Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1976-1982
Title: Nolte V Sproul: Innovator in Belt Tensioning Technology
Introduction
Nolte V Sproul is a notable inventor based in Canton, OH, who has made significant contributions to the field of automotive engineering. He holds a total of 8 patents, showcasing his innovative spirit and technical expertise. His work primarily focuses on the development of belt tensioning devices for vehicle accessory drive systems.
Latest Patents
One of Nolte's latest patents is a belt tensioner construction designed for an endless drive belt used in vehicle accessory drive systems. This device features a sheet metal bracket that can be mounted on an engine in a stationary position adjacent to the drive belt. It includes a lever plate that is pivotally mounted on the bracket, with an idler pulley rotatably mounted on the lever plate. The pulley is moved into belt tensioning engagement by coil springs mounted on the bracket, which engage with the lever plate. The design incorporates a pair of pockets formed in the bracket, each with an inclined surface extending upwardly toward the lever plate. Camming blocks made of friction material are movably mounted in each pocket, providing a damping force on the lever plate when it attempts to move in the non-belt tensioning direction. The springs maintain a predetermined coupling force between the blocks and lever plate throughout the life of the camming blocks and drive belt.
Another innovative patent by Nolte is also a belt tensioner construction, which includes a bracket with outwardly extending end flanges that can be mounted on a vehicle engine adjacent to the drive belt. This design features a cylindrical cup-shaped housing mounted on each bracket flange, containing pairs of volute springs. Each plunger is operatively engaged by the volute spring pairs and is biased outwardly from the open end of the housing. A lever is pivotally mounted on the bracket, extending perpendicularly with respect to the axes of the plungers. The idler pulley is rotatably mounted on the extended end of the lever and is moved in a belt tensioning direction by the biasing actions of the volute springs. This design ensures a generally constant tensioning force on the drive belt while providing a damping effect due to the unequal load rate deflection of each spring coil.
Career Highlights
Throughout his career, Nolte has worked with several companies, including Aspro, Incorporated and Dyneer Corporation. His experience in these organizations has contributed