Tensioner adjustment device

Abstract

A tensioner adjuster device includes a plate portion having an opening for receiving a fastener during installation of a tensioner. The tensioner adjuster device further includes a first curved neck portion extending from the plate portion and a first guide portion extending from the first curved neck portion, the first guide portion having a fastener engagement member to engage the fastener. The tensioner adjuster device further includes a second curved neck portion extending from the plate portion on a side of the plate portion opposite the side from which the first curved neck portion extends, and a second guide portion extending from the second curved neck portion, the second guide portion having a fastener engagement member to engage the fastener.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to tensioners, and more particularly, to belt tensioners with adjusting devices for convenient and precise installation of the tensioner to maintain its operative relationship with a belt (e.g., a timing belt or a drive belt). Background Technology

[0002] Belt tensioners are used in many belt systems. The conventional approach in belt tensioners is to apply a constant belt tension to compensate for increases in belt length due to wear and other factors. A typical type of conventional belt tensioner consists of a fixed structure and a pivoting structure pivotally mounted on the fixed structure via a pivoting assembly. This pivoting structure carries the belt engagement pulley. A helical or torsion spring is mounted around the pivoting assembly, with its end connected between the fixed and pivoting structures to bias the pivoting structure toward the maximum belt tension position. This biasing force decreases as the pivoting structure moves from the minimum tension position to the maximum belt tension position. Although the spring force varies within the provided range of movement, a substantially constant belt tension is maintained.

[0003] When a belt tensioner is installed on an engine, it should be installed to apply a predetermined static tension to the belt. Furthermore, the pivoting structure of the load-bearing pulley is typically movable between two positions defined by end stops. During the adjustment or installation of the tensioner, an adjusting member or eccentric adjusting member, which forms part of the fixed structure, is adjusted to move the pivoting structure to the position between the stops, wherein the belt tensioner pulley is set to a predetermined static tension relationship with the belt.

[0004] Many tensioner adjusters are manufactured as two-piece structures, for example, in injection molding, die casting, or stamping processes. Two-piece manufacturing processes are expensive and time-consuming because rework is required when manufacturing eccentric adjusters and tensioners of different sizes, for example. What is needed are tensioner adjusters that can be manufactured more economically and sustainably for use with a wide variety of eccentric adjusters and tensioners. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the tensioner includes: a base, a sleeve having a bore and connected to the base, an arm pivotally engaged with the base about the sleeve, a wheel journaled to the arm, a torsion spring engaged between the arm and the base, and an adjusting device. The adjusting device is rotatably mounted within a central bore of the sleeve and includes: a plate portion having an opening for receiving a fastener; a first neck extending from the plate portion; a first guide portion extending from the first neck having a fastener engaging member for engaging the fastener; a second neck extending from the plate portion on a plate portion side opposite to the plate portion side extending from the first neck; and a second guide portion extending from the second neck having a fastener engaging member for engaging the fastener.

[0006] In another embodiment of the invention, the tensioner adjusting device includes: a plate portion having an opening for receiving a fastener; a first curved neck extending from the plate portion; and a first guide portion extending from the first curved neck having a fastener engaging member for engaging the fastener. The tensioner further includes a second curved neck and a second guide portion, the second curved neck extending from the plate portion on a plate portion side opposite to the plate portion side from which the first curved neck extends, and the second guide portion extending from the second curved neck having a fastener engaging member for engaging the fastener.

[0007] In another embodiment of the invention, the tensioner adjusting device includes: a plate portion having an opening for receiving a fastener for mounting the tensioner; a first curved neck extending from the plate portion; and a first guide portion extending from the first curved neck, the first guide portion having a fastener engagement member configured and arranged to engage the fastener. The tensioner also includes a second curved neck and a second guide portion, the second curved neck extending from the plate portion on a plate portion side opposite to the side from which the first curved neck extends, the second guide portion extending from the second curved neck, the second guide portion having a fastener engagement member configured and arranged to engage the fastener. The tensioner further includes: a first reinforcing support extending from the first curved neck; a second reinforcing support extending from a side of the first curved neck opposite to the side from which the first reinforcing support extends; a third reinforcing support extending from one side of the second curved neck; and a fourth reinforcing support extending from a side of the second curved neck opposite to the side from which the third reinforcing support extends.

