Automatic chain tensioning devices

Claim 1

IN COMBINATION, SPROCKET WHEELS OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE INCLUDING A CAMSHAFT SPROCKET WHEEL, A TIMING CHAIN ROTATABLY CARRIED BY SAID WHEELS AND DRIVING SAID CAMSHAFT SPROCKET WHEEL, A CYLINDER BLOCK, A PIVOT PIN EXTENDING PARALLEL TO THE CAMSHAFT SPROCKET WHEEL AXIS AND DISPOSED ON A STRAP MEMBER DETACHABLY CONNECTED TO SAID CYLINDER BLOCK, AN ELONGATED SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING ONE END PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID PIVOT PIN, A PRESSURE MEMBER ON THE OTHER END OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, SAID TIMING CHAIN HAVING A SLACK PORTION, SAID PRESSURE MEMBER BEING DISPOSED TO CONTACT AND ENGAGE SAID SLACK PORTION OF SAID CHAIN, TENSIONING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID STRAP MEMBER AND ACTING ON SAID PRESSURE MEMBER TO MAINTAIN IT IN CONTACT WITH THE CHAIN AS IT MOVES THEREBY, SAID PIVOT PIN, SAID SUPPORT MEMBER AND SAID TENSIONING MEANS BEING MOUNTED WITH SAID STRAP MEMBER IN A LATERAL RECESS OF SAID CYLINDER BLOCK, THE PIVOT PIN AXIS BEING LOCATED ON SAID CYLINDER BLOCK WITH RESPECT TO SAID SPROCKET WHEELS AND TO THE PRESSURE MEMBER SO A RECTILINEAR PORTION OF SAID SLACK PORTION REMAINS IN CONSTANT INCLINATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID CYLINDER BLOCK AND TO SAID SPROCKET WHEELS, AND SAID RECESS BEING OF A SUFFICIENT DIMENSION TO PERMIT REMOVAL OF THE CHAIN TENSIONING MEANS FROM THE OUTSIDE OF SAID CYLINDER BLOCK THROUGH SAID RECESS.