Abstract: A device for detecting the speed of an endless torque-transmitting member that passes around a pair of spaced conical pulley pairs of a continuously variable transmission. The device includes a sensor that is positioned adjacent the endless torque-transmitting member and that detects the speed of the endless torque-transmitting member at a point that is located relative to the movement course of the endless torque-transmitting member that is independent of the rotational speed relationship of the pulley pairs.

Abstract: A blade tensioner includes a blade shoe with an arcuately curved chain sliding face and a plurality of solitary guide pieces upraised from a side edge portion of the chain sliding face in numerous places following the chain sliding face. The blade tensioner also includes a leaf spring-shaped blade spring disposed on the opposite side of the blade shoe from the chain sliding face which applies spring force to the blade shoe. The two guide pieces in a pair of guide pieces are preferably disposed opposite each other on the right side edge and left side edge of the chain sliding face, respectively. Alternatively, the guide pieces are disposed alternately on the right and left side edges of the chain sliding face. Consequently, the blade shoe preferably has either a nearly U-shaped cross section or a nearly L-shaped cross section where the guide pieces are formed.

Abstract: To reduce a load of a tensioner lifter, enhancing the oscillation absorption function of the tensioner lifter in a chain tensioner. In a chain tensioner provided with a tensioner arm rockably supported by fixed structure and relatively slidably engaged with the outside on the loose side of a transmission chain without an end coupling a driving sprocket and a driven sprocket and a tensioner lifter supported by the fixed structure for pressing the tensioner arm on the side of the transmission chain, a control arm is rockably supported by the fixed structure for transmitting the pressure of the tensioner lifter to the tensioner arm. The control arm is inserted between the tensioner arm and the tensioner lifter.

Abstract: A chain guide, such as a fixed chain guide or a tensioner arm, includes a bracket adapted for being secured to an associated engine. The bracket includes a support surface, a leading end and a trailing end spaced from the leading end in a chain movement direction. A guide blade includes a leading end, a trailing end spaced from the leading end in the chain movement direction, a chain guide surface and an inner surface positioned adjacent the support surface of the bracket. The guide blade is selectively movable slidably on the support surface in the chain movement direction and an opposite direction between a first position where the blade is separable from the bracket and a second position where the blade is fixedly secured to the bracket.

Abstract: To enable the simultaneous achievement of the enhancement of an oscillation absorption function of a tensioner arm for a transmission chain and the enhancement of wear resistance in a chain tensioner. A tensioner arm is composed of an elastic band tensioner arm body curved toward a transmission chain and a flexible tensioner shoe which covers the front of the tensioner arm body and which is provided with a chain guide groove to the front of which the transmission chain is slidably fitted. The width of the middle in the longitudinal direction of the tensioner arm body is set so that the width is smaller than the width of each end of the arm body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chain drive, in particular camshaft/camshaft drive for an automotive engine, the chain drive comprising at least two chain gears and a drive chain. Such a chain drive shall be made more compact without excessively great losses in its low-noise characteristics. To this end at least two chain gears are arranged in laterally offset relationship with one another in axial direction. The drive chain is a multiple-track chain. Each of the offset chain gears has assigned thereto a separate track of the multiple-track chain due to the lateral offset. The tip diameters of the offset chain gears are overlapping.

Abstract: A chain and sprocket mechanism having a first sprocket, a second sprocket, and a chain engaged with the first and second sprockets, such that rotating the first sprocket moves the second sprocket via the chain. A tensioner is engaged with the chain between the first and second sprockets so as to apply tension to the chain. The tensioner is at least partly made of an elastic material, such as rubber or flexible plastic. The flexible material isolates the tensioner from vibrations, cushioning the tensioner and inhibiting the conduction of vibrations such as engine noise through the chain and the tensioner. The tensioner may be made partially or entirely of elastic material. The tensioner may be adjustable in a linear motion, to adjust the tension in the chain. The tensioning mechanism may be made so as to be mechanically simple, using translational motion only, without pivotal motion. The tensioning mechanism also may be functional without the use of springs or other elastic structures.

