Patent ID: 7163479
Filing Date: 2007-01-16
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
1. A chain guide comprising: an I-beam bracket adapted for being secured to an associated engine, said I-beam bracket comprising a web, upper and lower flanges connected to said web, a support surface defined by said upper flange, a leading end and a trailing end spaced from said leading end in a chain movement direction; and, a guide blade comprising a blade leading end, a blade trailing end spaced from said blade leading end in said chain movement direction, a chain guide surface adapted for slidably supporting an associated chain moving in said chain movement direction, and an inner surface positioned on said support surface of said bracket, said guide blade selectively movable slidably on said support surface and while in contact with said support surface in said chain movement direction and a direction opposite said chain movement direction between a first position where said guide blade is separable from said bracket and a second position where said guide blade is fixedly secured to said bracket, wherein: said blade leading end defines a space that receives said bracket leading end when said blade is positioned in said second position; said guide blade comprises first and second legs projecting therefrom on opposite sides of said chain guide surface, and wherein said upper flange of said bracket defines said support surface between opposite front and rear edges, said front and rear edges of said upper flange defining respective first and second locations positioned to receive said first and second legs, respectively, when said guide blade is located in said first position, said legs defining respective first and second feet that hook around said upper flange when said guide blade is moved slidably to said second position so that said inner surface of said guide blade is held adjacent said support surface of said bracket by said legs; wherein said front and rear edges of said upper flange define respective ramps over which said first and second legs respectively and resiliently move when said guide blade moves from said first position to said second position, said first ramp comprising a first transverse shoulder and said second ramp comprising a second transverse shoulder, wherein said first and second transverse shoulders engage said first and second legs, respectively, to inhibit reverse movement of said guide blade from said second position to said first position.