Blade tensioner with captured spring

A chain tensioner comprising:

• a bracket comprising a main wall;
• a blade assembly including a blade and a spring connected to said blade, said spring comprising opposite first and second ends located respectively in first and second spring-retaining slots of said blade, said first spring-retaining slot comprising inner and outer open sides, the outer open side opening through an outer face of said blade and the inner open side opening through an inner face of said blade, the inner face closer to the bracket, the outer face opposite the inner face;
• and
• a pivot fastener extending through a pivot aperture located in a first end of said blade, said pivot fastener comprising a shoulder bolt that includes:
• a threaded portion that extends through said main wall;
• a cylindrical portion connected to said threaded portion and located in said pivot aperture of said blade;
• and,
• a flange that is radially enlarged relative to said cylindrical portion, said flange located adjacent and abutted with said outer face of said blade and obstructing the open outer side of the first spring-retaining slot.

A chain tensioner assembly comprising:

• a bracket comprising a main wall and a ramp surface;
• a blade assembly connected to the bracket, said blade assembly comprising:
• a blade located adjacent said main wall of said bracket, said blade including:
• (i) a first blade end comprising a pivot aperture;
• (ii) a second blade end contacting said ramp surface;
• and, (iii) a central blade portion that extends between the first and second blade ends, said central blade portion comprising a chain engaging surface;
• a first spring-retaining slot located in said first blade end and comprising inner and outer open sides that open respectively through inner and outer faces of said blade;
• a second spring-retaining slot located in said second blade end;
• a spring comprising:
• (i) a first end located in said first spring-retaining slot;
• (ii) a second end located in said second spring-retaining slot;
• and, (iii) a central portion that abuts said central blade portion;
• a pivot fastener extending through said pivot aperture, wherein said pivot fastener comprises a radially enlarged portion that abuts said outer face of said blade and obstructs said outer open side of said first spring-retaining slot such that said pivot fastener captures said first end of said spring in said first spring-retaining slot.