Patent ID: 8475307

Claim:
A chain drive, comprising: a chain; and a tensioning rail, the tensioning rail comprising: a support body that is pivotable about a center of rotation and has a guide channel that slidably accepts the chain therein; a projection connected to the support body and formed by at least two spaced-apart webs, the at least two spaced-apart webs being connected to the support body and disposed on opposing sides of the guide channel such that the chain passes between the two spaced-apart webs; and a pressing region, which is adapted to be acted on with pressure by a tensioning piston, the pressing region being connected to the at least two spaced-apart webs such that the pressing region bridges the chain along at least a portion of the guide channel to define an enclosed guide channel section that surrounds the chain, wherein the chain extends through the enclosed guide section, and wherein the guide channel of the support body and the projection enclose the chain on four sides at least along a portion of the guide channel, and wherein the pressing region is formed in one piece with the support body such that the chain is threaded in an open state through the enclosed guide channel when the chain is assembled with the tensioning rail.