[0008] Other aspects of the invention will be explained or illustrated by the following description and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are included in and form part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tensioner with an adjustment device disclosed herein.

[0011] Figure 2 This is another perspective view of an embodiment of the tensioner with an adjustment device disclosed herein.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a top view of an embodiment of the tensioner with an adjustment device disclosed herein.

[0013] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the tensioner with adjustment device of this disclosure, taken along centerline AA.

[0014] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of an embodiment of the tensioner with an adjustment device disclosed herein.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tensioner adjustment device disclosed herein.

[0016] Figure 7 This is another perspective view of an embodiment of the tensioner adjustment device disclosed herein.

[0017] Figure 8 This is another perspective view of an embodiment of the adjusting device of this disclosure, after stamping and before the adjusting device is formed into an adjusting device structure for mounting the tensioner of this disclosure.

[0018] Figure 9 This is a top view of an embodiment of the tensioner adjustment device disclosed herein.

[0019] Figure 10 This is a bottom view of an embodiment of the tensioner adjustment device disclosed herein.

[0020] Figure 11 This is a left-side view of an embodiment of the tensioner adjustment device disclosed herein.

[0021] Figure 12 This is a right-side view of an embodiment of the tensioner adjustment device disclosed herein.

[0022] Figure 13 This is a front view of an embodiment of the tensioner adjustment device disclosed herein.

[0023] Figure 14 This is a rear side view of an embodiment of the tensioner adjustment device disclosed herein. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The tensioner adjusting device disclosed herein includes an eccentric adjusting device. This eccentric adjusting device can be used to move the tensioner to proper engagement with the belt during installation. The eccentric adjusting device can be manufactured by stamping a single piece of material (e.g., a sheet of metal) and forming the stamped material into an adjusting device structure, which facilitates the installation of the belt tensioner onto, for example, a motor vehicle engine by moving a pivot structure between stops, in which the belt tensioner pulley is positioned to form a predetermined static tension relationship with the belt. The process of stamping the adjusting device material into a single piece and forming the adjusting device structure from the stamped material allows the eccentric adjusting device to be manufactured in different sizes for use with eccentric tensioners of different sizes without requiring changes to the tooling during manufacturing. Therefore, the adjusting device of this disclosure eliminates the need for expensive and time-consuming rework during manufacturing, significantly reducing the manufacturing cost per unit adjusting device. This reduction in rework during manufacturing not only brings significant economic benefits but also creates a more environmentally friendly and sustainable manufacturing process.

[0025] Figures 1 to 14 A tensioner 100 with an integrated adjustment device 50 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The tensioner 100 includes the adjustment device 50, which is eccentric and used to move the tensioner 100 to proper engagement with the belt during installation (e.g., during installation of the tensioner 100 onto a motor vehicle engine), as described herein. It should be understood from the foregoing that... Figures 9 to 14 It shows the relationship with Figures 1 to 8 The same adjustment device embodiment is shown.

[0026] During installation, the adjusting device 50 rotates about a fastener, such as a bolt or stud or any other suitable fastener (not shown), which passes through an opening 52 defined in the adjusting device 50. As the fastener extends through the opening 52, it engages with, or is guided or held in place by, engagement members 600 and 700 (as described below in the corresponding first guide portion 59a and second guide portion 59b of the adjusting device 50). The fastener inserted into the opening 52 extends to the distal end of the tensioner 100, at which the fastener secures the tensioner 100 to, for example, a motor vehicle engine. The center of the fastener extending through the opening 52 and guided or held by the first engagement member 600 and the second engagement member 700 defines the axis of rotation BB of the fastener (see [link to fastener description]). Figure 4 The axis BB is eccentrically offset from the axis of rotation CC of wheel 30 (see...). Figure 4The belt, eccentrically offset from the axis of rotation of the pivot arm 20 of the tensioner 100 (the axis of rotation of arm 20 is not marked), is precisely loaded with a predetermined tension by compensating for all component tolerances. The adjustment device 50 is used during belt installation and is locked in place once the belt is installed by fully engaging the fastener with the mounting surface (e.g., with a motor vehicle engine). The term eccentricity in the term eccentric adjustment device 50 refers to the fact that the axis of rotation BB of the fastener is not coaxial with the axis of rotation CC of the wheel 30 or the axis of rotation of the arm 20, which is defined by another axis (not marked) substantially parallel to axis BB.

