Abstract: A chain tensioning system includes a pair of tensioners located one on each side of a driving sprocket, such as a crankshaft sprocket, between the driving sprocket and each of two driven sprockets, such as balance shaft sprockets. The dual tensioning system provides a tensioner to absorb torsional vibrations from the driving shaft in each of the two relative rotational directions of the driving shaft.

Abstract: A fixed chain guide for absorbing vibrations during running of a chain is composed of a shoe in sliding contact with the chain and a plate base supporting the shoe. The plate base is secured to a mounting surface by two mounting seats integral with the base plate. The mounting seats are formed by bending them in opposite directions along bend lines, to have the seats in an essentially common plane but extending in opposite directions from the bottom edge of the base plate. The base plate is punched out of sheet stock in such a way that failure will not occur at the respective bend lines of the mounting seat by forming the ends of the bend lines so that there is a shear surface on the outside of the bend and a rupture surface on the inside of the bend. Punching the stock originally produces a shear surface adjacent one surface of the stock at the ends of one of the bend lines and a rupture surface adjacent the other side of the stock.

Abstract: To provide a tensioner lever having a shoe made of resin is molded to prevent distortion of the shoe and increase the precision of shape and reduce the power loss caused by the abrasion of the shoe surface by friction with the chain. A tensioner lever (1) in which a shoe (3) made of resin in sliding contact with a chain is secured to a lever base (2) made of metal having a proximal end (2A) is supported rotatably about a pivotal axis so that an extreme end (2B) can be pivoted, wherein a portion of the shoe (3) having a large wall-thickness is formed with cored-out portions (3F, 3H) whereby when the shoe is molded, the resin for material thereof uniformly flows within a mold, a curing speed of the whole shoe (3) is made uniform, and distortion when molding is prevented to enhance the shape precision of the shoe (3) and the mounting precision to the lever base (2).

Abstract: A free floating tensioning device (10) for a conventional drive system that contains upper and lower stationary guide members (16) and (18) that are located on the outer edges of the upper and lower runs of the drive element (15) and bias the runs inwardly towards each other. The inwardly facing surfaces of the stationary guide member (16) and (18) are configured to form U-shaped channels (20) each with a bottom surface (22) and substantially vertical sidewalls (24). The guide members further includes two contact rollers (30) which are mounted within the U-shaped channels (20) to rollably engage the flexible drive element (15). Upper and lower spring clips (36) and (38) are secured to the outer surfaces of the stationary guide members (16) and (18).

Abstract: A tensioning device for flexible drive elements such as chains or belts comprises a pair of opposing guide blocks and a connecting and tensioning assembly for spacing the guide blocks from each other. The guide blocks are slotted to receive the runs of the drive element. The assembly includes a pair of retainers which are connected together by rods and fasteners. Springs are positioned between each guide block and its respective retainer to bias the blocks toward each other. Each retainer is pivotally attached to its respective guide block to permit oscillating or pivoting movement while the drive element travels through the guide slots. The rods and fasteners permit adjustment of the spacing between the guide blocks to adjust the tension on the drive element.

Abstract: A slide rail includes a slide lining body and a carrier which consist of a wear-resistant and mechanically highly stressable plastic material. The slide rail is held at one location by means of a bolt received by a bush on a housing and is provided with a supporting device at a second spaced location. The supporting device, which eliminates the need for a second bolt and a bush, is formed by a supporting section of the housing and a supported area of the slide rail. The supported area also consists of a wear-resistant plastic material.

Abstract: A chain drive system for use primarily in automotive timing drives, in particular V-type engines and horizontally opposed engines having a separate chain drive for each bank with coaxial crankshaft driving sprockets, wherein the chain meshing for these driving sprockets is staggered from bank-to-bank in order to reduce the chain drive system noise level. This engagement phasing is accomplished by offsetting the taut strand guide of one bank some amount greater than the opposite bank, effectively increasing the chain wrap and thereby compelling a delayed roller-sprocket engagement with respect to the opposite bank. The roller collision during meshing will therefore be phased from bank-to-bank, and the resulting noise levels generated therefrom will be reduced as a result of this phasing.

