TENSIONER FOR A POWER TRANSMISSION BELT AND METHOD OF MAKINGTHE SAME

摘要

An improved tensioner is provided for a power transmission belt for operatio n in an endless path. The tensioner includes a support means for being fixed relative to the belt. A belt-engaging means is carried by the support means and is movable relative thereto. A coiled torsion spring has a first end which is operatively- interconnected to the support means and a second end which is operatively-interconnected to the be lt- engaging means for urging the belt-engaging means relative to the support means and against the belt with a force to tension the belt. The spring has a certain torque when the belt- engaging means is disposed at a certain position relative to the support means. The improved tensioner has changeable structure holding one of the ends of the spring in an adjusted position relative to its respective operatively-interconnected mean s so as to provide for the certain torque of the spring when the belt-engaging means is disposed at the certain position relative to the support means; and/or the changeable structure includes a spacer which is carried by one of the support means and the belt- engaging means, where one of the ends of the spring is disposed against the spacer so as to be interconnected to one of the support means and the belt-engaging means; and/ or the tensioner has the changeable structure holding one of the ends of the spring in an adjusted position before the support means and the belt-engaging means had been assembled together; and/or a coiled torsion spring is provided having a firs t end which is operatively-interconnected to the support means and a second end which is operatively- interconnected to the belt-engaging means for urging the belt-engaging means relative to the support means and against the belt with a force to tension the support means and against the belt with a force to tension the belt, the spring having a certa in torque when the belt-engaging means is disposed at a certain position relative to the support means. Novel methods for making such improved tensioners are also taught.