[0027] The pulley 30 engages with the belt to provide belt tension or load. The pulley 30 is journaled onto the arm 20 around the bearing or bearing assembly 32. The pulley 30 engages with the outer ring of the bearing 32. The bearing 32 may include a ball bearing, but may also include a needle roller bearing or any other suitable bearing.

[0028] Arm 20 includes or has a central hole or opening 23 defined therein. Arm 20 is biased by a helical spring or torsion spring 40 to push wheel 30 into the belt (not shown). Arm 20 pivots about bushing 60 about sleeve 70. Bushing 60 allows arm 20 to rotate smoothly about sleeve 70 and contributes to frictional damping. Bushing 60 may contain a low-friction material (e.g., a material comprising brass, copper, and sintered metals) to facilitate relative movement of arm 20. The pivoting movement of arm 20 about sleeve 70 results in translational movement of wheel 30, which allows tensioner 100 to compensate for any changes in belt length as the belt stretches over time and the drive length changes due to thermal expansion.

[0029] Arm 20 engages with the inner ring of bearing 32. Wheel 30 is compressed by torsion spring 40 into abutment belt engagement. The first end of torsion spring 40, or arm engagement end 42, engages with groove 22 defined in arm 20. The second opposite end of torsion spring 40, or base engagement end 44, engages with base 10 in a groove (not marked) defined in spring engagement member 14 of base 10.

[0030] During the installation of the tensioner 100 onto a mounting surface (such as the engine of a motor vehicle (not shown)), the base 10 is statically fixed. The spring torque from the torsion spring 40 and the effective arm length of the arm 20 generate a load or tension. The foot 16 of the base 10 engages a mating receiving member on the mounting surface, such as a hole (not shown) in the mounting surface, and this foot serves to prevent the base 10 from rotating during the installation of the tensioner 100. While the base 10 is used to mount the tensioner 100, it is also used to secure the end of the torsion spring 40, for example, by securing the base engagement end 44 of the torsion spring 40 into a groove defined in the spring engagement member 14 of the base 10.

[0031] A sleeve 70 is attached or fixed (e.g., via mechanical interference fit) to a base 10. The sleeve is generally or substantially cylindrical, and defines a bore 72 therein. The sleeve 70 and its bore extend from a distal end 76 of the sleeve 70 to a proximal end 74 of the sleeve 70. The distal end 76 of the sleeve 70 includes an annular collar 78. The sleeve 70 also includes a shoulder 72a that extends circumferentially around the inner wall or inner sidewall of the bore 72 defined in the sleeve 70, and the shoulder is defined by the inner wall or inner sidewall (see...). Figure 4 (This shows the shoulder 72a of the sleeve 70).

[0032] A damper 80 is mounted on a sleeve 70 and arranged in a tensioner 100 between a base 10 and an arm 20 to serve as a damping control member. The damper 80 is axially held by the sleeve 70 and is rotatably secured by, for example, a spring 40 inserted through a slot or opening in the damper 80, which can be rotatably aligned with a slot in a spring-engaging member 14 defined in the base 20. The damper 80 controls and reduces vibrations of the arm 20 during operation and may comprise materials suitable for reducing and controlling the vibrations of the arm 20.

[0033] Arm 20 includes an arm indicator 24 that mates with a base indicator 12 on the base 10 to indicate when the tensioner 100 is correctly installed and loaded during installation. Wheel 30 includes a belt engagement surface (not shown), which may be a flat surface as shown, or any other suitable shape or profile for engaging the belt.

