Patent ID: 6953406
Filing Date: 2005-10-11
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
1. A ratchet tensioner having a housing mountable on an engine block, a plunger protruding from the housing, a first spring biasing the plunger in the protruding direction, ratchet teeth on the plunger, a groove in the housing, a toothed ratchet pawl pivotally disposed in said groove, and a second spring biasing the pawl so that the teeth of the pawl are engaged with the ratchet teeth on the plunger, wherein the improvement comprises a stop having a bifurcated part disposed in said groove, straddling said second spring, and sandwiched between said pawl and a part of said housing, said stop maintaining the teeth of the pawl in engagement with the ratchet teeth of the plunger, and thereby temporarily preventing movement of the plunger in the protruding direction from the housing under the biasing force applied to the plunger by said first spring, said stop having a grip connected to the bifurcated part and extending therefrom to a location outside of the groove for manual removal of the bifurcated part from said groove.