Transmission apparatus and method

A method of operating a transmission apparatus comprising:

• a chain operatively engaged with a driver sprocket assembly and a driven sprocket assembly;
• a tensioner bracket including a roller rotatably attached to the tensioner bracket, the roller engaged with the chain;
• a tensioner rod including a plurality of spaced apart flange portions and a threaded portion, the threaded portion extending through an opening formed in the tensioner bracket and screwably attached to a plate, wherein at least one of the flange portions is engageable with a brace;
• turning the tensioner rod in a first direction;
• and
• passing at least one flange portion through a slot formed in the brace to slacken the chain.

A tensioner apparatus comprising:

• an input driver sprocket assembly;
• an input chain engaged with the input driver sprocket assembly;
• an input driven sprocket assembly engaged with the first chain and slidably attached to a first shaft;
• an output driver sprocket assembly slidably attached to the first shaft;
• a output chain engaged with the output driver sprocket assembly;
• an output driven sprocket assembly engaged with the output chain and slidably attached to a second shaft;
• a first tensioner assembly, and a second tensioner assembly, each tensioner assembly including a bracket and a threaded rod extending through an opening formed in the bracket, a tensioner roller rotatably attached to the bracket, the threaded rod screwably attached to a plate, the threaded rod including a plurality of spaced apart flange portions;
• and
• the tensioner roller of the first tensioner assembly engaged with the input chain, the flange portion of the first tensioner assembly operatively engageable with a brace, and the tensioner roller of the second tensioner assembly engaged with the output chain, the flange portions of the second tensioner assembly operatively engageable with the brace.