Cutting device and belt cutting method

Abstract

A cutting device for forming fingers on an end of a belt is provided, and includes a blade for cutting the belt and a table for positioning the belt below the blade. The cutting device includes an actuator operably connected to the blade via a primary shaft. The actuator is also connected to the table via both a secondary shaft and a cam assembly. Rotation of the actuator causes the primary shaft to continuously reciprocate the blade in an upward and downward direction. Rotation of the actuator also causes intermittent movement of the table, including both translation of the table to index the belt relative to the blade and rotation of the table to change the angle of the belt relative to the blade.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 986,565, filed March 6, 2020, entitled "CUTTING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CUTTING BELTS," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002]

[0002] The present disclosure relates to cutting belts, and more particularly to a cutting device for cutting belts. [Background technology]

[0003]

[0003] Continuous belts can be used in a variety of environments. For example, power transmission belts can be used with roller conveyors to transmit drive to overlying rollers, such as to move parcels from one location to another. Conveyor belts are used to transport material from one location to another.

[0004]

[0004] During the installation or repair of continuous belts, it is often necessary to splice one or more belt ends. In addition to splicing belt ends using mechanical fasteners, vulcanization splicing is another known method for joining the ends of conveyor belts, particularly those made of polymeric materials, including light to medium duty polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, and polyester belts, to provide a uniform and continuous surface at the belt seam.

[0005] Vulcanization splicing typically involves preparing one or more belt ends for splicing in a generally overlapping or intermeshing pattern, placing the prepared belt ends together in a generally end-to-end orientation between a pair of heated plates, and exposing the belt ends to a specific temperature and pressure applied by one or both of the plates for a specific time so as to melt or soften the plastic material of the belt ends and cause them to merge. Subsequent cooling of the belt ends and release of pressure therefrom causes the plastic to reharden, fusing the material of the two belt ends together and joining the belt ends. One such exemplary belt splicing or welding apparatus is disclosed in Applicant's U.S. Patent No. 9,090,022.

[0006] To prepare the belt ends for splicing, the belt is often cut to create a series of protrusions (or "fingers") and recesses on the end of the belt, such that the protrusions on one belt end fit into the recesses on another belt end, thereby forming an intermeshing pattern for the two belt ends prior to splicing.

[0007] Various tools and methods are used to form fingers on belt ends. For example, known punch presses include a lever that is rotated to drive a blade into a belt disposed on a table. Punch presses often include a V-shaped blade or multiple blades arranged to form a V. These blades include corners or recesses that can undesirably trap belt material during the cutting operation. Such material remains in the corners or recesses during subsequent cutting operations. This material often degrades cutting performance and requires increased maintenance to remove the material between cutting operations. Additionally, in presses that utilize multiple blades to form the V, this material can accumulate and cause the blades to separate over time. This results in an improperly cut finger because a portion of the finger at the separation point is not properly cut from the rest of the belt.

[0008] In one known punch press provided by Mussel Maschinenbau GmbH, a user must manually displace a support table with one hand to index the belt against a cutting head containing a cutting blade, and then operate a cutting head lever with the other hand to cut fingers into the belt end. This approach is time-consuming because the user repeatedly interrupts the cutting operation to displace the table. This approach also requires the user to accurately displace the table multiple times to complete the formation of one belt end. Depending on the width of the belt, the user may have to perform eight or more displacements to complete the formation of one belt end. A single inaccurate displacement of the table can result in a faulty cut, such as a cut that overlaps or is spaced apart from a previous cut. A faulty cut can force the user to discard the faulty belt and restart the cutting process with another belt, resulting in wasted time and material.

[0009]

[0009] In another known punch press, provided by Reichenbach Antriebs- und Fordertechnik GmbH, a cutting head is slidably fixed to rails adjacent to a relatively long table that supports a belt, which may have relatively wide belt ends. Between cutting operations, the table and belt remain stationary, while the punch press is guided along the rails relative to the fixed belt. For example, to raise the blade, a user may use one hand to turn a dial on the punch press to slide the punch press longitudinally over the belt, and then use the other hand to operate a lever on the cutting head. This approach is also time-consuming, as the user repeatedly interrupts the cutting motion to displace the cutting head relative to the table. Furthermore, the table used with this punch press is relatively long, resulting in a footprint significantly larger than that of the cutting head.

[0010] In the punch press described above, the cutting head includes spaced-apart, angularly offset blades. During a first cutting operation, a first blade cuts the belt to form a first sidewall of a first finger (which may be an end finger). The belt or cutting assembly is then displaced, and the cutting operation is repeated. During a subsequent cutting process, a second blade completes the cut of the first finger by making a notch that forms a second sidewall of the first finger, while the first blade makes a notch that forms the first sidewall of an adjacent finger. The process is repeated as the spaced-apart first and second blades cooperate to form the sidewalls of adjacent fingers. It has been found that forming fingers with spaced-apart blades in thicker polymeric belts can result in undesirable dimensional inaccuracies in the cut fingers, which can lead to an improper fit between the fingers of the belt ends to be spliced ​​and, ultimately, a lower-quality belt seam. This is believed to be because the multiple cuts in the different fingers reduce the stiffness of the belt, allowing the belt material to compress and displace more during the cutting operation. Summary of the Invention

[0011]

[0011] Described herein is a cutting apparatus for forming a belt end. The cutting apparatus includes a table for supporting the belt and a blade for cutting the belt. The cutting apparatus further includes an actuator operatively connected to the table and the blade, wherein actuation of the actuator reciprocates the blade and displaces the table relative to the blade.

[0012] In one approach, actuation of the actuator continuously reciprocates the blade and intermittently displaces the table simultaneously with the reciprocating blade movement, which may include, for example, translating and rotating the table relative to the blade.

[0013] The actuator may include a user-actuated lever arm operably coupled to the blade to reciprocate the blade and to the table to displace the table. The lever arm may displace the table when the lever arm rotates through a first range of rotational motion and may not displace the table when the lever arm rotates through a second range of rotational motion. In one example, rotation of the lever arm in a first angular orientation translates the table in a first direction, and rotation of the lever arm in a second angular orientation opposite the first angular orientation translates the table in a second direction opposite the first direction.

[0014] The actuator may be operably connected to a first rotatable shaft for reciprocating the blade and a second rotatable shaft for intermittently translating and rotating the table relative to the blade. The cutting device may further include a drive wheel rotatably fixed to the first rotatable shaft and a driven wheel rotatably fixed to the second rotatable shaft and intermittently rotated by the drive wheel upon actuation of the actuator.

[0015]

[0015] Also described herein is a cutting device for forming a finger on a belt end. The cutting device includes a linear blade for cutting the belt and a belt support facing the linear blade for supporting the belt. The cutting device further includes a rotatable actuator for driving a drive transmission operably connected to the linear blade and the belt support. Rotation of the rotatable actuator causes the drive transmission to drive the linear blade to cut the belt to form a first side of the finger, displace the belt support to reposition the belt relative to the linear blade, and drive the linear blade to cut the belt to form a second side of the finger.

[0016] In one approach, a drive transmission translates and rotates the belt support from a first position for cutting a first side of the finger to a second position for cutting a second side of the finger. The drive transmission displaces the belt relative to the linear blade so that the first and second sides cut by the linear blade form a generally triangular finger. For example, the second side of the finger can extend from the first side of the finger so as to form an acute angle with the first side.

[0017] The rotatable actuator may intermittently displace the belt support along a displacement axis, and the cutting edges of the linear blade may extend perpendicular to the displacement axis, the linear blade being a single linear blade that cuts a first side of the finger and cuts a second side of the finger when the belt support is displaced relative to the single linear blade.

