Guide Roll Spring Biased In Belt-tensioning Direction Patents (Class 474/135)
  • Patent number: 6406393
    Abstract: A device is designed to press the transmission belt of an electric cart and is formed of a pivot set, a first swiveling member, a second swiveling member, a first wheel set, a second wheel set, and an elastic element. The first and the second swiveling members are pivoted with the pivot set such that they are located at two sides of the transmission belt. The first and the second wheel sets are provided with one or more rollers which are pivoted to the first and the second swiveling members. The rollers come in contact with the transmission belt to enhance the transmission effect of the transmission belt. The elastic element provides the first and the second swiveling members with a spring force enabling them to swivel toward the transmission belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Melton International L.L.C.
    Inventor: Tsang-Ying Chen
  • Patent number: 6406392
    Abstract: A transmission assembly has a frame having a through hole, a transmission gear, a driven gear, and a transmission chain surrounding the transmission gear and the driven gear. A torsion spring has a first end and a second end. A swing arm has a round hole, a circular hole, and a through aperture. A shaft rod is inserted in the round hole of the swing arm. The shaft rod passes through the torsion spring and the through hole of the frame. An idle wheel engages with the transmission chain. A bearing is adjacent to the idle wheel. The pivot rod is inserted in the circular hole of the swing arm. The pivot rod passes through the ring and the idle wheel. The first end of the torsion spring is inserted in the through aperture of the swing arm. The second end of the torsion spring is hooked on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Jenn Jianq Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: T. Y. Luh
  • Publication number: 20020052260
    Abstract: A belt transmission apparatus is capable of changing a set tension of an automatic belt tensioner 30 between a first optimal value suitable for engine starting and a second optimal value suitable for driving an accessory after an engine 1 has been started. The belt transmission apparatus includes a rotating electric machine pulley 8 of a rotating electric machine for transmitting starting power to the engine 1; an engine pulley 2 for transmitting the starting power to the engine 1 and also transmitting a rotation power of the engine 1 to accessories; auxiliary pulleys 3, 4, 5 being driven to rotate by the power from the engine pulley 2 thereby to drive the accessories, respectively; a belt 10 wrapped around the rotating electric machine pulley 8, the engine pulley 2 and the auxiliary pulleys 3, 4, 5 in succession; and a belt tension adjuster 9, 30 for urging the belt 10 so as to set a tension of the belt 10 in a plurality of stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutaka Kitamura, Youji Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6375588
    Abstract: A timing belt tensioner for a motor vehicle engine comprising a pivot that is fixed relative to the motor vehicle engine. A tensioner arm is mounted for pivotal movement on the pivot. The tensioner arm has a friction surface disposed in friction sliding relation with an adjacent surface during the pivotal movement. A belt engaging pulley is mounted for rotation on the tensioner arm. A spring coupled with the tensioner arm biases the arm in a direction tending to force the pulley into tensioning engagement with the belt when the tensioner is installed on the motor vehicle engine. The spring biasing the arm into a working position maintains a predetermined range of tension in the belt during dynamic operating equilibrium of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Marek Frankowski, Jacek Stepniak, Jorma J. Lehtovaara
  • Publication number: 20020039944
    Abstract: The invention is an improved belt tensioner for a belt drive system having a belt tensioner, a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, and a motor/generator pulley. The belt drive system further includes a power transmission belt trained about the crankshaft pulley, the accessory pulley, and the motor/generator pulley. The belt tensioner is of the type including an attachment point adapted to be affixed to a stationary point relative to a cylinder block of an engine, a first belt tensioner pulley, a biasing member, and a connective portion adapted to communicate a force from the biasing member to the power transmission belt via the first belt tensioner pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventors: Imtiaz Ali, Keming Liu, Dave Hanes
  • Publication number: 20020039945
    Abstract: The invention is an improved belt drive system for a power plant. It is of the type having a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, a motor/generator pulley, a belt tensioner, and a belt tensioner pulley. It also includes a power transmission belt trained about the crankshaft, accessory, motor/generator, and the belt tensioner pulleys. The power transmission belt has spans defined by terminations proximate to each of the pulleys, including intermediate spans beginning at the crankshaft pulley and ending at the motor/generator pulley following the direction of belt travel in normal operation. The first of the intermediate spans has a first termination end proximate the crankshaft pulley. The last of the intermediate spans has a last termination end proximate the motor/generator pulley. It is improved by the tensioner pulley being proximate a termination end of an intermediate span not being either the first termination end or the last termination end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventors: Imtiaz Ali, Keming Liu, Jerzy Otremba