[0034] Referring now more specifically to embodiments of the integrated adjustment device of this disclosure, Figures 1 to 14 An embodiment of a tensioner 100 with an adjustment device 50 is shown, as well as an embodiment of an adjustment device 50 used alone for a tensioner (such as tensioner 100). Specifically, Figures 6 to 14 An adjusting device 50, separate from the tensioner 50 but used for, for example, the tensioner 100, is shown. The adjusting device 50 can be made by stamping a single piece of material (e.g., a single sheet of metal material) into a substantially flat single-piece structure (e.g., Figure 8 The structure shown is used for manufacturing. Then, by, for example, using a rolled, folded, stamped adjusting device material, this substantially flat, one-piece stamping adjusting device material can be formed into an adjusting device structure, for example... Figure 1 , Figures 3 to 7 and Figures 9 to 14The structure of the adjusting device 50 is shown. The formed adjusting device 50 includes a generally planar plate portion 56 and opposing first guide portions 59a and second guide portions 59b. The first guide portions and the second guide portions are connected to opposite sides of the plate portion 56 via first necks 58a and second necks 58b, respectively. The first guide portions 59a and the second guide portions 59b also include a first engaging member 600 and a second engaging member 700, respectively, each engaging member being constructed and arranged to engage fasteners (e.g., bolts or studs (as described above)) when fasteners are inserted into the adjusting device 50 for rotation about axis BB during installation of the tensioner 100.

[0035] Plate portion 56 includes or defines a tool receiving portion 54 therein. During installation, a tool (e.g., a general-purpose wrench (not shown)) can be inserted or engaged at the tool receiving portion 54 of the adjusting device 50 to rotate the adjusting device 50 about a fastener. The adjusting device 50 can rotate about a fastener inserted through an opening 52 in plate portion 56. This fastener extends substantially perpendicularly to plate portion 56 through opening 52 to a distal end of tensioner 100, at which the fastener secures or mounts the tensioner to, for example, a motor vehicle engine. The portion of the fastener extending beyond opening 52 engages with a first fastener engaging member 600 and a second fastener engaging member 700, respectively, with the first guide member 59a and the second guide member 59b, as described below.

[0036] The first neck 58a is formed as a curved or bent structure in a generally or substantially U-shape, with parallel segments 58a1 extending generally or substantially radially inward and substantially parallel to the plate portion 56. A first reinforcing support 58a2 and a second reinforcing support 58a3 extend from opposite sides of the parallel segments 58a1, respectively. Each reinforcing support is formed as a curved or bent segment 582, segment 583, which are substantially parallel to the axis BB (or the axis of the hole 72 defined in the sleeve 70) and extend perpendicularly to the plate portion 56 toward the lower or proximal surface 56a of the plate portion 56. The segments 582 and 583 of the reinforcing supports 58a2 and 58a3 each extend to the lower or proximal surface 56a without physically contacting the surface 56a.

[0037] Similar to the first neck 58a, the second neck 58b is formed as a curved or bent structure in a generally or substantially U-shape, with parallel segments 58b1 of the U-shape extending generally or substantially radially inward and generally parallel to the plate portion 56. A first reinforcing support 58b2 and a second reinforcing support 58b3 extend from opposite sides of the parallel segments 58b1, each reinforcing support being formed as a curved or bent segment 584, segment 585, these segments being generally parallel to the axis BB (or the axis of the hole 72 defined in the sleeve 70) and perpendicular to the plate portion 56 extending toward the lower or proximal surface 56a of the plate portion 56. It should be understood and appreciated that, although in Figure 8 The adjustment device diagram shows the reinforcing support 58b3, but the reinforcing support 58b3 is... Figure 6 and Figure 7 The middle part is blurry and not fully shown, but in Figure 6 and Figure 7 The middle is located in a position similar to that of the reinforcing support 58a3 of the first neck 58a, opposite to 58b2, which is in Figure 6 and Figure 7 Clearly shown in the diagram, sections 584 and 585 of reinforcing supports 58b2 and 58b3 each extend to the lower or proximal end surface 56a without physical contact with it. When the adjusting device 50 rotates during installation, the head of the fastener (e.g., a bolt head) applies a relatively high torque to the adjusting device 50, for example, in the range of 30 N·m to 50 N·m. This high torque applies a force to the plate portion 56 of the adjusting device, which can cause mechanical deformation of the plate portion 56, for example, deformation or bending in a generally downward direction when viewed from the top surface of the plate 56 through the opening 52 along the axis of rotation BB toward the distal end of the adjusting device 50. This deformation can lead to poor performance of the adjusting device 50, improper tensioning of the tensioner 100 during its installation, or even breakage or failure of the plate portion 56. The reinforcing supports 58a1, 58a2, 58b2, and 58b3 are used to reduce or eliminate the mechanical deformation that may occur in the adjusting plate portion 56 when such torque is applied during installation, thereby improving the quality, effectiveness, and durability of the adjusting device 50 and the tensioner 100 having the adjusting device 50.

