Pulley Or Guide Roll Has Eccentric Mount For Shifting Or Tensioning Movement Patents (Class 474/112)
  • Patent number: 7980976
    Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a flexible drive means, such as a timing belt or chain, includes a pulley to contact the belt. The pulley is mounted on a tensioner arm and the tensioner arm can be rotated about a pivot shaft mounted to the tensioner by a spring. The axis about which the pulley rotates is spaced from the axis of the rotation of the tensioner arm with respect to the pivot shaft and the spacing of these axes of rotation results in the pulley moving through an eccentric towards or away from the belt when the tensioner arm is rotated. A stop is used to limit the range of movement of the tensioner arm between a desired range of movement defined by a free arm stop and a backstop. The position of the stop is adjustable by an installer. The angular range of movement of the tensioner arm is adjustable from a position suitable for installation of the tensioner to a position suitable for operation of the installed tensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Jacek Stepniak, Jorma J. Lehtovaara, Marek Frankowski
  • Patent number: 7972232
    Abstract: A chain drive tensioner system with translating pivot point is disclosed. The chain drive tensioner system with translating pivot point includes a chain drive tensioner assembly and a tensioner arm in operable communication with a chain. The chain drive tensioner assembly is in operable communication with the tensioner arm, and the tensioner assembly is moveable between a first tensioner position and a second tensioner position. The tensioner arm includes an internal gear and an external gear rotatably mounted within the internal gear, such that movement of the tensioner assembly from the first tensioner position to the second tensioner position along with concurrent rotation of the external gear within the internal gear is operable to move the tensioner arm laterally from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Clyde A. Bulloch
  • Patent number: 7951030
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, an arm pivotally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the arm, a torsion spring engaged between the arm and the base, the base comprising a cantilever leaf spring, a first friction disk operationally disposed between the cantilever leaf spring and the arm, the cantilever leaf spring biasing the first friction disk into frictional contact with the arm, the first friction disk rotationally fixed with respect to the base, a second friction disk rotationally fixed with respect to the base, a separator member disposed between the first friction disk and the second friction disk, the first friction disk and the second friction disk each having a wet coefficient of friction of approximately 0.12, and the separator member rotationally fixed with respect to the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Alan Ward, Juergen Hallen
  • Patent number: 7946938
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, an arm engaged with the base for oscillatory movement, a torsion spring engaged with the base and the arm, the torsion spring exerting a force on the arm, a damping mechanism exerting a frictional damping force between the base and the arm for damping an arm oscillation, the damping mechanism comprising a Belleville spring, the frictional damping force instantaneously adjustable by changing a Belleville spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Juergen Hallen
  • Patent number: 7918755
    Abstract: An eccentric tensioning device for tensioning a traction means is provided. The eccentric tensioning device includes a track roller device having a running disk and a rolling bearing, a work eccentric for supporting the track roller device, the work eccentric being supported on an adjustment eccentric, a single torsion spring for pretensioning the work eccentric, and a fixing device for securing the work eccentric in a mounting position in which the torsion spring is located in a pretensioned state. The fixing device is positionable on a flange surface upon which the eccentric tensioning device is mountable during attachment, in which the running disk is forced radially relative to the rotating axis of the rolling bearing against the associated traction means under effect of the work eccentric, and a free switching path is traversed through an axial play being overcome against an axial force applied solely by the torsion spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Baumuller, Roland Arneth, Niels Flamig
  • Publication number: 20110045929
    Abstract: A tensioner for a belt drive comprises a pivot defining an axis, a support hinged to the axis and defining a guiding surface preferably having a circular profile, an elastic element for actuating the support and a crown pulley eccentric with respect to the axis and surrounding the guiding surface. The tensioner further comprises a journal bearing to support the pulley on the guiding surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Adriano Rolando, Gianluca Pane
  • Patent number: 7887445
    Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a belt includes a support housing that defines, at least in part, a spring cavity and an arm pivotably attached to the support housing. A spring is disposed in the spring cavity and is operatively connected to the arm and support housing to bias the arm to pivot relative to the support housing. The spring is a round wire coil spring having an unloaded axial height and wherein the spring cavity has a height greater than the unloaded axial height of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Dayco Products, LLC
    Inventors: James G. Quintus, Edward A. Rammel
  • Patent number: 7874950
    Abstract: A tensioner enables easy and reliable reinstallation of the tensioner and belt in the field service while simultaneously making it possible to utilize a one-way clutch device to ensure continuous belt tension control without cumbersome manual alignment and/or realignment procedures. The tensioner has a pivot shaft configured for mounting on an engine surface. A tensioner arm is mounted on the pivot shaft for pivotal movement between a free arm stop position and premount stop position. A belt-engaging pulley is mounted for rotation on the tensioner arm. A base cup is rotatably mounted around an end of the pivot shaft. The base cup has an arcuate slot having a free arm stop end and a premount stop end. The tensioner arm cooperates with the arcuate slot limiting the pivotal movement of the tensioner arm. A spring is coupled between the tensioner arm and the base cup biasing the tensioner arm in a belt-tensioning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Jorma J. Lehtovaara, Marek Frankowski
  • Patent number: 7854440
    Abstract: A bicycle adaptable to different forms of cycling. The bicycle includes a frame modification of the location of the crankshaft unit in the frame. The bicycle frame includes a crankset box forming a main housing. The crankset box is positioned at the junction of first and second rods. A detachable body member is mounted in the main housing, and includes a special housing that may be centered or off center relative to the base of the detachable body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: DAGG
    Inventors: Guillaume Girout, Georges Girout
  • Patent number: 7850561
    Abstract: Tensioning device (1) for a traction element drive, such as a belt or chain drive, with a tensioning arm (4), which can pivot relative to a body (2) about a pivot axle (3) and on whose distal end a roller (5) supported rotatably is arranged for tensioning the traction element, for the purpose of which there is a torsion spring (6) acting between the pivot axle (3) of the tensioning arm (4) and the body (2), and the pivot axle (3) is supported so that it can slide by at least one radial-bearing arrangement (7) and at least one axial-bearing arrangement (8), wherein the axial-bearing arrangement (8) comprises a friction disk (9) arranged concentric to the pivot axle (3), wherein the friction disk (9) has an axial stop surface (11), which comprises at least one radial circumferential key groove (12) and that at least one radial circumferential friction spring, which extends into the key groove (12), is constructed in the surface adjacent to the stop surface (11) of the friction disk (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Wilhelm, Horst Adel, Scott Ribey, Fred Seebeck, Scott Thompson
  • Patent number: 7850560
    Abstract: A tensioning device constructed, in particular, as a double eccentric tensioning device for a traction means drive is provided, which guarantees in the installed state a sufficient pretensioning of a traction means of the traction means drive. The invention provides advantages in the installation of the eccentric tensioning devices under assembly-specific aspects. This is provided by an eccentric tensioning device for a traction means drive, with a track roller device, which includes a running disk and a rolling bearing provided for supporting the disk. An operating eccentric for supporting the track roller device such that it can be displaced in a radial direction relative to the rotating axis of the rolling bearing according to a magnitude of the pivoting of the operating eccentric, and a torsion spring for pretensioning the operating eccentric in a pivoting direction are provided. The operating eccentric forces the track roller device carried by the eccentric against an allocated traction means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Arneth, Niels Flamig
  • Patent number: 7837000
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle includes a caliper bracket that moves with the movement of a rear axle by the rotation of an eccentric hub. The eccentric hub rotatably supports the rear axle in a position eccentric to the radial center of an axle supporting section. The caliper bracket includes a range specifying section or, specifically, a first engaging portion, which engages with the rear arm, for specifying the rotating range of the eccentric hub according to the position of engagement with the rear arm. The rear arm includes a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Matsuura, Tomoyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7803078
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, a pivot arm pivotally engaged with the base, a torsion spring engaged between the base and the pivot arm for biasing the pivot arm, a first damping member and a second damping member disposed between the pivot arm and the base, the first damping member wedgingly engagable between the pivot arm and the second damping member, and the second damping member frictionally engaged between the first damping member and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Alben D'Silva, John Harvey, Oliver Stegelmann