  • Publication number: 20020039942
    Abstract: The invention is an improved belt drive system and method for a power plant. The power plant is of the type having a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, a motor/generator pulley, a first belt tensioner, a first belt tensioner pulley, and a power transmission belt trained about the crankshaft pulley, the accessory pulley, the motor/generator pulley, and the first belt tensioner pulley. The power transmission belt has spans defined by terminations proximate to each of the pulleys. These spans include intermediate spans beginning at the crankshaft pulley and ending at the motor/generator pulley, following the direction of belt travel in normal operation. The intermediate spans include a first intermediate span having a crankshaft termination proximate the crankshaft pulley and a last intermediate span having a first motor/generator termination proximate the motor/generator pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventors: Keming Liu, Jerzy Otremba
  • Patent number: 6364795
    Abstract: A belt tensioner for tensioning a belt for a motor vehicle comprises a pivot shaft, a pivoting structure mounted for pivotal movement on the pivot shaft, and a pulley mounted for rotation on the pivoting structure. A spring biases the pivoting structure in a direction that moves the pulley mounted on the pivoting structure into tensioning engagement with the belt. A bolt is constructed and arranged to mount the belt tensioner on the motor vehicle engine mount. The bolt is constructed and arranged to be tightened to a predetermined extent for installing the tensioner of the motor vehicle, the predetermined extent is the same extent to which the bolt is tightened during normal operation of the tensioner. A clamping structure applies a predetermined clamping force on the pivot shaft after the bolt is tightened to the predetermined extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Jacek S. Komorowski, Marek Frankowski
  • Patent number: 6364044
    Abstract: A control system for a motor-assisted bicycle comprising: a control unit, controlling supplemental power; a sensor unit; and a cable. The sensor unit further comprises a holding plate, mounted on the motor-assisted bicycle, a lever, hingedly mounted on the holding plate, an engaging element, mounted on a far end of the lever, engaging with the chain from above, and a spring, pressing the engaging element on the chain. The cable connects the lever with the control unit. Changing tension of the chain causes a movement of the lever which is transmitted by the cable to the control unit for controlling the supplemental power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Chih-Chen Juan
  • Publication number: 20020037783
    Abstract: A combination comprises a belt trained about a plurality of pulleys and a tensioner assembly including a rotary member rotatively engaged by one side of the belt at an operative position. The rotary member is rotatably mounted on an arm pivoted about a fixed pivotal axis and has a rotational axis parallel with the fixed pivotal axis. The vector force applied by the belt to the periphery of the rotary member at the bisector of the belt wrap angle extends through the rotational axis and is related by at least a small angle to a line passing through the rotational and pivotal axis. The vector force acts in a direction to bias the arm to pivot about the pivotal axis in a direction to move the rotary member into the operative position. The rotary member is initially installed into the operative position by moving the arm in the direction from an installation position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Applicant: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Donovan R. Chambers, Joseph Atikian
  • Publication number: 20020037782
    Abstract: To provide a tensioner in which a bearing of the drive shaft of the conventional art is not necessary and also that enables the initial load of the torsion spring to be retained in an intact condition when the tensioner is disassembled for maintenance purposes or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Tanehira Amano, Takao Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6361459
    Abstract: The invention comprises a self-contained mechanical belt tensioner that produces damping which is a function of the applied hubload through the effect of frictional forces derived from the sliding action of mutually opposing wedges. A first wedge or conical piston is contained within a housing. The conical piston cooperates with a second or conical wedge. A surface of the conical wedge slides on the inner surface of the housing. The conical wedge is expandable in a direction normal to the inner surface of the housing. A spring urges the conical wedge into engagement with the conical piston. As the pulley is loaded, as with an impulse load, the piston will move into the conical wedge. This, in turn, will cause the conical wedge to expand against the inner surface of the housing. The expansion of the conical wedge in the housing will increase the frictional force between the conical wedge and the housing. This will have the effect of damping movements of the conical piston and, in turn, of the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Serkh, Andrzej Dec, David Hanes