Abstract: A chain guide for maintaining the tension within roller chains such as used in timing systems for internal combustion engines which directly engages the chain to maintain the proper tension. The chain guide is formed of a polymeric synthetic material reinforced with carbon fiber to prevent contamination of the engine lubricants. The chain guide may be formed as a single one piece synthetic construction, or may consist of a synthetic portion having the wear surface defined thereon and a rigid backing member for support.

Abstract: In a chain drive system, initial calibration or adjustment for take-up or compensation of the manufacturing and assembly tolerances is achieved by an adjustment device that comprises a fixed block (12) and a spring-loaded moveable pad or snubber member (14), which, after initial positioning for take-up of tolerances, is fixed in position on the body. The adjustment device(10) can generally be positioned on the tight portion of the chain and can be an independent device or it can be combined with a traditional hydraulic or mechanical tensioner for taking up slack due to wear.

Abstract: A tensioner for a chain drive (10) having a shoe (12) made of wear-resistant thermoplastic material and one or more flat spring blades (15) with the ends contained in pockets (13a, 14a) provided in the enlarged ends of the shoe. The ends of the flat spring blade or blades (15) are slightly curved with the convexity turned toward the same side on which the spring presents a concavity, to prevent these ends, as they wear, from creating a groove in the surface of the plastic material of the shoe pocket and blocking the free flow of the ends of the spring in the pockets.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner is designed for low cost and ease of manufacturing. A piston housing has a bore and a bore cup member received within the bore. A piston is slidably received within the bore cup member, forming a high pressure fluid chamber with the bore cup member. The piston housing can be constructed of inexpensive materials such as aluminum or plastic. The piston and bore cup member are constructed of drawn metal. A single channel connects the pressure chamber to an external source of fluid, and a single valve system regulates the flow of fluid into the pressure chamber. The inexpensive materials and simple design provide for a low cost hydraulic tensioner.

Abstract: A tensioning device for the chain (3) of an internal combustion engine, for example of a control gear, comprises a guide rail (8), a pivoted tension lever (15) and a tension element (13) which exerts a tensioning force on the sliding block (18) through a compression spring (14). According to the invention, two sliding blocks (17, 18) acting in different directions on the chain (3) are arranged on the tension lever (15) which has a fixed axis of pivot (16). The device of the invention can thus be used in a very small mounting space and is able to compensate large chain elongations.

Abstract: For enhanced durability, a traveling guide shoe for a roller chain has a cross-sectional shape with a base slide guide surface 12 which engages only the bottoms of the side link plates of the chain on a chain-incoming-end, a projecting rolling guide surface 13 which engages only the rollers of the chain at an intermediate portion of the shoe. The base surface 12 and the projecting surface 13 are connected with each other through a continuous transfer surface 13.

Abstract: In a mechanical chain tensioner (K) which comprises a molded part having fastening openings and abutments, as a basic body (G) on which a tension bracket (B) can be mounted on the abutments, the basic body (G) is an integral molded part of filled or reinforced, injection-moldable plastic.

Abstract: A chain tensioner (19) having a housing (23) and a plunger (29), in which the housing includes a mounting surface (39) to be in face-to-face relationship with a wall surface (35) of the engine block (E). The tensioner includes a retainer member (43;81) having a retaining portion (55;85) and a wall-engaging portion (41;87). Before assembly, the retaining portion (55;85) engages a shoulder (65) on the plunger (29) to keep it within its bore (25) When the housing (23) of the tensioner is bolted to the engine block (E), the wall-engaging portion (41;87) engages the wall surface (35), and tightening of the bolts gradually moves the retaining portion (55;85) to a position in which it no longer engages the plunger (29), thus permitting the plunger to move outward of its bore.

Abstract: A bicycle sprocket set is composed of a small sprocket and a large sprocket coaxial with the small sprocket. The large sprocket is provided with an axially oriented recess in the bottom portion located between the first tooth and the second tooth of the large sprocket. The recess has a support curved face extending from the second tooth. The large sprocket is further provided with a support protrusion located under the support curved face such that the support protrusion is separated from the support curved face by a distance corresponding to about one tooth pitch. The support curved face and the support protrusion serve to support the inner and the outer chain plates of a drive chain at such time when the gearshifting takes place.