  • Patent number: 7785220
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a power operated lift-gate that is opened and closed by two drive units. The typical drive unit has a guide channel, an attachment assembly that is disposed in the guide channel, a flexible drive member that is attached to the attachment assembly and formed in a loop for moving the attachment assembly in the guide channel. The flexible drive member is trained solely around two pulleys at the respective opposite ends of the guide channel to form the flexible drive member in a narrow loop. One of the pulleys is an idler pulley that is part of an adjustable pulley assembly and the other pulley is driven by a power unit that is attached to the guide channel. The adjustable pulley assembly adjusts the distance between the pulleys to take up slack in the flexible drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Strattec Power Access LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Ciavaglia, Lloyd W. Rogers, Jr., Howard W. Kuhlman, Brian N. Orr, Eric R. Hansen, John R. Rice, Joseph M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100190595
    Abstract: An eccentric tensioning device for tensioning a traction means is provided. The eccentric tensioning device includes a track roller device having a running disk and a rolling bearing, a work eccentric for supporting the track roller device, the work eccentric being supported on an adjustment eccentric, a single torsion spring for pretensioning the work eccentric, and a fixing device for securing the work eccentric in a mounting position in which the torsion spring is located in a pretensioned state. The fixing device is positionable on a flange surface upon which the eccentric tensioning device is mountable during attachment, in which the running disk is forced radially relative to the rotating axis of the rolling bearing against the associated traction means under effect of the work eccentric, and a free switching path is traversed through an axial play being overcome against an axial force applied solely by the torsion spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Baumuller, Roland Arneth, Niels Flamig
  • Publication number: 20100190594
    Abstract: A tensioner (1) for a belt drive, comprises a base (2) defining an axis (A), a mobile eccentric element (3) hinged about axis (A) and loaded by a spring (5), a pulley (4) idly connected to the mobile element (3). Specifically, the pulley (4) defines a single body with the external ring of a rolling bearing (6) mounted on the mobile element (3) and the spring (5) is helical and presents a square or rectangular cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2007
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Adriano Rolando, Federico Domenico Licata, Gianluca Pane
  • Patent number: 7758459
    Abstract: Tensioning roller device including a non-rotating part about which there is rotationally mounted a pulley-forming rotating assembly designed to collaborate with a belt or a chain and a rolling bearing positioned between the non-rotating part and the pulley and including a rotating ring, a non-rotating ring and rolling elements, the pulley including a rigid rim including a first part fixed to the rotating ring of the bearing and a second part that can move with respect to the first part under the action of an elastic element, and an expandable sleeve of annular overall shape designed to be in contact with the belt or the chain, the diameter of the expandable sleeve varying according to how hard it is pressed by the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Gaborel, Donatus Nwokoye, Romuald Lescorail, Laurent Varnoux
  • Publication number: 20100144473
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, an arm pivotally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the arm, a torsion spring engaged between the arm and the base, the base comprising a cantilever leaf spring, a first friction disk operationally disposed between the cantilever leaf spring and the arm, the cantilever leaf spring biasing the first friction disk into frictional contact with the arm, the first friction disk rotationally fixed with respect to the base, a second friction disk rotationally fixed with respect to the base, a separator member disposed between the first friction disk and the second friction disk, the first friction disk and the second friction disk each having a wet coefficient of friction of approximately 0.12, and the separator member rotationally fixed with respect to the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Peter Alan Ward, Juergen Hallen
  • Publication number: 20100113199
    Abstract: A mechanical tensioning system (1) acting according to an eccentric principle for a traction mechanism of a traction mechanism drive of an internal combustion engine. The tensioning system (1) includes a cylindrical carrier element (8) allocated to a base plate (13) with a longitudinal borehole (12), wherein a fastening screw is guided by this borehole. An eccentric bushing (7) is supported on the carrier element (8) so that it can rotate by a sliding bearing (11). A leg-less, outwards opening, spreading torsion spring (14) arranged between a stationary component of the tensioning system (1) and the eccentric bushing (7) charges the eccentric bushing (7) into a position pretensioning the traction mechanism. A track roller (2) is arranged on the eccentric bushing (7) so that it can rotate by a roller bearing (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventor: Rainer Pflug
  • Patent number: 7699732
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for tensioning belts or chains that may include a fixed support; a moving element that may move relative to the fixed support and designed to be in contact with the belt or the chain; and an actuator designed to exert a permanent tensioning force between the mobile equipment and the fixed support. The device may also include a sensor unit to monitor parameters of angular displacement of the moving element relative to the fixed support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Olivier Message, Frédéric Ponson
  • Patent number: 7662057
    Abstract: An eccentric tensioning device is provided for tensioning a power-transmission means constructed, for example, as a flat belt or toothed belt in a power-transmission means drive. The tensioning device can be brought into a pretensioned mounting state in an advantageous way. The eccentric tensioning device has a free roller device that includes a running disk and a roller bearing provided for supporting this disk, a working eccentric for supporting the free roller device, that can be displaced in the radial direction relative to the rotating axis of the roller bearing according to the magnitude of the pivoting of the working eccentric, a bearing journal device for supporting the working eccentric, a torsion spring for pretensioning the working eccentric, a fixing device for securing the working eccentric in a mounting position, in which the torsion spring is located in a pretensioned state, and an adjustment for supporting the bearing journal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Rainer Baumuller, Roland Arneth, Niels Flamig
  • Patent number: 7637829
    Abstract: An eccentric pivot arm tensioner capable of automatic belt tensioning and substantially simultaneous operating range indexing during installation. The tensioner comprises a stop plate and cooperating lock plate. The tensioner comprises a pivot arm having a pivot arm member that cooperatively engages a base plate member. In a first, or transit mode, the pivot arm member temporarily engages the base plate member to put a torsion spring and thereby the pivot arm in a preloaded condition. The lock plate is engaged with the stop plate. As a mounting fastener is engaged into a mounting surface the pivot arm member is automatically disengaged from the base plate member by an axial movement of the pivot arm, thereby allowing the pivot arm to rotate and thereby impart a torsion spring force to a belt, i.e., tensioning the belt in an operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Derrick Stone, Jerry Booen, Ian Doble, Gordon Charles Hensley, Hans Peter Kutzer, Jim Router, Klaus Conno Steffens
  • Publication number: 20090291791
    Abstract: A pulley assembly operable in connection with a tensioner assembly is provided for tensioning a belt. The pulley assembly includes one or more elements for sealing the pulley to protect the pulley assembly in harsh environments. For instance, the pulley assembly may include one or more shields for protecting the pulley from contaminants entering the interior of the pulley assembly that can lead to premature failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher Ward, Thomas E. Hughes, Matthew B. Neal
  • Publication number: 20090283286
    Abstract: A power tool with a drive motor and a drive belt guided about a drive pulley and an output pulley has a tool driven by the drive motor through the drive belt. A tensioning device is provided that changes a spacing between the drive pulley and the output pulley and has at least one tensioning position and at least one release position. In the at least one tensioning position, the drive pulley and the output pulley have a first spacing relative to one another and in the at least one release position have a second spacing to one another that is smaller than the first spacing. The drive belt is an elast belt and the tensioning device, as a result of inherent tension of the elast belt, is secured in the at least one tensioning position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Hoffmann, Stefan von Siegroth
  • Patent number: 7611431
    Abstract: A belt tensioner for tensioning the belt of a belt drive system includes an eccentric adjusting member, a pivot structure eccentrically mounted on the adjusting member for pivoting around the adjusting member, a belt-tensioning pulley mounted to rotate on the pivot structure, a biasing member that resiliently biases the pivot structure in a belt-tightening direction, and a coupling structure. The coupling structure temporarily couples the pivot structure to the adjusting member to pivot with it during a belt installation procedure, and the configuration keeps the coupling structure unloaded except for a limited period of time during the installation procedure such that the coupling structure can be installed and removed easily. The tensioner is rendered operative after the pivot structure is uncoupled from the adjusting member, thus allowing the pivot structure to pivot with respect to the adjusting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Flaviu Dinca, Yinchu Tao, Rares I. Comsa
  • Publication number: 20090270210
    Abstract: A clutching mechanism (20) for a cultivating tiller. The tiller has an engine (16) mounted on a frame (12) with a rotatable output shaft (40), a rotatable working shaft (22), and a transmission (18) operatively connecting to the working shaft, the transmission having a rotatable transmission shaft (42) coaxially aligned with the output shaft of the engine. The clutching mechanism includes an upper half pulley (52) attached to the output shaft, and a lower half pulley (54) attached to the transmission shaft, wherein the upper half pulley and lower half pulley are coaxially positioned in a facing but non-contacting relationship such that the upper half pulley is able to freely rotate with respect to the lower half pulley. The clutching mechanism also includes a belt (62) positioned between the upper half pulley and the lower half pulley, and a tensioning assembly (70) configured to selectively tension the belt so that the belt transmits rotation of the upper half pulley to the lower half pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: MTD Products Inc
    Inventors: Usman Firdaus, Philip B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090258738
    Abstract: A tension device for a drive chain of a bicycle including a first pulley having a first rotational axis swingable around a swing center, and a second pulley having a second rotational axis movable along a movable direction to change a distance between the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis. The first pulley is arranged to be forced around the swing center to apply tension to the drive chain, and the second pulley is arranged to be forced along the moving direction to apply tension to the drive chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Nobukatsu HARA
  • Publication number: 20090239693
    Abstract: Tensioner for a belt drive, including a rigid element rotatably connected around a first axis and a couple of idle pulleys supported by a rigid element on opposing parts of axis and adapted to cooperate with respective sections of a belt of belt drive. The tensioner also includes a mobile element hinged to a second fixed axis carrying the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: DAYCO EUROPE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Alberto Ruffini, Andrea Montani, Gaetano Ferri
  • Patent number: 7588507
    Abstract: An autotensioner comprises a torsion coil spring interposed between a base and a rocking arm, and a tubular bushing provided between an inside surface of the base and an outside surface of the rocking arm. The torsion coil spring pushes and biases the rocking arm toward the bushing, and brings the pushing direction substantially in coincidence with the axial load direction of the force, acting on a stepped bolt supporting the rocking arm, from a belt. When the belt tension becomes high, the arm axial center displaces slightly from the base axial center, an extremely large first damping force acts on the rocking arm. When the belt tension becomes low, the smaller second damping force acts on the rocking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Unitta Company
    Inventors: Kazumasa Ayukawa, Hiromi Matsuura
  • Publication number: 20090227405
    Abstract: An automatic adjustment apparatus comprises a pulley having a spindle hole, an one-way bearing disposed in the spindle hole, a two-way bearing disposed in the spindle hole and located at a side of the one-way bearing, a sleeve and at least one constraint component. The sleeve is disposed in the one-way bearing and the two-way bearing, and a constraint portion is concaved at a side of the sleeve. The constraint component is mounted on the constraint portion for constraining the displacement of the pulley moving at the axial direction of the sleeve. Therefore, the pulley can glide at the sleeve so as to prevent inclination of the installing position of a belt at the pulley which results in rapid abrasion in belt and bad driving safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: UNIPOINT ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Cheng Feng Lin
  • Publication number: 20090209379
    Abstract: A belt tensioning device is provided for an apparatus such as a lathe which includes a centering member adapted to be attached to a workpiece and is supported for rotation about an axis. A motor is spaced from the centering member and is supported by a pivot member. A drive pulley is attached to the motor and a driven pulley is attached to the centering member. A belt is engaged between the drive pulley and the driven pulley for transmitting driving torque from the motor to the centering member. A belt tensioning device is provided for moving the pivot member between a first position wherein the belt is tensioned between the drive and driven pulleys and a second position wherein the belt is loosened between the drive and driven pulleys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: James P. Nichols, JR., Carl F. Merhar, III, Sarah J. Grenier, Zackary N. Jackson, Timothy Wynne Preusch, Joseph Ghering
  • Publication number: 20090186727