Abstract: A guide for a chain, or similar endless, flexible, power transmission device, is composed of a molded guide body, and a reinforcing plate fitting into a slot in the guide body. A nearly circular, but slightly elongated, mounting hole in the guide body is elongated in the front-to-back direction of the guide. The elongated mounting hole overlaps a circular mounting hole in the reinforcing plate, and allows relative adjustment of the positions of the holes so that the guide can be more easily mounted on an inner wall of an engine by a bolt or pin which extends through both mounting holes.

Abstract: In a sandwich molded guide for an endless, flexible, transmission medium such as a silent chain or roller chain, a slide rail and a rail support are sandwich-molded. The slide rail and the rail support are integrally molded from a high strength first polymer resin and the entire outer surface of the integrally molded structure is covered with a wear-resistant second polymer resin. A lightweight and inexpensive sandwich-molded guide, having excellent mechanical strength and wear resistance, can be easily molded in a single mold in a short molding cycle time, and can be readily recycled.

Abstract: A slide rail and a rail support are integrally formed from a high-strength first polymer resin. A wear-resistant second polymer resin, applied to the slide rail and rail support in the process of sandwich molding, entirely covers the slide rail and rail support, including the inner circumferential surface of a pivoting hole in the rail support, and an engine block-engaging seating surface of a boss surrounding the pivoting hole. The tensioner lever exhibits excellent mechanical strength and wear resistance, low weight and reduced production cost, and can be recycled easily. The covering of wear-resistant polymer particularly prevents wear on the inner circumferential surface of the pivoting hole and the seating surface of the boss.

Abstract: In a movable guide for a transmission device, a slide rail extending in the direction of travel of a transmission chain, a pivotable rail support, and a plunger-contacting portion, are formed by sandwich molding a high-strength first polymer resin to form a core, and a second, wear-resistant polymer resin to form a skin layer entirely covering the core. The guide exhibits excellent mechanical strength and wear resistance, especially in its plunger-contacting portion, and is light in weight, inexpensive, and readily recycled.

Abstract: A drive unit of a carriage has a drive wheel and a deflector, offset parallel to a racks both of which are implemented as gearwheels, around which a closed elastic toothed belt with teeth on both sides is guided, whose inner teeth engage with the wheels described and whose outer teeth engage with the rack. A pressure block relocatable relative to the rack is positioned between the wheels, which exercises an elastic force on the part of the toothed belt facing the rack by means of a pressure surface under the influence of the part facing away from the rack, which presses the first part mentioned against the rack. In this way, a snug engagement with the rack and low-noise and uniform movement of the carriage are always ensured. A pressure wheel implemented as a pinion and engaging with the inner teeth of the toothed belt can also be used instead of the pressure block.

Abstract: A self-adjusting contact mechanism is provided for a belt drive system which mechanism includes a contact shoe having a low friction surface in contact with the belt and a mechanism for biasing the low friction surface of the contact shoe against the belt with a controlled force profile which may be constant or may vary within a selected range over the permitted movement for the shoe. The shoe is preferably mounted to a lever arm through a pivot joint to permit the shoe to remain substantially parallel to the belt and in contact with the belt over the entire low friction surface of the shoe regardless of lever arm position. Force on the lever arm is provided by a compression mechanism which may include a pair of counterbalancing springs, with the spring biasing the lever arm toward the belt being stronger than the counterbalancing spring and preferably with the force for at least one of the springs being adjustable.

Abstract: A chain and sprocket transmission system for small all-terrain vehicles couples a high-speed, low-horsepower motor to a small diameter ground-engaging vehicle driving wheel. The chain and sprocket transmission system includes a small driving sprocket directly driven by the high-speed, low-horsepower motor. A large driven sprocket coaxially rotates with the small-diameter ground-engaging wheel. An endless chain has links for encircling in a loop the small driving sprocket and the large driven sprocket for powering the small-diameter ground-engaging wheel. A chain keeper pivots over the small driving sprocket. This chain keeper has a chain-contacting tongue elastically biased with respect to the keeper toward the inside of the chain loop. The chain-contacting tongue contacts and tensions the chain at the idle chain linkage between the small driving sprocket and the large driven sprocket.