[0038] The first guide portion 59a and the second guide portion 59b are integrated with the first neck 58a and the second neck 58b, respectively, and extend generally longitudinally from the first neck and the second neck, and are generally perpendicular to the plate portion 56 and parallel to the axis BB. The first guide portion 59a includes two longitudinally extending legs 591 and 592, which are generally perpendicular to the plate portion 56 and generally parallel to the axis BB. Located between the legs 591 and 592 is a sleeve engagement tab 596, which extends generally radially outward from the axis BB to a distal end portion 596a of the tab 596. The distal end portion 596a extends radially outward to engage a shoulder 72a of the sleeve 70. The shoulder 72a extends circumferentially around and is defined by the inner wall or inner sidewall of the hole 72 defined in the sleeve 70 (see...). Figure 4 (This shows the shoulder 72a of the sleeve 70).

[0039] The second guide portion 59b, opposite to the first guide portion 59a, includes two legs 593 and 594. Similar to the legs 591 and 592 of the first guide portion 59a, the legs of the second guide portion extend generally longitudinally and are substantially perpendicular to the plate portion 56 and substantially parallel to the axis BB. Located between the legs 593 and 594 is a sleeve engagement tab 597, which extends radially outward from the bolt axis BB to a distal end portion 597a of the tab 597. The distal end portion 597a extends radially outward to engage the shoulder 72a of the sleeve 70. The sleeve engagement tabs 596 and 597, and their respective distal end portions 596a and 597a of engaging the shoulder 72a of the sleeve, serve to lock or engage the adjusting device 50 with the sleeve 70, so that the adjusting device 50 can be axially fixed or held in place during transport and assembly (e.g., when assembled onto a motor vehicle engine). In embodiments, sleeve engagement tabs 596 and 597 may be formed as flexible and radially outwardly biased to engage and lock the adjusting device 50 to the sleeve 70, such that the adjusting device 50 can be secured or held in place during transport and assembly (e.g., assembly onto a motor vehicle engine). It should be understood that in some embodiments, the outer diameter defined by the generally circular shape drawn around and defined by the outer surfaces of the legs 591, 592, 593, and 594 may be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the bore 72 of the sleeve 70, such that the legs 591, 592, 593, and 594 of the first guide member 59a and the second guide member 59b can be inserted into and rotated within the bore 72 of the sleeve 70.

[0040] The first guide portion 59a also includes a fastener engagement member 600, configured and arranged to engage or dock with a fastener extending through the opening 52 of the adjusting device 50, such that the adjusting device 50 can be guided by the fastener and rotated about it, i.e., rotated about axis BB during tensioner 100 installation. The fastener engagement member 600 extends from and is integrated with the leg portion 591, and includes a body section extending longitudinally and substantially perpendicular to the plate portion 56 and parallel to axis BB. A foot portion 602 extends from the body section toward axis BB in a substantially or generally radially inward direction to engage or dock with a fastener inserted into the opening 52 of the arm 50 for installation of the tensioner 100. The fastener engagement member 600 may be substantially or generally L-shaped as shown, but may be formed in any other suitable shape such that the member 600 engages the fastener and ensures that the fastener remains substantially perpendicular to the plate portion 56 and parallel to the wheel rotation axis CC and the arm rotation axis (not shown) when inserted into the arm hole 52 for proper installation of the tensioner 100. The foot 602 may include a distal end or toe end 604 configured to engage or mat with a fastener in the opening 52 of the insertion arm 50. In the illustrated embodiment, when the fastener is inserted into the opening 52 of the arm 50, the engagement surface 604a of the toe end 604 engages the fastener.