[0018]

[0018] Also described herein is a cutting device for forming fingers on a belt end. The cutting device includes a table for supporting the belt and a reciprocating blade for cutting the belt to form the fingers. The cutting device further includes an actuator operatively coupled to the table to reposition the belt relative to the blade to enable the blade to cut the belt and form the finger edges. The actuator may be configured to intermittently translate and rotate the table simultaneously with the reciprocating movement of the blade to reposition the belt relative to the blade when the blade is disengaged from the belt.

[0019]

[0019] In one approach, the cutting apparatus further includes a rotatable table support that cooperates with the table to rotate the table and to guide translational movement of the table, the rotatable table support being fixed against rotation and translational movement relative to the blade.

[0020]

[0020] The rotatable table support includes a guide groove for accommodating a guide member of the table. The guide member is translatable relative to the rotatable table support and is fixed against rotation within the guide groove, so that the guide member and the table rotate with the rotatable table support. The guide member includes an elongated rack having teeth forming valleys therebetween. The cutting device further includes a threaded shaft operably connected to the actuator and meshingly engaged with the teeth, whereby actuation of the actuator rotates the threaded shaft to translate the guide member. The teeth of the elongated rack may include opposing non-coplanar walls for engaging the threaded shaft upon rotation of the rotatable support table relative to the threaded shaft.

[0021] Also described herein is a method for forming a finger on a belt end with a cutting device. The method includes cutting the belt with a blade while the belt is supported on a table to form a first side of the finger by rotating a rotatable actuator. The method further includes moving the blade away from the table by rotating the rotatable actuator and displacing the table and the belt relative to the blade. The method further includes cutting the belt with the blade to form a second side of the finger by rotating the rotatable actuator.

[0022] In one approach, displacing the table includes translating and rotating the belt from a first position for cutting a first side of the finger to a second position for cutting a second side of the finger. Cutting the belt with the table in the first and second positions forms a generally triangular finger. The blade can be a single straight blade that cuts the first and second sides of the finger.

[0023]

[0023] Moving the blade away from the table and displacing the table can occur simultaneously by rotation of a rotatable actuator. Rotation of the rotatable actuator can result in continuous reciprocating motion of the blade and intermittent displacement of the table. Displacing the table can include translating and rotating the table. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1]

[0024] A top perspective view of the belt punch showing the cutting assembly of the belt punch and the belt fixed on the table of the belt punch. [Figure 2]

[0025] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the belt punch showing the displacement assembly of the belt punch. [Figure 3]

[0026] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a belt punch showing a cutting blade of a cutting assembly for cutting the belt. [Figure 4]

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1, showing the cutting assembly and the displacement assembly. [Figure 5]

[0028] 2 is a side elevation cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1 showing a tilted forward frame of the belt punch supporting the cutting assembly and displacement assembly in an oblique orientation. [Figure 6]

[0029] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an intermittent rotary motion assembly connecting the cutting assembly and the displacement assembly. [Figure 7]

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a belt punch showing a cutting assembly with a side wall shown partially transparent for clarity. [Figure 8]

[0031] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the cutting assembly of the belt punch. [Figure 9]

[0032] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the crank of the cutting assembly and a portion of the drive transmission showing the eccentric cam drive lug; [Figure 10]

[0033] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the belt punch displacement assembly. [Figure 11]

[0034] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the displacement assembly showing the worm drive in meshing engagement with the rack. [Figure 12]

[0035] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the rack showing the non-coplanar sidewalls of the rack teeth. [Figure 13]

[0036] FIG. 10 is a top view of the displacement assembly showing the rotatable belt support table assembly. [Figure 14]

[0037] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional front view of the belt punch showing the crank in a first rotational position. [Figure 15]

[0038] FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the belt punch showing the cutting assembly with the blade in a raised position when the crank is in the first rotational position of FIG. [Figure 16]

[0039] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional front view of the belt punch showing the crank in a second rotational position. [Figure 17]

[0040] FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the belt punch showing the cutting assembly with the blade in a lowered cutting position when the crank is in the second rotational position of FIG. 16. [Figure 18]

[0041] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional front view of the belt punch showing the crank in a third rotational position. [Figure 19]

[0042] FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of the belt punch showing the cutting assembly with the blade in a raised position when the crank is in the third rotational position of FIG. 18. [Figure 20]

[0043] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional front view of the belt punch showing the crank in a fourth rotational position. [Figure 21]

[0044] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the belt punch with the crank in a fourth rotational position, showing the table and belt in a first angular orientation. [Figure 22]

[0045] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional front view of the belt punch showing the crank in a fifth rotational position. [Figure 23]

[0046] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the belt punch with the crank in a fifth rotational position, showing the table and belt in a second angular orientation. [Figure 24]

[0047] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of another belt punch showing the cutting assembly of the belt punch. [Figure 25]

[0048] 25 is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 24, showing the cutting assembly and the displacement assembly. [Figure 26]

[0049] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a belt punch with the cam housing and rotatable cover shown partially transparent for clarity. [Figure 27]

[0050] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the belt punch with the side walls removed for clarity to show the rotation lock. [Figure 27A]

[0051] FIG. 28 is a detail view of the rotary lock of FIG. 27, showing the rotary lock in a locked position. [Figure 27B]

[0052] FIG. 28 is a detail view of the rotary lock of FIG. 27, showing the rotary lock in the unlocked position. [Figure 27C]

[0053] FIG. 28 is a detailed view of the rotary lock of FIG. 27 showing a stop surface of the rotary lock that engages with the rear wall of the housing to maintain the rotary lock in the unlocked position. [Figure 28]

[0054] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the punch pad showing the belt guide. [Figure 29]

[0055] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the separated opposing belt ends formed by the belt punch. [Figure 30]

[0056] FIG. 1 is a plan view of intermeshing belt ends formed by a belt punch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025]

[0057] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples, and that other embodiments may take various alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. Some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to variously use the present invention. As those skilled in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the drawings may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other drawings to produce embodiments not explicitly shown or described. The combinations of illustrated features provide representative embodiments for typical applications. However, various combinations and variations of features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for specific applications or implementations.

[0026]

[0058] In one form, described herein is a cutting device for forming fingers on the end of a belt. The cutting device includes a single blade for cutting each side of the fingers to be formed in the belt and a table for positioning the belt under the blade for such finger-cutting operation. The cutting device also includes a single user-operated actuator in the form of a rotating crank operably connected to the blade via a primary shaft of a drive transmission. The crank is also operably connected to the table via both a secondary shaft of the drive transmission and a cam assembly. Rotation of the crank causes the primary shaft to continuously move the blade in an upward and downward direction. Rotation of the same crank also causes intermittent movement of the table. The intermittent movement includes both translation of the table to index the belt relative to the blade and rotation of the table to change the angle of the belt relative to the blade. More specifically, rotation of the crank causes the secondary shaft to intermittently translate the table relative to the blade, while simultaneously causing the cam assembly to rotate the table relative to the blade.

[0027]

[0059] In this manner, one complete rotation of the crank causes the blade to cut one side of the finger to be formed on the belt edge, and the next rotation of the crank causes the blade to cut the other side of the finger, forming one finger with a single blade. This enables the cutting device to cut dimensionally accurate fingers on a belt edge, such as a polymeric belt, by sequentially cutting individual sides of the fingers with a single blade. The cutting device is also user-friendly, since only a single user-operated actuator is required to both drive the cutting blade and to translationally index and rotate the belt relative to the cutting blade so that the belt is properly oriented to cut the fingers on the belt.

