Patent ID: 7083040

Claim:
A torsional tensioner for tensioning a member comprising: a mounting plate having a hole therethrough adapted for rotatably receiving the member; an arcuate housing affixed to and extending from said mounting plate and being arcuate about an axis intersecting said mounting plate proximate the hole therein, said arcuate housing having a circumferential slot therein, an outer collar spaced away from said mounting plate and having an arcuate edge complementary to the arcuate housing, said outer collar being rotatable with respect to said arcuate housing about an axis substantially intersecting the hole in said mounting plate; a clamp for fixing the outer collar rotatably with respect to said arcuate housing within a continuous range of angular positions; an inner collar rotatably disposed between said outer collar and said mounting plate, said inner collar having a through hole adapted for receiving the member and being rotatable about an axis substantially intersecting the hole in said mounting plate; and a torsion spring coupled between said inner and outer collars for urging relative rotational movement of said inner and outer collars toward a relaxed position of said torsion spring, wherein said outer collar has a threaded hole therein and wherein said clamp comprises a handle and a threaded stud extending therefrom through the circumferential slot to engage the threaded hole in said outer collar.