Tension control device

Claim 2

In a drive system subject to cyclic forces wherein an endless chain is supported in a first plane between at least two spaced apart sprockets, an improved tension control device for said endless chain fixed to a plate-like support having a substantially flat surface in a second plane adjacent to and substantially parallel to said first plane, said control device comprising: a mounting plate pivotally fixed at a first location to the support by a pivot pin, and adjustably fixed thereto by adjustable holding means at a second location spaced from said first location; arm means having a first end and a second end, said first end pivotally fixed at said first location by said pivot pin for pivotal movement relative to said support and said mounting plate; a sprocket fixed to said second end of said arm means and rotatably supported thereby in said first plane for engagement with the endless chain; and adjustment means fixed between said arm means and said mounting plate for controlling the relative movement therebetween about said pivot pin, said adjustment means including a first bracket fixed to said mounting plate and including a first plate-like portion extending in a direction substantially perpendicularly to said second plane, a second bracket fixed to said arm means and including a second plate-like portion substantially vertically aligned and parallel with said first plate-like portion of said first bracket, a biasing means positioned between said plate-like portions of said first and second brackets urging them away from each other, and adjustable limit means operable to control the maximum separation between said plate-like portions of said first and second brackets.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1, wherein: said biasing means is a coiled compression spring; each of said first and second plate-like portions has a hole therethrough, said holes being in substantial vertical alignment; and said adjustable limit means comprises an elongate bolt having a cap on one end and a threaded portion on the other end, said bolt extending through said holes and said compression spring and fixed on said other end by a nut.

Claim 4

The device of claim 2, wherein: said first bracket includes upright means directed toward said second bracket and positioned to contact same when the relative spacing between said first and second brackets reaches a pre-selected minimum.

Claim 5

The device of claim 3, wherein: said second bracket includes a depending means directed towards said upright means of first bracket and positioned to contact same when the relative spacing between said first and second brackets reaches a pre-selected minimum.

Claim 6

The device of claim 4, wherein said arm means comprises: first and second arm spaced apart and fixed to opposite lateral sides of said sprocket and said second bracket.

Claim 7

The device of claim 5, wherein said adjustable holding means comprises: a third bracket fixed to said support; a threaded rod having a first end and a second end; said first end of said rod adjustably fixed to said third bracket; and said second end of said rod adjustably fixed to said mounting plate.

Claim 8

The device of claim 6, wherein said support has a first elongate slot therethrough; said third bracket is on the side of said support opposite said mounting; said rod is substantially axially aligned with said first elongate slot; said mounting plate has a second elongate slot therein partially overlapping said first slot; and said rod is fixed to said mounting plate by a bolt extending through said first and second slots.

Claim 9

In a baler adapted to move across a field, pick up crop materials, form these materials into a self-contained bale and discharge them, said baler including an elongate bale case having a bale forming chamber, a transverse feeder mechanism, a rotary power transfer mechanism, an endless chain coupling between sprockets on said power transfer mechanism and said feeder mechanisms, an improved tension control device for said endless chain comprising: a mounting plate pivotally fixed at a first location to the baler by a pivot pin, and adjustably fixed thereto by adjustable holding means at a second location spaced from said first location; arm means having a first end and a second end, said first end pivotally fixed at said first location by said pivot pin for pivotal movement relative to said baler and said mounting plate; a sprocket fixed to said second end of said arm means and rotatably supported thereby for engagement with the endless chain; and adjustment means fixed between said arm means and said mounting plate for controlling the relative movement therebetween about said pivot pin, said adjustment means including a first bracket fixed to said mounting plate and including a first plate-like portion extending in a direction substantially perpendicularly to said mounting plate, a second bracket fixed to said arm means and including a second plate-like portion substantially vertically aligned and parallel with said first plate-like portion of said first bracket, a biasing means positioned between said plate-like portions of said first and second brackets urging them away from each other, and adjustable limit means operable to control the maximum separation between said plate-like portions of said first and second brackets.

Claim 10

In a baler adapted to move across a field, pick up crop materials, form these materials into a self-contained bale and discharge them, said baler including an elongate bale case having a bale forming chamber, a transverse feeder mechanism, a rotary power transfer mechanism, an endless chain coupling between sprockets on said power transfer mechanism and said feeder mechanisms, an improved tension control device for said endless chain comprising: a mounting plate pivotally fixed at a first location to the baler by a pivot pin, and adjustably fixed thereto by adjustable holding means at a second location spaced from said first location; arm means having a first end and a second end, said first end pivotally fixed at said first location by said pivot pin for pivotal movement relative to said baler and said mounting plate; a sprocket fixed to said second end of said arm means and rotatably supported thereby for engagement with the endless chain; and adjustment means fixed between said arm means and said mounting plate for controlling the relative movement therebetween about said pivot pin, said adjustment means including a first bracket fixed to said mounting plate and including a first plate-like portion extending in a direction substantially perpendicularly to said mounting plate, a second bracket fixed to said arm means and including a second plate-like portion substantially vertically aligned and parallel with said first plate-like portion of said first bracket, a biasing means positioned between said plate-like portions of said first and second brackets urging them away from each other, and adjustable limit means operable to control the maximum separation between said plate-like portions of said first and second brackets.