Abstract: A tensioner device for a power transmission chain, which has a small number of components and hence is able to reduce the cost of manufacture and assembly, can be mounted or installed easily, and requires only a small space for installation thereof. The tensioner device consists of a tensioner lever (4) pivoted at one end thereof on a support shaft (3) disposed on a fixed member (2) and carries, on a surface thereof facing a chain (7), a shoe (8) slidably engageable with the chain (7). The opposite end of the tensioner lever (4) has formed therein a plunger receiving hole (9) having an opening (9A) facing in a direction opposite to the surface to which the shoe (8) is attached. A plunger (10) is slidably received in the plunger receiving hole (9) and is held in abutment with a stopper (17) disposed on the fixed member (2).

Abstract: The tensioner arms or guides of the present invention are constructed of two or more laminations with a plastic guide portion. These laminations replace the typical die cast aluminum or injection molded plastic bracket.

Abstract: A chain guide system having one or more guide posts placed along the chain path. The guide posts are constructed of a bolt and a bushing and may also have an elastomeric isolator, coil spring, or rigid insert. The guide posts eliminate the need for longer, more expensive chain guides.

Abstract: A linear support system for translating rotary motion into linear motion that reduces backlash and stretch in a belt driven by a drive motor by providing at least two pressure pads on either side of a drive carriage. The toothed belt is press-fitted onto a toothed rack by the pressure pads. The rack is machined to match the grooves and teeth of the belt. A tensioning roller within the drive carriage is used to tension the belt. The multiple teeth of the belt are tensioned against the multiple teeth of the rack as the belt passes between the pressure pad and the rack resulting in even tensile load distribution thereby reducing belt stress and strain. The section of the belt under tension is confined to the area between two pressure pads. In robotics applications the linear drive system is provided with support members to perform payload displacement functions.

Abstract: In a tension or guide rail (S) for a chain drive, especially in an internal combustion engine, with the rail comprising a carrier (T) formed from filled or reinforced plastics for carrying a slideway lining body (B) of plastics which is connected to the carrier in form-fit and friction-locked fashion, the carrier (T) and the slideway lining body (B) are separately prefabricated constructional units, and the prefabricated slideway lining body (B) is subsequently connected mechanically to the prefabricated carrier (T) by means of form-fit and friction-locking elements.

Abstract: A guide rail for power transmission chains consists of a plastic material and is formed by a carrier and a slideway lining body. The slideway lining body is manufactured by an extrusion molding process. The carrier and the slideway lining body having complementary profiles allowing the slide portion to be inserted and locked onto the carrier portion without additional locking mechanisms.

Abstract: The chain guide of the present invention, which will be utilized on the tight side of the chain of an engine system, is designed to reduce the lateral motion of the chain. The chain guide is constructed with raised side rails that taper inward to the center. The slot which guides and controls the chain gradually narrows towards the center.

Abstract: For use in determination of chain transmitted power, the combination comprising a tensioned chain having a succession of chain links with undulating edges; an idler supported to be driven in rotation by the chain, and having an undulating perimeter surface having a sine wave configuration and whose width dimension exceeds the width dimension between outermost chain surfaces; and certain of the chain undulating edges engaging portions of the idler undulating perimeter surfaces, whereby the chain changes direction as it travels lengthwise relative to the idler and rotatably drives the idler.

Abstract: A transmitting device for an automobile electric window consists of a housing, a motor, a worm gear, a cap, an elastic shaft connector, a lower chain protector, and an upper chain protector combined together. The motor has a worm on its shaft to rotate the worm gear placed in the housing, and the worm gear is connected with the elastic shaft connector connected with a leaf shaft of the lower chain protector. An endless chain extends around the leaf shaft and a gear in the upper chain protector, which is rotated by the chain through the motor, the worm gear, the elastic shaft connector, the leaf shafts so as to lower and lift an electric window of an automobile.

Abstract: A tensioner arm and a chain guide are constructed with an oil-escape portion, which is designed to allow for the drainage of oil that collects on the back side of the tensioner arm or chain guide. The oil escape portion is comprised of a through-hole on the back side of the tensioner arm or chain guide or through-holes in the side walls located on the back side of the tensioner arm or chain guide.