Abstract: A plastic movable guide is disclosed wherein a reinforcing plate for reinforcing a guide body is simplified in shape, permitting easy assembly and prevention of disengagement. The movable guide is constituted by a guide body and a reinforcing plate fitted into the guide body. The guide body has a slit which receives the reinforcing plate which has a pair of recesses. A pair of windows are formed in the guide body to register with the reinforcing plate recesses. Each window has a tongue piece having a face which projects angularly into the slit and terminates in a retaining portion. When the reinforcing plate is advanced into the slit, the retaining portions of the tongue pieces are deflected out of the slit and when the plate is seated, the retaining portions are engaged in the recesses and retain the plate in the guide body.

Abstract: A chain tension-imparting device 100 comprises: a plunger 120, which retractably protrudes toward a traveling chain; a housing body 110 in which a plunger sliding hole 111 was formed; a protrusion biasing spring 130, which biases said plunger 120; a cam-receiving ring 140, which is displaced in an opening front end side diameter-increased concave portion 111a in said plunger sliding hole 111; a cam-receiving ring biasing spring 150 for biasing said cam-receiving ring 140 in the protrusive direction of the plunger 120; a pair of wedge-shaped cam chips 160, 160, which slide on a sloped cam guide groove 141 formed on said cam-receiving ring 140 and engage with a plurality of racks 121, 121 engraved on the outer circumference of said plunger 120; a cam-guiding ring 170, for guide-controlling disengagement of the wedge-shaped cam chips 160; and a seal plate 180, which seals said opening front end side diameter-increased concave portion 111a

Abstract: A wear strip easily mountable on an outer surface of a support member or structure of a feeder of an agricultural combine, for preventing wear of the support member and a feeder chain movable thereover. The wear strip includes an elongate body of a molded plastics material having a longitudinal extending side to be positioned in facing relation to the chain and an opposite longitudinally extending mounting side to be mounted on the support member, the mounting side including at least one molded plastics mounting tab extending outwardly therefrom in a position for insertion into at least one hole through the support member, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preassembled drive means unit provided with a support body comprising at least one wheel receiver, which is adapted to receive therein a respective drive means wheel, and an endless drive means, which is adapted to be put around said drive means wheels. This drive means unit comprises a replaceable mounting aid which is arranged in the area of the wheel receiver instead of a drive means wheel. One or a plurality of the drive means wheels can be replaced by the mounting aid. The whole preassembled drive means unit is held in position by the mounting aid, although on or a plurality of the drive means wheels of the drive means unit are not installed. In this way, it will be more easily possible to assemble the drive means unit and to attach the drive means wheels.

Abstract: A blade-type tensioner for applying tension to a chain comprising a base, an arcuately shaped blade shoe having a chain sliding face, a spring provided on a back side of the blade shoe, and a guide member. The blade shoe has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, where the proximal end portion is swingably supported on the base, and the distal end portion is slidably supported on a slide plate of the base. The distal end portion of the blade shoe is guided by a self-aligning action of the slide plate in such a way that the distal end portion is centrally positioned in a lateral direction on the slide plate.

Abstract: A motorcycle has a final drive, including a flexible drive member, such as a chain or a belt, that extends between the drive pulley and the driven pulley. A belt retention member is positioned proximate a forward portion of the final drive to reduce the likelihood of the belt skipping free of the drive pulley. The belt retention member preferably includes an upper belt retention portion and a lower belt retention portion. Preferably, the upper drive retention portion is positioned further forward relative to the lower belt retention portion such that the upper portion is moved more forward relative to an axis of rotation of the pulley. In this manner, the belt retention member allows more slack to be thrown during rapid acceleration from a decelerated state in the illustrated motorcycle.

Abstract: A plastic movable guide for a belt or chain transmission has a plunger-engaging portion for contact with the plunger of a tensioner at a location remote from its pivot axis. A reinforcing plate is located in a slot in a resin guide body, and is slightly recessed at the location of the plunger-engaging portion so that it does not protrude from the slot opening and is not contacted by the plunger of the tensioner. Superior quietness of operation, ease of assembly, and reduction of production cost are achieved.

