Straightening equipment

Claim 1

Tensioning apparatus for applying tension to an object, said apparatus comprising: a post; means for movably supporting said post in an upright position; means for vertically displaceably mounting a rotatable guide member on the top of said post; a first rotatable guide member rotatably mounted in said rotatable guide member mounting means; rotatable guide member support means extending transversely of said post; second and third rotatable guide members rotatably mounted in said rotatable guide member support means at opposite sides of said post; means for supporting said rotatable guide member support means at any one of a plurality of different positions spaced apart along said post; a plurality of sleeve members extending around said post and disposed in end-to-end relationship along said post, said sleeve members being slidable along said post; means for supporting said rotatable guide member mounting means on the uppermost one of said sleeve member; abutment means projecting laterally from the lowermost one of said sleeve members at opposite sides of said posts for transmitting vertically upwardly directed force to said sleeve members; a pair of hydrauilc jacks disposed at opposite sides of said post between said abutment means and said rotatable guide member support means, said hydraulic jacks being extensible to apply said vertically upwardly directed force to said sleeve members and thereby raise said first rotatable guide member; a chain extending over said first rotatable guide members and beneath said second and third rotatable guide member; means for securing said chain at one side of said post to the object; means for anchoring said chain at the opposite side of said post; and means for locking said chain against movement at said opposite side of said post towards one of said second and third rotatable guide members, whereby said chain can be tensioned by the extension of said hydraulic jacks.