[0041] Similar to the first guide portion 59a, the second guide portion 59b also includes a fastener engagement member 700, which is configured and arranged to engage or mate with a fastener to allow the adjusting device 50 to be guided by the fastener and rotatable about the fastener, i.e., about axis BB, during the installation of the tensioner 100. The fastener engagement member 700 extends from and integrates with the leg portion 593, and includes a body section that extends longitudinally and is substantially perpendicular to the plate portion 56 and parallel to axis BB (and may extend in substantially the same plane as the body section of the fastener engagement member 700). A foot 702 extends from the body section toward axis BB in a substantially or generally radially inward direction to engage or mate with a fastener in the opening 52 of the insertion arm 50 for installation of the tensioner 100. The fastener engagement member 700 may be basically or generally L-shaped as shown, but may be formed in any other suitable shape such that the member 700 engages the fastener and ensures that the fastener remains substantially perpendicular to the plate portion 56 and parallel to the wheel rotation axis CC and the arm rotation axis (not shown) when inserted into the arm hole 52, for proper installation of the tensioner 100. The foot 702 includes a distal end or toe end 704 configured to engage or mat with the fastener in the opening 52 of the insertion arm 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement surface 704a of the toe end 704 engages the fastener when it is inserted into the opening 52 of the arm 50.

[0042] Foot 602 and foot 702 may together be radially inward at an angle, for example, inward toward each other, so that their respective distal ends or toe ends (and surfaces) form a curvature or arc that mates or engages with a curvature or arc formed by the outer surface of the fastener. That is, the toe ends 604 and 704 of foot 602 and foot 702 may be generally or substantially arched or curved to engage, mate with, or substantially conform to the outer surface of the fastener. When viewed, for example, from a direction through opening 52 and parallel to axis BB toward the distal end of tensioner 100, foot 602 and foot 702 may form a V-shape. The feet 602 and 702, along with their respective lengths (which extend radially inward to the axis BB to engage the fastener), together allow the adjusting device 50 to keep the fastener substantially perpendicular to the plate portion 56 and parallel to the wheel rotation axis CC and the arm rotation axis for proper installation of the tensioner 100, i.e., when the adjusting device 50 rotates about the fastener.

[0043] The fact that the first and second guide portions of the adjusting device of this disclosure, along with their corresponding fastener engagement members, are made from a single piece of material allows the adjusting device and tensioner of this disclosure to be easily manufactured into eccentric tensioners and eccentric adjusting devices of different sizes. For example, the first and second guide portions and their corresponding legs of the adjusting device disclosed herein can be easily stamped and formed into various sizes and dimensions without requiring significant modifications to the tools used during manufacturing, thereby enabling the legs to be fitted into tensioners with sleeves of different diameters (thus the tensioner pivot arms have center holes of different diameters). Similarly, the first and second guide portions and their corresponding fastener engagement members can also be easily stamped and formed into various sizes and dimensions without requiring significant modifications to the manufacturing tools, enabling the fastener engagement members to engage fasteners of different diameters, and allowing the adjusting device to be easily manufactured for tensioner adjusting devices with different eccentricities. In one example, the length of each foot of the fastener engagement member can be easily cut into different lengths and formed such that they can extend radially inward to the corresponding different lengths, thereby allowing the fastener engagement member to be manufactured to engage larger or smaller fasteners and to operate with larger or smaller eccentric adjustment devices, such as 3mm, 4mm or 5mm eccentric adjustment devices.

[0044] Although one form of the invention has been described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the structure and relationships of the components without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein.

Claims

1. A tensioner, comprising: Base; A sleeve connected to a base, the sleeve having a central hole defined therein; The arm, which pivotally engages with the base around the sleeve; The wheel is connected to the arm by a journal; A torsion spring, which is joined between the arm and the base; and An integrated eccentric adjustment device manufactured by stamping a single piece of material, rotatably mounted in the center hole of a sleeve, the integrated eccentric adjustment device comprising: The plate portion includes an opening for receiving fasteners used to mount the tensioner. A first neck, extending from the plate portion, is curved and includes parallel segments that are substantially parallel to the plate portion and extend substantially radially inward. A first guide portion extending from a first neck includes a fastener engagement member configured and arranged to engage a fastener. A second neck, extending from the plate portion on a plate portion side opposite to the side where the first neck extends, is curved and includes a parallel segment extending substantially parallel to the plate portion and substantially radially inward. A second guide portion, extending from the second neck, includes a fastener engagement member configured and arranged to engage a fastener. The first reinforcing support extends from one side of the parallel section of the first neck. The second reinforcing support extends from the side opposite to the side from which the first reinforcing support extends from the first neck, in a parallel section of the first neck. The third reinforcing support extends from one side of the parallel section of the second neck, and The fourth reinforcing support extends from the side opposite to the side from which the third reinforcing support extends from the second neck, in the parallel section of the second neck.