  • Publication number: 20020032089
    Abstract: The invention comprises a tensioner (10) that is particularly useful in micro-V front end accessory belt drive systems used in automotive applications where minimum tensioner bulk combined with maximum balancing and minimum pivot bushing (56) wear in order to achieve maximum pulley (12) alignment over the expected life of the tensioner (10). The belt tensioner (10) of the invention is of the type with a base (42) A pivot-arm (52) is attached to a cylindrical member (53) that supports the pivot-arm (52) and rotates about a pivot (32) secured to the base (42). At least one sleeve-type bushing (56) is positioned on the pivot (32) and includes a bearing surface that supports the cylindrical member (53). A pulley (12) is attached to the pivot-arm (52) for engaging the belt and receives a belt load that generates a belt force component that is transmitted to the cylindrical member (53) (hub load).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: ALEXANDER SERKH
  • Publication number: 20020025869
    Abstract: The invention comprises a self-contained mechanical belt tensioner that produces damping which is a function of the applied hubload through the effect of frictional forces derived from the sliding action of mutually opposing wedges. A first wedge or conical piston is contained within a housing. The conical piston cooperates with a second or conical wedge. A surface of the conical wedge slides on the inner surface of the housing. The conical wedge is expandable in a direction normal to the inner surface of the housing. A spring urges the conical wedge into engagement with the conical piston. As the pulley is loaded, as with an impulse load, the piston will move into the conical wedge. This, in turn, will cause the conical wedge to expand against the inner surface of the housing. The expansion of the conical wedge in the housing will increase the frictional force between the conical wedge and the housing. This will have the effect of damping movements of the conical piston and, in turn, of the pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Alexander Serkh, Andrzej Dec, David Hanes
  • Patent number: 6346057
    Abstract: For securing the position of the conveyor belt when starting the belt under load, a belt tensioning device, has a circulating conveyor belt, carrying idlers arranged between the carrying run and the return run of the conveyor belt, a drive mechanism, a power transmission device for moving the conveyor belt, a gear ring and a toothed belt for power transmission, the gear ring being allocated to the power transmission device and the toothed belt being allocated to the conveyor belt, wherein a guiding component part adapted to the edge area of the circulating conveyor belt and a contacting component part for direct contact with the surface of the conveyor belt are provided, and wherein the contacting component part is arranged inside the guiding component part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Klaus Edelmann
  • Publication number: 20020016231
    Abstract: The invention comprises a tensioner having a linear motion. A pulley is journaled to a housing. A bearing is used to slidingly join the housing and a base. The bearing constrains the housing, and therefore the pulley, to move along a predetermined path. The housing also comprises an arcuate damping surface that interacts with a frictional or damping band. A torsion spring concentrically engages the frictional material band, pressing it in to engagement with the arcuate damping surface as the housing moves in response to an impulse or force from the pulley. As a belt load impulse causes the housing to move along the predetermined path, a contact between the damping band and the base causes the spring to further press the frictional damping material against the housing arcuate surface, thereby damping movement of the housing. Further, an axis of the pulley is offset from a centerline of the bearing. As the housing moves, a couple is created between the housing and the base acting through the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventor: Alexander Serkh
  • Publication number: 20020010044
    Abstract: An autotensioner comprises a support shaft affixed to a base, and a cup of a swing member provided swingably about the support shaft. The cup opens to the base and houses inside it a torsion coil spring for biasing the pulley in the direction tensioning the belt. A damping member braking the swing member is fixed to the base. A ring-shaped spring brings it into close contact with the inner circumferential surface close to the opening of the cup. The damping member frictionally slides with the inner circumferential surface at the time of swing of the swing member and supports the swing member in the radial direction at the base side from the bearing supporting the support shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: UNITTA COMPANY
