Chain capture assembly for chain tensioners

摘要

Aspects of the invention are directed to an apparatus that may be used as a chain tensioner. The apparatus comprises a release handle, which is limited in motion by an elongate member that rides in a shaped guide slot. As a result of this configuration, two distinct forces must be applied to the release handle before a chain is released from the apparatus. Such a configuration reduces the chances of inadvertent releases of a chain.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a frame; a primary elongate member, the primary elongate member fixated to the frame; a release handle, the release handle pivotally supported by the primary elongate member, and defining a shaped guide slot; a secondary elongate member, the secondary elongate member fixated to the frame, and riding in the shaped guide slot; a rotatable member, the rotatable member pivotally supported by the primary elongate member, and pivotally coupled to the release handle such that the rotatable member pivots in unison therewith; and a chain capture block, the chain capture block defining a cavity therein shaped to accommodate one or more links of a chain, and pivotally mounted to the frame such that the chain capture block can achieve a chain capture orientation and a chain release orientation relative to the frame; wherein:
the shaped guide slot and the secondary elongate member cooperate to allow the release handle to be translated relative to the frame between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration;the shaped guide slot and the secondary elongate member cooperate to allow the release handle to be pivoted relative to the frame between the unlocked configuration and an open configuration;the rotatable member interferes with the pivoting of the chain capture block from the chain capture orientation to the chain release orientation when the release handle is in the locked or unlocked configuration; andthe chain capture block is free to pivot between the chain capture orientation and the chain release orientation when the release handle is in the open configuration.