Abstract: A chain tensioning device includes a pair of levers interconnected and fixed at one end to a rotatably supported base and extending along the chain to be tensioned and a tensioner connected to the other end of one of the pair of levers. One of the levers is disposed on the end side of the chain to be tensioned as viewed from the rotatably supported base and has a convexly curved surface touching internally the chain, and a shoe attached to the convexly curved surface. The other of the levers is disposed on the departure side of the chain as viewed from the base and has a convexly curved surface touching externally the chain, and a shoe attached to the convexly curved surface. A projection on a side of the one of the levers opposite to the shoe for receiving a thrusting force from the tensioner 20 and applying such thrusting force to the interconnected levers.

Abstract: A single component tensioner arm or chain guide for a power transmission chain formed by injection molding which integrally forms both a carrier portion and a slide portion. The one piece tensioner arm is constructed of a polymer material containing graphite or aramid fibers to increase structural rigidity.

Abstract: A motorcycle roller chain guide including a mounting block. A pair of side plates are securable to the mounting block. A pair of rollers each are positioned between the pair of side plates. The pair of rollers serve to engage a motorcycle to aid in powering a rear wheel of the motorcycle.

Abstract: An improved chain tensioner device having a small outside shape or profile and a relatively small number of components which can be assembled with a small number of steps. A tensioner body 2 slidably mounts a plunger 4 which carries a shoe 7 for engaging the chain. The shoe 7 has an extension strip 12 formed integrally therewith and extending over a guide surface 11 on the body 2 for preventing the shoe 7 from rotating about the axis of the plunger 4. A pin locking hole 13 is formed in the guide surface 11 and the extension strip 12 has a pin receiving through-hole 14 formed at a position which can be aligned with the pin locking hole 13. A stopper pin 15 is fitted through the pin receiving through-hole 14 into the pin locking hole 13, thereby locking the shoe 7 in position against movement relative to the tensioner body 2 during installation.

Abstract: A chain guide mounting assembly for reducing chain related noise in a chain driven overhead cam internal combustion engine. The assembly includes vibration isolation means for mounting the chain guide to the engine. Resilient members, fitted within the chain guide, provide the vibration isolation, which, in turn, reduces undesirable chain noise. To prevent undue lateral movement of the chain guide member as a result of the chain force exerted thereon, a rigid sleeve in interference engagement is fitted within bores of the resilient members. As a result, a preload is provided on the resilient members so as to reduce the amount of undesirable lateral movement.

Abstract: In a device for tensioning a chain of an internal combustion engine, especially an oil-pump chain, with a tensioning arm preloaded by a spring device and supported in a point of support, the tensioning arm is supported at one of the support points of a chain guide. The chain guide guides a further chain, particularly the timing chain of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A swing arm is pivoted to the pedal housing of the bicycle frame and extends rearwardly from the seat post. The rear bicycle wheel is carried by the rear end of the swing arm. A follower is guided and is moveable along the seat post for up and down movement. A brace arm interconnects the swing arm rear end and the follower and an elastic tension cord biases the follower towards the pedal housing. The bicycle has also a front suspension. The front wheel carrying fork of the bicycle is telescopic and upward movement of the front wheel causes elongation of an elastic tension cord. A stabilizer system is also provided whereby upward movement of the front wheel causes upward movement of the rear wheel and vice and versa. Finally, a damper prevents any up-and-down oscillation of the bicycle frame.

Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly includes a small sprocket wheel, and a large sprocket wheel coaxial with the small sprocket wheel and provided with several guide units each of which includes a notch formed in the large sprocket wheel, and a chain guiding piece that is secured to the inner side surface of the large sprocket wheel and that is adjacent to the notch. The notches are respectively formed in some spaced-apart sprocket teeth of the large sprocket wheel. Each of the notches is formed by an outer guiding surface which extends from a tooth tip to the corresponding tooth valley and which makes a junction with the inner guiding surface of the corresponding piece, so as to slide the chain between the inner and outer guiding surfaces. The pieces are inclined with respect to axial and radial directions of the sprocket assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a blade-type chain tensioner having two shoes and a blade spring, with one shoe adapted to impart tension to a chain and overlapping the other shoe which is connected to the blade spring. The present invention includes a method for assembling a dual blade chain tensioner comprising the steps of providing a blade spring and two shoes, positioning the blade spring into slots in each shoe and then rotating one shoe over the other shoe and towards the blade spring. A temporary locking pin may be attached to hold the assembly together.