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, a pivot arm pivotally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the pivot arm, the pulley mounted to the inner race of a bearing, the outer race mounted to the pivot arm, a spring engaged between the pivot arm and a damping mechanism, the damping mechanism frictionally engaged with the pivot arm, the damping mechanism slidingly engaged with the base between at least two predetermined mechanically fixable positions, and the pivot arm, spring and damping mechanism contained within a pulley perimeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Alexander Serkh, Peter Ward
  • Publication number: 20090176609
    Abstract: A tensioner having a backstop device which allows free rotation of the pivot arm in a first direction but controls rotation of the pivot arm in a second, opposite direction. The backstop device permits a predetermined, limited amount of free rotation in the second direction and thereafter, employs a braking device to prevent rotation in the second direction if the torque that acts on the pivot art is less than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Jorma J. Lehtovaara, Jacek Stepniak, Marek Frankowski, Mats K. Lipowski, Richard A. Forrest
  • Publication number: 20090088284
    Abstract: An enclosed bicycle drivetrain is provided that produces a range of drive ratios suitable for any riding purpose. The enclosure of substantially the entire drivetrain is made practical by the synergistic cooperation of a planetary drive system using a single chain ring and a streamlined rear derailleur system that separates the tensioning and chain guiding functions of a conventional rear derailleur, allowing the rear derailleur components to remain substantially within the shadow of the outer perimeter of the bicycle frame. The planetary drive system is provided with a unique compound pawl that may be easily disengaged from a planetary ratchet member under full riding loads by the application of a small force to destabilize the pawl. A unique shift buffer mechanism cooperates with the rear derailleur system to buffer and store up to the full range of available shift commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Sam Harwell Patterson
  • Patent number: 7510045
    Abstract: A power-steering system, e.g., for a motor vehicle, having an electric motor, which transmits a steering-assist force via a belt transmission to a ball-screw transmission for displacing vehicle wheels, includes a cam, via which the ball-screw transmission and/or electric motor is supported in a steering-gear housing. The tension of a belt of the belt transmission is adjustable by rotating the cam in the steering-gear housing. The cam has at least one cutout on the circumference, and/or the steering-gear housing has at least one cutout in its inner wall. A locking element may be inserted into the cutout, in order to fix the cam in position with respect to the steering-gear housing. After being inserted, the locking element is operatively connected to the cam and the steering-gear housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Bareis, Martin Budaker, Oliver Hetzel, Michael Hauck
  • Publication number: 20090062048
    Abstract: A belt member is supported by a plurality of roller members including a first roller member and moves in a predetermined direction of movement. A coupling member is coupled with the first roller member. An abutting member makes contact with the coupling member by changing tilting of a rotational axis of the first roller member and moves the coupling member in a forward direction and a reverse direction to correct meandering of the belt member. Abutting positions of the coupling member with respect to the abutting member when moving the coupling member in the forward direction and in the reverse direction are variable to support respective movement directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Makoto NAKURA
  • Patent number: 7481206
    Abstract: An air induction system (10) is disclosed including an improved drive assembly (12) constructed in accordance with the principles of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and configured for transmitting power to a blower (14). The illustrated drive assembly (12) broadly includes bracketry (26) for supporting the other components of the drive assembly (12), a primary drive pulley (22), a transfer drive subassembly (28) for transferring power from the pulley (22) downstream, a supercharger drive subassembly (30) for transferring power from the subassembly (28) to the supercharger (14), and an intermediate eccentric pulley shaft subassembly (32) adjustably inter-communicating the subassemblies (28) and (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Accessible Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20080287233
    Abstract: A tightener (1) cooperating with a belt in the presence of oil, and having a pin (2) having a first axis (A); a base plate (15) integral with and substantially perpendicular to the pin (2); a cam arm (3) connected in rotary manner to the pin (2) and movable with respect to the base plate (15); a contact member (5) carried by the cam arm (3); and an elastic member (4) connected to the cam arm (3) to activate the contact member (5) against the belt. The tightener (1) also has a friction member (16) made of oil-resistant material and axially supporting the cam arm (3) on the base plate (15); and axial elastic means (24) for loading the friction member (16) against the base plate (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: DAYCO EUROPE S.R.L. CON UNICO SOCIO
