Ratchet tensioner with mechanism for locking and releasing a plunger
US6612951B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 2, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2007/0878
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A ratchet tensioner includes a mechanism for selectively locking and releasing a plunger with respect to a ratchet pawl. The plunger locking and releasing mechanism has an actuator plate secured to the shaft of a ratchet pawl body for co-rotation therewith above the outside surface of a housing shaft in which a pin-accommodating hole is formed. The actuator plate has a pin-insertion hole smaller in diameter than the pin-accommodating hole and is manually movable about the axis of the shaft in opposite directions between a locking position in which the pin-insertion hole is in substantial alignment with the pin-accommodating hole and the engagement between a ratchet pawl and ratchet teeth on the plunger is maintained, and a releasing position in which the pin-insertion hole is out of alignment with the pin-accommodating hole, and the ratchet pawl is released from interlocking engagement with the ratchet teeth against the force of a ratchet pawl spring. A stopper pin is removably inserted into the pin-accommodating hole either through the pin-insertion hole to keep the actuator plate in the locking position, or alternatively directly, with an outer edge of the actuator plate being in…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.