Patent ID: 8337345
Filing Date: 2012-12-25
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A ratchet tensioner comprising: a tensioner body having a piston bore open at one end and a pawl bore extending into the piston bore; a piston having an outer circumference slidably received in the piston bore and a rack slot axially extending and formed as part of the outer circumference, the rack slot having an open end at an outward end of the piston; a first biasing member biasing the piston in a protruding direction; a rack comprising a plurality of rack teeth and slidably received in the rack slot; a pawl slidably received in the pawl bore, the pawl comprising a plurality of pawl teeth; and a second biasing member biasing the pawl toward the rack; such that the pawl teeth engage the rack teeth, thereby permitting travel of the piston in the protruding direction but resisting travel of the piston in a retracting direction opposite the protruding direction above a designed backlash.