Patent ID: 7037227
Filing Date: 2006-05-02
Classification: B65G,F16H

Abstract:
1. A pneumatic tensioner apparatus, comprising: a main drive belt; a chuck assembly, suspended from said main drive belt, having a spinning member and a drive contact portion; a first track comprising a plurality of air holes; a first frictional drive belt in said first track in contact with said drive contact portion operative to spin said chuck assembly; a first tension adjusting device operative to apply pressure to said first frictional drive belt tangentially to said drive contact portion, said first tension adjusting device comprising a second track comprising a plenum through which air flows disposed on an opposite side of said first track from said first frictional drive belt, and coupled to said first track, wherein air from said plenum flows through said plurality of air holes and applies pressure to said first frictional drive belt; a second frictional drive belt disposed in at least one idler roller on an opposite side of said chuck assembly to said first frictional drive belt, said second frictional drive belt in contact with said drive contact portion; and a second tension adjusting device operative to apply pressure to said second frictional drive belt tangentially to said drive contact portion.