Tensioning apparatus

An apparatus as set forth in claim [1 in which said means operatively connected between said elastomeric material and said belt comprises shaft means engaging said elastomeric material by being fixed thereagainst;

• a lever having one end portion detachably fixed to said shaft means, and belt-engaging means engaging said power transmission belt and being carried on said lever, said elastomeric material being displaced from a normal relaxed condition thereof by said belt-engaging means acting through said lever and shaft means so that the elastomeric material utilizes its elastic properties to transmit a force through said shaft means, lever and belt-engaging means to exert a controlled tensioning force against said belt] 5 in which said housing has an inside surface and said elastomeric material is disposed with its exposed surface against said inside surface, and further comprising means fixing said elastomeric material within said housing .

An apparatus as set forth in claim [6] 1 in which said shaft means further comprises [a shaft having] at least [one] another fin-like protrusion [extending therefrom, said shaft and its fin-like protrusion being fixed against said elastomeric material by being embedded therein] fixed to said shaft and extending radially therefrom in angularly spaced relation from said one protrusion, said shaft and its protrusions being embedded within and bonded against said elastomeric material which serves as a matrix therefor .

An apparatus as set forth in claim [6] 1 in which said [belt-engaging means comprises a belt-engaging] roller is rotably mounted at the outer end portion of said lever , said elastomeric material is a self supported mass, and said means supporting said elastomeric material comprises a flange defined as an integral part of said mass and having at least one opening therein, said opening being adapted to receive a fastener therethrough to support said flange and mass of elastomeric material adjacent said belt .

An apparatus as set forth in claim [6] 5 in which said elastomeric material is displaced from a normal condition thereof [and placed in a condition of shear] to provide a shear loading therein by said ]belt-engaging means] roller acting through said lever and shaft means , and said apparatus further comprises integral means for changing said loading an infinite number of loading values and indicating the amount of said tensioning force applied by said elastomeric material against said belt .

A system as set forth in claim [11 in which said means operatively connected between said elastomeric material and said belt comprises shaft means engaging said elastomeric material by being fixed thereagainst, a lever having one end portion detachably fixed to said shaft means, and belt-engaging means engaging said power transmission belt and being carried on said lever, said elastomeric material being displaced from a normal relaxed condition thereof by said belt-engaging means acting through said lever and shaft means so that the elastomeric material utilizes its elastic properties to transmit a force through said shaft means, lever, and belt-engaging means to exert a controlled tensioning force against said belt] 15 in which said housing has an inside surface and said elastomeric material is disposed with its exposed surface against said inside surface, and further comprising means fixing said elastomeric material within said housing .

A system as set forth in claim [16] 11 in which said shaft means further comprises [a shaft having] at least [one] another fin-like protrusion [extending therefrom, said shaft and its fin-like protrusion being fixed against said elastomeric material by being embedded therein] fixed to said shaft and extending radially therefrom in angularly spaced relation from said one protrusion, said shaft and its protrusions being embedded within and bonded against said elastomeric material which serves as a matrix therefor .

A system as set forth in claim [16] 11 in which said [belt-engaging means comprises a belt-engaging] roller is rotatably mounted at the outer end portion of said lever , said elastomeric material is a self supported mass, and said means supporting said elastomeric material comprises a flange defined as an integral part of said mass and having at least one opening therein, said opening being adapted to receive a fastener therethrough to support said flange and mass of elastomeric material adjacent said belt .

A system as set forth in claim [16] 11 in which said elastomeric material is displaced from a normal condition thereof [and placed in a condition of shear] to provide a shear loading therein by said [belt-engaging means] roller acting through said lever and shaft means, said elastomeric material also serves [serving] as vibration-dampening means , and said apparatus further comprises integral means for changing said loading an infinite number of loading values and indicating the amount of said tensioning force applied by said elastomeric material against said belt .

[A] In a tensioning apparatus for an endless power transmission device comprising, an elastomeric material, means supporting said elastomeric material adjacent an associated power transmission device, and means operatively connected between said elastomeric material and said power transmission device by engaging said elastomeric material and said power transmission device and employing the elastic properties of said elastomeric material to exert a controlled tensioning force against said endless power transmission device , the improvement in which said means operatively connected between said elastomeric material and said device comprises, shaft means disposed within and fixed against said elastomeric material, said shaft means comprising a shaft having at least one fin-like protrusion fixed thereto and extending radially therefrom, a lever having one end portion fixed to said shaft, and an idler roller engaging said power transmission device and being carried on said lever, said elastomeric material being displaced from a normal relaxed condition thereof by said roller acting through said lever and shaft means so that the elastomeric material utilizes its elastic properties to transmit a force through said shaft means, lever, and roller to exert said controlled tensioning force against said device .

In a combination[:] comprising an endless power transmission device and a tensioning apparatus for said endless power transmission device, said apparatus comprising, an elastomeric material, means supporting said elastomeric material adjacent said device, and means operatively connected between said elastomeric material and device by engaging said elastomeric material and said device and employing the elastic properties of said elastomeric material to exert a controlled tensioning force against said device , the improvement in which said means operatively connected between said elastomeric material and said device comprises, shaft means disposed within and fixed against said elastomeric material, said shaft means comprising a shaft having at least one fin-like protrusion fixed thereto and extending radially therefrom, a lever having one end portion fixed to said shaft, and an idler roller engaging said power transmission device and being carried on said lever, said elastomeric material being displaced from a normal relaxed condition thereof by said roller acting through said lever and shaft means so that the elastomeric material utilizes its elastic properties and to transmit a force through said shaft means, lever, and roller to exert said controlled tensioning force against said device .

A combination as set forth in claim [25] 22 in which said shaft has external splines thereon, and said one end portion of said lever has an internally splined opening therein which receives said external splines of said shaft therethrough.

A combination as set forth in claim [25] 22 in which said shaft has an internally splined opening therein which is adapted to receive a cooperating splined [member] portion comprising said one end portion of said lever.

In a tensioning apparatus for an endless power transmission device comprising, an elastomeric material, means supporting said elastomeric material adjacent an associated power transmission device, and means operatively connected between said elastomeric material and said power transmission device by engaging said elastomeric material and said power transmission device and employing the elastic properties of said elastomeric material to exert a controlled tensioning force against said endless power transmission device, the improvement in which said elastomeric material is a self supported mass and said means supporting said elastomeric material comprises integral flange means adapted to be used in fastening said mass of elastomeric material adjacent said device.