Importance

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Abstract

A sprocket and flexible tape combination is disclosed wherein the tape has a thickness which is a relatively large fraction of the radius of the sprocket so that the tape is relatively stiff. The tape has web areas between longitudinally adjacent apertures and has connecting areas laterally adjacent each aperture connecting longitudinally adjacent web areas. These connecting areas of the tape engage engagement shoulders which are disposed around the periphery of the sprocket and these engagement shoulders alternate with sprocket surfaces around the periphery. All of the engagement shoulders have the same radius from the axis and a sprocket tooth is mounted on each of the engagement shoulders to engage a respective aperture in the tape. As the tape is wrapped around the part of the periphery of the sprocket, it engages the engagement shoulders laterally adjacent the respective tooth, and the sprocket surfaces are positioned radially inwardly from the imaginary circle from the axis through the engagement shoulders, and this establishes the tape as being bent more at the connecting areas than at the web areas. This assures full engagement of each tooth with the surface defining the aperture so that the tape does not tend to radially move away from the tooth; instead, there is good tooth-to-tape aperture engagement. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

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First Claim