HOWARD MERCHANT
Architects at 84 Ave, Bothell, WA
License number
Alaska AELM7716
Issued Date
Dec 30, 1988
Category
Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors
Address
Address
16234 84Th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98028
Professional information
Stabilized Tensioning Device For Flexible Drive Element
US Patent:
4850934, Jul 25, 1989
Filed:
Jun 2, 1988
Appl. No.:
7/201590
Inventors:
Bernard P. Gibson - Yakima WA
Howard C. Merchant - Bothell WA
Howard C. Merchant - Bothell WA
Assignee:
Moxee Innovations Corporation - Moxee WA
International Classification:
F16H 708
US Classification:
474111
Abstract:
A free-floating tensioning device having motion damping capabilities and gyroscopic action stabilizing capabilities for use in a drive system having a flexible drive element is disclosed. The tensioning device includes a tensioning assembly along with a damping member and/or a stabilizing member. The tensioning assembly has first and second tensioning members, each having a contact surface that contacts the drive elements, and a positioning component for securing the tensioning members a selected distance away from one another in order to apply a suitable tensioning force to the drive element. The damping member is connected to the tensioning assembly and is suitable for damping the vibration and oscillation of the tensioning device during operation. The damping member includes a damping material. The stabilizing member is connected to the positioning component and produces a stabilizing torque that is substantially equal and opposite to the gyroscopic torque created by the tensioning members during operation.