Abstract: A compression spring assembly which includes a compression spring and a pair of identical but oppositely disposed guide members. The guide members have cooperating transversely extending keyways which are aligned to receive a key to maintain the assembly in a retracted, inoperative, condition. When placed in its operative environment, the spring assembly is suitably oriented and the key is removed from the keyway, thereby permitting the spring to expand to the greatest length possible under the circumstances. The spring assembly is capable of a broad range of movement along the axis of the spring. Subsequently, the spring assembly can be removed and returned to its retracted, inoperative condition by reversing the procedure just described.

Abstract: A self adjusting tensioning system for a variable transmission. An endless belt is advanced by and supported on a pair of spaced apart, variable diameter, sheaves which are independently movable between reduced and enlarged configurations and which result in the belt assuming different paths. A pair of rollers are rotatably mounted at fixedly spaced locations on an enlongated carrier member. One of the rollers is actively biased into engagement with the belt by a compression spring assembly. A cam surface on the carrier member proximate the other of the rollers is slidable along a fixed contoured supporting surface and passively assures engagement of the other of the rollers with the belt. As the ratio of the transmission changes with changed diameters of the sheaves and the belt thereby assumes a changed path, the belt is effective to automatically move the rollers therealong so as to maintain a substantially constant tension in the belt.