Constant tensioning means for rotary motion transfer apparatus

摘要

A rotary motion transfer apparatus, such as a combine grain elevator, which includes first and second endless flexible members which may include belts and/or chains. Each flexible member is trained around a respective set of rotary members which may be pulleys, sheaves or sprockets. One rotary member from each set shares a common shaft and may, or may not, be in driving engagement with one another. The common shaft is mounted on an adjustment frame member that is linearly displaceable with respect to a main frame to adjust the tension in the first endless flexible member. A pair of idler rotary members are provided for tensioning the second endless flexible member and are mounted on a pivot arm which is mounted to the adjustment frame member for pivoting movement around a pivot axis intermediate the pair of idler rotary members. A lever is secured to the pivot arm, and spring means are attached between the lever and the main frame to bias the idler rotary members into engagement with opposite sides of the second endless flexible member with a substantially constant force over an adjustment range of the common shaft.

主权项

1. Rotary motion transfer apparatus comprising:
a main frame; first and second endless flexible members each trained around a respective set of rotary members, wherein one rotary member from each set of rotary members shares a common shaft; an adjustment frame member mounted to the main frame, wherein the common shaft is mounted on the adjustment frame member, and wherein the adjustment frame member, together with the common shaft, is linearly displaceable with respect to the main frame along a linear degree of freedom of movement to adjust the tension in the first endless flexible member; a pair of idler rotary members for tensioning the second endless flexible member and mounted on a pivot arm which is mounted to the adjustment frame member for linear displacement together with the adjustment frame member, and for pivoting movement around a pivot axis intermediate the pair of idler rotary members; a lever secured to the pivot arm; and a spring attached between the lever and the main frame to bias the idler rotary members into engagement with opposite sides of the second endless flexible member.