(19)
(11) EP 3 152 146 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
31.01.2018 Bulletin 2018/05

(21) Application number: 14731930.5

(22) Date of filing: 06.06.2014
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B66B 7/08(2006.01)
(86) International application number:
PCT/EP2014/061840
(87) International publication number:
WO 2015/185153 (10.12.2015 Gazette 2015/49)

(54)

TERMINAL FOR TOOTHED BELTS

ABSCHLUSS FÜR ZAHNRIEMEN

TERMINAISON POUR COURROIES CRANTÉES


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(43) Date of publication of application:
12.04.2017 Bulletin 2017/15

(73) Proprietors:
  • ThyssenKrupp Elevator AG
    45143 Essen (DE)
  • thyssenkrupp AG
    45143 Essen (DE)

(72) Inventor:
  • BLANCO SÁNCHEZ, José Luis
    E-28935 Móstoles (Madrid) (ES)

(74) Representative: thyssenkrupp Intellectual Property GmbH 
ThyssenKrupp Allee 1
45143 Essen
45143 Essen (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
WO-A1-2006/029544
DE-A1-102008 018 192
WO-A1-2010/000330
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    OBJECT OF THE INVENTION



    [0001] The object of the present invention, as established in the invention title, is a terminal for toothed belts, i.e. a device for joining a toothed belt to the rest of the piece of equipment.

    [0002] The present invention is characterized by the special structural characteristics of each one of the parts that make up the terminal, in such a way that, arranged together in cooperation with one another, a terminal offering guaranteed correct mounting, which also guarantees that the belt is fastened onto the terminal, is produced.

    [0003] The present invention therefore falls within the field of toothed belt terminals, preferably but not exclusively employed in the lift sector.

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION



    [0004] Various types of terminals for toothed belts are known in the state of the art, such as those described in the following patents:
    • ES2333540 T3: This patent describes a suspension element end connection for a lift, for transmitting forces that occur in a suspension element to a support structure, or for transmitting forces that occur in the support structure to the suspension element. Retention is based on the wedging between a number of cylindrical elements housed within a shell. It is designed for wedge-shaped belts, though without ruling out the use thereof for toothed or flat belts.
    • ES2199611 A1: This patent describes a termination of the wedge clamp variety for a lift tension element.
    • US7578035 A1: This patent describes an apparatus and a method for using a support end connection to fasten a support device for a lift cabin, counterweight and/or building.
    • WO2010057797: This patent describes a support belt (1), especially for a transportation device. The system described is designed to determine the status of the braided cables, and not as a terminal element for holding or fastening a toothed belt.


    [0005] One known solution for fastening toothed belts to terminals is employing a plate with the counter form of the belt's profile and a plate and making a sandwich type joint using various screwed joints outside the sides of the belt. This solution means the teeth support shear stresses, thus making it possible to limit the crushing stress on the cords that provide the belt with tensile strength.

    [0006] However, this solution presents various limitations:
    • Firstly, the minimum distance between two parallel adjacent belts is limited by the space required to house the screwed joints.
    • Responsibility for the correct engagement of the entry belt and the toothed plate lies with the operator carrying out the mounting thereof, where there is no other way to certify whether accessibility conditions are limited, it thus being necessary to carry out a close visual inspection.
    • In the event of the operator having tightened the screws against the toothed plate incorrectly, the belt may be damaged in the area where pressure was applied, which may make it necessary to replace the belt completely or in the best of cases, sacrifice the damaged end.
    • The joint between the terminal and the belt may not be resistant enough and may give rise to uncontrolled movements.
    • In the event of various joints becoming loose with the passing of time (vibrations, heat, etc.), the distance between the sandwich plates may increase, until the belt and the toothed plate are no longer engaged.


    [0007] DE 10 2008 018192 A1 discloses a terminal for a toothed belt comprising a hollow rectangular body. Said hollow rectangular body comprising a frontal plate and a rear plate, between which an internal hollow space is defined. In said internal hollow space a toothed belt and a toothed wedge are housed, the toothed belt being coupled to the toothed wedge.

    [0008] The present invention therefore aims to develop a terminal for a toothed belt that overcomes the limitations set out, of excessive space in the case of various terminals, lack of guaranteed correct mounting, the limited resistance capacity and of engagement loss in the event of the fastening screws becoming loose, and as a result, developing a terminal as described below, the essence of which is captured in the first claim.

    DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION



    [0009] The object of the present invention is a terminal for toothed belts, comprising a hollow rectangular body, in which an internal space is defined between a frontal plate and a rear plate of the body, in which the toothed belt, a toothed plate and a fastening tab are housed.

    [0010] The internal space of the body, where the toothed belt, toothed plate and tab are housed, is such that it does not allow the three elements to be housed if they are not correctly mounted, i.e. with the teeth of the toothed plate being coupled in the spaces defined between the teeth of the toothed belt.

    [0011] The elements inside the hollow of the hollow rectangular body are arranged as follows: the toothed belt firstly comes into contact with the rear plate of the hollow body via its smooth face, then the toothed plate comes into contact with the teeth, perfectly coupled in the space between the teeth of the toothed belt and finally, the tab is placed between the toothed plate and the internal face of the frontal plate.

    [0012] All the elements described above are held by a number of screws that are passed through a number of threaded perforations in the frontal plate and through a number of perforations in the tab, in such a way that said screws apply pressure to the toothed plate coupled to the toothed pulley, which in turn transmits the pressure to the toothed belt.

    [0013] The perforations may take on any shape, be it rectangular, oblong, square or circular, such that the exact form of the perforations in the tab is not limiting with respect how the tab is made.

    [0014] Moreover, there is an additional threaded perforation on the frontal plate, located in the upper portion of the frontal plate of the body, upon which a pin that prevents the toothed plate from sliding in the opposite direction to that of the traction of the belt is threaded, which gives rise to the risk of the belt coming out of its housing, this pin furthermore keeping the toothed plate inside the body during transportation and storage, in such a way that the toothed plate is not lost during transportation and use thereof.

    [0015] The tab has an upper tongue that emerges above the frontal plate of the body. This tab serves various purposes, firstly serving to confirm that mounting has been carried out and that the entire assembly has been mounted correctly, since the space inside the body where the toothed belt, toothed plate and tab are housed is such that the three elements cannot be housed if they are not correctly mounted, i.e. with the toothed belt and toothed plate engaged. Said tongue also prevents the teeth from coming out in the event of the tightening screws becoming loose, given that there is not enough space for a gap between the belt and the toothed plate.

    [0016] In order to make the tab more visible, said fold may be a clearly visible colour, with the aim of aiding to visually check mounting.

    [0017] Therefore, owing to the toothed belt terminal, a secure terminal is obtained, given that it may only be mounted in one single way, by engaging the toothed plate with the belt, the engagement of which is not lost in the event of the screws becoming loose. It is therefore easy to visually check if it has been mounted correctly, offering sufficient resistance capacity, guaranteeing that the toothed plate will stay within its housing and preventing the toothed plate from sliding in the opposite direction to the traction.

    EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES



    [0018] In order to complement the present description, with the aim of facilitating a better understanding of the invention characteristics, in accordance with a preferred example of a practical embodiment of the same, a set of drawings intrinsic to said description is attached, which, by way of illustration and not limitation, represents the following:

    Figure 1 shows a hollow rectangular body that forms part of the terminal, object of the invention.

    Figure 2 shows a terminal like that of the object of the invention, which has been partially cross-sectioned, wherein it is possible to observe all of the elements and the relative mounting thereof.



    [0019] In Figure 3 and Figure 4, two different types of toothed belt are shown that are compatible with the subject of the invention, although the terminal may be applied to all toothed profiles wherein the tooth follows a direction of the belt.

    [0020] Figure 5 is a perspective, vertical cross-section view of the tab of the belt terminal.

    PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION



    [0021] With reference to the figures, below is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention proposed.

    [0022] In Figures 1 and 2, it is possible to observe a hollow rectangular body (1) that forms part of the terminal, comprising, amongst other elements, a frontal plate (1.1) and a rear plate (1.2), between which an internal hollow space (1.3) is defined, in which a belt (2), a toothed plate (6) and a tab (3) are housed.

    [0023] The frontal plate comprises at least a number of threaded perforations (1.1.1) through which a number of tightening screws (5) are passed and a threaded perforation (1.1.2) arranged in the upper portion of the frontal plate (1.1), upon which a locking pin (4) is threaded.

    [0024] Figures 3 and 4 show different types of toothed belts, where only the complementary toothed plate that couples to the teeth of the belt should be chosen.

    [0025] The inner space (1.3) defined in the hollow body (1) is such that it only enables the belt (2), the toothed plate (6) and the tab (3) to be housed if the toothed belt (2) is coupled to the toothed plate (6). Otherwise, it is not possible to insert the tab (3).

    [0026] The shape of the tab (3) is such that on the upper edge thereof, there is a fold (3.1), which when mounted, emerges above the upper edge of the frontal plate (1.1), thus confirming correct mounting. In Figure 5, the tab (3) has a number of perforations (3.3), through which the tightening screws (5) are passed and a threaded perforation (3.2), through which the locking pin (4) is threaded, which prevents the toothed plate (6) from being able to slide in the opposite direction to the traction, also ensuring that the toothed plate remains housed in the hollow of the hollow body (1) during transportation and storage.

    [0027] When mounted correctly, all the elements within the internal space (1.3) of the hollow body (1) from the rear plate (1.1) to the frontal plate (1.2) are arranged as such: firstly, the toothed belt (2), then the toothed plate (6) with the teeth engaged on the toothed belt (2), and subsequently the tab (3).