[0028]

[0060] In one example, the cutting device drive transmission includes an intermittent rotary motion assembly, such as a Geneva mechanism. The Geneva mechanism includes a drive wheel connected to the crank for rotation therewith. The Geneva mechanism also includes a driven wheel intermittently driven by the drive wheel for rotation to rotate a secondary shaft and a cam member of a cam assembly. In this manner, rotation of the crank continuously reciprocates the blade and intermittently actuates the secondary shaft and the cam member.

[0029]

[0061] 1-5, there is shown a cutting device that may be referred to as a belt punch 10. Belt punch 10 includes a support such as a table 12 for supporting a belt 14 thereon. Belt 14 may be, for example, a portion of a power transmission belt (e.g., a flat belt or a V-belt) or a portion of a conveyor belt.

[0030]

[0062] In one approach, one or more belt clamps or hold-down bars 20 secure the belt 14 to the table 12 to secure the belt 14 against the table 12 during operation of the belt punch 10. Upon installation of the belt 14 on the table 12, the bars 20 may be loosened or removed to allow the belt 14 to rest on the table 12. The bars 20 are then secured to the table 12 with the belt 14 sandwiched therebetween. The bars 20 may include a cut-out area 22 to accommodate a central raised positioning portion or ridge 24 of the belt 14.

[0031]

[0063] The belt punch 10 includes a blade 30 and a user-operated actuator in the form of a crank 32 for raising and lowering the blade 30. The blade 30 can be a single blade or, as shown in more detail in FIG. 7, can be in the form of a continuous, straight blade. In this manner, the blade 30 does not form corners or recesses. Compared to belt punches having a V-shaped blade, or multiple blades arranged to form a V-shape, or a single blade configured to form multiple V-shapes, the continuous, straight configuration of the blade 30 avoids the problem of belt material getting caught in the corner(s) of the blade, which can distort the shape of the corner during the cutting operation and create poorly cut fingers.

[0032]

[0064] The crank 32 may include a handle 34 projecting orthogonally from a free end of the crank 32 to assist in rotating the crank 32. As the crank 32 is rotated through a first (e.g., generally downward) range of motion, the blade 30 is driven downward, cutting the blade 30 into the belt 14. As the crank 32 is rotated through a second (e.g., generally upward) range of motion, the blade 30 is raised away from the belt 14. As described in more detail below, while the blade 30 is in the raised position, rotation of the crank 32 acts to both rotate and translate the table 12 relative to the blade 30. In this manner, a single movement of the crank 32 both cuts the belt 14 with the blade 30 and repositions the belt 14 relative to the blade 30 between cutting movements. Although the belt punch 10 described herein acts to drive the blade 30 downward when the crank 32 moves downward and to raise the blade 30 when the crank 32 moves upward, the belt punch 10 may be modified so that the belt punch 10 raises the blade 30 when the crank 32 moves downward and drives the blade 30 downward when the crank 32 moves upward.

[0033]

[0065] The belt punch 10 includes a frame assembly 40 that supports the components of the belt punch 10. The frame assembly 40 may include a first sidewall 42 and an opposing second sidewall 44. The frame assembly 40 may further include a front wall 46 and a rear wall 48 extending between the first and second sidewalls 42, 44. The first and second sidewalls 42, 44 include lower arm portions 50, 52 that support the table 12. The first and second sidewalls 42, 44 also include forward-opening, rearward-extending slotted regions 54, 56 that accommodate the table 12 as it is translated forwardly or rearwardly during operation of the crank 32. Above the respective slotted regions 54, 56, the first sidewall 42 may include a first side opening 60 (FIGS. 1 and 2), and the second sidewall 44 may include a second side opening 62 (FIG. 5). The first and second side openings 60, 62 facilitate access to the internal components of the belt punch 10 and to the belt 14 while it is received within the slotted areas 54, 56. For example, in some cases, when installing the belt 14 while the table 12 is disposed within the slotted areas 54, 56, the belt 14 may have a tendency to curl or twist when it is inserted between the table 12 and the clamp bar 20. The first and second side openings 60, 62 allow a user to access the belt 14 and flatten it so that it fits under and is clamped by the clamp bar 20.

[0034]

[0066] Referring to FIG. 5, the frame assembly 40 may have an inclined configuration. For example, the first sidewall 42 includes a first lower surface 70 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), and the second sidewall 44 includes a second lower surface 72 (shown in FIGS. 2 through 5). At least a portion of the rear wall 48 (e.g., the portion housing the crank 32) extends upward and forward at an oblique angle relative to the bottom surfaces 70, 72 and a generally flat surface 74 on which they are disposed. The oblique angle may be, for example, an acute angle ranging from approximately 45 degrees to approximately 85 degrees, more specifically, approximately 75 degrees. In this manner, the table 12 may be disposed at an oblique angle relative to the surface 74 (e.g., a horizontal support or floor) on which the belt punch 10 is disposed. Additionally, the rotation axis 76 of the crank 32 extends generally parallel to the surface of the table 12 and also at an oblique angle relative to the support surface 74. Such an arrangement allows the crank 32 to have an increased length than would be available if the rear wall 48 extended perpendicular to the bottom surfaces 70, 72, providing an increased moment about the axis of rotation 76 of the crank 32 for improved mechanical advantage. The low profile front of the frame assembly 40 reduces the height to which the belt 14 must be raised to be positioned on the table 12 of the belt punch 10. The low profile front of the frame assembly 40 also reduces the weight of the belt punch 10, improving portability.

[0035]

[0067] The frame assembly 40 may further include an upper or top wall 80 and a handle bar 82 attached to the top wall 80. The top wall 80 extends between the first and second side walls 42, 44 and may be secured to the frame assembly 40 at the front and rear walls 46, 48 (e.g., via welding or fasteners). The top wall 80 may include a recessed area 84 extending downwardly away from the handle bar 82 to accommodate a user's hands while the user grasps the handle bar 82. In this manner, the belt punch 10 is portable, allowing a user to lift and carry the belt punch 10 via the handle bar 82.

[0036]

[0068] A bearing block 90 may be secured to the front wall 46. The bearing block 90 includes an aperture that receives a bearing 92 therein. As described below, the bearing 92 receives the primary shaft 150 and supports the primary shaft 150 for rotation adjacent the distal end 154 when the crank 32 is rotated at the proximal end 152 of the primary shaft 150 to generate linear reciprocating motion of the blade 30. As used herein, "proximal" refers to a rearward end, portion, or region that is relatively closer to a user who actuates the crank 32 (e.g., along the Y-axis in FIG. 5 ), and "distal" refers to a forward end, portion, or region that is opposite the proximal end, portion, or region and relatively farther from the user than the proximal end, portion, or region.

[0037]

[0069] 6, the crank 32 and drive transmission are operatively connected to the blade 30 via a cutting assembly 100 and to the table 12 via a displacement assembly 102. The drive transmission and cutting assembly 100 converts the rotational motion of the crank 32 into linear reciprocating motion of the blade 30, and the drive transmission and displacement assembly 102 converts the rotational motion of the crank 32 into both longitudinal translation and rotation of the table 12. More specifically, the drive transmission of the belt punch 10 includes an intermittent rotary motion assembly, such as a Geneva mechanism 104. As described in more detail below, the Geneva mechanism 104 includes a drive wheel 170 rotated by the crank 32 and a driven wheel 250 that is intermittently rotated by the drive wheel 170 to longitudinally translate and rotate the table 12.

[0038]

[0070] Referring to FIG. 7 , the cutting assembly 100 includes a blade assembly 110 that carries the blade 30. The blade assembly 110 includes a blade holder 112 that has a cam area 114 formed therein. The cam area 114 may be a generally bean- or V-shaped cam opening, with an internal arc-shaped cam surface 118 extending around the opening within the rectangular block 112a of the blade holder 112. This configuration of the cam opening slows the motion of the blade 30 as it moves downward, requiring more angular rotation of the crank 32 for the same vertical displacement as when the blade 30 is higher in its reciprocating motion. This creates a mechanical advantage when penetrating the blade 30 against the belt 14 toward the bottom of its motion.

[0039]

[0071] One or more roller bearings 116 are secured to the rear of the blade holder 112 via fasteners and are disposed in rolling engagement with the sides of the bearing block 90 to guide the generally vertical reciprocating motion of the blade assembly 110. More specifically, the roller bearings 116 may each have a spool configuration with an annular recess for receiving a guide projection 90a extending vertically along both sides of the bearing block 90. ​​In this manner, the roller bearings 116 and the blade holder 112 secured thereto are prevented from displacement in the forward or rearward direction. The blade assembly 110 further includes a blade clamping member 120 that cooperates with a rearward depending portion of the blade holder 112 at the lower end of the blade holder block 112a to securely secure the blade 30 in position between the blade clamping member 120 and the blade holder 112 so that the bottom cutting edge 30a of the blade 30 is exposed below the blade holder block 112a.

[0040]

[0072] The cutting assembly 100 further includes a belt stripping member 130 that releasably secures the blade assembly 110 to the first and second side walls 42, 44. The belt stripping member 130 has a segmented structure including a pair of U-shaped tubular portions 132, 134 spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction. The spaced portions 132, 134 are disposed on either side of the blade 30 and strip the belt from the blade as the blade 30 moves upward to disengage from the belt, since the belt typically adheres to the blade 30. The spaced portions 132, 134 transition to upward end mounting portions 136, 138 of the belt stripping member 130. The end portions 136, 138 are releasably secured to the first and second side walls 42, 44, respectively.

[0041]

[0073] 8 and 9, the proximal end 152 of the primary shaft 150 is wedged to the crank 32. For example, the proximal end 152 of the primary shaft 150 may have a generally polygonal cross-section, and the crank 32 may have a base connector portion 36 having an aperture therein with a complementary cross-sectional geometry for receiving the polygonal proximal end 152 of the primary shaft 150. In this manner, rotation of the crank 32 results in corresponding rotation of the primary shaft 150. The primary shaft 150 may be axially secured to the base connector portion 36 via a washer 156 and a fastener 158.

[0042]

[0074] The cutting assembly 100 further includes a bearing 160 disposed about the primary shaft 150 adjacent the proximal end 152 of the primary shaft 150. As shown in FIG. 5 , the bearing 160 is received in an aperture in the rear wall 48 to facilitate rotation of the primary shaft 150 relative to the rear wall 48.

[0043]

[0075] A drive wheel 170 is also disposed about the primary shaft 150 and is wedged to the primary shaft 150 such that rotation of the primary shaft 150 causes corresponding rotation of the drive wheel 170. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , a key 164 may be disposed in a keyway of the primary shaft 150, and a fastener 162 may extend through the drive wheel 170 and be securely fastened to the key 164 to wedge the drive wheel 170 to the primary shaft 150. In this manner, rotation of the crank 32 causes corresponding rotation of the drive wheel 170. The drive wheel 170 includes a generally annular body portion 172 having an arcuate outer surface 176 and an extension portion 178 (which may be in the form of a generally triangular extension) that includes rollers or pins 174 on its periphery. The extension portion 178 is thinner than the thick annular body portion 172 and has a plate structure that is flush with the rear surface of the body portion. The plate extension 178 extends radially beyond the radial dimension of the annular body portion 172 such that the pin 174 is disposed radially outward of the arcuate outer surface 176 of the guide body 172 .

[0044]

[0076] The drive wheel 170 forms part of a drive transmission that includes the intermittent rotary motion assembly or Geneva mechanism 104. As will be described below, the drive wheel 170 cooperates with the driven wheel 250 of the displacement assembly 102 to intermittently rotate and translate the table 12 relative to the blade 30.

[0045]

[0077] The primary shaft 150 includes an eccentric cam drive projection 180 extending from a distal end 154 of the primary shaft 150. As shown in FIG. 9 , the eccentric cam drive projection 180 has a central axis 182 that is offset from a central axis 184 of the primary shaft 150. In this manner, rotation of the primary shaft 150 causes the eccentric cam drive projection 180 to rotate or orbit eccentrically about the central axis 184 of the primary shaft 150.

[0046]

[0078] 7-9, a bearing 190 is disposed around the eccentric cam drive projection 180 and is axially secured to the eccentric cam drive projection 180 portion of the primary shaft 150 via a washer 192 and a fastener 194. The eccentric cam drive projection 180 and the bearing 190 cooperate to form a cutter drive 196 that is housed within the cam region 114 of the blade assembly 110. As the primary shaft 150 is rotated, the cutter drive 196 cams into engagement with the arcuate cam inner surface 118, causing vertical reciprocating motion of the blade assembly 110.

[0047]

[0079] During operation of the belt punch 10, as the crank 32 is rotated in a generally downward direction, the primary shaft 150 rotates the cutter drive 196 downward, causing the central axis 182 of the cutter drive 196 to rotate below the central axis 184 of the primary shaft 150. During this rotation, the cutter drive 196 is rotated toward the center of the cam region 114 and is urged against the lower part of the inner cam surface 118 of the cam region 114, thereby driving the blade assembly 110 downward. The downward movement of the blade assembly 110 drives the blade 30 downward to strike the belt 14, which may be disposed on the table 12, forming a cut in the belt 14.

[0048]

[0080] As the crank 32 is rotated in a generally upward direction, the primary shaft 150 rotates the cutter drive 196 upward, causing the central axis 182 of the cutter drive 196 to rotate above the central axis 184 of the primary shaft 150. During this rotation, the cutter drive 196 is rotated at least partially into a side lobe of the cam region 114 and urged against an upper portion of the cam inner surface 118, thereby driving the blade assembly 110 upward. The upward movement of the blade assembly 110 drives the blade 30 upward and away from the belt 14, which may be disposed on the table 12. As described below, as the crank 32 is rotated with the blade 30 spaced upward from the table 12, the displacement assembly 102 operates to both rotate and translate the table 12 relative to the blade 30.

[0049]

[0081] 10, the displacement assembly 102 includes a driven wheel 250 that cooperates with the drive wheel 170 to form the Geneva mechanism 104. In the illustrated approach, the Geneva mechanism 104 is a six-position Geneva mechanism, with the driven wheel 250 including six radial spokes or lobes 252 and six slots 254 disposed between adjacent lobes 252. Other driven wheel configurations are possible, having various numbers of positions and corresponding numbers of spokes or lobes.

[0050]

[0082] The displacement assembly 102 further includes a hub 260 secured to the driven wheel 250 such that rotation of the driven wheel 250 causes corresponding rotation of the hub 260. The hub 260 includes an annular plate portion 262 secured to the driven wheel 250. The hub 260 further includes a boss portion 264 that extends into the central aperture 256 of the driven wheel 250.

