Patent ID: 7097579

Claim:
A pivoting chain guide and tensioner assembly for use with an endless chain loop drivingly connecting a driving sprocket to a driven sprocket comprising: at least one bracket plate for surrounding the chain at least partially between the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket, wherein the at least one bracket plate contains a receiving hole for a pivot at a center axis connecting the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket; a tensioner semi-rigidly attached to the at least one bracket plate comprising a tensioner arm with a chain sliding face extending a length of the tensioner arm for contacting the outside of the chain loop, and a biasing means that biases the tensioner arm towards the chain; a guide rigidly attached to the at least one bracket plate on opposite sides of the chain loop having a chain sliding face with a length for contacting the outside of the chain loop; and wherein the receiving hole for the pivot is located between strands of the endless chain loop and between the length of the chain sliding face of the tensioner arm and the length of the chain sliding face of the guide; wherein when a high local load or wave energy is applied to the chain, the high local load is received by an end of the guide forcing the guide to move away from the chain, such that the at least one bracket plate pivots on the pivot, moving the tensioner relative to the chain.