Abstract: A work bench includes a frame, a bench surface on the frame with the bench surface including at least two members, one of which is movable along the frame for clamping a workpiece between the members. A mechanism for moving the member includes two screws coupled with the members. The two screws are spaced with the member for moving the member upon rotation of the screws. A sprocket is coupled with each of the screws. A transmission belt or chain is coupled with the sprockets. At least one handle is coupled with one of the screws to rotate the screws. At least one clutch is coupled with the at least one screw to limit clamping pressure on the workpiece. The clutch enables rotation of one screw with respect to the other screw so that workpieces may be clamped between the members and clamping of the workpiece may be accomplished by rotation of the screws with one hand of the operator. Also, a guard may be present which covers the transmission belt or chain.

Abstract: A chain guide member used in a chain transmission apparatus, and manufacturing method and apparatus thereof. The chain guide member has a sliding contact section extending along a traveling surface of a chain and coming into sliding contact with the chain, and a reinforcement main body reinforcing and supporting the sliding contact section along the traveling surface of the chain. A part or all of a joint portion between the sliding contact section and the reinforcement main body is joined by melting.

Abstract: A hydraulic rack-style tensioner includes two concentric pistons in the bore of a tensioner housing. The lower piston which occupies a generally lower position in the housing has conventional ratchet teeth on an outside surface. The ratchet teeth form a rack which are engaged by a pawl. An upper piston occupies a generally upper protruding position in the housing. A chamber is defined between the upper piston and the housing, or between the upper piston and lower piston. Pressurized fluid in the chamber between the upper and lower pistons act to cushion impact of the rack and pawl mechanism when high loads from an associated tensioner arm and chain cause the upper and the lower pistons to be forced back toward the tensioner housing.

Abstract: A chain tensioner apparatus includes a mounting bracket adapted for connection to an associated engine block. The mounting bracket defines a pivot point and a support surface. A blade is connected to the bracket and includes: (i) first and second opposite end portions joined together by a central portion; (ii) a hub defined by the first end portion; and, (iii) a first end wall connecting the hub to the central portion. The hub of the blade is pivotably connected to the bracket at the pivot point and the second end of the blade abuts the support surface. The blade defines an exterior chain guide surface adapted for slidingly abutting an associated chain of an associated chain drive system. The chain tensioner apparatus further includes a tensioning spring connected to the blade, the spring having opposite first and second ends located respectively adjacent the first and second opposite end portions of the blade. The spring contacts and exerts a biasing force on the central portion of the blade.

Abstract: A tensioner device 14 for an engine 1 comprises a support member 16, a blade shoe 17 coming into sliding contact with a timing chain 11 having a base end section 17a held by a cylinder block 3 and a tip end section 17b supported by the support member 16, and a leaf spring 18 held by the blade shoe 1 for pressing the blade shoe 17 against the timing chain 11 elastically. The support member 16 is formed integrally with the cylinder block 3. The tip end section 17b comes into sliding contact with a guide surface 16a formed on the support member 16 to be supported.

Abstract: A blade tensioner includes a blade shoe having a chain sliding face and a plurality of blade springs disposed and stacked at the opposite side to the chain sliding face. A clip is provided on the blade springs. The clip includes a clip body encompassing the blade springs, which elastically contacts the blade springs, and an engaging portion integrally formed with the clip body. The engaging portion includes an engagement hole to engage a tool.

Abstract: A chain tensioner (10) is disclosed which includes a tensioner arm (18), a face (30) and a blade spring (36). The face and blade spring each have portions which extend beyond a distal end (22) of the tensioner arm. The blade spring maintains contact between the face and a chain (16) as the chain wears.

Abstract: A blade tensioner is configured with blade shoe having chain sliding face, base that supports base part of blade shoe while allowing it to pivot freely, and blade spring in which base part is fixed to tip part of blade shoe. Warped part provided at the tip contacts inner face of blade shoe, and curved part provided at the midpoint of base contacts sliding face of base. In this case, the damping force of the blade tensioner increases due to sliding resistance generated between warped part of blade spring and inner face and between curved part and sliding face.

