Abstract: A retention device is provided for positioning and retaining an open generally cylindrical hose clamp on a selected hose. The device extends generally about a longitudinal axis and has a retainer and a locator spaced axially from the retainer in side-by-said relationship. The locator and retainer are coupled together and the locator is adapted to hold the clamp while the retainer is adapted to engage the hose to maintain the device in position on the hose. As a result, the clamp can be positioned orthogonally relative to the hose and the assembly is then ready for engagement on a rigid tubular fitting with the locator positioned on the hose remote from the tubular fitting. This permits the hose to be engaged over the tubular fitting with no direct resistance from the retention device.

Abstract: A clamping device is provided for use in applying radial compressive loading on a deformable tube to retain the tube on a fixed tubular element. The device includes a central portion and first and second interengaged end portions with the first end portion having parallel side pieces and a pair of outwardly extending legs dependent one from each of the side pieces. The legs are spaced apart and a bridge extends between the legs outwardly of the legs. The second end portion has a central piece extending between the legs of the first end portion and including a radial projection extending outwardly from the end of the central piece and defining an outwardly facing step.

Abstract: The invention provides a locating device for locating and holding a prestressed hose clamp on a cylindrical hose having a selected radius of curvature. The device has a resilient C-shaped clamp engaging element having opposed free ends defining a gap, the element being generally cylindrical about a first axis and the gap being smaller than an internal diameter of the element so that the clamp can be pushed through the gap and gripped by the element with radial projections on the clamp extending through the gap. A pair of resilient hose engaging elements are attached to the clamp engaging element and spaced axially spaced with the clamp engaging element between the hose engaging elements which are proportioned to apply a load on the hose contained in the device to bias the hose away from the gap and into contact with the clamp at a location diametrically opposite the radial projections.

Abstract: While chain tensioners are used with chains on the engine of a motor vehicle, conventional blade spring configurations do not apply consistent forces throughout the life of the chain. The chain tensioner comprises two blade springs mechanically interlocked within a shoe, the shoe being adapted to contact the chain of the motor vehicle. The two blade springs each have a minimal form radius that is substantially smaller than the minimal form radius of a single blade spring, the single blade spring being otherwise identical to the two blade springs, and the thickness of the single blade spring being the same as the combined thickness of the two blade springs.

Abstract: A silent chain for automotive vehicle or industrial drive applications wherein the chain is formed of blocks of links alternating with pairs of guide links joined by pivot pins wherein both teeth of each link are in driving engagement with the teeth of the driving sprocket with alternating inside flank and outside flank engagement. The pins joining the guide links and blocks of links lie on the approximate pitch diameter of the sprocket. Each link has the inside flank defined by a compound curve with one radius centered in an aperture center for the link.