Patent ID: 7052422

Claim:
A tension adjusting device attached to an axle member of a driven wheel of a vehicle and coupled to a forked frame member for adjusting a tension of a flexible power transmission means that transfers power from a drive shaft of said vehicle to said driven wheel, said tension adjusting device comprising: a first tension adjuster joined to a first side of said axle member, said first tension adjuster comprising: a first adjustment plate having a first dimension to slidably engage a guide recess of a first fork of said forked frame member and a second dimension sufficient to support a first axle fastener to said axle member to said first adjustment plate, said first adjustment plate including: an extending member that extends over an end of said first fork, an axle bore through which said first side of said axle member passes to receive the first axle fastener to secure said axle member to said first adjustment plate and couple said first adjustment plate to said first fork of said forked frame member, and a capturing recess inlet into said first adjustment plate to secure first axle fastener to prevent movement of said first axle fastener during the coupling of the driven wheel, and an adjustment bore through said extending member, said adjuster bore aligned with said end of said first fork, and a first adjustment stud affixed through said adjustment bore to said first adjustment plate such that said adjustment stud is in contact with the end of said first fork to allow the axle member of the driven wheel to move in an adjustment slot within said guide recess to adjust the tension of the power transmission means; a second tension adjuster joined to a second side of said axle member, said second tension adjuster comprising: a second adjustment plate having a first dimension to slidably engage a guide recess of a second fork of said forked frame member and a second dimension sufficient to support a second axle fastener to said axle member to said second adjustment plate, said second adjustment plate including: an extending member that extends over an end of said second fork, an axle bore through which said second side of said axle member passes to receive the second axle fastener to secure said axle member to said second adjustment plate and couple said second adjustment plate to said second fork of said forked frame member, and an adjustment bore through said extending member, said adjuster bore aligned with said end of said second fork, and a second adjustment stud affixed through said adjustment bore to said second adjustment plate such that said adjustment stud is in contact with the end of said second fork to allow the axle member of the driven wheel to move in an adjustment slot within said guide recess to adjust the tension of the power transmission means.