Abstract: A blade-type tensioner for applying tension to a chain comprising a base, an arcuately shaped blade shoe having a chain sliding face, a spring provided on a back side of the blade shoe, and a guide member. The blade shoe has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, where the proximal end portion is swingably supported on the base, and the distal end portion is slidably supported on a slide plate of the base. The slide plate is arcuately shaped to form a concavely arcuate arc face on an opposite side of the distal end portion of the blade shoe, and the distal end portion of the blade shoe has a convexly arcuate arc face corresponding to the concavely arcuate arc face of the slide plate. The distal end portion of the blade shoe is guided by a self-aligning action of the concavely arcuate arc face of the slide plate in such a way that the distal end portion is centrally positioned in a lateral direction on the slide plate.

Abstract: A chain tensioner is disclosed which incorporates a blade tensioner and a rigid tensioner arm. The blade tensioner and rigid tensioner arm can be pivotally supported on proximate support structure and the blade tensioner urges the rigid tensioner arm into engagement with a portion of a chain to tension the chain. Alternatively, the blade tensioner can be pivotally mounted on the rigid tensioner arm. Two or more blade tensioners can be used to tension the rigid tensioner arm. If desired, the rigid tensioner arm can be mounted on one of the blade tensioners.

Abstract: A hydraulic timing chain tensioner assembly includes a shoe configured to contact a timing chain, and a plunger having a distal end abutting the shoe. The plunger is movable within a cylindrical opening formed in a tensioner body. The cylindrical opening includes oil and a spring member therein to cushion chain loads transmitted through the shoe and plunger. A spring-controlled oil pressure relief structure is operatively associated with the cylindrical opening to vent the oil when the oil is pressurized above a predetermined level by the plunger, thereby enabling further movement of the plunger into the cylindrical opening to reduce maximum loads experienced by the timing chain.

Abstract: A chain guide includes a bracket adapted for being secured to an engine. The bracket includes a support surface including a leading end and a trailing end, and further includes a first saw-tooth fixing element. A guide shoe includes: (i) a shoe leading end; (ii) a shoe trailing end spaced from the shoe leading end in a chain movement direction; (iii) a chain guide surface extending between the shoe leading end and the shoe trailing end and adapted for slidably supporting an associated chain moving in the chain movement direction; and, (iv) an inner surface positioned adjacent the support surface of said bracket. The guide shoe further includes a second saw-tooth fixing element that mates with the first saw-tooth fixing element of said bracket to inhibit disconnection of said guide shoe and said bracket.

Abstract: A lever assembly includes a lever and a fastener for pivotally mounting the lever to a fixed support member. The lever is composed of a lever body made of a plastic and a reinforcement plate assembled with the plastic lever body. The lever body has a first groove formed in one surface of the lever body and extending from a central through-hole to a position in proximity of a mount hole formed at one end of the lever body, and a second groove formed in the opposite surface of the lever body and extending from the central through-hole to a position in proximity of the other end of the lever body. The reinforcement plate is fitted in the first and second grooves across the central through-hole of the lever body. The fastener comprised of a screw with flanged head has a portion lying over part of the reinforcement plate to prevent the reinforcement plate from displacing off the lever body.

Abstract: A synthetic resin guide for a chain, or other flexible transmission medium comprises a synthetic resin guide body having a shoe on which the transmission medium slides, and a slotted, plate-receiving portion integrally molded on the back side of the shoe for receiving a reinforcing plate. The plate-receiving portion is composed of a pair of opposed, longitudinally extending, slot-defining walls. A convex pressing member, integrally molded with one of the walls protrudes into the slot through a partially cut-away portion of the wall and exerts a resilient pressing force on the reinforcing plate. The guide suppresses shock noises due to wobbling of the guide during operation. Increased molding tolerances are made possible, and higher productivity in the assembly of the guide is achieved.

Abstract: A tensioner lever for an engine timing chain comprises a synthetic resin lever body including a shoe having a chain-contacting sliding surface, and a spring-receiving portion on the back of a shoe. A laminated sheet spring is fitted into a slot formed in the spring-receiving portion along the longitudinal direction of the lever. The synthetic resin lever body is pivoted on a pivot shaft mounted on an engine, and an end of the laminated sheet spring is locked into a groove in the pivot shaft so that the spring can be stressed and thereby exert a tensioning force on the chain through the tensioner lever. The tensioner lever produces stable and quiet operation of the chain, and is more compact and less expensive than a conventional tensioner.