    Inventors: Kazumasa Ayukawa, Hiromi Matsuura
  • Publication number: 20020010045
    Abstract: A damping mechanism used in a tensioner for tensioning a power transmission belt including a damping plate having a friction surface, at least one ramp surface and first and second contact points for operatively connecting a spring whereby the spring torque applied to damping mechanism in combination with a reactive force at the pivot surface generates a normal force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Alexander Serkh
  • Publication number: 20010046915
    Abstract: A drive belt tensioning method and assembly using a spring loaded, non-active tensioner. The spring is mounted between a base plate, and a tensioner arm, both of which rotate. A belt tensioning pulley is mounted on the tensioner arm, such that the belt tensioning pulley is adjacent to the drive belt. The tension of the spring causes the tensioner arm to rotate which causes the belt tensioning pulley to tension the drive belt. The spring chosen has a predetermined working length at which the drive belt has the desired tension. Because both the base plate and the tensioner arm rotate, the spring may be kept at this predetermined working length for each belt adjustment. This enables the drive belt to maintain the desired tension. An alignment index integral to the assembly may be used to ensure that the spring is at the predetermined working length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Michael H. Green, James G. Amorese
  • Patent number: 6322468
    Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner having a piston slidably fitted in a bore in a housing forming a fluid chamber. The piston is biased in a protruding direction by a spring and fluid. A check valve permits flow of fluid into the fluid chamber and prevents flow of fluid in the reverse direction. A pressure relief valve is provided in the fluid chamber. The pressure relief valve works with a vent disc having two separate vent paths. The pressure relief valve and vent disc provide controlled venting of fluid from the fluid chamber during both conventional operation and during periods of excessive pressure and thus, prevent collapse of the tensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Braman Wing, Roger T. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20010041635
    Abstract: A tensioner comprises shaft members that mate with each other by means of thread portions. A first shaft member is rotatable with respect to a casing and is restrained from moving in its axial direction. A second shaft member, which is restrained from rotating with respect to the casing, is movable in its axial direction. A torsion spring applies torque in a first direction to the first shaft member. A torque switching member, which can switch frictional torque in association with the rotation of the first shaft member, is provided between the first shaft member and the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Ishii, Shigemasa Takahashi, Tanehira Amano, Takao Kobayashi, Kenjiro Kawanabe
  • Publication number: 20010024985
    Abstract: In pressing a slack-side span of a V-ribbed belt, entrained about a crank pulley variable in rotational speed, auxiliary pulleys and an idler pulley, with an auto tensioner, thereby automatically balancing tension of the belt, the damping coefficient DI of the auto tensioner is set in accordance with the modulus of longitudinal elasticity of the belt. For example, when the modulus of longitudinal elasticity of the belt is at least 9800 N/100% rib and less than 29400 N/100% rib, the damping coefficient DI of the auto tensioner is set at at least 20% and less than 100%. In this manner, even if the rate at which the auto tensioner absorbs elongation of the belt is as extremely small as 0.3 to 1.0 mm/deg, a rocking motion of the auto tensioner can be avoided thereby reducing the occurrence of a slip or a frictional sound of the belt and the occurrence of abrasion and frictional sounds of friction members, such as an insert bearing and a thrust washer, of the auto tensioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Kurose
  • Publication number: 20010021679
    Abstract: A belt tension adjusting device is provided which even if the slide bearing is heated to a high temperature by heat of an automotive engine, it is less likely to get worn and the fulcrum shaft will not seize. The belt tension adjusting device has a stationary fulcrum shaft, an arm pivotally supported on the fulcrum shaft through a slide bearing formed of a synthetic resin, a tension pulley mounted on the arm at one end thereof for tensioning a belt, and a damper having a piston rod abutting the arm on the other end thereof. The tension pulley is pressed against the belt by pivoting the arm under the force of the piston rod, thereby adjusting the tension of the belt. The inner peripheral surface of said slide bearing, which is in slide contact with said fulcrum shaft, is formed so as to have a surface roughness RA of not more than 6.3 &mgr;m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Kouya Ohira, Masaki Egami
  • Patent number: 6282873