Abstract: A bicycle chain guide is secured to the front hub portion of an otherwise conventional bicycle having a multiple speed chain drive and plural front sprocket coupled to a pedal crank. The bicycle chain guide is pivotally secured beneath the front hub and defines a plurality of staggered step portions corresponding generally to the outer diameters of the plural front sprockets. Sufficient clearance is provided between the step portions and the front sprockets to avoid rubbing against the chain engaged with one of the front sprockets. In the event a chain whipping motion or wave is imparted to the bicycle chain, the minimal clearance between the step portions of the chain guide and the underlying chain captivate the chain against the engaged sprocket and prevent separation thereof. During chain transfer between sprockets, the lateral motion of the chain displaces the pivotally secured guide temporarily afterwhich a return spring restores the chain guide to the proper position.

Abstract: A front or rear derailleur for a bicycle comprising a base, an actuating assembly and a generally U-shaped chain guide. The base is a cylindrically shaped portion of flexible material that attaches the derailleur to a host frame member of a bicycle. The actuating assembly includes an actuating arm, two actuating links, a lip, a spring and adjusting screws. The actuating assembly responds to tension from an attached shifting cable, which in turn varies the compression on the spring, forcing a first actuating link to move outwardly from, or inwardly toward, the base. The chain guide, which is integral with the actuating link, moves concomitantly with the first actuating link. The second actuating link is formed between the base and the chain guide, and maintains the chain guide in a position parallel to the host frame member of the bicycle.

Abstract: A cordelle action relief apparatus or device for use in sucker rod pumps in a petroleum or water well. The device is incorporated in a chain driven pump to prevent the chain from forming a bow or archlike configuration as the chain rolls off of the sprocket and down into the well. When the chain is allowed to form this bow or arch it could damage the well and well casing. The device includes a first rod on the side of the chain and a second rod on the second side of the chain that will allow the rollers of the chain to roll on the rod and further prevent the chain from bowing or arching and will further allow the rollers on the chain to roll on the rods which will further prevent damage to the well casing, the well, and the chain.

Abstract: A feeder assembly for a combine including a conveyor having a plurality of laterally spaced driving chains entrained about and supported by a pair of for-and-aft spaced lateral supports. An elastomeric assembly is removably fitted about and is adapted for rotation with one of the supports to define a replaceable wear surface for the support while attenuating noise generated by the feeder assembly during operation thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a chain in which expansion and contraction of the chain due to an angular position of a sprocket is eliminated, the tensile stress imposed to the chain is reduced so that the chain travels smoothly. A guide cam is provided, which has a guide groove, one end of which is opened at a predetermined peripheral position of a sprocket where the rollers of the chain are released from the sprocket. The cam guides the rollers of the chain so that a winding angle of the chain around the sprocket is kept at a constant value and a constant traveling orbit is maintained irrespective to the angular direction of the sprocket.

Abstract: A chain guide for automobile camshaft drive chains and the like comprises a lever arm having a mounting hole for receiving a pivot shaft, and a synthetic resin chain-engaging shoe having a pair of tongues, which embrace the arm on both sides, and which have holes aligned with the mounting hole of the arm, so that the shoe cannot disengage the arm when the shoe and arm are mounted on the pivot shaft. The tongues have convex portions which engage concave contoured steps on the sides of the arm with a snap fit, so that the shoe is held in proper relationship to the arm before mounting on the pivot shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle front derailleur comprising: a movable member including an inner and outer guide plates opposed to each other to define a guide space through which a chain runs; the movable member being moved laterally of a bicycle for shifting the chain. For a purpose of preventing the chain from being caught or damaged by a chain entering edge of the movable member, a following techincal measure is employed: The movable member is provided with catch preventive measure for preventing the chain from being caught by the cain entering edge of the movable member when the chain enters the guide space between the inner and outer guide plates.

Abstract: To reduce the polygonal effect, the chain-turning system described in the present disclosure has at least one transition curve (UK11, UK12) that joins up with the circular turning arc (B.11) and the radius of curvature of the transition curve varies continually. This transition curve may join up with a straight portion of the chain's track (G.11, G.12) or with another turning arc. The transition curve may, for example, be a portion of a clothoid, whose radius of curvature at its junction (A.11, A.12) with the turning arc (B.11) is the same as the turning radius and at its junction (C.11, C.12) with the straight portion of the chain's track (G.11, G.12) is infinitely large.

Abstract: A chain tensioner apparatus which has a blade spring received laterally into a slot in the side of an elongated plastic shoe. A shoe mounting bracket carries the shoe and includes a side wall which overlies the slot to retain the blade spring in position. One end of the shoe is pivotally connected to the bracket, and the opposite end is retained in position and permitted to shift relative to the pivoted end by a retaining tab spaced outwardly of the side wall of the bracket.

Abstract: A blade-type chain tensioner constructed from a plastic shoe and a blade spring. The shoe is slightly arcuate and has a pocket along its concave side. At each end of the pocket is a cavity. The blade spring is substantially more arcuate than the shoe and is rectangular. The blade spring is further dimensioned to allow each end of the blade spring to be mounted in the pocket having an end in each cavity at the end of a shoe. Through this configuration the blade spring is mechanically interlocked with the shoe without the use of fasteners or cutouts. The blade spring places a load on the shoe and causing the shoe to creep at an elevated temperature and thereby provide tension to a chain.

Abstract: A bicycle front derailleur has a guide assembly for shifting a chain among a plurality of sprockets of different sizes. The guide assembly comprises an outer guide plate, an inner guide plate extending substantially parallel to the outer guide plate, and bridge members interconnecting the outer and inner guide plates in a spaced relationship. The inner guide plate includes an upper plate portion, and a lower plate portion extending from the upper plate portion. The lower plate portion includes a first plate portion and a second plate portion, the second plate portion being elastically deformable relative to the first plate portion axially of the sprockets.

Abstract: A unit tensioner for a chain or belt comprising a tensioning unit mounted on a base plate and an arched, sliding shoe pivotally mounted on a pin fixed to the base plate so that a cap portion of a tension rod, extending from the tensioning unit, abuts the inner arch surface of the shoe to pivot the shoe so that the chain or belt slides against the outer arched surface of the shoe to tighten the chain or belt and to prevent wear of the cap portion or wear of the mating chain or belt.

Abstract: A flexible tape drive system of the type having a flexible yet relatively longitudinally rigid perforated drive tape which is reciprocated by a toothed cog drive arrangement to provide both push and pull driving power. The drive system includes a substantially circular cog wheel having an outer base surface of a predetermined diameter and a plurality of radially extending cog teeth spaced about the periphery of the outer base surface. A cog wheel surround includes an outer guide track having an inner cog race with an inner surface of a diameter slightly larger than the base diameter of the cog and spaced substantially parallel therewith. A pair of oppositely disposed peeler tips are situated adjacent the top of the cog wheel surround between the outer guide track and the cog wheel, each including a peeler edge which has an arcuate inner face extending from the edge at a non-parallel orientation relatively to the base surface of the cog.

Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit for pressure fluids includes a housing bounded by a head piece at each end thereof; a cylinder disposed within the housing; a piston reciprocatingly movable within the cylinder; a pulley having a circumferential outer surface is mounted for rotation about an axis within each of the head pieces; a pull belt is secured to the piston and looped around the outer surface of the pulleys; a power pick-up is attached to the pull belt; a braking device for the pull belt is disposed within the head piece and juxtaposed with at least one of the pulleys and has a shape which is complementary to at least a portion of the circumferential surface of the pulley; and a feed conduit connected to the head piece for feeding the pressure fluid to the braking device.

Abstract: A multi-stage sprocket assembly for a bicycle has a small sprocket, a large sprocket disposed coaxially with the small sprocket and a shift assist projection provided to the large sprocket for assisting a shifting movement of a chain from the small sprocket to the large sprocket. The assembly includes a guide face for guiding an outer side face of link plate of the chain. The guide face is formed in a side face of a second tooth of the large sprocket facing the small sprocket, the second tooth being forwardly adjacent, relative to a moving direction of the chain, a first tooth of the large sprocket which comes into engagement with a leading portion of the shifting chain.