IP Library Granted Patent US 9,207,071
Granted Patent B2
US 9,207,071 · App. 13/766,011 · Granted Dec 8, 2015

Accessory adapter for laser alignment tool

Inventor: Randy R. Diefenderfer (Rogersville, MO)
Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
G01B11/272
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,207,071
App. No.
13/766,011
Granted
Dec 8, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A pulley alignment apparatus is disclosed that includes a target component or a sighting component having a first contact surface shaped to detachably interface with a first pulley having a first diameter. The apparatus further includes an adaptor with a second contact surface shaped to detachably interface with a second pulley having a second diameter and a receiving surface shaped to detachably interface with the first contact surface of the target component or the sighting component. The target component or the sighting component is seated on the adaptor with the first contact surface detachably interfaced with the receiving surface of the adaptor, and the first diameter and the second diameter are different.

Claims (61)

1. A pulley alignment apparatus comprising:

a target component or a sighting component having a first contact surface shaped to detachably interface with a first pulley having a first diameter; and

an adaptor comprising:

a second contact surface shaped to detachably interface with the first pulley or a second pulley having a second diameter; and

a receiving surface shaped to detachably interface with the first contact surface of the target component or the sighting component;

wherein the target component or the sighting component is seated on the adaptor with the first contact surface detachably interfaced with the receiving surface of the adaptor; and

wherein the first diameter and the second diameter are different.

2. The pulley alignment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the target component or the sighting component include a first retaining mechanism positioned therein to detachably affix the first contact surface, separately, to the adaptor or the first pulley; and the adaptor includes a second retaining mechanism positioned to detachably affix the second contact surface to the second pulley.

3. The pulley alignment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sighting component includes a laser.

4. The pulley alignment apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the sighting component further comprises a contact switch that turns the laser on when seated on the receiving surface of the adaptor or on the first pulley.

5. The pulley alignment apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the adaptor includes an activator movable to contact the contact switch when the adaptor is positioned on the second pulley.

6. The pulley alignment apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the activator includes a rod extending through the adaptor and having a first end extending beyond the second contact surface, wherein the rod is movable in response to placement of the adaptor on the second pulley.

7. An adaptor for a pulley alignment apparatus comprising:

an elongated body having two elongate, opposing sides and an activator for engaging a switch on the pulley alignment apparatus;

a receiving surface extending between the two elongate, opposing sides, the receiving surface comprising an at least partially female receptacle and a first retaining mechanism for detachably connecting a component of the pulley alignment apparatus thereto with a male member received in the at least partially female receptacle; and

a mounting surface opposite the receiving surface, the mounting surface comprising legs mateable to an arcuate surface of a pulley and a second retaining mechanism to detachably connect the adaptor to the pulley.

8. The adaptor of claim 7 , wherein the receiving surface further comprises a head protruding upward therefrom, wherein the head defines at least one wall of the partially female receptacle.

9. The adaptor of claim 8 , wherein the first retaining mechanism is included in the head.

10. The adaptor of claim 8 , wherein the partially female receptacle comprises a pair of shoulders positioned on opposite sides of the head.

11. An adaptor for a pulley alignment apparatus comprising:

an elongated body having two elongate, opposing sides;

a receiving surface extending between the two elongate, opposing sides, the receiving surface comprising an at least partially female receptacle and a first retaining mechanism for detachably connecting a component of the pulley alignment apparatus thereto with a male member received in the at least partially female receptacle;

a mounting surface opposite the receiving surface, the mounting surface comprising legs mateable to an arcuate surface of a pulley and a second retaining mechanism to detachably connect the adaptor to the pulley; and

a bore extending through the adaptor from the receiving surface to the mounting surface; and

a rod positioned in the bore, wherein the rod is movable between an unengaged position and a pulley-engaged position, wherein, in the pulley-engaged position, contact between the pulley and the rod moves the rod a distance to protrude beyond the receiving surface.

