# US 11,898,636 B2 · Fixed belt tensioner

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,898,636 B2
- Document ID: US11898636B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/846,662
- Filed: 2022-06-22
- Published: 2022-12-29
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2021-06-24
- Assignees: The Gates Corporation
- Applicants: Gates Corporation
- Inventors: Andrzej Dec; Min Chun Hao; David P. Rieland
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11898636B2

## CPC

- F16H 7/20: Mountings for rollers or pulleys
- F16H: GEARING

## Abstract

Fixed belt tensioners for a belt system, such as for an exercise bicycle or other belted exercise equipment. The tensioners have the pulley-bearing assembly fixedly attached to the tensioning arm, which is attached to the equipment frame or to a bracket via the same aperture that forms the axis by which the pulley-bearing assembly is attached to the tensioning arm. The arm includes a protrusion or other feature that provides a pivot point for use during the belt installation process. The tensioning arm also incorporates a tensioning adjustment, such as a hex or square hole or protrusion for engagement with a torque wrench or a simple wrench.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fixed belt tensioner comprising a tensioning arm defining an axis, the tensioning arm having a distal end and a proximal end along the axis, a pulley-bearing assembly mounted to the tensioning arm centered on the axis proximate the distal end, a tensioning mechanism on the tensioning arm configured to apply torque to the tensioner, and a passage into the tensioning arm aligned with the axis proximate the proximal end, the passage for receiving a fastener to attach the tensioner to a bracket.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tensioner of claim 1, wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises an aperture for receiving a torquing tool.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The tensioner of claim 1, the tensioning arm further comprising a protrusion at the proximal end configured to be received in a receiving feature of the bracket and provide a pivot point.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The tensioner of claim 1, wherein the passage into the tensioning arm is internally threaded.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The tensioner of claim 1, wherein the passage extends through the tensioning arm from the distal end to the proximal end.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The tensioner of claim 1, wherein the passage into the tensioning arm is present in an insert in the tensioning arm.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The tensioner of claim 6, wherein the insert is a sleeve with the passage extending through the sleeve.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The tensioner of claim 6, wherein the insert is a shaft with the passage extending into the shaft from the proximal end.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The tensioner of claim 8, wherein the shaft is a flanged shaft that engages the pulley-bearing assembly.

### Claim 10

A fixed belt tensioner assembly comprising a tensioner, a mounting bracket, and a fastener:
the tensioner having a tensioning arm defining an axis and having a first end and a second end along the axis, a pulley-bearing assembly mounted to the tensioning arm centered on the axis proximate the first end, a tensioning mechanism on the tensioning arm configured to apply torque to the tensioner, and a passage into the tensioning arm aligned with the axis proximate the second end,
the bracket having an aperture, and
the fastener extending through the aperture in the bracket into the passage in the tensioning arm.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The tensioner assembly of claim 10, wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises an aperture for receiving a torquing tool.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The tensioner assembly of claim 10, the tensioner further comprising a protrusion at the second end configured to be received in a receiving feature of the bracket.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The tensioner assembly of claim 10, wherein the passage into the tensioning arm is internally threaded.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The tensioner assembly of claim 10, wherein the passage extends through the tensioning arm from the distal end to the proximal end.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The tensioner assembly of claim 10, wherein the passage into the tensioning arm is present in an insert in the tensioning arm.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The tensioner assembly of claim 15, wherein the insert is a sleeve with the passage extending through the sleeve.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The tensioner assembly of claim 15, wherein the insert is a shaft with the passage extending into the shaft from the proximal end.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The tensioner assembly of claim 17, wherein the shaft is a flanged shaft that engages the pulley-bearing assembly.

### Claim 19

A method of installing a belt tensioner, the method comprising:
installing a belt on a pulley of the tensioner;
with the belt on the pulley, adjusting the position of the pulley in relation to a bracket by pivoting the tensioner in relation to the bracket;
tightening a fastener retaining the tensioner to the bracket;
after tightening the fastener, applying torque to the tensioner with a tensioning mechanism of the tensioner using a torquing tool; and
after applying torque to the tensioner using a torquing tool, further tightening the fastener retaining the tensioner to the bracket.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein adjusting the position of the pulley comprises sliding the tensioner in relation to a slot in the bracket.