BELT TENSIONER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME

摘要

Various belt tensioners and methods of making them are provided herein. One embodiment of such belt tensioner includes a support to be fixed relative to the belt. A belt engager is carried by the support and is movable relative thereto. Springs are operatively associated with the support and the belt engager to urge the belt engager relative to the support and against the belt with a force to tension the belt . The support includes a shaft having a longitudinal axis. The belt engager includes an arm which is rotatably mounted on the shaft. The arm has a bearing surface which is angled relative to the axis. The support has a bearing surface which is angled relative to the axis and which faces the bearing surface of the arm. A bushing is disposed between the bearing surfaces and is in engagement therewith to facilitate movement therebetween, and to tend to prevent cocking of the arm on the shaft when the belt engager is tensioning the belt.