Koyo Seiko Company, Ltd.

Nobuhiro Ikeuchi

Motoshi Kawamura

Takashi Tsutsui

A belt tensioner comprises a support fixed relative to a belt, a belt engagement device including a pulley being carried by the support and being movable relative to the support, a mechanical spring operatively associated with the support and the belt engagement device for urging the pulley against the belt to tension the belt, and a frictional dampening element operatively associated with the support and the belt engagement device to dampen the movement of the belt engagement device relative to the support in at least one direction of movement. The support being fixed to a fixed portion and including a shaft. The belt engagement device is engaged rotatably around the shaft. The dampening element includes one or more holes in the belt engagement device facing the support, a friction element is movably positioned in each hole and in contact with the surface of the support, and an urging element is positioned in each hole for urging the friction element toward the support to press the friction element toward the support.

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Osaka, Japan

Nobuhiro Ikeuchi