12. A pulley alignment kit comprising:

a target component detachably connectable to a first pulley;

one or more adaptors each detachably connectable to pulleys of different diameters;

a sighting component independently connectable to a second pulley and connectable to each of the one or more adaptors,

wherein the sighting component includes a laser and a first retaining mechanism positioned therein to detachably affix the sighting component to a second pulley or to the adaptor;

wherein the adaptors each comprise:

a contact surface shaped to detachably interface with a pulley of a pre-selected diameter; and

a receiving surface shaped to detachably interface with the target component, the sighting component, or both the target component and the sighting component.

13. The kit of claim 12 , wherein each of the one or more adaptors includes a mating retaining mechanism in the receiving surface positioned to mate with the first retaining mechanism in the sighting component.

14. The kit of claim 12 , wherein the sighting component further comprises a contact switch that turns the laser on when seated on the receiving surface of one of the adaptors or on the second pulley.

15. The kit of claim 14 , wherein the adaptor includes an activator movable to contact the contact switch when the adaptor is positioned on the second pulley.

16. The kit of claim 15 , wherein the activator includes a rod extending through the adaptor and having a first end extending beyond the second contact surface, wherein the rod is movable in response to placement of the adaptor on the second pulley.

17. A pulley alignment apparatus comprising:

a target component and a sighting component both having a first contact surface shaped to detachably interface with a first pulley having a first diameter; and

an adaptor comprising:

a second contact surface shaped to detachably interface with a second pulley having a second diameter; and

a receiving surface detachably interfaced with the target component or the sighting component;

wherein the target component or the sighting component is seated on the adaptor with the first contact surface detachably interfaced with the receiving surface of the adaptor as an alternative to being seated on the first pulley.

18. The pulley alignment apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the target component comprises:

an elongated body having opposing sidewalls;

an upper surface extending between the opposing sidewalls and having indicia thereon that identifies a target for the sighting component to align with;

a mounting surface opposite the upper surface;

a pair of legs extending from the mounting surface for engagement with a pulley.

19. The pulley alignment apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the sighting component comprises:

an elongated body having opposing sidewalls;

an upper surface extending between the opposing sidewalls;

a mounting surface opposite the upper surface;

a pair of legs extending from the mounting surface for engagement with a pulley;

a laser that projects at least two points within a plane housed within the elongated body;

an on-board power supply to power the laser; and

a contact switch to activate the on-board power when the sighting component is seated on the first pulley or on the adaptor.

20. The pulley alignment apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the sighting component further comprises a retaining mechanism as part of the mounting surface or the legs to detachably retain the sighting component against the first pulley or the adaptor.

21. The pulley alignment apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the adaptor comprises a head protruding upward from the receiving surface, the head and receiving surface defining a pair of shoulders on opposite sides of the head.

22. The pulley alignment apparatus of claim 21 , wherein when the target component or the sighting component is seated on the adaptor, the head of the adaptor interposes the pair of legs thereof.

23. The pulley alignment apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the pair of legs on each of the target component, the sighting component, and the adaptor terminate in tips that each have a rounded side and a beveled side and a rounded end therebetween.

24. The pulley alignment apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the adaptor further comprises a bore extending from the receiving surface to the mounting surface and a rod positioned in the bore, wherein the rod is movable between an unengaged position and a pulley-engaged position, wherein, in the pulley-engaged position, contact between the pulley and the rod moves the rod a distance to protrude beyond the receiving surface.

Assignments (9)
RELEASE (REEL 042554 / FRAME 0222) Recorded Oct 7, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 061623/0587 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2022
From: DAYCO PRODUCTS, LLC; DAYCO, LLC; DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
To: BLUE TORCH FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 061620/0098 →
RELEASE (REEL 031832 / FRAME 0554) Recorded Oct 4, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC; DAYCO CANADA CORP
Reel/Frame 061596/0442 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 30, 2022
From: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC; DAYCO, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 061575/0692 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 23, 2017
From: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 042554/0222 →
PATENT RELEASE (REEL:03817/FRAME:0737) Recorded May 22, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC; DAYCO PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 042523/0770 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 17, 2013
From: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 031832/0554 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 16, 2013
From: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031817/0737 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2013
From: DIEFENDERFER, RANDY R.
To: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 029818/0403 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140223750A1 · Aug 14, 2014