2. The tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, (i) The fastener engagement member of the first guide portion extends radially inward toward the rotation axis of the fastener to engage the fastener, and (ii) The fastener engagement member of the second guide portion extends radially inward toward the rotation axis of the fastener to engage the fastener.

3. The tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, (i) The fastener engagement member of the first guide portion includes a body extending substantially perpendicular to the plate portion and a foot of the fastener extending substantially perpendicular to the body of the first guide portion and radially inward toward the axis of rotation of the fastener, and (ii) The fastener engagement member of the second guide portion includes a body extending substantially perpendicular to the plate portion and a foot of the fastener extending substantially perpendicular to the body of the second guide portion and radially inward toward the axis of rotation of the fastener, to engage the foot of the fastener.

4. The tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, (i) The fastener engagement member of the first guide portion is substantially L-shaped to engage the fastener, and (ii) The fastener engagement member of the second guide portion is substantially L-shaped to engage the fastener.

5. The tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, (i) The first neck is substantially U-shaped and includes a section that is substantially parallel to the plate portion and extends radially inward toward the axis of rotation of the fastener, and (ii) The second neck is substantially U-shaped and includes a section that is substantially parallel to the plate portion and extends radially inward toward the axis of rotation of the fastener.

6. The tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a generally cylindrical bushing located between the arm and the sleeve, the arm pivotally engaging with the base around the bushing.

7. The tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, (i) The first neck is substantially U-shaped and includes a radially inwardly extending section substantially parallel to the plate portion, and (ii) The second neck is substantially U-shaped and includes a radially inwardly extending section substantially parallel to the plate portion.

8. The tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, (i) The fastener engagement member of the first guide portion includes a body extending substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the fastener and a foot extending from the body of the first guide portion, the body and the foot of the first guide portion forming a substantially L-shaped structure; (ii) The fastener engagement member of the second guide portion includes a body extending substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the fastener and a foot extending from the body of the second guide portion, the body and the foot of the second guide portion forming a substantially L-shaped structure.

9. An integrated tensioner adjusting device, said integrated tensioner adjusting device being manufactured by stamping a single piece of material, comprising: The plate portion includes: an opening for receiving fasteners for mounting the tensioner; The first curved neck extends from the plate portion and includes a parallel section that is substantially parallel to the plate portion and extends substantially radially inward. A first guide portion extends from a first curved neck and includes a fastener engagement member configured and arranged to engage a fastener. The second curved neck extends from the plate portion on the plate portion side opposite to the plate portion side of the first curved neck, and includes a parallel section that is substantially parallel to the plate portion and extends substantially radially inward. The second guide portion extends from the second curved neck and includes a fastener engagement member configured and arranged to engage a fastener. The first reinforcing support extends from one side of the parallel section of the first curved neck. The second reinforcing support extends from the side opposite to the side from which the first reinforcing support extends from the first neck, parallel to the section of the first curved neck. The third reinforcing support extends from one side of the parallel section of the second curved neck, and The fourth reinforcing support extends from the side opposite to the side from which the third reinforcing support extends from the second neck, parallel to the section of the second curved neck.

10. The integrated tensioner adjusting device according to claim 9, characterized in that, (i) The fastener engagement member of the first guide portion includes a body and extends radially inward from the body of the first guide portion toward the rotation axis of the fastener to engage the foot of the fastener; (ii) The fastener engagement member of the second guide portion includes a body and extends radially inward from the body of the second guide portion toward the rotation axis of the fastener to engage the foot of the fastener.

