Patent ID: 7874950
Filing Date: 2011-01-25
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
1. A tensioner comprising: a pivot shaft configured for mounting on an engine surface; a tensioner arm mounted on said pivot shaft for pivotal movement between a free arm stop position and a premount stop position; a belt-engaging pulley mounted for rotation on said tensioner arm; a base member having a free arm stop and a premount stop, said tensioner arm configured to cooperate with said free arm stop and said premount stop to limit said pivotal movement of said tensioner arm; a spring coupled between said tensioner arm and said base member, said spring configured for biasing said tensioner arm in a belt-tensioning direction, said spring being fixable relative to said pivot shaft upon said tensioner being placed in a mounted condition; a one-way clutch directly engaging said pivot shaft and having a lost motion connection with said tensioner arm wherein said tensioner arm moves through a free range without engaging said one-way clutch, said tensioner arm rotating said one-way clutch as said tensioner arm moves beyond the free range towards the free arm stop position and said tensioner arm enabling said one-way clutch as said tensioner arm moves beyond the free range towards the premount stop position, limiting travel of said tensioner arm therebeyond; and wherein when said pivot shaft is mounted fixedly to the engine surface, said pivot shaft and said one-way clutch are prevented from rotating in one direction relative to the base plate thereby limiting the range of movement of the tensioner arm, and when said pivot shaft is mounted rotatably to the engine surface said tensioner arm, said pivot shaft and said one-way clutch are rotatable in said one direction relative to said base plate.