Patent ID: 7748659

Claim:
A wire tensioning arrangement for applying tension in a wire supplied to a wire feeder, the tensioning arrangement comprising: first and second tensioning members positioned on corresponding first and second lateral sides of a wire axis to receive the wire therebetween extending along the wire axis and adapted to engage opposite sides of the wire to apply a tensioning force to the wire when the wire is pulled by the wire feeder in a direction substantially parallel to the wire axis, the first tensioning member being mounted to a support member, the second tensioning member being mounted to a first end of a lever arm; and a load applying member connected with a second end of the lever arm laterally outward of the first tensioning member and applying a load to the lever arm at a location on the first lateral side of the wire axis in a direction substantially parallel to the wire axis to bring the first and second tensioning members into tensioning engagement with the wire; wherein the lever arm is pivotally connected to the support member at a location between the first and second ends of the lever arm.