Abstract: In a sliding contact guide for a chain, a guide body is composed of a shoe having a front surface on which the chain slides, and a plate-receiving portion provided on the back of the shoe. The shoe and plate-receiving portion are integrally molded from a synthetic resin. A reinforcing plate is inserted and fitted into a longitudinal slot in the plate-receiving and the sliding contact guide is attached to a frame by a pivot pin which extends through aligned mounting holes in the guide body and the reinforcing plate. Locking pieces formed in the plate-receiving portion, have tapered surfaces on their tips that engage locking holes in the plate and exert a biasing force on edges of the locking holes which urges the plate against the back of the shoe. The reinforcing plate and the guide body are reliably secured together and, even when the guide is vibrated, movement of the reinforcing plate in the slot of the guide body is prevented, so that low noise and long life are attained.

Abstract: A tensioning device for tensioning a traction medium, especially a chain, is provided. The tensioning device includes a supporting body element attachable to a third object and at least one tensioning track capable of being applied against the traction medium. The supporting body element and the tensioning track being joined together as one piece.

Abstract: In a sliding contact guide for a flexible power transmission medium such as a chain or belt, the guide body includes a shoe and a plate-receiving portion integrally molded as a unit from a synthetic resin. A reinforcing plate is inserted into a slot in the plate-receiving portion. A surface of the reinforcing plate is of a concavo-convex shape. The concavo-convex shape enhances the strength of the reinforcing plate without increasing the overall weight of the guide. By controlling the spacing of the bend lines forming the concavo-convex configuration, the strength of the guide can be controlled in accordance with strength requirements for different regions of the guide.

Abstract: In a movable guide for transmission device in which a guide body is formed from a synthetic resin and comprises a chain-contacting shoe and a plate-receiving portion formed as a unit with the shoe on the back side thereof, the plate-receiving portion has plural, longitudinally extending slots, each receiving a reinforcing plate. The plural reinforcing plates improve the bending rigidity, toughness, strength and wear properties of the guide, prevent falling down of the guide and guide torsion, ensure stable travel of the chain, and prevent running of the chain off the guide in a widthwise direction. Improved compactness of the guide and of the overall mechanism, is made possible by the use of plural plates. The plates can be connected to one another by a tensioner-contacting portion, formed as a unit with the plates.

Abstract: A sliding contact guide for a chain, or other flexible transmission medium comprises a synthetic resin guide body having a shoe on which the transmission medium slides, and a slotted, plate-receiving portion on the back side of the shoe for receiving a reinforcing plate. The plate-receiving portion is composed of a pair of opposed, longitudinally extending, slot-defining walls. Raised ribs, for sandwiching the reinforcing plate, are disposed on opposed inner surfaces of the walls, and are oriented in the direction of insertion of the reinforcing plate into the slot. The guide suppresses shock noises due to wobbling of the guide during operation, and molding and assembly of the guide are enhanced.

Abstract: A sliding contact guide for a transmission chain or belt comprises a synthetic resin shoe having an integrally molded, slotted plate-receiver for receiving a metal reinforcing plate, or alternatively a reinforcing base to which a shoe is attached by clips molded as parts of the shoe. In the guide having the metal reinforcing plate, gaps between the plate and the slot are filled with a buffer material. In the guide comprising a shoe clipped to a reinforcing base, a gap between the shoe and the base is filled with a buffer material. The buffer material prevents relative wobbling between the guide components, and increases manufacturing tolerances, thereby suppressing impact noise and also reducing production cost.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blade-type tensioner system for a chain that can easily improve spring properties. A blade-type tensioner includes a blade shoe and a blade spring positioned on the back side of chain sliding surface of the blade shoe so as to impart tension to a chain through the blade shoe. The blade shoe is pivotably supported around a shoulder bolt inserted into a proximal end portion of the blade shoe, and a distal end portion of the blade shoe is slidably supported on a supporting face provided in the engine. Th distal end portion of the blade shoe contacts a flat, first supporting face at a point. When tension in the chain is increased, the distal end portion contacts a concave, second supporting face at a point which is continuous with the first supporting face.