    Abstract: A belt tension mechanism for tensioning an associated belt drive system on an associated vehicle is provided. The associated belt drive system includes a double stacked pulley, a first belt for providing power from a power mechanism to the double stacked pulley and a second belt for providing power from the double stacked pulley to an associated implement. A first tensioning mechanism is provided for tensioning the first belt and a second tensioning mechanism is provided for tensioning the second belt. A tension arm selectively simultaneously tensions the first and second belts from an inoperative condition to an operative condition or from an operative condition to an inoperative condition. A balancing mechanism is also provided for balancing tension on the first and second belts as the implement is selectively height adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Douglas J. Wilken
  • Publication number: 20010011690
    Abstract: A device for actively steering and tensioning a web as it moves along a predetermined path is described. The web is partially wrapped around a rotatable guide roller. A first end of the guide roller is carried on a tiltable support member. The opposite end is attached to a pivotal bearing. A non-contact sensor is positioned to detect lateral misalignment of the web. A control device responsive to the sensor controls the tilting of the support member thereby to correct for lateral misalignment of the web. Pressure devices exert a predetermined pressure on each end of the guide roller independently of the position of the tiltable support member, to push the guide roller towards the web to generate the desired tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: Louis Luyckx, Jan De Bock
  • Patent number: 6264578
    Abstract: The tensioner comprises a cup fixed to an engine block and a pivot shaft which is fixed to a bolt engagement portion of the cup. The pivot shaft is inserted into a pivot bearing, and an arm is pivotally attached to the pivot shaft. The arm is biased by a torsion coil spring to rotate in a direction tensioning the belt. A sleeve having an axially extending slit is attached to an outer surface of the bolt engagement portion. One end of a coil spring is wound around the pivot bearing, and the other end is wound around the sleeve. The coil spring and the sleeve minutely deform by the rotation of the arm to generate a damping force. A damping force acting upon the arm when tensioning the belt is smaller than the damping force acting upon the arm when the belt is loosened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Unitta Company
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ayukawa
  • Patent number: 6247555
    Abstract: A rotating lubrication applicator is provided for metered lubrication of machine parts including parts of drive mechanisms. The preferred applicator includes an inner hub and an outer lubricating portion. The outer lubricating portion is made out of a solid lubricant containing microporous polymeric matrix material. Tensioning devices including the rotating lubrication applicators are also provided as are methods of using the same. The applicator will provide a metered amount of lubricant to surfaces which come into contact with outer lubricating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: TCI, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond E. Millard
  • Patent number: 6231465
    Abstract: A belt tensioner includes a stationary housing extending along a pivot shaft an lever arm mounted coaxially with the housing on the pivot shaft and formed with a free end which receives a pulley assembly juxtaposed with a belt to be tensioned. The arm is formed with a compartment receiving a damping assembly which slows down displacement of the lever arm and the pulley assembly upon pivoting the lever arm away from the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James G. Quintus
  • Patent number: 6217470
    Abstract: A belt tensioner includes a stationary bracket mounted at the front of an engine and a pivotal arm operatively connected to the bracket and forming a plurality of channels with respective supporting surfaces of the bracket. The channels receive a plurality of bushings so as to increase an overall supporting surface of the belt-tensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James G. Quintus
  • Patent number: 6206797
    Abstract: A belt tensioner includes a stationary spring case receiving a pivotal arm supporting a pulley and biased in a belt-tensioning direction by a spring element. The arm is provided with a surface supporting an armplate bushing having an inner diameter and juxtaposed with an armplate. The armplate has an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the armplate bushing so as, upon radially riveting the armplate to a stationary shaft during assembly of the tensioner, an inner area of the armplate is resiliently bent. The bushing is provided with a taper, so that the respective juxtaposed surfaces of the bushing and armplate extend complimentary to each other upon deflection of the armplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James G. Quintus
  • Patent number: 6196941
