Abstract: A retractable awning adapted to be moved between extended and retracted positions includes a pair of support arms and a pair of rafter arms each of which can be extended or retracted with the awning. A motor rotates a drive shaft and a roll bar to which an awning sheet is connected so that energization of the motor causes the awning to be wrapped around the roll bar when the awning is being retracted or unwrapped from the roll bar when the awning is being extended. A belt system is disposed in each support arm which causes the support arm to extend or retract depending upon the direction of rotation of the motor so that the arms are extended simultaneously with the unwrapping of the awning sheet from the roll bar or retracted simultaneously with wrapping of the awning sheet around the roll bar. A rigid or alternatively resilient brace extends between each support arm and an associated rafter arm for holding the rafter arms in an extended position as the awning reaches a fully extended position.

Abstract: A blade tensioning mechanism for a band saw is provided with a block slidably mounted on the saw frame and carrying a movable, non-driven, (i.e., idler) band saw blade wheel. A link is threaded to the block and extends through a housing having three coaxially aligned bores, one of which is internally threaded. A handle is secured to one end of the link adjacent the housing. A thrust bearing and externally threaded collar are disposed on the link in the housing with the thrust bearing located between the collar and the link handle. The collar has a slotted keyway for receiving a pin projecting radially from the link. A compression spring is disposed in the housing with one end against the collar and the other end against a retainer member threadingly engaged with the housing. The saw blade is tensioned to a predetermined amount by turning the handle to move the block along the link relative to the frame.

Abstract: A blade tensioning mechanism for a band saw is provided with a block slidably mounted on the saw frame and carrying a movable, non-driven, i.e., idler, band saw blade wheel. A link extends through a cam follower secured to the block and carries a pivotally mounted cam for engaging the cam follower. The end of the link opposite the cam is threaded and is engaged in a threaded bore of a rotatable shaft which is carried on the frame and which is restrained against displacement relative to the frame. A handle is connected to the shaft through a preset torque limiting device whereby the blade can be pretensioned to a predetermined amount by turning the handle to move the link, cam follower, block, and idler wheel relative to the frame. The cam can be subsequently pivoted against the cam follower to further move the idler wheel a predetermined amount to apply a final, operational tension.