Belt-drive tensioning system which uses a pivoting member
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A plotter comprising a housing and means on the housing for moving media or a pen along an axis, said moving means comprising:
- (a) an electrical motor having a first shaft and adapted to rotate its first shaft in response to electrical signals,(b) a second shaft coupled to the media or pen for driving same when rotated,(c) a drive belt interconnecting the first and second shafts,(d) means for pivotally mounting the motor on the plotter housing, said mounting means comprising first and second spaced pivot assemblies connected in such manner as to allow the motor to pivot with respect to the housing,(e) means for tensioning the drive belt, said tensioning means including means for resiliently urging the motor with respect to the housing in a direction to tension the belt.
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Abstract
A belt drive tensioning system for a motor drive positioning system, especially for X-Y digital plotters. The tensioning system employs spring-loading involving pivoting motion of a motor-mounted plate relative to a fixed plate to accurately preset and maintain constant the desired belt tension. A preferred embodiment provides a self-contained modular unit using two pivot bushings interconnecting the two plates.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A plotter comprising a housing and means on the housing for moving media or a pen along an axis, said moving means comprising:
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(a) an electrical motor having a first shaft and adapted to rotate its first shaft in response to electrical signals, (b) a second shaft coupled to the media or pen for driving same when rotated, (c) a drive belt interconnecting the first and second shafts, (d) means for pivotally mounting the motor on the plotter housing, said mounting means comprising first and second spaced pivot assemblies connected in such manner as to allow the motor to pivot with respect to the housing, (e) means for tensioning the drive belt, said tensioning means including means for resiliently urging the motor with respect to the housing in a direction to tension the belt. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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2. A plotter comprising a housing and means on the housing for moving media or a pen along an axis, said moving means comprising:
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(a) an electrical motor having a first shaft and adapted to rotate its first shaft in response to electrical signals, (b) a second shaft connected to the media or pen for driving same when rotated, (c) means for mounting the motor on the plotter housing, said means comprising a first plate fixedly connected to the plotter housing, a second plate fixed to the motor, at least one pivot bushing connected to the first and second plates for supporting the second plate and motor on the first plate, each said bushing including means allowing the second plate to pivot with respect to the first plate, (d) a drive belt interconnecting the first and second shafts, (e) means for tensioning the drive belt, said tensioning means including means for spring-loading the said second plate with respect to the first plate in a direction to tension the belt. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A belt-pulley self-contained drive system comprising:
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(a) an electrical motor having a first shaft for receiving a pulley and belt and adapted to rotate its first shaft in response to electrical signals, (b) means for mounting the drive system on apparatus, said means comprising a first plate to be fixedly connected to the apparatus, a second plate fixed to the motor, at least one pivot bushing connected to the first and second plates for supporting the second plate and motor on the first plate, each said pivot bushing including means allowing the second plate to pivot with respect to the first plate, (c) means for spring-loading the second plate with respect to the first plate in a direction to tension the belt when assembled. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification