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US4291416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Chain tensioner
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-03-12
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Granted: 1981-09-22
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Expires: 1999-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A chain tensioner comprises: a plunger yieldably urged and displaceable in one direction to transmit chain tensioning force to a chain, and a wedgable means co-acting with the plunger to block its retraction.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert W. Hoeptner, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:33
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H7/00; F16H7/08; F16H7/10; F16H7/12; F16H7/1254; F16H7/1281; F16H7/129; F02; F02B; F02B67/00; F02B67/04; F02B67/06; F16H2007/0802; F16H2007/0806; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7047; Y10T403/7051; Y10T403/7052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A tensioning device for tensioning a chain, comprising (a) an axially elongated body means having a stem portion with a bore therein, (b) a plunger carried by the body means and movable axially relative thereto in the bore, and a first compression spring in the bore urging the plunger axially in a first direction to exert biasing force operable to tension said chain, (c) the body means having an interior ramp surface facing the plunger, the ramp tapering inwardly in a second direction which extends generally opposite said first direction, (d) wedgable means located between the ramp surface and the plunger, and urging means urging the wedgable means into wedging engagement with the ramp surface and the plunger whereby the plunger may be displaced by the first spring in said one direction but is blocked against displacement in said opposite direction, (e) and a holder defining a socket receiving said stem portion for locating said stem portion so that said plunger is urged in a chain tensioning direction by said first spring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A tensioning device for tensioning a chain, comprising (a) an axially elongated body means having a stem portion with a bore therein, (b) a plunger carried by the body means and movable axially relative thereto in the bore, and a first compression spring in the bore urging the plunger axially in a first direction to exert biasing force operable to tension said chain, (c) the body means having an interior ramp surface facing the plunger, the ramp tapering inwardly in a second direction which extends generally opposite said first direction, (d) wedgable means located between the ramp surface and the plunger, and urging means urging the wedgable means into wedging engagement with the ramp surface and the plunger whereby the plunger may be displaced by the first spring in said one direction but is blocked against displacement in said opposite direction, (e) and a holder defining a socket receiving said stem portion for locating said stem portion so that said plunger is urged in a chain tensioning direction by said first spring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said ramp surface is frusto-conical and coaxial with said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said wedgable means comprise multiple rollers spaced about said axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein said rollers comprise balls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said means yieldably urging the wedgable means comprises a second spring, movable means engaging the wedgable means, and a backer surface on the body means, the second spring compressed between the backer surface and said movable means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein the wedgable means comprise balls, and said part is annular and extends about said plunger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 1 including a means to releasably lock the plunger in a selected retracted axial position, whereby the plunger may be released to extend and exert a biasing force.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 1 including a chain engaging idler operatively connected with the plunger.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 8 including a bell crank having two arms, one arm mounting the idler, and the other arm operatively connected to the plunger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said holder is connected to an engine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 10 wherein the stem portion is removably received in the socket, and the body means defines a shoulder engaging the holder to limit insertion of the stem in the socket.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the body defines a closed end bore, and the plunger is guidedly slidable in said bore.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-09-21 | 1985-03-23 | 1985-09-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-21 | 1989-03-23 | 1989-09-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-21 | 1993-03-23 | 1993-09-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |