Patent ID: 8336702

Claim:
A tensioner for applying force to a device to be tensioned, wherein the force applying tensioner is configurable for applying force in different directions, said tensioner comprising: a mounting plate having a base, having a pair of substantially parallel guides on the base defining a sliding channel and having a spring support extending outwardly beyond an end of the base of said mounting plate, wherein a base of said spring support is substantially perpendicular to and aligned with the sliding channel; a slidable member slidable in the sliding channel defined by said pair of parallel guides of said mounting plate in a given direction and in a direction substantially opposite to the given direction, said slidable member having a member for receiving a support for a device to be tensioned, said slidable member having an outwardly extending projection on a first flange at a first end thereof and an opening in a second flange at a second end thereof; a first threaded member; and a spring for being coupled to said mounting plate and to the first and second ends of said slidable member in different first and second positions, wherein in the first position: said spring is disposed between the spring support and said slidable member and is compressible by said first threaded member for tending to push said slidable member in a direction away from said spring support, wherein one end of said spring bears against said first threaded member which is connected to the base of the spring support of said mounting plate for adjusting the force applied to the device to be tensioned and an opposite end of said spring bears against the first flange of said slidable member to engage the projection; and wherein in the second position: the spring support of said mounting plate is disposed between said spring and said slidable member and an end of said spring remote from the spring support of said mounting plate is connected to said slidable member, wherein said spring is compressible for tending to pull said sliding member in a direction toward said spring support, wherein one end of said spring bears against a side of the base of the spring support of said mounting plate distal said slidable member and an opposite end of said spring bears against said first threaded member which is disposed through said spring and the base of said spring support to engage the opening of the second flange of said slidable member for adjusting the force applied to the device to be tensioned:, wherein said spring urges said slidable member in the given direction relative to said mounting plate when coupled to said mounting plate and to said slidable member in the first position and urges said slidable member in the direction opposite to the given direction when coupled to said mounting plate and to said slidable member in the second position.