US3812733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tensioning device for flexible members
Assignee: Tsubaki Yamakyu Chain Co Ltd
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Filing: 1973-05-04
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Granted: 1974-05-28
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Expires: 1993-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A flexible elongated member such as a power transmission belt or chain which has a tendency to slacken during use can be automatically tensioned by a device comprising a support structure, a sliding member slidable in the support structure, an engaging member secured to the sliding member and adapted to engage the flexible member, resilient means biasing the sliding member in an advancing direction relative to the support structure, a series of indentations formed on one side of the sliding member, and detent means mounted in the support structure to engage one of the indentations. The detent means is capable of selectively taking two positions in one of which the sliding member is prevented from advancing and in the other of which the sliding member is prevented from retracting.
Inventors
- 👤 H Yoshida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:31
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H7/00; F16H7/08; F16H7/0848; F16H2007/0802; F16H2007/0806; F16H2007/0853; F16H2007/0889; F16H2007/0891; F16H7/0829
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A device for tensioning elongated flexible members such as power transmission belts and chains comprising: a support structure, a sliding member supported in said structure and being slidable therein, an engaging member mounted on said sliding member and adapted to engage said a flexible member, resilient means biasing said sliding member in an advancing direction relative to said support structure, means forming a series of indentations in the side surface of said sliding member, detent means mounted in said structure to engage one of said indentations, said detent means being capable of selectively taking a first position wherein the detent means resists the movement of the sliding member in said advancing direction but allows the same to move in a retracting direction opposite to said advancing direction and a second position wherein the detent means resists the movement of the sliding member in said retracting direction but allows the same to move in said advancing direction, and means for holding said detent means in said respective positions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
167 words
A device for tensioning elongated flexible members such as power transmission belts and chains comprising: a support structure, a sliding member supported in said structure and being slidable therein, an engaging member mounted on said sliding member and adapted to engage said a flexible member, resilient means biasing said sliding member in an advancing direction relative to said support structure, means forming a series of indentations in the side surface of said sliding member, detent means mounted in said structure to engage one of said indentations, said detent means being capable of selectively taking a first position wherein the detent means resists the movement of the sliding member in said advancing direction but allows the same to move in a retracting direction opposite to said advancing direction and a second position wherein the detent means resists the movement of the sliding member in said retracting direction but allows the same to move in said advancing direction, and means for holding said detent means in said respective positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A deVice as set forth in claim 1 wherein said detent means is a cylindrical piece which is displaceable toward and away from the indentations and transversely of said directions and has a detent pawl on the end thereof confronting the indentations, said cylindrical piece being turnable around its axis through 180* between said first and second positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said indentations comprises at least one first indentation configured to be engaged by the detent pawl in said first position and cooperating with the detent pawl to prevent the movement of the sliding member in said advancing direction, and a plurality of second indentations each configured to be engaged by the detent pawl in said second position and cooperating with the detent pawl to prevent the movement of the sliding member in said retracting direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first and second indentations are arranged in series with respect to said advancing direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support structure is a solid casing having therein a bore in which said sliding member and said resilient means are disposed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said engaging member is in the form of a shoe adapted to slidingly engage said flexible member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said shoe has means for supplying lubricant therethrough from within the solid casing onto the surface of the shoe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said holding means comprises a spring urging said cylindrical structure and therefore its detent pawl into engagement with said indentations, and means for preventing the rotation of said cylindrical piece in each of said first and second positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said detent means is a pivotally supported substantially triangular member having a pair of detent pawls located respectively on two vertexes thereof, said triangular member being rockable selectively between said first position wherein one of the detent pawl engages one of the indentations and said second position wherein the other detent pawl engages one of the indentations.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein each of said indentations is of an equilateral triangular configuration, and the distance between the pivot axis of said triangular member and the indentations is less than the length between said pivot axis and the free end of each detent pawl.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support structure is a frame having guide slots for slidably accomodating said sliding member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as set forth in claim 11 wherein said engaging member is in the form of a sprocket wheel rotatably supported thereon and being adapted to engage said flexible member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said holding means is a spring urging said triangular member selectively into any of said first and second positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3626776A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-27 | 1977-11-26 | 1978-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-27 | 1981-11-26 | 1982-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-27 | 1985-11-26 | 1986-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |