Adjustable tensioning device

An adjustable tensioning device, the device comprising:

• a barrel having an external surface and a rotational axis extending along a length of the barrel, the barrel having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a first threaded aperture, wherein the second end comprises a second threaded aperture, and wherein the rotational axis extends through the first threaded aperture and through the second threaded aperture;
• a barrel gear coupled to the exterior surface of the barrel with the barrel gear completely encircling the barrel perpendicular to the rotational axis;
• a first threaded shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first threaded shaft threaded into the first threaded aperture;
• a second threaded shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second threaded shaft threaded into the second threaded aperture;
• a first tensioning element coupled to the second end of the first threaded shaft, wherein the first tensioning element comprises a first ball socket;
• a second tensioning element coupled to the second end of the second threaded shaft, wherein the second tensioning element comprises a second ball socket;
• an alignment arm coupled to at least one of the first threaded shaft and the first tensioning element, the alignment arm having an elongated length that extends substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the barrel, and the alignment arm having a distal end;
• a gearbox, wherein a drive gear and a motivation coupler are rotatably coupled to the gearbox, wherein the drive gear is engaged to the barrel gear, wherein the motivation coupler and the drive gear are operably coupled together such that rotational motion applied to the motivation coupler is communicated to the drive gear to rotate the barrel gear and the barrel;
• and
• an arm brace coupled to the gearbox, wherein the arm brace comprises at least one arm bearing surface, wherein rotation of the motivation coupler in a first direction results in rotation of the barrel and linear movement of the first tensioning element and the second tensioning element towards the barrel and in the distal end of the alignment arm being moved relatively farther from the gearbox, wherein rotation of the motivation coupler in a second direction results in opposite rotation of the barrel and linear movement of the first tensioning element and the second tensioning element away from the barrel and in the distal end of the alignment arm being moved relatively closer to the gearbox;
• and wherein the at least one arm bearing surface is configured to contact and move along the elongated length of the alignment arm to prevent rotation of the arm brace and the gearbox in at least one direction around the rotational axis as the barrel is rotated in the rotational axis.