    Inventor: Michele Cantatore
  • Publication number: 20080268994
    Abstract: An eccentric bottom bracket assembly having a body member, at least two wing members, a wedge driver with two wedge members, and at least one spring member altogether forming a tubular, cylindrical assembly to fit within the inner shell of the bottom bracket area of the bicycle frame for adjusting the chain length or tension. The assembly is preferably used for the front and rear bottom brackets of a tandem bicycle for adjusting the chain that is connected to the front and rear driving sprockets. The assembly is also alternatively used in single-rider bicycles and other bicycles with the need for adjusting chain tension. The assembly allows for the wing members and the body member to circumferentially and outwardly expand or inwardly retract by co-acting with the rotation of the wedge driver which laterally displaces the wedge members in a parallel direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the body member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Dennis L. Bushnell
  • Patent number: 7442137
    Abstract: An eccentric adjustment and mounting system is useful for belt engaging engine components such as alternators or water pumps. The system includes a housing fixed to the engine, a socket rotatable in pawl-and-ratchet fashion within the housing, and a socket aperture eccentrically disposed relative to the socket's axis. The aperture receives the belt engaging component, whereby rotation of the socket moves the component to adjust belt tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: David N. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20080161143
    Abstract: It is an epicyclic gear system for use in speed reducer or overdrive, however using an inner pulley, an external ring and a driving belt or a tire instead of using toothed gears. The system particularity is an inner pulley drivingly coupled to an external ring and the torque transmission between the inner pulley and the external ring is done through a belt or a tire, as either the inner pulley or the external ring has orbital motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: VALMOR DA CUNHA GRAVIO
  • Publication number: 20080139353
    Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning a flexible drive means, such as a timing belt or chain, includes a pulley to contact the belt. The pulley is mounted on a tensioner arm and the tensioner arm can be rotated about a pivot shaft mounted to the tensioner by a spring. The axis about which the pulley rotates is spaced from the axis of the rotation of the tensioner arm with respect to the pivot shaft and the spacing of these axes of rotation results in the pulley moving through an eccentric towards or away from the belt when the tensioner arm is rotated. A stop is used to limit the range of movement of the tensioner arm between a desired range of movement defined by a free arm stop and a backstop. The position of the stop is adjustable by an installer. The angular range of movement installed tensioner. In one embodiment, the movement of the stop from the installation position to the nominal operating position also compensates the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Jacek Stepniak, Jorma J. Lehtovaara, Marck Frankowski
  • Publication number: 20080113835
    Abstract: An eccentric tensioning device for tensioning a traction means constructed, for example, as a flat or toothed belt in a traction means drive, is provided. Advantages are provided for the installation of tensioning devices and in the integration of the traction means in the traction means drive under assembly-specific aspects. This is accomplished through the use of an eccentric tensioning device for a traction means, with a track roller device, which includes a running disk and a rolling bearing provided for supporting the disk. A work eccentric supports the track roller device such that it can be displaced in a radial direction relative to the rotating axis of the rolling bearing according to the magnitude of the pivoting of the work eccentric. A torsion spring pretensions the work eccentric, and a fixing device secures the work eccentric in a mounting position, in which the torsion spring is located in a pretensioned state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Rainer Baumuller, Niels Flamig
  • Patent number: 7329197
    Abstract: An improved alignable pulley or sheave assembly includes: (a) a shaft having a rotational axis and an exterior surface which has a portion that is spherically shaped, (b) a pulley having a perimeter and a central opening with an interior surface that is configured so as to allow the pulley to be mounted on shaft's spherical shaped portion, and (c) a means for locking the shaft and pulley together such that they rotate together while also enabling the pulley to tilt from side to side with respect to a plane that lies perpendicular to the shaft's rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventors: Robert M. Gearhart, Donald N. Clark, Kraig A. Clark
  • Patent number: 7285065