[0051]

[0083] The displacement assembly 102 includes a secondary shaft 270 for linearly translating the table 12. The secondary shaft 270 includes a proximal end 272 and a distal end 274. The distal end 274 is received within an aperture 282 of a support member 280 extending laterally between and secured to the first and second side walls 42, 44 (e.g., at the arms 50, 52 of the first and second side walls 42, 44), as shown, for example, in FIG. 2 . The proximal end 272 of the secondary shaft 270 extends through a central aperture in the hub 260 and is wedged to the hub 260 such that rotation of the hub 260 and the driven wheel 250 causes rotation of the secondary shaft 270. A bearing 290 is disposed around the secondary shaft 270 at the proximal end 272 of the secondary shaft 270. As shown in FIG. 5, bearings 290 are secured within apertures in rear wall 48 to facilitate rotation of secondary shaft 270 relative to rear wall 48 .

[0052]

[0084] Secondary shaft 270 includes a worm drive gear 300 that operably connects secondary shaft 270 to table 12. Worm drive gear 300 may include one or more threads, such as, for example, a helical thread 302, that extend around secondary shaft 270.

[0053]

[0085] Displacement assembly 102 further includes a rotatable table support 310 that extends the entire length of secondary shaft 270 and is supported at its distal end by arcuate outer edges 316 and 318 and by laterally extending support member 280, as described hereinafter. Rotatable table support 310 includes a central aperture or opening 312 extending through the table support and front and rear guide grooves 314 that traverse opening 312 in the top surface of the table support. Opening 312 is sized to accommodate a portion of worm drive gear 300 therein, as shown, for example, in FIG. 5 .

[0054]

[0086] 11 and 12 , the displacement assembly 102 may include a guide member, such as an elongated rack 330. The groove 314 receives the elongated rack 330, such that the elongated rack 330 extends across the aperture 312. The worm drive gear 300 engages the rack 330 and linearly translates the rack 330 as the gear 300 is turned by rotation of the shaft 270 caused by rotation of the crank 32. For example, during a displacement operation of the displacement assembly 102, a range of rotation of the worm drive gear 300 (e.g., a 60-degree range of rotation) may drive the rack 330 linearly forward or backward approximately 6 millimeters, depending on the direction of rotation of the crank 32, thereby displacing the table 12, to which the rack 330 is affixed, in the corresponding forward or backward linear direction approximately 6 millimeters.

[0055]

[0087] As shown in FIG. 12 , the rack 330 includes rack teeth 340 that form valleys 342 therebetween. The rack teeth 340 may include non-coplanar walls to facilitate accommodation of the helical threads 302 of the worm drive gear 300 when the table assembly 310 is rotated between cutting orientations. For example, one rack tooth 340 may include a first wall segment 352 extending at a first transverse angle relative to a longitudinal axis 350 of the rack 330 and a second wall segment 354 extending at a second transverse angle relative to the longitudinal axis 350. The first and second transverse angles may be different, such that the first wall segment 352 and the second wall segment 354 are non-coplanar. In this manner, the first wall segment 352 and the second wall segment form an oblique angle (e.g., an obtuse angle), as indicated by angle 356. In one approach, angle 356 may be approximately 186 degrees. The non-coplanar wall segments 352, 354 facilitate linear translation of the rack 330 as it is rotated between angular-cut orientations. For example, as the rack 330 is rotated by the rotatable table support 310 to a first angular orientation (which may correspond to the angular orientation of the table assembly 370 shown in FIG. 21 ), the first wall segment 352 is rotated into alignment with the helical thread 302 of the worm drive gear 300, and the second, parallel wall segment 354 is rotated out of alignment with the helical thread 302. As the rack 330 is rotated to a second angular orientation (which may correspond to the angular orientation of the table assembly 370 shown in FIG. 23 ), the second wall segment 354 is rotated into alignment with the helical thread 302, and the first wall segment 352 is rotated out of alignment with the helical thread 302. In this manner, wall segments 352, 354 allow rack 330 to be linearly translated by worm drive gear 300 when in the rotated orientation, while avoiding rack 330 binding with worm drive gear 300.

[0056]

[0088] In one approach, the helical thread 302 of the worm drive gear 300 may have a lead angle of, for example, approximately 21 degrees relative to a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the secondary shaft 270. Thus, the lead angle of the helical thread 302 is offset by approximately 21 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 350 of the rack 330 when the axes of the secondary shaft 270 and the rack 330 are parallel. The first and second wall segments may be angularly offset from the lead angle of the helical thread 302 to account for rotation of the rotatable table support 310. For example, the first wall segment 352 may extend approximately 24 degrees relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 350 such that the first wall segment 352 remains engaged with the helical thread 302 when the rack 330 is rotated by the rotatable table support 310 to a first rotational orientation (e.g., FIG. 21 ). The second wall segment 354 may extend approximately 18 degrees relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 350 such that the second wall segment 354 is maintained in engagement with the helical thread 302 when the rack 330 is rotated by the rotatable table support 310 to a second pivotal orientation (e.g., FIG. 23 ). In this manner, the wall segments 352, 354 are selectively maintained in engagement with the helical thread 302 of the worm drive gear 300 during rotation and linear translation of the rack 330.

[0057]

[0089] 10, 11, and 13, the rotatable table support 310 further includes opposing curved side edges 316, 318 that facilitate rotation of the rotatable table support 310, a planar upper surface 320 that supports the table 12, and a cutout or recess 322 in the underside of the rear of the table support for receiving a forward mounting extension 472 of a connector or pivot arm 470, as described further below.

[0058]

[0090] 10 , in one approach, table 12 is a table assembly 370 that includes multiple table components. For example, table assembly 370 may include a pad support member 372, such as made of steel, that may be stacked on a planar upper surface 320 of a rotatable table support 310. A rack 330 is rigidly secured to pad support member 372 and extends centrally along its bottom surface 376 such that linear translation of rack 330 within groove 314 of rotatable table support 310 results in corresponding linear translation of pad support member 372. In this manner, linear translation of rack 330 (e.g., driven by worm drive gear 300) results in corresponding linear translation of table assembly 370, and rotation of rack 330 due to rotation of rotatable table support 310 with a portion of rack 330 extending within groove 314 results in corresponding rotational movement of table assembly 370.

[0059]

[0091] Table assembly 370 may further include a punch pad 374, which may be overlaid and securely fastened to pad support member 372. Punch pad 374 may be made of a flexible material, such as nylon, to prevent damage or excessive blade wear when blade 30 is driven downwardly through belt 14.

[0060]

[0092] The displacement assembly 102 further includes pivotal and translational guides 400, 402 fixed to the first and second side walls 42, 44. The pivotal and translational guides 400, 402 include upper support surfaces 404, 406 for supporting the outer edge of the pad support member 372. The pivotal and translational guides 400, 402 further include inner arc-shaped recessed regions 408, 410 having planar support shoulders for supporting the rotatable table support 310 as it rotates and curved side walls for guiding the curved outer portions 316, 318 of the rotatable table support 310, as shown in FIG. 11 . The curved side walls of the inner arc-shaped recessed regions 408, 410 and the curved outer edge portions 316, 318 of the table support 310 may each have a radius of curvature about the pivot axis 530 of the table assembly 370.

[0061]

[0093] Table assembly 370 includes at least one table translation member 430 rigidly secured to the table assembly, e.g., secured at their outer edges to one or both of pad support member 372 and punch pad 374. Table translation member 430 maintains table assembly 370 in downward engagement with pivotable table support 310 as table assembly 370 is translated relative to frame assembly 40 by rack 330. In one example, table translation member 430 includes a laterally inwardly extending ridge 432 that extends into a linearly extending, laterally outwardly facing recess 412 of pivot and translation guide 400, e.g., as illustrated in Figures 2 and 10, such that translation of table translation member 430 is guided by pivot and translation guide 400. Recess 412 is sized so that ridge 432 can be translated through recess 412 and pivoted relative to recess 432 while maintaining translational guidance by recess 432. In this manner, a portion of the inwardly facing surface of ridge 432 can be spaced from the outwardly facing surface of recess 412 depending on the pivotal orientation of table assembly 370. In another example, table translation member 430 can instead include a recess that receives the protruding ridge of pivot and translation guide 400.