    Abstract: An auto tensioner comprises a fixing shaft having an arm supporting portion, an arm supported around the arm supporting portion of the fixing shaft so as to be swingable, for keeping the belt tension constant, a tension pulley supported rotatably at a free end of the arm, a friction pressing plate disposed so as to oppose the arm and blocked from rotating relative to the arm supporting portion, a friction plate disposed between the arm and the friction pressing plate so as to supply the arm with a swing resistance, and a twisting coil spring for pressing the arm against the friction plate so as to make the friction plate in contact with the friction pressing plate, wherein the friction pressing plate has a plurality of concave portions for collecting wearing particles generated because of a friction between the friction plate and friction pressing plate and wearing particles are collected in the concave portions so as to prevent the wearing particles from staying between the friction plate and friction pressi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ohta, Tadasu Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 6189639
    Abstract: A chain roller for supporting a chain when a rear wheel is lowered a given distance or more is mounted to a body frame. The chain roller is elastically deformable. The chain roller includes a hard rubber or hard resin roller having a plurality of axial holes like a lotus root. When a depression load of the chain acts on the roller, the roller is elastically deformed with the axial holes being depressed, thereby relaxing tension of the chain. In a modification, a shock absorber is provided between the body frame and a roller supporting member to relax the tension, or a roller supporting member having elasticity is mounted to the body frame to relax the tension. The absorptivity of displacement and shock can be easily improved with a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Fuse, Kazuhiko Gogo
  • Patent number: 6176071
    Abstract: A tensioning assembly is provided for a primary drive employed in supplying rotary power from a vehicle to at least one sheave associated with a blade on a mower deck which, upon being driven, creates a tight side and a backside in a belt on opposite sides of a sheave. A bracket is pivotably supported on the mower deck and carries rotatably thereon first and second idler pulleys on respective first and second portions of the bracket. The first pulley engages the tight side of the belt, and the second pulley engages the backside of the belt. A resilient member is operatively coupled to the bracket for biasing the first and second pulleys mounted thereon toward a tensioning position wherein each of the first and second pulleys effectively lengthen a path of the belt, thereby tensioning the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Christopher Scott Thorman, Ronald Paul Holland, John Boyd Kuhn
  • Patent number: 6165089
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes a chain operatively engaged with a driver sprocket assembly and a driven sprocket assembly, a tensioner bracket including a roller engaged with the chain, a tensioner rod including a plurality of spaced apart flange portions engageable with a brace and a threaded portion extending through an opening formed in the tensioner bracket and screwably attached to a plate. An operator may unscrew the tensioner rod and pass at least one of the flange portions through a slot in the brace to slacken the chain. The operator may also position at least one flange portion in a narrow end of the slot, and screw the tensioner rod to press that flange against the brace to tighten the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventors: Timothy R. McGreal, Thomas A. Olson, Guntis Ozers, Ryan Schultz
  • Patent number: 6165091
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tensioner for use in an engine. The tensioner comprises a fixed structure that fixes to the engine. A movable structure is mounted for movement relative to the fixed structure in a belt tensioning and opposite directions. A pulley member has a belt engaging surface that engages with the belt. One of the fixed and movable structures has an interior surface defining a fluid chamber containing fluid and the other includes a chamber dividing structure. The chamber dividing structure defines first and second chamber portions on opposing sides thereof. A biasing element biases the movable structure in the tensioning direction to tension the belt. Relative movement of the movable structure in the tensioning direction displaces fluid from the first to the second chamber portion and increases fluid pressure in the first chamber portion and decreases fluid pressure in the second chamber portion, and the reverse occurs during movement of the movable structure in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Flaviu V. Dinca, Daryl D. Musselman, Larry J. Ferriman, Klaus K. Bytzek
  • Patent number: 6146301
    Abstract: A support body used in a tensioning device includes a support element and a bottom plate. The support element is attached to the bottom plate in a radially and axially form-fitting and fixed manner through use of a plastic element that is molded into place by extrusion. The plastic element engages a groove formed in the outer surface of the support element and also engages through holes formed in the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: SKF GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Brandenstein, Wolfgang Friedrich, Roland Haas, Roland Harich, Gerhard Herrmann, Bruno Schemmel, Josef Stork
  • Patent number: 6142898
