US 8,523,720 B2 · Chain tensioner

Abstract

A chain tensioner for use on a chain drive system is disclosed which has a housing open at both ends. Into the housing, a cartridge is inserted, the cartridge having including a body with a cylinder within and a piston. A retention system is provided to substantially prevent the body of the cartridge from moving with respect to the housing. Such a retention system, in one embodiment, includes a lip at a first end of the body and a groove on a second end of the body. The lip serves as a stop to prevent the body of the cartridge from moving axially beyond the stop in one direction. A clip is interlocked into the groove on the second end of the body of the cartridge to prevent movement in the opposite direction.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A chain tensioner, comprising:

a housing defining a cylindrical cavity, the cavity having opposed first and second ends, the first and second ends each having an opening sized to accommodate a chain tensioner cartridge;
a chain tensioner cartridge installed in the housing, the cartridge having a portion configured to cooperate with a chain to apply tension to the chain, the cartridge having a lip extending outwardly at a first end and a groove in the outer surface at a second end, the lip abutting the housing proximate the first end thereby preventing axial movement of the cartridge in a first axial direction;
and
a clip interlocked with the groove and sized to prevent it from entering the housing thereby preventing axial movement of the cartridge in a second axial direction.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Chain tensioner

Life of this patent

Chain tensioner

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20