US3978737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chain tensioning device
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1975-08-27
•
Granted: 1976-09-07
•
Expires: 1995-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A chain tensioning device is provided wherein a spring biased sprocket engages a chain to exert tension thereon. The device includes a mechanism to allow a service person to relieve the tension exerted on the chain by the tensioning device and to inactivate the spring biasing force while leaving both hands free to repair or replace the chain. The construction of the mechanism allows a simple manipulation to activate the spring biasing force to exert tension on the chain after the chain has been repaired or replaced.
Inventors
- 👤 Ward E. Bailey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:42
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H7/00; F16H7/08; F16H7/10; F16H7/12; F16H7/1254; F16H7/1263; F16H7/1272; F16H7/0848; F16H2007/0853
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
A tensioner for an endless member comprising: a support, a shaft mounted for slidable movement in an axial direction on said support, a tension wheel carried by said shaft for rotation about an axis transverse to the shaft axis, means for urging said shaft in an endless member tensioning direction, a detent member slidably mounted on said support for reciprocal movement in a direction transverse to the axis of said shaft, an opening in said detent member through which said shaft extends, first detent means on an axially extending portion of said shaft, second detent means on the opposite side of said shaft, third and fourth detent means on said detent member, said first and third detent means being so constructed and arranged to engage each other and allow movement of said shaft in said tensioning direction and prevent movement thereof in the opposite direction when said detent member is in an endless member tensioning position, said second detent means being axially spaced from said fourth detent means when said detent member is in said endless member tensioning position, said second and fourth detent means being so constructed and arranged to engage each other to prevent movement of said shaft in said endless member tensioning direction when said detent member is out of said endless member tensioning position and in an endless member loosening position, and means for moving said detent member into either said endless member tensioning position or said endless member loosening position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
245 words
A tensioner for an endless member comprising: a support, a shaft mounted for slidable movement in an axial direction on said support, a tension wheel carried by said shaft for rotation about an axis transverse to the shaft axis, means for urging said shaft in an endless member tensioning direction, a detent member slidably mounted on said support for reciprocal movement in a direction transverse to the axis of said shaft, an opening in said detent member through which said shaft extends, first detent means on an axially extending portion of said shaft, second detent means on the opposite side of said shaft, third and fourth detent means on said detent member, said first and third detent means being so constructed and arranged to engage each other and allow movement of said shaft in said tensioning direction and prevent movement thereof in the opposite direction when said detent member is in an endless member tensioning position, said second detent means being axially spaced from said fourth detent means when said detent member is in said endless member tensioning position, said second and fourth detent means being so constructed and arranged to engage each other to prevent movement of said shaft in said endless member tensioning direction when said detent member is out of said endless member tensioning position and in an endless member loosening position, and means for moving said detent member into either said endless member tensioning position or said endless member loosening position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure as recited in claim 1 wherein said first detent means is serrated teeth, said second detent means is a notch and each of said third and fourth detent means is a tooth which is complementary to said serrated teeth and said notch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure as recited in claim 1 wherein said endless member is a chain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure as recited in claim 3 wherein said third and fourth detent means are opposite edges of said detent member opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
326 words
A tensioner for an endless member comprising: a support, a shaft mounted for slidable movement in an axial direction on said support, a tension wheel carried by said shaft for rotation about an axis transverse to the shaft axis, means for urging said shaft in an endless member tensioning direction, a detent member slidably mounted on said support for reciprocal movement in a direction transverse to the axis of said shaft, an opening in said detent member through which said shaft extends, first detent means on an axially extending portion of said shaft, second detent means on the opposite side of said shaft, third and fourth detent means on said detent member, said first and third detent means being so constructed and arranged to engage each other and allow movement of said shaft in said tensioning direction and prevent movement thereof in the opposite direction when said detent member is in an endless member tensioning position, said second detent means being axially spaced from said fourth detent means when said detent member is in said endless member tensioning position and being so constructed and arranged to engage said shaft to allow movement thereof in opposite axial directions when said detent member is out of said endless member tensioning position and in an intermediate endless member loosening position, said second and fourth detent means being constructed and arranged to engage each other to prevent movement of said shaft in said endless member tensioning direction when said detent member is out of said endless member tensioning position and in a final endless member loosening position, means for moving said detent member into either said endless member tensioning position or endless member intermediate loosening position, and means for urging said detent member into said final endless member loosening position when said detent member is in said intermediate endless member tensioning position whereby said second detent means engages said fourth detent means when said fourth detent means becomes aligned therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
326 words
A tensioner for an endless member comprising: a support, a shaft mounted for slidable movement in an axial direction on said support, a tension wheel carried by said shaft for rotation about an axis transverse to the shaft axis, means for urging said shaft in an endless member tensioning direction, a detent member slidably mounted on said support for reciprocal movement in a direction transverse to the axis of said shaft, an opening in said detent member through which said shaft extends, first detent means on an axially extending portion of said shaft, second detent means on the opposite side of said shaft, third and fourth detent means on said detent member, said first and third detent means being so constructed and arranged to engage each other and allow movement of said shaft in said tensioning direction and prevent movement thereof in the opposite direction when said detent member is in an endless member tensioning position, said second detent means being axially spaced from said fourth detent means when said detent member is in said endless member tensioning position and being so constructed and arranged to engage said shaft to allow movement thereof in opposite axial directions when said detent member is out of said endless member tensioning position and in an intermediate endless member loosening position, said second and fourth detent means being constructed and arranged to engage each other to prevent movement of said shaft in said endless member tensioning direction when said detent member is out of said endless member tensioning position and in a final endless member loosening position, means for moving said detent member into either said endless member tensioning position or endless member intermediate loosening position, and means for urging said detent member into said final endless member loosening position when said detent member is in said intermediate endless member tensioning position whereby said second detent means engages said fourth detent means when said fourth detent means becomes aligned therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure as recited in claim 5 wherein said first detent means is serrated teeth, said second detent means is a notch and each of said third and fourth detent means is a tooth which is complementary to said serrated teeth and said notch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure as recited in claim 6 wherein said endless member is a chain.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure as recited in claim 7 wherein said third and fourth detent means are opposite edges of said detent member opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
the structure as recited in claim 5 wherein said means for moving said detent member into said endless member tensioning position and said endless member intermediate loosening position is a lever operatively connected to said detent member, and said means urging said detent member into said final endless member loosening position from said endless member intermediate loosening position being a resilient member operatively connected to said detent member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
the structure as recited in claim 7 wherein said means for moving said detent member into said endless member tensioning position and said endless member intermediate loosening position is a lever operatively connected to said detent member, and said means urging said detent member into said final endless member loosening position from said endless member intermediate loosening position being a resilient member operatively connected to said detent member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-07 | 1980-03-08 | 1980-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-07 | 1984-03-08 | 1984-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-07 | 1988-03-08 | 1988-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |