing the position of the first disc-shaped blade. 20. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 16 wherein the step of providing a pusher assembly includes providing the pusher assembly to reinforce the belt/belt sleeve preform when the tool is moved in one direction , and further comprising the step of providing a second pusher assembly to reinforce the belt/belt sleeve preform when the cutter moves in a direction opposite to that one. 21. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve, the method comprising the steps of: An endless belt/belt sleeve preform is provided having an inner side, an outer side, and a spacer side, and comprising a contracted rubber layer, an elongated rubber layer, and at least one load between the inner side and the outer side of the belt/belt sleeve preform The element has an inner side and an outer side, wherein the distance from the outer side of the belt/belt sleeve preform to the outer side of the load element is defined as L; and Cut the spacer sides obliquely with respect to the bisecting plane between the belt/belt sleeve preform spacer sides, from a boundary position at a distance L of 90-100% from the outside of the belt/belt sleeve preform, to the belt/belt sleeve preform The inside of the belt sleeve preform. 22. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 21, wherein the step of providing a belt/belt sleeve preform comprises providing the belt/belt sleeve preform with substantially Spacer sides that are parallel to each other. 23. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 21, further comprising the step of pulling the belt/belt sleeve around the first and second spaced shafts, and cutting the spaced sides obliquely The steps include cutting the spacer side diagonally between the first and second shafts at a location where the belt/belt sleeve preform is under tension. 24. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 23, further comprising the step of providing a pusher assembly at the first location to reinforce the belt/belt sleeve when making a diagonal cut. 25. A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt/belt sleeve as claimed in claim 24, wherein the step of winding the belt/belt sleeve preform comprises winding the belt/belt sleeve preform to define its The inner perimeter of the cutting gap is defined, the step of cutting diagonally includes using a knife to perform diagonal cutting, the method further comprising the step of (a) moving the knife in one direction within the cutting gap to reconfigure the belt/belt sleeve One of the form spacing sides, and (b) moving the knife in the cutting gap in a direction opposite to this direction to reconfigure the other of the belt/belt sleeve preform spacing sides. 26. An apparatus for forming a power transmission belt/belt sleeve, the apparatus comprising: The first and second shafts, around which the endless belt/belt sleeve preform can be drawn, at least one of the first and second shafts can be driven such that the belt/belt sleeve preform wrapped around the first and second shafts moves on a path of cyclic operation, the first shaft has small diameter portions between spaced apart large diameter portions such that a belt/belt sleeve preform wrapped around the first and second shafts is held between the large diameter portions; Provide a push assembly at the cutting position; At least one guide element is also provided at the cutting location; and a tool supporting and forming part of the belt/belt sleeve preform wound on the first and second shafts, said pusher assembly is used to reinforce the belt/belt sleeve preform wound on the first and second shafts and supported on the tool, The at least one guide element is positioned to support one side of the belt/belt sleeve preform running around the first and second shafts, thereby limiting movement of the belt/belt sleeve preform at the cutting position. 27. The apparatus of claim 26 further in combination with an endless belt/belt sleeve preform wrapped around the first and second shafts, wherein the belt/belt sleeve preform has an inner , an outer side, and a spacer side, and including a shrinking rubber layer, an elongating rubber layer, and at least one load element between the inner and outer sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform. 28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27, characterized in that the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform are substantially parallel to each other prior to being shaped by the cutter. 29. Apparatus as claimed in claim 28, characterized in that the belt/belt sleeve preform between the first and second shafts is under tension. 30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said at least one guide member includes first and second rollers each supporting a side of the belt/belt sleeve preform. 31. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the pushing assembly comprises pushing rollers. 32. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the knife is movable relative to the belt/belt sleeve preform to obliquely cut one of the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform. 33. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the shrinkable rubber layer is located between the large diameter portions of the first shaft. 34. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the relative positions of the pusher assembly and the knife are such that the knife cannot contact the pusher assembly when the apparatus is in operation. 35. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein one of the large diameter portions is selectively movable towards and away from the other of the large diameter portions. 36. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform are held snugly between the large diameter portions. 37. Apparatus as claimed in claim 28, characterized in that the load element has an inside and an outside, and the distance from the outside of the belt/belt sleeve preform to the outside of the load element is defined as L, relative to the belt/belt sleeve preform The bisecting plane between the spacer sides of the profile cuts the spacer side of the belt/belt sleeve preform obliquely, from a boundary position 90-100% of the distance L from the outside of the belt/belt sleeve preform, to the belt /Inside of belt sleeve preform. 38. Apparatus as claimed in claim 37, characterized in that as the belt/belt sleeve preform is cut diagonally, the belt/belt sleeve preform annular portion is separated such that the spaced apart major diameters surround the first shaft One of the parts, thus following the rotational movement of the first axis. 39. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the belt/belt sleeve preform is wound around the first and second shafts by means of a belt/belt sleeve preform defining a cutting gap within which the cutting gap is defined. inner circumference, and may (a) move the knife in one direction in the cutting gap to reconfigure one of the belt/belt sleeve preform spacer sides, and (b) cut in a direction generally opposite to this direction The tool is moved in the gap to reconfigure the belt/belt sleeve preform spaced apart from the other side. 40. An apparatus for forming a power transmission belt/belt sleeve, the apparatus comprising: first and second shafts, around which the endless belt/belt sleeve preform can be drawn, at least one of the first and second shafts is drivable such that the belt/belt sleeve preform wrapped around the first and second shafts moves in an endless path of travel; providing a push assembly at the cutting location; and knives, The cutter is movable in the cutting position (a) moving the cutter in one direction to reconfigure one of the two spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform wound on the first and second shafts, and (b ) moving the knife in the cutting gap in a direction opposite to this direction to reconfigure the other of the two spaced sides on the belt/belt sleeve preforms wound on the first and second shafts. 41. The apparatus of claim 40 further in combination with an endless belt/belt sleeve preform wrapped around the first and second shafts, wherein the belt/belt sleeve preform has an inner, The outer side, and the spacer side, and includes a shrinking rubber layer, an elongating rubber layer, and at least one load element between the inner and outer sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform. 42. Apparatus as claimed in claim 41, characterized in that the belt/belt sleeve preform defines an inner periphery which delimits a cutting gap in which the knives are held. 43. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform are substantially parallel to each other prior to reconfiguration by the cutter. 44. Apparatus as claimed in claim 41, characterized in that the cutter has first and second blades fixable relative to each other, arranged such that one of the blades reconfigures one of the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform , while the other blade reconfigures the other one of the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform. 45. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the cutter includes first and second disk-shaped blades each having an axis, the blades radially overlapping and the axes of the first and second blades not coincident. 46. Apparatus as claimed in claim 46, characterized in that the first blade is selectively fixed at different angular positions about the first axis. 47. Apparatus as claimed in claim 41, characterized in that the pusher assembly is adapted to reinforce the belt/belt sleeve preform when the cutter is moved in one direction, the apparatus further comprising a second pusher assembly so that when the cutter is moved in the opposite direction Reinforces the belt/belt sleeve preform in the opposite direction. 48. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the knife cuts the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform obliquely relative to a bisecting reference plane between the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform. 49. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the spaced sides of the belt/belt sleeve preform are substantially parallel to each other prior to reconfiguration by the cutter. 50. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the knife includes first and second blades supported on arms projecting into the cutting gap. 51. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said arm is elongated with a length extending substantially parallel to an axis about which the movable first shaft surrounds. 52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the arm is selectively movable in directions parallel and normal to the length of the arm. 53. A power transmission belt comprising having a body having a medial side, a lateral side, and a spacer side, and comprising a contracted rubber layer, an elongated rubber layer, and at least one load element between the body's medial and lateral sides, The load element has an inner side and an outer side, It is characterized in that the distance from the outside of the main body to the outside of the load element is set as L, and the interval side of the main body is obliquely cut with respect to the bisecting plane between the sides of the main body, and the distance from the outside of the main body is 90-100% of L Boundary position, to the inside of the body. 54. The power transmission belt of claim 53, wherein the body has staple fibers therein having lengths extending between sides of the body. 55. The power transmission belt of claim 54, wherein the short fibers are retained in the shrink rubber layer. 56. The power transmission belt as claimed in claim 55, wherein the fibers are exposed at the side surface of the main body where the main body is cut obliquely. 57. The power transmission belt as claimed in claim 56, wherein each side of the main body which is obliquely cut has an area, and the exposed area of the short fibers on each side of the main body is equal to the area of the obliquely cut side of the main body 20-70%. 58. The power transmission belt of claim 57, wherein the staple fibers are flush with the sides of the main body. 59. The power transmission belt of claim 53, wherein the body has a length and the teeth are formed at regular intervals along the length of the body. 60. The power transmission belt of claim 53, wherein the power transmission belt is one of (a) a V-belt, (b) a V-ribbed belt, and (c) a flat belt.

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