[0062]

[0094] In this manner, the pivot and translation guide 400 supports the pivotable table support 310 in the vertical direction, guides the pivotal movement of the pivotable table support 310 in the forward-inclined plane, and further guides the translation of the table assembly 370 in the linear forward and rearward directions along the forward-inclined plane.

[0063]

[0095] As previously described, rotation of crank 32 causes intermittent linear translation of table assembly 370. More specifically, the rotational force of crank 32 drives drive wheel 170, which rotates pin 174 of drive wheel 170, which then rotates and engages driven wheel 250, causing driven wheel 250 to rotate. The rotation of driven wheel 250 transmits rotational force through hub 260 to secondary shaft 270, which is wedged to hub 260. Helical threads 302 of worm drive gear 300 drive rack teeth 340 of rack 330, causing linear translation of rack 330 and table assembly 370, which is fixed to rack 330.

[0064]

[0096] When the pin 174 is not received in the slot 254 of the driven wheel 250, the drive wheel 170 is operable to prevent rotation of the driven wheel 250. More specifically, the arcuate outer surface 176 of the annular portion 172 of the drive wheel 170 fits into and rotates along the concave arcuate outer surface portion 258 of the lobe 252 of the driven wheel 250, keeping the drive wheel 250 from rotating together.

[0065]

[0097] The displacement assembly 102 further includes a pivotable component for rotating the rotatable table support 310, causing the table assembly 370 and the belt 14 supported on the table assembly 370 to rotate by the tight fit of the rack 330 of the pad plate member 372 within the groove 314 of the table support 310. Generally, the displacement assembly 102 includes a cam assembly including a cam member 450 fixed to the driven wheel 250 and a cam follower 460 that follows the cam member 450. A connecting member or pivot arm 470 fixed to both the cam follower 460 and the rotatable table support 310 is operable such that as the cam follower 460 is cammed by rotation of the cam member 450, the pivot arm 470 is also displaced due to rotation of the rotatable table support 310.

[0066]

[0098] More specifically, cam member 450 is rigidly secured to driven wheel 250 such that rotation of driven wheel 250 causes a corresponding rotation of cam member 450. Cam member 450 includes a central aperture that receives secondary shaft 270 therein and further includes a plurality of cam lobes 452 disposed about the central aperture. In the illustrated example, cam member 450 includes three cam lobes 452.

[0067]

[0099] The cam follower 460 has a laterally extending rectangular block body 464 with a laterally extending slot 466 that receives the secondary shaft 270 extending therethrough. The cam follower 460 also includes cam follower arms 462 at opposite ends of the cam follower body 464 that extend away from the cam follower body toward the driven wheel 250. The cam follower arms 462 are spaced apart and extend rearward to receive the cam member 450 therebetween, as shown in FIG. 13. As the cam member 450 is rotated by the driven wheel 250, the arcuate walls 454 of the cam lobes 452 that engage the cam follower arms 462 displace the cam follower arms 462 laterally. 6, when one of the arms 462 is at the apex of one of the cam lobes 452, the opposing arm 462 is in a recess or valley between the cam lobe apex engaging the other arm 462 and the diametrically opposed cam lobe 452. This lateral movement of the cam follower arm 462, and thus the cam follower 460, displaces a connecting pivot arm 470 that is rigidly connected to both the cam follower 460 and the pivotable table support 310. However, because the table support 310 is restricted to pivoting about the pivot axis 530 by the sliding engagement between the curved outer edges 316, 318 on the corresponding curved side walls of the recessed areas 408, 410 of the pivot and translation guides 400, 402, the connecting pivot arm 470 also pivots, causing the cam follower 460 to rock or pivot, such that the cam follower arm 462 engaged at the peak of one of the cam lobes 452 is displaced forward, while the opposing cam follower arm 462 engaged in the valley between the other cam lobes 452 is displaced rearward, as seen in FIG. 13 .

[0068]

[0100] More specifically, pivot arm 470 is secured at a proximal end to cam follower 460 and at a distal end to pivotable table support 310, rigidly connecting cam follower 460 to pivotable table support 310. Pivot arm 470 may be in the form of a plate including a forward mounting extension 472 that extends and is fixedly secured within lower recess 322 (FIG. 11) of pivotable table support 310, as shown, for example, in FIG. 2. Pivot arm 470 is secured to cam follower 460 such that displacement of cam follower 460 results in a corresponding displacement of pivot arm 470, as described above.

[0069]

[0101] 14-25, a method of preparing a belt end for splicing includes rotating the crank 32 to cut the belt 14 (FIGS. 14-19), form fingers 560, 562 in the belt 14 (FIGS. 24 and 25), and angularly displace or rotate the belt 14 relative to the blade 30 (FIGS. 20-23). ​​As shown in FIG. 14, the crank 32 may be rotated as shown by arrow 500 during the cutting motion, causing the drive wheel 170 to rotate as shown by arrow 502 relative to the driven wheel 250. During the cutting motion, the arcuate outer surface 176 of the annulus 172 of the drive wheel 170 engages and rotates along with the arcuate outer surface 258 of the lobe 252 of the driven wheel 250, keeping the drive wheel 250 from rotating together. In a first angular orientation 510 of the crank 32 shown in FIG. 14, the blade 30 is spaced apart from the belt 14, as shown in FIG.

[0070]

[0102] Continued rotation of the crank 32 (e.g., in a counterclockwise direction) moves the drive wheel 170 to a second angular orientation 512 toward the approximately bottom dead center position shown in FIG. 16 and drives the blade 30 into the belt 14, as shown in FIG. 17, thereby creating a notch in the belt 14. As discussed above, the mechanical advantage provided by the cam aperture configuration allows the blade 30 to be driven with a downward force of approximately 40 N / mm, thus for a 125 mm blade length, the total force is approximately 5 kN. The crank 32 can be further rotated to a third angular orientation 514 shown in FIG. 16, where the blade 30 is raised out of engagement with the belt 14, as shown in FIG. 19. In the third angular orientation 514, the crank 32 is rotated approximately 60 degrees from the crank orientation shown in FIG. 14.

[0071]

[0103] 20-23, rotation of the crank 32 intermittently rotates the table assembly 370 and the belt 14 disposed on the table assembly 370 relative to the cutting assembly 110. More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, rotation of the crank 32, indicated by arrow 520, rotates the drive wheel 170 of the Geneva mechanism 104, as indicated by arrow 522, which rotates the pin 174 of the drive wheel 170 into the slot 254 of the driven wheel 250. Continued rotation of the crank 32 drives the pin 174 against the spokes or lobes 252 of the driven wheel 250, driving the rotation of the driven wheel 250, as indicated by arrow 524.

[0072]

[0104] As previously mentioned, rotation of driven wheel 250 causes table assembly 370 to rotate via cam member 450, cam follower 460, and pivot arm 470. Table assembly 370 rotates about pivot axis 530, which may be disposed at the center of blade holder 112 of blade assembly 110. The center of blade holder 112 may be disposed above aperture 312 of rotatable table support 310 such that pivot axis 530 of table assembly 370 extends through aperture 312 (e.g., to the center of aperture 312) and intersects worm drive gear 300, as shown in FIG.

[0073]

[0105] In one approach, rotation of the rotatable table support 310 rotates the table assembly 370 approximately 3 degrees in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, as indicated by arrow 540, from an axis 542 perpendicular to the central axis 184 of the primary shaft 150. In this manner, the crank 32, via the translation assembly 102, rotates the rotatable table support 310 approximately 6 degrees from the table angle shown in FIG. 21 to the table angle shown in FIG. 23 to cut both sides of the finger. Other angles of rotation of the rotatable table support 310 are clearly contemplated depending on the desired finger configuration and size.

[0074]

[0106] It should be understood that rotation of the driven wheel 250 simultaneously causes rotation and linear translation of the rotatable table support 310. Thus, the number of lobes 252 of the driven wheel 250 may define the degree of rotation of the crank 32 required to rotate the driven wheel 250 from one stop to the next. In the illustrated approach, the driven wheel 250 is a six-stop driven wheel. Thus, the crank 32 rotates 60 degrees from the position shown in FIG. 20 to the position shown in FIG. 22, causing the driven wheel 250 to rotate 60 degrees from the stop position shown in FIG. 20 to the stop position shown in FIG. 22. It is during this rotation of the driven wheel 250 that the driven wheel 250 causes rotation and linear translation of the rotatable table support 310.

[0075]

[0107] In another approach, the belt punch may be configured to pivot the blade relative to the table and to linearly translate the blade relative to the table, while the table remains stationary. In this approach, the blade may be configured for vertical movement to cut the belt, pivotal movement to adjust the angle of the belt cut, and linear movement to adjust the linear position of the belt cut. In yet another approach, the belt punch may be configured to linearly translate the blade and pivot the table. In yet another approach, the belt punch may be configured to pivot the blade and linearly translate the table.

[0076]

[0108] 24-28, there is shown another cutting device which may be referred to as a belt punch 10'. The belt punch 10' may be similar in many respects to the belt punch 10 described above with respect to Figures 1-23. Accordingly, the same reference numbers are used to refer to the same components.

[0077]

[0109] As shown in FIGS. 24-26 , the belt punch 10′ includes a cam housing 600 disposed to cover at least a portion of the cutting assembly 100′. More specifically, the cam housing 600 is disposed to cover at least a portion of the blade holder 112′ and the bearing 190′ as the bearing 190′ moves through the cam region 114′ of the blade holder 112′. The belt punch 10′ further includes a small, movable shield or cover 602 secured to the primary shaft 150′ for rotation therewith. For example, a fastener 604 may secure the movable cover 602 to the eccentric cam drive projection 180′ of the primary shaft 150′. The fastener 604 extends through an opening 606 in the cam housing 600 and is secured to the primary shaft 150′ for rotation therewith relative to the cam housing 600. The movable cover 602 is sized so that the opening 606 in the cam housing 600 is covered by the movable cover 602 when the primary shaft 150' rotates the eccentric cam drive projection 180'. In this manner, components of the cutting assembly 100', such as the blade holder 112', the inner cam surface 118' of the cam region 114', the primary shaft 150', the cutter drive 196', the bearing 190', the bearing block 90', and / or the roller bearing 116', are shielded from contamination that could interfere with or degrade operation of the cutting assembly 100'.

[0078]

[0110] The belt punch 10' further includes a belt stripping member 610 secured to the frame assembly 40'. The belt stripping member 610 is secured to the frame assembly 40' such that spaced apart portions 612 extend generally below the blade 30' when the blade 30' is in the raised position. The spaced apart portions 612 are spaced apart from one another to define elongated slots 614 therebetween. The elongated slots 614 have lengths sized to allow the blade 30' to pass through the elongated slots 614 when the cutting assembly 100' reciprocates the blade 30'. The spaced apart portions 612 are disposed on either side of the blade 30' and strip the belt from the blade 30' as the blade 30' moves upward from the lower cutting position to clear the belt, since the belt typically adheres to the blade 30'. The spaced apart portions 612 transition to the upward end mounting portion of the belt stripping member 610. The ends are releasably secured to the first and second side walls 42', 44', respectively, of the frame assembly 40'. The belt stripping member 610 may reduce installation time and complexity compared to multi-component belt strippers.

[0079]

[0111] 26 and 27, the belt punch 10' includes two table translation members 430' for respectively engaging the pivot and translation guides 400'. The pivot and translation guides 400' and the table translation members 430' cooperate to maintain the table assembly 370' in downward engagement with the pivotable table support as the table assembly is translated relative to the frame assembly 40' by the rack 330' in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the table translation member 430'. The use of two table translation members 430', as opposed to a single translation member, may provide stronger guidance during translation of the table assembly 310'.

[0080]

[0112] The belt punch 10' further includes one or more clamps 620 for securing the belt to the table 12' during operation of the belt punch 10'. The clamps 620 are located on opposite ends of the blade 30', such that the blade 30' reciprocates between the clamps 620. For example, the clamps 620 may be located on the outside of opposite ends of the belt stripping member 610 or may be disposed on the periphery of the punch pad 374'. The clamps 620 may be toggle clamps or over-center clamps. As shown, the clamp 620 includes a base 622, a handle 624 pivotally connected to the base 622, and a clamping member 626 pivotally connected to the base 622 and the handle 624. Actuation of the handle 624 moves the clamping member 626 relative to the table 12'. When attaching a belt to table 12' for a cutting operation, clamping portion 626 of clamp 620 may be moved away from table 12' to allow the belt to slide under clamping portion 626 on table 12'. Handle 624 is then rotated, causing clamping portion 626 to press the belt firmly down onto table 12' and clamp it between clamping portion 626 and table 12'.

[0081]

[0113] Referring to FIG. 27, the belt punch 10′ may include a rotation lock 630, such as a pin or bolt, to prevent rotation of the primary shaft 150′. The rotation lock 630 extends through an aperture 628 in the rear wall 48′. Referring to FIG. 27A, in the locked position, the rotation lock 630 extends through the rear wall 48′ a sufficient distance to engage the drive wheel 170′. For example, the rotation lock 630 may be received in an aperture 644 in a rear face 646 of the drive wheel 170′ such that rotation of the drive wheel 170′ is prevented by the rotation lock 630. Because the primary shaft 150′ is rotatably wedged to the drive wheel 170′, locking the drive wheel 170′ also prevents rotation of the primary shaft 150′. Thus, in this locked configuration, the blade 30′ is secured to prevent unintended reciprocating motion of the blade 30′. Referring to FIG. 27B, to unlock the blade 30′, the rotation lock 630 is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position such that the rotation lock 630 disengages from the drive wheel 170′. In one approach, the rotation lock 630 is biased (e.g., spring-biased) toward the locked position by a biasing member. Referring to FIG. 27C, to maintain the rotation lock 630 in the unlocked position, the rotation lock 630 can be rotated such that a stop surface 648 of the rotation lock 630 engages a portion of the rear wall 48′ to prevent the rotation lock 630 from moving toward the locked position. The engagement of the stop surface 648 with the stop surface 648 maintains the rotation lock 630 in the unlocked position against the biasing force of the biasing member.

[0082]

[0114] Referring to FIG. 28 , the belt punch 10′ includes a punch pad 632, which may be overlaid and securely secured to a pad support member (e.g., the previously described pad support member 372). The punch pad 632 may be made of a resilient or flexible material, such as nylon, to prevent damage or excessive blade wear when the blade 30′ is driven downwardly through the belt and engages the upper cutting surface 634 of the punch pad 632. The punch pad 632 may include one or more grooves to maintain belt alignment before, during, and after the cutting operation. For example, first opposing ridges 638 are spaced apart from one another and cooperate to form a first groove 636 therebetween, and second opposing ridges 642 are spaced apart from one another and cooperate to form a second groove 640 therebetween. The first and second grooves 636, 640 are generally aligned to accommodate a portion of the belt within the first and second grooves 636, 640.