Abstract: In a chain drive for an internal combustion engine, said chain drive comprising a driving wheel (2), a driven wheel (3), an endlessly circulating chain (1) that connects the driving wheel (2) and the driven wheel (3), a chain tensioner (9) acting on the slack strand (7) of the chain (1), and an additional tensioning device (12) that is loaded by a spring (13) and acts on the tight strand (6) of the chain (1) while being arranged for pivoting, a further driven wheel (4) is installed in the tight strand (6) of the chain drive and is used as a driving wheel for a rotatably mounted compensating shaft for offsetting free forces and moments that occur during operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A guide for a chain drive installed on an engine body having threaded holes formed therein with a pitch, wherein the guide has at least two mounting portions adapted to be attached to the engine body by means of screws threaded into the threaded holes in the engine body. At least one of the mounting portions has at least two circular mounting holes spaced in a longitudinal direction of the guide so that the guide can be also mounted to at least one similar engine body having threaded holes formed therein with a different pitch.

Abstract: A chain tensioner apparatus utilizes a synthetic plastic (e.g. nylon) bracket that permits a fastener at a pivot end of the bracket to serve as a pivot pin for a shoe sub-assembly as well as a bracket fastener. A free end fastener can be positioned very close to, or substantially below, a reaction surface of the bracket. An interlocking feature is provided at a pivot end of the bracket/shoe sub-assembly and serves to maintain an interlock of the shoe-to-bracket in cooperation with an installation pin. Additionally, a positioning feature is used at the pivot end of the bracket. In order to permit the free rotation of the shoe relative to the bracket, the pivot end of the bracket is not clamped rigidly to the engine case when a pivot end bolt is installed. Further, a dowel pin can be used at the pivot end of the bracket.

Abstract: In a pivoted plastic movable guide for a chain or belt transmission, having a reinforcing plate disposed in a slot on a plate-receiving portion on a back side of the guide, a plunger-engaging part of the plate protrudes slightly from the opening of the slot forcontact with the plunger of a tensioner. The plunger-receiving portion of the plate has a curved profile, preferably in the form of a convex or concave circular arc, which engages the plunger over a contact area which does not vary with a changing angle between the plunger and the guide. The edge of the reinforcing plate is also preferably in the form of a circular arc, or has beveled or rounded edges to avoid excessive wear due to load concentration. The guide exhibits excellent quietness and resistance to wear, deterioration and breakage.

Abstract: In a sliding contact guide for a drive chain or other flexible transmission device, a guide body includes a shoe 102 and a slotted, plate-receiving portion 102 integrally molded on the back of the shoe. A reinforcing plate is inserted into the slot. The guide body has a mounting hole near one end for receiving a mounting shaft. The reinforcing plate, on the other hand, has an arcuate bearing portion which extends only part way around the mounting shaft. This structure improves assembly efficiency, reduces the weight of the guide, and reduces waste of material when multiple reinforcing plates are produced by punching a sheet of material.

Abstract: A blade-type chain tensioner (10, 110) is provided including a shoe (30, 130) adapted to impart tension to a chain (16), a blade spring (28, 128) engaging the shoe (30, 130), a piezoelectric strain element (35, 135) coupled to the blade spring (28, 128) or the shoe (30, 130), and a circuit (34, 137) adapted to receive a voltage or voltage data signal generated by a sensor (33, 133) coupled to the blade spring and shoe assembly (28/30, 128/130) in response to a vibration having a predetermined frequency or frequency band occurring in the blade spring and shoe assembly (28/30, 128/130), wherein the circuit (34, 137) is adapted to operably interact with the piezoelectric strain actuator element (35, 135) to induce a vibratory moment therein effective to reduce the vibration of the chain tensioner (10, 110). The piezoelectric strain element (35, 135) and the circuit (34, 137) can be configured as a passive damping system (10) or an active damping system (110), according to different aspects of the invention.

Abstract: A fastenerless chain snubber is provided that consists of a snubber body, and one or more attachment arms that form positioning blocks. The snubber is positioned in a housing by channel surfaces in the chain housing that locate the positioning blocks of the snubber. The snubber is firmly secured during chain operation by the substantial contact between the snubber attachment arm surfaces opposite the chain cover and the corresponding surface of the installed chain cover.