Belt tensioning apparatus
AssigneeINA Bearing Company, Inc.
InventorKelly D. Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for applying an optimum tensioning force to an endless belt or the like, including a pivot defining a first pivot axis, a belt engagement element supported for rotation about the first pivot axis, a biasing element for urging the belt engagement element in a first direction of rotation about the pivot axis into belt-tensioning engagement with the belt, and a belt tension adjuster, responsive to externally induced changes in tension of the belt, for automatically varying the tensioning force applied to belt. The belt tension adjuster is disposed within the biasing element and includes a limiter for limiting the amount of decrease in applied tensioning force, whereby the tension in belt is optimally maintained.
Claims36
Apparatus for applying an optimum tensioning force to an endless belt or the like, comprising:
- pivot means defining a first pivot axis;
- belt engaging means supported for rotation about said first pivot axis;
- biasing means for urging said belt-engaging means in a first direction of rotation about said pivot means into belt-tensioning engagement with said belt;
- and means, responsive to externally induced changes in tension in said belt, for automatically varying the tensioning force applied to said belt, said varying means being disposed within said biasing means and including means, displaceable radially of said first pivot axis, for limiting the amount of decrease in applied tensioning force, said means for automatically varying the tensioning force applied to said belt including a first housing supported for rotation about said pivot means, a second housing supported for rotation aboout said pivot means in said first direction only, and means for selectively coupling said first housing with said second housing, said belt-engaging means being supported by said first housing, whereby the tension in said belt is optimally maintained.
The apparatus of cliam 21, wherein said second annular means comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially movable elements, and said first annular means comprises means for moving said elements radially outwardly when said first housing rotates in said second direction.
Apparatus for mataining a predetermined optimum tension on an endless power transmission member, comprising:
- pivotable housing means adapted to be located adjacent the transmission member;
- means, carried by said housing means, for applying a tensioning force to the endless power transmission member;
- means for pivoting said housing means in a first direction to move said applying means into engagement with the endless power transmission member so that a predetermined tensioning force is applied to the endless power transmission member, said pivoting means including one-way clutch means;
- means, automatically responsive to change in tension in the endless power transmission member, for enabling reversal of the direction of pivoting of said housing means so that the applied tensioning force may be reduced, said direction reversing means including intermediate means for operatively coupling said housing mean to said clutch means, and said coupling means including means, displaceable from said clutch means into engagement with said housing means, for limiting the amount of reverse pivoting of said housing means.
The apparatus of claim wherein said
- pivoting means comprises a pivot housing having a first elongated portion defining a first pivot axis about which said housing means is pivotably engaged and a second portion extending parallel to said first portion and disposed thereabout, and
- said housing means comprises a first portion defining a second pivot axis disposed eccentrically of said first axis and adapted for carrying said applying means, and a second portion extending parallel to said first pivot axis and disposed between said first and second portions of said pivoting means,
- said pivoting means further comprising means, engaged with said pivot housing second portion and said housing means second portion, for driving said housing means in rotation about said first pivot axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.