LATHE BELT TENSION DESIGNS
A belt tensioning device is provided for an apparatus such as a lathe which includes a centering member adapted to be attached to a workpiece and is supported for rotation about an axis. A motor is spaced from the centering member and is supported by a pivot member. A drive pulley is attached to the motor and a driven pulley is attached to the centering member. A belt is engaged between the drive pulley and the driven pulley for transmitting driving torque from the motor to the centering member. A belt tensioning device is provided for moving the pivot member between a first position wherein the belt is tensioned between the drive and driven pulleys and a second position wherein the belt is loosened between the drive and driven pulleys.
1 . A lathe, comprising:
a centering member adapted to be attached to a workpiece and being supported for rotation about an axis;
a motor spaced from said centering member and supported by a pivot member;
a first pulley attached to said motor;
a second pulley attached to said centering member;
a belt engaged between said first pulley and said second pulley for transmitting driving torque from said first pulley to said second pulley;
means for moving said pivot member between a first position wherein said belt is tensioned between said first and second pulleys and a second position, wherein said belt is loosened between said first and second pulleys; and
a spring device operable to bias said pivot member toward said first position.
2 . The lathe according to claim 1 , wherein said spring device acts directly against said pivot member.
3 . The lathe according to claim 1 , wherein said spring device acts directly on said means for moving said pivot member.
4 . The lathe according to claim 1 , wherein said pivot member includes a pivot plate mounted to said motor.
5 . A lathe, comprising:
a centering member adapted to be attached to a workpiece and being supported for rotation about an axis;
a motor spaced from said centering member and supported by a pivot member;
a first pulley attached to said motor;
a second pulley attached to said centering member;
a belt engaged between said first pulley and said second pulley for transmitting driving torque from said first pulley to said second pulley; and
a pivot lever engaged with said pivot member for moving said pivot member between a first position wherein said belt is tensioned between said first and second pulleys and a second position, wherein said belt is loosened between said first and second pulleys.
6 . The lathe according to claim 5 , further comprising a linkage member connected between said pivot lever and said pivot member.
7 . The lathe according to claim 5 , wherein said pivot member includes a slot for receiving a portion of said pivot lever.
8 . The lathe according to claim 5 , wherein said pivot lever is rotatable past a dead center position for locking into place in a belt tensioned position.
9 . The lathe according to claim 5 , further comprising a locking tab adapted to hold said pivot lever in a tension released position.
10 . The lathe according to claim 9 , wherein said locking tab includes a spring arm.
11 . The lathe according to claim 5 , wherein said pivot member includes a pivot plate mounted to said motor.
12 . A lathe, comprising:
a centering member adapted to be attached to a workpiece and being supported for rotation about an axis;
a motor spaced from said centering member and supported by a pivot member;
a first pulley attached to said motor;
a second pulley attached to said centering member;
a belt engaged between said first pulley and said second pulley for transmitting driving torque from said first pulley to said second pulley; and
a reciprocating handle member engaged with said pivot member for moving said pivot member between a first position wherein said belt is tensioned between said first and second pulleys and a second position, wherein said belt is loosened between said first and second pulleys.
13 . The lathe according to claim 12 , wherein said pivot member includes a slot for receiving a portion of said reciprocating handle member.
14 . The lathe according to claim 12 , further comprising a spring device operable to bias said pivot member toward said first position.
15 . The lathe according to claim 14 , wherein said spring device acts directly on said reciprocating handle member.
16 . The lathe according to claim 15 , wherein said reciprocating handle includes a handle shaft that is rotatable for securing said reciprocating handle member in said second position.
17 . A lathe, comprising:
a centering member adapted to be attached to a workpiece and being supported for rotation about an axis;
a motor spaced from said centering member and supported by a pivot member;
a first pulley attached to said motor;
a second pulley attached to said centering member;
a belt engaged between said first pulley and said second pulley for transmitting driving torque from said first pulley to said second pulley; and
a cam member engaged with said pivot member for moving said pivot member between a first position wherein said belt is tensioned between said first and second pulleys and a second position, wherein said belt is loosened between said first and second pulleys.
18 . The lathe according to claim 17 , wherein said pivot member includes a surface for engaging said cam member.
19 . The lathe according to claim 17 , further comprising a spring device operable to bias said pivot member toward said first position.
20 . The lathe according to claim 19 , wherein said spring device acts directly on said pivot member.
21 . The lathe according to claim 17 , wherein said pivot member includes a pivot plate mounted to said motor.
22 . A lathe, comprising:
a centering member adapted to be attached to a workpiece and being supported for rotation about an axis;
a motor spaced from said centering member and supported by a pivot member;
a first pulley attached to said motor;
a second pulley attached to said centering member;
a belt engaged between said first pulley and said second pulley for transmitting driving torque from said first pulley to said second pulley; and
an idler pulley disposed against said belt and movable between a first position wherein said belt is tensioned between said first and second pulleys and a second position, wherein said idler pulley disengages said belt and said belt is loosened between said first and second pulleys.
23 . The lathe according to claim 22 , further comprising a spring device operable to bias said idler pulley toward said first position.
24 . The lathe according to claim 23 , further comprising a handle operable to move said idler pulley to said second position.
25 . A power tool, comprising:
a driven member supported for rotation about an axis;
a motor spaced from said driven member and supported by a pivot member;
a first pulley attached to said motor;
a second pulley attached to said driven member;
a belt engaged between said first pulley and said second pulley for transmitting driving torque from said first pulley to said second pulley;
means for moving said pivot member between a first position wherein said belt is tensioned between said first and second pulleys and a second position, wherein said belt is loosened between said first and second pulleys; and
a spring device operable to bias said pivot member toward said first position.
26 . A power tool, comprising:
a driven member supported for rotation about an axis;
a motor spaced from said driven member and supported by a pivot member;
a first pulley attached to said motor;
a second pulley attached to said driven member;
a belt engaged between said first pulley and said second pulley for transmitting driving torque from said first pulley to said second pulley; and
a pivot lever engaged with said pivot member for moving said pivot member between a first position wherein said belt is tensioned between said first and second pulleys and a second position, wherein said belt is loosened between said first and second pulleys.
27 . A power tool, comprising:
a driven member supported for rotation about an axis;
a motor spaced from said driven member and supported by a pivot member;
a first pulley attached to said motor;
a second pulley attached to said driven member;
a belt engaged between said first pulley and said second pulley for transmitting driving torque from said first pulley to said second pulley; and
a reciprocating handle member engaged with said pivot member for moving said pivot member between a first position wherein said belt is tensioned between said first and second pulleys and a second position, wherein said belt is loosened between said first and second pulleys.
28 . A power tool, comprising:
a driven member supported for rotation about an axis;
a motor spaced from said driven member and supported by a pivot member;
a first pulley attached to said motor;
a second pulley attached to said driven member;
a belt engaged between said first pulley and said second pulley for transmitting driving torque from said first pulley to said second pulley; and
a cam member engaged with said pivot member for moving said pivot member between a first position wherein said belt is tensioned between said first and second pulleys and a second position, wherein said belt is loosened between said first and second pulleys.
29 . A power tool, comprising:
a driven member supported for rotation about an axis;
a motor spaced from said driven member and supported by a pivot member;
a first pulley attached to said motor;
a second pulley attached to said driven member;
a belt engaged between said first pulley and said second pulley for transmitting driving torque from said first pulley to said second pulley; and
an idler pulley disposed against said belt and movable between a first position wherein said belt is tensioned between said first and second pulleys and a second position, wherein said idler pulley disengages said belt and said belt is loosened between said first and second pulleys.