Patent ID: 7115056

Claim:
A dual spring tensioner for a flexible drive member in a machine having a machine frame, comprising: a pivot arm with an axis of rotation about which said pivot arm is free to pivot, wherein said pivot arm is mounted to the machine frame at said axis of rotation wherein said pivot arm has opposing ends end one and end two; a tensioner spring having an end one attachable to the machine frame and an end two attached to said pivot arm; a pulley cooperable with the flexible drive member and mounted to said pivot arm; a retainer spring having an end one attachable to the machine frame and an end two attached to said pivot arm and wherein said tensioner spring and said retainer spring, laterally spaced from each other, are attached to said pivot arm on said pivot arm end one and said pulley is attached to said pivot arm at said pivot arm end two, and; a stop attachable to the machine frame that counters force applied to said pivot arm by said tensioner spring and said retainer spring, wherein tension in the flexible drive member is set by said tensioner spring and said stop.