[0083]

[0115] As shown, the second opposing ridge 642 extends a greater distance along the cutting surface 634 than the first opposing ridge 638, and therefore the second groove 640 has a greater length across the cutting surface 634 than the first groove 636. As shown, the ridge 638 may have a square configuration at one end of the pad 632, and the ridge 642 has an elongated bar-like configuration extending from adjacent the other end of the pad 632 toward the end of the pad 632 that includes the square ridge 638. In yet another approach, the first and second grooves may be equal in length. In another approach, the punch pad 632 includes a single groove that extends along the entire length of the cutting surface 634 or that is shorter than the entire length of the cutting surface 634.

[0084]

[0116] 29 and 30, the apparatus and methods described herein can form belt ends 650, 652 for one or more belts 14, 14′. The formed belt ends 650, 652 include finger arrays 654, 656 having individual fingers 660, 662. Each finger 660, 662 can include cut finger sidewalls that extend, for example, + / - 3 degrees relative to a central axis 670 of the belt end 650, 652. The fingers 660, 662 have a longitudinal dimension indicated at 680 and a lateral base dimension at their widest point indicated at 682. The longitudinal dimension 680 and the lateral base dimension 682 can have a ratio of, for example, approximately 15-1 or 20-1. In one example, the longitudinal dimension 680 may be approximately 200 millimeters, and the lateral base dimension 682 may be approximately 10 millimeters, or approximately 12 millimeters (accounting for the locating ridges 24). The elongated longitudinal dimension provides increased lateral surface area for the fingers 660, 662 to improve vulcanization splicing of the belt ends 650, 652. The elongated dimension also provides increased overlap of the belt reinforcements (e.g., fabric or cord) extending within the belt. The overlap of the belt reinforcements facilitates the transmission of forces to and from adjacent belt reinforcements through the belt matrix material (e.g., polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, etc.).

[0085]

[0117] After forming the finger arrays 654, 656, the belt ends 650, 652 may be intermeshed such that the finger arrays 654, 656 form an interlocking engagement. The belt ends 650, 652 may then be joined (e.g., welded) at the belt ends 650, 652 such that the belts 14, 14′ form a unitary belt that may form or be part of a continuous belt.

[0086]

[0118] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous variations, modifications, and combinations may be made in connection with the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention, and that such variations, modifications, and combinations are to be considered within the scope of the inventive concept.

Claims

1. 1. A cutting device for forming a belt edge, comprising: a table for supporting the belt; a blade for cutting the belt; an actuator operatively connected to the table and the blade, wherein actuation of the actuator reciprocates the blade and displaces the table relative to the blade; The actuator is configured to translate and rotate the table relative to the blade.

2. 1. A cutting device for forming a belt edge, comprising: a table for supporting the belt; a blade for cutting the belt; an actuator operatively connected to the table and the blade, wherein actuation of the actuator reciprocates the blade and displaces the table relative to the blade; The actuator is operatively connected to a first rotatable shaft for reciprocating the blade and a second rotatable shaft for intermittently translating and rotating the table relative to the blade.

3. a drive wheel rotatably fixed to the first rotatable shaft; a driven wheel rotatably fixed to the second rotatable shaft and intermittently rotated by the drive wheel upon actuation of the actuator; The cutting device of claim 2 further comprising:

4. 1. A cutting device for forming fingers on a belt end, comprising: a straight blade for cutting the belt; a belt support facing the linear blade for supporting the belt; a rotatable actuator configured to drive a drive transmission operatively coupled to the linear blade and the belt support; Rotation of the rotatable actuator causes the drive transmission to driving the linear blade to cut the belt to form a first side of a finger; displacing the belt support to reposition the belt relative to the linear blade; driving the linear blade to cut the belt to form a second side of the finger; The cutting device, wherein the drive transmission is configured to translate and rotate the belt support from a first position for cutting the first side of the finger to a second position for cutting the second side of the finger.

5. 5. The cutting device of claim 4, wherein the second side of the finger extends from the first side of the finger to form an acute angle with the first side.

6. 5. The cutting device of claim 4, wherein the drive transmission is configured to displace the belt relative to the linear blade so that the first and second sides cut by the linear blade form generally triangular fingers.

7. the rotatable actuator is configured to intermittently displace the belt support along a displacement axis; 5. The cutting device of claim 4, wherein the cutting edge of said straight blade extends perpendicular to said axis of displacement.

8. 5. The cutting device of claim 4, wherein the linear blade is a single linear blade configured to cut the first side of the finger and to cut the second side of the finger when the belt support is displaced relative to the single linear blade.

9. 1. A cutting device for forming fingers on a belt end, comprising: a table for supporting the belt; a reciprocable blade for cutting the belt to form the fingers; an actuator operatively connected to the table for intermittently translating and rotating the table to reposition the belt relative to the blade to allow the blade to cut the belt and form the finger edges; A cutting device comprising:

10. 10. The cutting device of claim 9, wherein the actuator is configured to intermittently translate and rotate the table simultaneously with reciprocating movement of the blade to reposition the belt relative to the blade when the blade is disengaged from the belt.

11. 10. The cutting apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a rotatable table support configured to cooperate with the table to rotate the table and to guide translational movement of the table.

12. 12. The cutting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pivotable table support is pivotable relative to the blade and fixed against translation.

13. the rotatable table support includes a guide groove for receiving a guide member of the table; 12. The cutting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the guide member is movable in parallel with the rotatable table support so that the table rotates together with the rotatable table support, and is fixed so as not to rotate within the guide groove.

14. the guide member includes an elongated rack having teeth forming valleys therebetween, and a threaded shaft operably connected to the actuator and engaged with the teeth; 14. The cutting device of claim 13, wherein actuation of the actuator rotates the threaded shaft to translate the guide member.

15. 15. The cutting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the teeth of the elongated rack include opposed non-coplanar walls for engaging the threaded shaft upon rotation of the threaded shaft such that rotation of the threaded shaft continues to translate the table when the rotatable table support is rotated relative to the threaded shaft.

16. 1. A method of forming fingers on a belt end by a cutting device including a blade and a table, comprising: cutting the belt with the blade while the belt is supported on the table to form a first side of a finger by rotating a rotatable actuator; rotating the rotatable actuator to move the blade away from the table and to displace the table and the belt relative to the blade; cutting the belt with the blade to form a second side of the finger by rotating the rotatable actuator; The method, wherein displacing the table includes translating and rotating the belt from a first position for cutting the first side of the finger to a second position for cutting the second side of the finger.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the belt is cut with the table in the first and second positions to form generally triangular fingers.

18. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein moving the blade away from the table and displacing the table occur simultaneously by rotation of the rotatable actuator.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein rotation of the rotatable actuator results in continuous reciprocating motion of the blade and intermittent displacement of the table.

20. 1. A method of forming fingers on a belt end by a cutting device including a blade and a table, comprising: cutting the belt with the blade while the belt is supported on the table to form a first side of a finger by rotating a rotatable actuator; rotating the rotatable actuator to move the blade away from the table and to displace the table and the belt relative to the blade; cutting the belt with the blade to form a second side of the finger by rotating the rotatable actuator; The method, wherein displacing the table includes simultaneously translating and rotating the table.

Images