The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 14, 2010
Filed:
Jan. 19, 2006
Michael Degroot, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Michael DeGroot, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Thermodrive LLC, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Abstract
A thermoplastic endless belt () has a smooth outer surface substantially free of discontinuities and an inner surface with a plurality of teeth () at a given belt pitch. The teeth are adapted to engage a pulley () with circumferentially spaced sheaves () at a pulley pitch greater than the belt pitch. The belt is slightly stretchable so that the pulley can drive the endless belt when engaging the teeth within a range of load on the belt. Means () are provided to minimize friction between the belt and the drive pulley. Also, a position limiter () ensures that the driven tooth stays engaged optimally with the drive sheave.