Patent ID: 8123640

Claim:
A method of tensioning a belt comprising: providing a tensioner comprising: a support housing comprising a cavity with a pivot shaft therein that defines a first axis of rotation and comprising a first pivot structure defining a second axis of rotation; an arm rotatable about the pivot shaft; a spring located in the cavity of the support housing, the spring comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the arm to bias the arm about the first axis of rotation defined by the pivot shaft; a damping member comprising a plate having an inner opening extending therethrough to receive the pivot shaft of the support housing, having an engagement structure engaged with the second end of the spring, and having a second pivot structure pivotally engaged with the first pivot structure of the support housing; wherein the spring biases the damping member to pivot about the second axis of rotation to provide the asymmetric damping; biasing the arm relative to the support housing using the spring; and biasing the damping member against a friction bearing surface defined by the arm using the same spring by pivoting the damping member about the second axis of rotation.