Self-tensioning chain drive
US5362279A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 1993 |
| Grant date | Nov 8, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2057/02078
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A chain drive is described in which the chain travel length remains constant, as well as the chain tension, in spite of changes in separation between the driving and driven sprockets. Eccentric idlers enable the chain to be initially tensioned by offsetting these eccentric idlers through a sufficient distance to establish the proper chain tension. An idler sprocket provides a pivot for the two arms that support the chain drive, thereby enabling the arms to form a "V" configuration as the linear separation of the driving and driven sprockets, mounted on opposite ends of their respective arms, is varied. The eccentric idlers wrap the chain around at least a portion of the idler sprocket's driven and driving sides.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.