Abstract: A multi-roller guide that includes a base plate, a cover plate, a plurality of spacers positioned perpendicularly between the base plate and cover plate, a plurality of spacer fasteners coupled to the spacers, and a plurality of roller assemblies secured between the base plate and cover plate and aligned along a roller assembly arc path. Each roller assembly includes a roller coupled to a roller bearing, with the roller bearing having a bearing center passage that receives therein an axle, and wherein the plurality of roller assemblies are secured between the cover plate and base plate via the axle, and wherein each roller is spool shaped including a core portion connecting upper and lower boundary walls, the upper and lower boundary walls extending radially outward from the core portion and including a space therebetween for receiving a portion of a tensile member.

Abstract: An automatic tensioning apparatus is provided that includes a tensioning drive unit having: a longitudinally extending stationary base frame with a plurality of guides extending between a lower portion and an upper portion, and a plurality of rotatable feed wheels axially secured at the lower portion, as well as a translatable drive frame slidably coupled to the plurality of guides with a drive assembly coupled to the drive frame, the drive assembly including a drive motor and a tensile member interface for engaging and rotationally translating a tensile member. The tensioning drive unit further including a plurality of drive frame actuators actuatable to move the drive frame between a bottom frame position and a top frame position, as well as a sensor for at least indirectly sensing the position of the drive frame along a longitudinal base frame axis.

Abstract: An automatic tensioning apparatus is provided that includes a tensioning drive unit having: a longitudinally extending stationary base frame with a plurality of guides extending between a lower portion and an upper portion, and a plurality of rotatable feed wheels axially secured at the lower portion, as well as a translatable drive frame slidably coupled to the plurality of guides with a drive assembly coupled to the drive frame, the drive assembly including a drive motor and a tensile member interface for engaging and rotationally translating a tensile member. The tensioning drive unit further including a plurality of drive frame actuators actuatable to move the drive frame between a bottom frame position and a top frame position, as well as a sensor for at least indirectly sensing the position of the drive frame along a longitudinal base frame axis.

Abstract: A multi-roller guide is provided that includes a base plate with a cover plate secured thereto and a plurality of roller assemblies with rollers rotatably secured between the base plate and cover plate, the roller assemblies aligned along a roller assembly arc path, wherein the rollers are configured to rotatably engage with a tensile member.

Abstract: An automatic tensioning apparatus is provided that includes a tensioning drive unit having: a longitudinally extending stationary base frame with a plurality of guides extending between a lower portion and an upper portion, and a plurality of rotatable feed wheels axially secured at the lower portion, as well as a translatable drive frame slidably coupled to the plurality of guides with a drive assembly coupled to the drive frame, the drive assembly including a drive motor and a tensile member interface for engaging and rotationally translating a tensile member. The tensioning drive unit further including a plurality of drive frame actuators actuatable to move the drive frame between a bottom frame position and a top frame position, as well as a sensor for at least indirectly sensing the position of the drive frame along a longitudinal base frame axis.

Abstract: A multi-roller guide is provided that includes a base plate with a cover plate secured thereto and a plurality of roller assemblies with rollers rotatably secured between the base plate and cover plate, the roller assemblies aligned along a roller assembly arc path, wherein the rollers are configured to rotatably engage with a tensile member.