    Claims

    1. A terminal for a toothed belt comprising a hollow rectangular body (1), comprising a frontal plate (1.1) and a rear plate (1.2), between which an internal hollow space (1.3) is defined, characterised in that a toothed belt (2), a toothed plate (6) and a tab (3) are housed in said internal hollow space (1.3), the toothed belt (2) being coupled to the toothed plate (6) and all of these being fastened to the hollow rectangular body by means of a number of screws (5), which upon being threaded, apply pressure to the toothed plate (6), the latter then transmitting the pressure to the toothed belt (2).
     
    2. The terminal for a toothed belt, according to claim 1, characterised in that the frontal plate (1.1) comprises at least a number of threaded perforations (1.1.1), through which the tightening screws (5) are passed, and a threaded perforation (1.1.2) arranged on the upper portion of the frontal plate (1.1), upon which a locking pin (4) is threaded.
     
    3. The terminal for a toothed belt, according to claim 1, characterised in that the shape of the tab (3) is such that on the upper edge thereof, there is a fold (3.1), which when mounted, emerges above the upper edge of the frontal plate (1.1), thus confirming correct mounting.
     
    4. The terminal for a toothed belt, according to claim 3, characterised in that the tab (3) has a number of perforations (3.3), through which the tightening screws (5) are passed and a threaded perforation (3.2), through which the locking pin (4) is threaded.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Abschluss für einen Zahnriemen, umfassend:

    einen hohlen rechteckigen Körper (1), der eine Vorderplatte (1.1) und eine Rückplatte (1.2) umfasst, zwischen denen ein innerer Hohlraum (1.3) definiert ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Zahnriemen (2), eine Zahnplatte (6) und eine Lasche (3) in dem inneren Hohlraum (1.3) untergebracht sind, wobei der Zahnriemen (2) mit der Zahnplatte (6) gekoppelt ist und all diese mittels mehrerer Schrauben (5), die beim Einschrauben Druck auf die Zahnplatte (6) ausüben, wobei letztere dann den Druck auf den Zahnriemen (2) überträgt, an dem hohlen rechteckigen Körper befestigt sind.


     
    2. Abschluss für einen Zahnriemen nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vorderplatte (1.1) mindestens eine Anzahl von mit einem Gewinde versehenen Durchbrüchen (1.1.1), durch die die Befestigungsschrauben (5) hindurchgesteckt werden, und einen mit einem Gewinde versehenen Durchbruch (1.1.2), der an dem oberen Teil der Vorderplatte (1.1) angeordnet ist und in den ein Arretierstift (4) geschraubt wird, umfasst.
     
    3. Abschluss für einen Zahnriemen nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Form der Lasche (3) so ist, dass an ihrem oberen Rand ein Falz (3.1) vorgesehen ist, der nach dem Befestigen über den oberen Rand der Vorderplatte (1.1) hervorsteht, wodurch eine ordnungsgemäße Befestigung bestätigt wird.
     
    4. Abschluss für einen Zahnriemen nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Lasche (3) mehrere Durchbrüche (3.3), durch die die Befestigungsschrauben (5) hindurchgesteckt werden, und einen mit einem Gewinde versehenen Durchbruch (3.2), durch den der Arretierstift (4) geschraubt wird, aufweist.
     


    Revendications

    1. Embout pour une courroie crantée comprenant un corps (1) rectangulaire creux, comprenant une plaque avant (1.1) et une plaque arrière (1.2), entre lesquelles est défini un espace intérieur (1.3) creux, caractérisé en ce qu'une courroie crantée (2), une plaque crantée (6) et une cale (3) sont logées dans ledit espace intérieur (1.3) creux, la courroie crantée (2) étant accouplée à la plaque crantée (6), et celles-ci étant toutes fixées au corps rectangulaire creux au moyen d'un certain nombre de vis (5) qui, lors de leur vissage, appliquent une pression à la plaque crantée (6), cette dernière transmettant alors la pression à la courroie crantée (2).
     
    2. Embout pour une courroie crantée selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la plaque avant (1.1) comprend un certain nombre de perforations taraudées (1.1.1), à travers lesquelles les vis de serrage (5) sont introduites, et une perforation taraudée (1.1.2) formée sur la partie supérieure de la plaque avant (1.1), sur laquelle une goupille de blocage (4) est vissée.
     
    3. Embout pour une courroie crantée selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la forme de la cale (3) est telle que, sur son bord supérieur, se trouve un rebord (3.1) qui, dans l'état installé, sort au-dessus du bord supérieur de la plaque avant (1.1), confirmant ainsi l'installation correcte.
     
    4. Embout pour une courroie crantée selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la cale (3) comporte un certain nombre de perforations (3.3), à travers lesquelles sont introduites les vis de serrage (5) et une perforation taraudée (3.2), à travers laquelle la goupille de blocage (4) est vissée.
     




    Drawing














    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description