Quick release automatic tensioning motor base and spring compression retention mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9806583-B2
Application number	US-201514739237-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 15, 2015
Priority date	Jan 20, 2014
Publication date	Oct 31, 2017
Grant date	Oct 31, 2017

Abstract

A quick-release automatic tensioning motor base for supporting a motor. The motor is operably coupled to a device to be driven via a drive belt. The motor base includes base brackets and at least one guide rail fixedly coupled between the base brackets. A platform assembly, which supports the motor, is slidably coupled to the guide rail. A spring assembly is selectively coupled between the base brackets and fixedly coupled to the platform assembly. The spring assembly applies a biasing force to the platform assembly to maintain a belt tension along the drive belt. A quick-release assembly selectively engages the spring assembly and base brackets to permit movement of the quick-release assembly between a fastened position and a released position. A spring compression retention assembly is operably coupled to the spring assembly to maintain spring compression on the spring assembly even when the quick-release assembly is in the released position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A quick-release automatic tensioning motor base for supporting a motor relative to a fixed structure, the motor driving a device to be driven via a drive belt, the quick-release automatic tensioning motor base comprising:
at least two base brackets connectable to a fixed structure,
at least one guide rail being fixedly coupled between the at least two base brackets;
a platform assembly slidably coupled to the at least one guide rail for movement along the at least one guide rail relative to the at least two base brackets, the platform assembly being configured to support and retain the motor thereon;
a spring assembly being selectively coupled between the at least two base brackets and fixedly coupled to the platform assembly for movement therewith, the spring assembly applying a biasing force to the platform assembly to automatically maintain a predetermined belt tension along the drive belt;
a quick-release assembly having a quick-release member selectively engageable between the spring assembly and a first of the at least two base brackets, the quick-release assembly being positionable in a first position to retain the spring assembly to the first of the at least two base brackets and a second position to release the spring assembly from the first of the at least two base brackets; and
a spring compression retention assembly being operably coupled to the spring assembly, the spring compression retention assembly maintaining spring compression on the spring assembly even when the quick-release assembly is in the second position.

2. The quick-release automatic tensioning motor base according to claim 1 wherein the spring assembly comprises:
a threaded rod extending between the at least two base brackets;
a spring sleeve coupled to the platform assembly, the spring sleeve receiving the threaded rod therethrough; and
a spring member disposed within the spring sleeve and applying the biasing force to the platform assembly, a first end of the spring member engaging the platform assembly and a second end of the spring member engaging a spring nut threaded positioned on the threaded rod, a position of the spring nut being changeable in response to rotation of the threaded rod.

3. The quick-release automatic tensioning motor base according to claim 2 wherein the spring compression retention assembly comprises one or more retention nuts disposed upon the threaded rod, the one or more retention nuts being positionable to maintain a predetermined distance between the retention nuts and the spring nut to maintain compression of the spring member when the quick-release assembly is in the second position.

4. The quick-release automatic tensioning motor base according to claim 2 wherein the spring sleeve comprises one or more apertures formed therethrough, the one or more apertures being sized to receive a retaining pin therein to inhibit movement of the spring nut to maintain compression of the spring member when the quick-release assembly is in the second position.

5. The quick-release automatic tensioning motor base according to claim 2 wherein the spring compression retention assembly comprises a cable line extending along a length of the spring member can configured to maintain a predetermined length of the spring member to maintain compression of the spring member when the quick-release assembly is in the second position.

6. The quick-release automatic tensioning motor base according to claim 2 wherein the spring compression retention assembly comprises a clamp member configured to apply a clamping force upon the spring nut and the platform assembly to maintain a predetermined length of the spring member to maintain compression of the spring member when the quick-release assembly is in the second position.

7. The quick-release automatic tensioning motor base according to claim 1 wherein the quick-release member is pivotally coupled to the first of the at least two base brackets to permit rotation relative thereto.

8. The quick-release automatic tensioning motor base according to claim 7 wherein the quick-release member comprises an arcuate slot, the arcuate slot sized to receive a rod of the spring assembly therein.

9. The quick-release automatic tensioning motor base according to claim 8 wherein the rod of the spring assembly comprising a fastening head, the arcuate slot having a slot width that is greater than a diameter of the rod and less than a diameter of the fastening head.

10. The quick-release automatic tensioning motor base according to claim 9 wherein the first of the at least two base brackets comprises an aperture having a diameter greater than the diameter of the fastening head, the quick-release member spanning the aperture thereby preventing the fastening head from passing through the aperture in the first position, the quick-release member permitting the fastening head to pass through the aperture in the second position.

11. The quick-release automatic tensioning motor base according to claim 1 wherein the quick-release member is coupled to the first of the at least two base brackets to permit linear translation relative thereto.

12. The quick-release automatic tensioning motor base according to claim 11 wherein the quick-release member comprises a linear slot, the linear slot sized to receive a rod of the spring assembly therein.

13. The quick-release automatic tensioning motor base according to claim 12 wherein the rod of the spring assembly comprising a fastening head, the linear slot having a slot width that is greater than a diameter of the rod and less than a diameter of the fastening head.

14. The quick-release automatic tensioning motor base according to claim 13 wherein the first of the at least two base brackets comprises an aperture having a diameter greater than the diameter of the fastening head, the quick-release member spanning the aperture thereby preventing the fastening head from passing through the aperture in the first position, the quick-release member permitting the fastening head to pass through the aperture in the second position.

15. The quick-release automatic tensioning motor base according to claim 12 wherein the rod of the spring assembly comprising a fastening head, the linear slot having a keyhole shape having a hole portion and a slot portion extending from the hole portion, a slot width of the slot portion being greater than a diameter of the rod and less than a diameter of the fastening head, a diameter of the hole portion being greater than the diameter of the fastening head.

16. The quick-release automatic tensioning motor base according to claim 15 wherein the fastening head is retained by the slot portion when the quick-release member is in the first position and is permitted to pass through the hole portion when the quick-release member is in the second position.

17. A quick-release automatic tensioning motor base for supporting a motor relative to a fixed structure, the motor driving a device to be driven via a drive belt, the quick-release automatic tensioning motor base comprising:
at least two base brackets connectable to a fixed structure,
at least one guide rail being fixedly coupled between the at least two base brackets;
a platform assembly slidably coupled to the at least one guide rail for movement along the at least one guide rail relative to the at least two base brackets, the platform assembly being configured to support and retain the motor thereon;
a spring assembly being selectively coupled between the at least two base brackets and fixedly coupled to the platform assembly for m

Assignees

• Regal Beloit America Inc

Inventors

• Norris William
• Lindsay David
• Bees Edward
• Copanas Thomas

Classifications

• F16H2007/0842

  Mounting or support of tensioner · CPC title

• F16H2007/0806

  Compression coil springs · CPC title

• H02K5/26 Primary

  Means for adjusting casings relative to their supports · CPC title

• F16H2007/0895

  Internal to external direction · CPC title

• F16H7/14 Primary

  of a driving or driven pulley · CPC title