Patent ID: 8277348

Claim:
A tensioner comprising: a support structure having a tensioner axle that defines a pivot axis; an arm coupled to the support structure so as to permit the arm to pivot about the tensioner axle, the arm having a lower surface that faces the support structure and an upper surface that in part defines a cup; a damping mechanism at least partially seated in the cup of the arm, the damping mechanism comprising: a first tensioner component being cup-shaped having first ramp features on the rim thereof, the first tensioner component engaged to the arm for rotation therewith; a second tensioner component having second ramp features, the second tensioner component being non-rotatable about the pivot axis; and a damper spring coupling the first tensioner component to the second tensioner component; wherein the first ramp features are aligned with the second ramp features and rotation of the first tensioner component in a first direction moves the first ramp features relative to the second ramp features such that the first tensioner component translates into a damping engagement with the arm.