    Abstract: In a continuously variable speed transmission T in which one of two power transmission paths connecting to a planetary gear mechanism 12 is formed of a belt variable speed mechanism 9, the other power transmission path is formed of a belt power transmission mechanism 6 so as to decrease the number of casings, increase the maintainabilities of the belt speed change mechanism 9 and the power transmission mechanism constituting the other power transmission path and further accelerate the application of the continuously variable speed transmission T to vehicles. Further, both variable speed pulleys 10, 10 and a variable speed belt 11 in the belt variable speed mechanism 9 are positioned above a casing 2 for the planetary gear mechanism 12, and both pulleys 7, 7 and a power transmission belt 8 in the belt power transmission mechanism 6 are positioned below the casing 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Bando Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Miyata
  • Patent number: 6120401
    Abstract: A belt tension mechanism for tensioning an associated belt drive system on an associated vehicle is provided. The associated belt drive system includes a double stacked pulley, a first belt for providing power from a power mechanism to the double stacked pulley and a second belt for providing power from the double stacked pulley to an associated implement. A first tensioning mechanism is provided for tensioning the first belt and a second tensioning mechanism is provided for tensioning the second belt. A tension arm selectively simultaneously tensions the first and second belts from an inoperative condition to an operative condition or from an operative condition to an inoperative condition. A balancing mechanism is also provided for balancing tension on the first and second belts as the implement is selectively height adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Douglas J. Wilken
  • Patent number: 6117034
    Abstract: A floating chain tensioner includes a pair of opposing sprockets with at least one sprocket in slidable relation relative to the other. A pair of elastomer tensioning bands urges the slide-mounted sprocket towards the other sprocket. The floating chain tensioner captures a drive chain between the sprockets to establish tension therein. The tensioning sprockets enjoy some freedom of movement relative to one another while maintaining tension against the drive chain during operation of an associated chain-driven mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Poly Hi Solidur
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Vine
  • Patent number: 6102820
    Abstract: An auto-tensioner that inhibits the generation of heat in an insert bearing made of a synthetic resin. An outer shell of an arm member is swingably supported on an inner shaft of a base member through an insert bearing made of a synthetic resin, and a tension pulley carried at a tip end of the arm member, is brought into pressure contact with an endless belt by biasing the arm member with a spring. By subjecting an inner surface of the outer shell in sliding contact with an outer peripheral surface of the insert bearing, to shot peening prior to assembly, the arithmetically averaged roughness Ra and the maximum height Ry of inner peripheral surface are regulated into ranges of1.times.10.sup.-6 m.ltoreq.Ra.ltoreq.10.times.10.sup.-6 mRy.ltoreq.60.times.10.sup.-6 m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Imaharu, Hajime Nakayama, Hiromichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6090001
    Abstract: An improved belt system for direction sensitive machinery driven by three phase electric motors providing protection against inadvertent reversed rotation, and simplified belt servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Paxton Products Inc.
    Inventor: Gill Cantwell
  • Patent number: 6059679
    Abstract: An auto tensioner comprising a support shaft whose one end is fixed to a target attaching object and which has an arm support portion, an arm whose one end is rotatably supported by the arm support portion of the arm and which has a pulley support portion projecting fowardly and axially beyond the top end of the support shaft, a tension pulley which is rotatably supported by the pulley support portion of the arm and arranged at a position offset from the support shaft and a friction plate arranged between one end of the arm and the arm support portion of the support shaft and adapted to apply a rotary resistance to the arm. Further, the friction plate is provided with a load bearing member in its zone where a load resulting from the offset arrangement of the tension pulley is applied whereby the zone of the friction plate can have a sufficient degree of load-resistant property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Tsutsui, Tadasu Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 6039664