11. The integrated tensioner adjusting device according to claim 9, characterized in that, (i) The fastener engagement member of the first guide portion includes a body and a foot extending radially inward from the body of the first guide portion toward the axis of rotation of the fastener, the foot of the first guide portion including a toe end that engages the fastener; (ii) The fastener engagement member of the second guide portion includes a body and a foot extending radially inward from the body of the second guide portion toward the axis of rotation, the foot of the second engagement member including a toe end that engages the fastener.

12. The integrated tensioner adjusting device according to claim 9, characterized in that, (i) The engaging member of the first guide portion extends radially inward toward the rotation axis of the fastener to engage the fastener during rotation of the integrated adjustment device; (ii) The engaging member of the second guide portion extends radially inward toward the rotation axis of the fastener to engage the fastener during rotation of the integrated adjustment device.

13. The integrated tensioner adjusting device according to claim 9, characterized in that, (i) The fastener engagement member of the first guide portion includes a body and extends radially inward from the body of the first guide portion toward the rotation axis of the fastener to engage the foot of the fastener; (ii) The fastener engagement member of the second guide portion includes a body and extends radially inward from the body of the second guide portion toward the rotation axis of the fastener to engage the foot of the fastener; and (iii) The fastener engagement surface of the foot of the first guide portion and the fastener engagement surface of the foot of the second guide portion form an arc with a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the fastener.

14. The integrated tensioner adjusting device according to claim 9, characterized in that, (i) The fastener engagement member of the first guide portion includes a body and a foot extending radially inward from the body of the first guide portion toward the rotation axis of the fastener, the foot of the first guide portion including a fastener engagement surface configured to engage the fastener; (ii) The fastener engagement member of the second guide portion includes a body and a foot extending radially inward from the body of the second guide portion toward the rotation axis of the fastener, the foot of the second guide portion including a fastener engagement surface engaged with the fastener.

15. An integrated tensioner adjusting device, said integrated tensioner adjusting device being manufactured by stamping a single piece of material, comprising: The plate portion includes: an opening for receiving fasteners for mounting the tensioner; The first curved neck extends from the plate portion and includes a parallel section that is substantially parallel to the plate portion and extends substantially radially inward. A first guide portion extends from a first curved neck and includes a fastener engagement member configured and arranged to engage a fastener. The second curved neck extends from the plate portion on the plate portion side opposite to the plate portion side of the first curved neck, and includes a parallel section that is substantially parallel to the plate portion and extends substantially radially inward. The second guide portion extends from the second curved neck and includes a fastener engagement member configured and arranged to engage a fastener. A first reinforcing support extends from one side of a parallel section of the first curved neck; The second reinforcing support extends from the side opposite to the side from which the first reinforcing support extends from the first curved neck, in the parallel section of the first curved neck. The third reinforcing support extends from one side of the parallel section of the second curved neck; A fourth reinforcing support extends from the side opposite to the side from which the third reinforcing support extends from the second curved neck, parallel to the section of the second curved neck; and The first, second, third, and fourth reinforcing supports are arranged to at least help reduce plate deformation caused by any torque applied to the integrated adjustment device during the installation of the tensioner.

16. The integrated tensioner adjusting device according to claim 15, characterized in that, (i) The parallel section of the first curved neck extends substantially radially inward toward the axis of rotation of the fastener, and (ii) The parallel section of the second curved neck extends substantially radially inward toward the axis of rotation of the fastener.

17. The integrated tensioner adjusting device according to claim 15, characterized in that, (i) The first guide portion includes a first leg and a second leg, each of the first leg and the second leg of the first guide portion extending longitudinally from the plate portion and substantially perpendicular to the plate portion, and (ii) The second guide portion includes a third leg and a fourth leg, each of the third leg and the fourth leg extending longitudinally from the plate portion and substantially perpendicular to the plate portion, and further includes: (a) a first sleeve engagement tab located between the first leg and the second leg and arranged to engage the shoulder of the sleeve, and (b) a second sleeve engagement tab located between the third leg and the fourth leg and arranged to engage the shoulder of the sleeve, the first sleeve engagement tab and the second sleeve engagement tab cooperating to prevent axial movement of the integrated adjustment device.

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