    Abstract: A belt tensioner for tensioning the belt of a belt drive system includes an eccentric adjusting member, a pivot structure eccentrically mounted on the adjusting member for pivoting around the adjusting member, a belt-tensioning pulley mounted to rotate on the pivot structure, a biasing member that resiliently biases the pivot structure in a belt-tightening direction, and a coupling structure. The coupling structure temporarily couples the pivot structure to the adjusting member to pivot with it during a belt installation procedure, and the configuration keeps the coupling structure unloaded except for a limited period of time during the installation procedure such that the coupling structure can be installed and removed easily. The tensioner is rendered operative after the pivot structure is uncoupled from the adjusting member, thus allowing the pivot structure to pivot with respect to the adjusting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Flaviu Dinca, Yinchu Tao, Rares I. Comsa
  • Patent number: 7273432
    Abstract: A belt tensioner with a retainer can be brought into contact with a belt via a belt support for applying a tensile force. The retainer is joined at a distance from the belt support to a radial plain bearing and it can be swivelled about the axis of rotation of the radial plain bearing, whereby the tensioning and swivel movements of the belt support occur under the action of a coil spring. For a belt tensioner of this type, which with a compact construction runs essentially wear-free, it is suggested that the retainer is subject to the action of a spring, which exerts a force (F3) essentially parallel to the axis of rotation on the retainer, the said force (F3) counteracting the force (F1) exerted by the belt on the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Litens Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Schonmeier, Michael Fischer
  • Patent number: 7191866
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a speed reducing mechanism for decelerating the rotation of a rotatable shaft in an electric motor and a converting mechanism for converting the output rotation of the speed reducing mechanism into the axial movement of a steering shaft extending toward the right and left sides of a vehicle. The speed reducing mechanism includes an input pulley driven by the electric motor, an output pulley arranged with the steering shaft enclosed thereby, a belt for connecting the input pulley and the output pulley to each other and a belt tension adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignees: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd., Gates Unitta Asia Company
    Inventors: Hiroto Sasaki, Takehiro Saruwatari, Kensaku Nakamura, Atsuya Miyata, Kazuaki Nagamatsu, Kunihiro Oka, Hiroshi Murataka, Akihiro Hironaka
  • Patent number: 7111998
    Abstract: A camera assembly including first and second rotating members and a motor assembly defining a first axis and operably coupled to first rotating member to drivingly rotate first rotating member. A flexible member operably couples first and second rotating members such that rotation of first rotating member causes rotation of second rotating member. A camera is operably coupled to second rotating member such that rotation of second rotating member repositions camera. The motor assembly includes a flange having an outer circumference defining a plurality of teeth and bearing against a support surface. The outer circumference defines a radially variable distance from first axis such that rotation of outer circumference against support surface displaces first axis relative to second rotational member and thereby adjusts a tensional force in flexible member. At least one pawl mechanism is fixed relative to support surface and is engageable with outer circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Richard R Wright
  • Patent number: 7104909
    Abstract: A tensioning device for attraction mechanism including a receiving and mounting housing, a roller carrier pivotably connected to the mounting housing, a bearing which radially supports the roller carrier relative to the mounting housing, a spring between the roller carrier and the mounting housing for applying a tensioning force, and a damping device. The damping device includes a damping bush which, by friction, dampens any movement between the roller carrier and the mounting housing in such a way that damping is greater in the direction of an increasing tension force than in the direction of decreasing tension force. A flat band spring applies the friction force to the damping bush. The flat band spring is secured, at a first end, to the receiving and mounting housing in a rotationally fast way, and at a second end to the damping bush in a rotationally fast way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Jochen Asbeck, Thomas Berndt, Joachim Jud, Rudolf Bonse
  • Patent number: 7077773
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a closed loop cable system in which a flexible driver member drives a door or the like back and forth has the flexible drive member wrapped around and driven by a drive pulley. The drive assembly includes a motor unit having a motor shaft that rotates about a drive axis for rotating the drive pulley about a pulley axis, and a tensioning mechanism for adjusting the position of the pulley axis with respect to the drive axis responsive to tension in the flexible drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Chapman, John R. Rice