    Abstract: A tensioner for traction elements such as belts and chains comprises a tension lever (2) on which is arranged a tension roller (3) for the traction element. A mounting lug (5) of the tension lever (2) is pivoted by a radial bearing (13) on an axle (6) provided on an engine block (4), while axial stops (8) are arranged on both ends of the mounting lug (5). The tensioner further comprises a tension spring element (1) which acts at one end on the tension lever (2) and at a second end on the engine block. To prevent rattling noises which result from axial displacements of the tension lever (2), the invention provides the arrangement of sealing rings (12) on the two axial ends of the mounting lug (5), which sealing rings (12) seal the radial bearing (13) at its front ends while projecting axially beyond the end surfaces of the mounting lug (5), the axial distance between the axial stops (8) being larger than the axial distance between the end surfaces of the sealing rings (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Ina Walzlarger Schaefler KG
    Inventor: Michael Schmid
  • Patent number: 6033330
    Abstract: A tuned damping element is attached to an idler operating on timing belts of belt drive systems, in order to reduce the noise generated by these systems while simultaneously providing tension to the belts and providing the support and resiliency required for noise abated idler operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Chee-Chiu Joseph Wong, Walter J. Sanborn
  • Patent number: 6004237
    Abstract: A slide idler for a chain drive wherein the idler is provided with easily replaceable and rotatable bushings. The slide idler comprises two elongated members, each elongated member is provided with two inwardly extending polygonal mounting assemblies. Two cylindrical bushings having polygonal apertures corresponding to the polygonal mounting assemblies are mounted to these mounting assemblies and are sandwiched between the elongated members. A split pin is used to hold the slide idler together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: James Irwin Lodico, Jeremy Shane Ostrander, Chad Eric Plattner
  • Patent number: 6001037
    Abstract: The tensioning device comprises a support plate attached to a pivot defining a fixed axis; an intermediate tubular element accommodating the pivot and able to rotate about the fixed axis; a pulley for a belt and supported by the tubular element, surrounding the pivot and able to rotate about an axis of rotation which is not coincident with the fixed axis; and an elastic element interposed between the pivot and the intermediate tubular element so as to urge elastically the intermediate tubular element against the belt. To ensure a high degree of perpendicularity between the pivot and the support plate and, therefore, accurate engagement between the tensioning device and the belt, the support plate and the pivot are integrally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Dayco Europe S.P.A.
    Inventors: Carlo Rocca, Paolo Cascionale
  • Patent number: 5993343
    Abstract: Stretcher for a transmission belt comprising a fixed part suitable for being rigidly connected to a support structure and provided with a pin defining a first axis, a movable part comprising a hub rotating on the pin about the first axis, a pulley carried by the movable part and rotating with respect thereto about a second axis distinct from the first axis and parallel thereto, and a spiral spring interposed between the fixed part and the movable part and suitable for loading in use the movable part in the direction tending to keep the pulley in engagement with the relative belt. The spring has an internal end secured to the pin, and an external end secured to the hub, and is interposed between two bushes which support the hub on the fixed part and are provided with respective flanges cooperating axially with the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Dayco Europe S.p.A.
    Inventors: Carlo Rocca, Marc Theobald, Angelo Mennuti
  • Patent number: 5989139
    Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner having a rack and ratchet system that provides a no-return function, limits maximum piston travel outward from the housing, and retains the piston in place for shipping. The rack and ratchet system includes a ratchet clip with flexible tabs and a plurality of grooves on the outside of a piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Paul Dusinberre, II, Sam A. Kuznets, Roger T. Simpson
  • Patent number: 5967923
    Abstract: A tensioner for belts and chains having a housing (1) in which a cylinder (3) containing a slidably guided piston (4) is arranged which piston (4) is supported radially by a guide bush (5), one end of a compression spring (13) engaging the piston (4), while the other end thereof engaging a cylinder base (6) of the cylinder (3), which cylinder base (6) is axially supported on a housing bottom (9) by a self-adjusting bearing (10) whereby, to improve the correction of alignment errors between the cylinder (3) and the piston (4), a plurality of peripherally adjacent raised portions (10) made of a ductile material are arranged between the housing bottom (9) and the cylinder base (6) and are plastically deformable under loading by the spring-loaded cylinder base (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Werner Petri
  • Patent number: 5967919
    Abstract: A belt tensioner of the Zed type with a pivot-arm, a pulley attached to the pivot-arm for receiving a belt load, a pivot, a base, and a torsion spring operatively connected between the pivot-arm and base and wherein damping of the pivot-arm is primarily provided by a pivot bushing in response to the belt load and a force generated by the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Emile A. M. Bakker