US1631258A - Double-adjustable drive-chain idler - Google Patents

Description

June 7,1927. 1,631,258

H. G. GAY

DOUBLE ADJUSTABLE DRIVE CHAIN IDLER Filed Oct. 18, 1926 lllllllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllll IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY Patented June 7, 1927.

U T TATES; PATENT omen.

HENRY GRADY ,GAY, or MANKINS, TEXAS.

DOUBLE-ADJUSTABLE DRIVE- HAIN IDLER. I

Application filed October 18, 1926. Serial No. 142,477.

. This inventionrelates to belt tighteners and it refers more particularly to an adjustable rotary drive chain idler, especially designed for the drive "chain of a rotary well drilling outfit, and its principal object resides in the provision of an apparatus'of the character designated which maybe placed beneath the drive chain and is capable of retaining a positive position with respect to the chain when adjusted according to the speed of the chain. I

Otherobjects,'inadditionto those mentioned, will become obvious in the construe tion of the invention and its assembly of parts, and will be revealed as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the ac? companying drawings, wherein:

' Figure '1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus constructed according to'the in- Vention in operative position.

Figure 2' is likewise aside elevational view. [j I Figure 3 is an end elevation of the appara-tus," and l Figure 4: is a cross-sectional View on lines 4+4 of Figure 2.

Continuing now more in detail with the drawing, it may be stated that some disadvantage has been encountered by constant slapping brought about by the slackness of the rotary drive chain, such condition often resulting in kinking the chain, probably breaking the latter as a consequence. This not only is expensive, but is also troublesome to the operator. For proper performance, under varying conditions, some slack must be allowed in the chain. It is to take care of this slackness that the invention has been devised.

The invention primarily consists of base runners, consisting of angle or channel iron, having pivoted to one end in the manner shown at a a sliding sprocket carriage track 2. As illustrated in Figure 4, the sliding sprocket carriage 3 is grooved at either side so as to receive the inwardly turned flanges 4 formed upon the track 2, in such a manner as to permit free endwise movement of the carriage. In order to accomplish this endwise movement, a gearedlift 5 is mounted at the opposite end of the base 1 so as to be capable of co-operating with the carriage track 2 in movement, that is, to remain at a all times at right angles with the track, irrespective of the angle assumed by the latter. A gear6 is carried intermediate the track 2 andis so disposed as to'engage both,

the teeth on the bar 5 and those 7 on the underside of the carriage 3. Therefore, upon rotation of the gear by operating the crank 8, forward or backward sliding of the carnage 3 is in accordance with the respective raising and lowering of the carriage 3 and its track 2, which has been mentioned as being pivoted at a tothe base 1. Apertures 9, alined in spaced relationship in the lifts 5 are adapted to register with the aperture 10 in the carriage track 2, and through which a suitable pin is passed to hold the track in anyposit-io'n' desired. I 1

i A roller or-other equivalent means 11 "is carried between the tracks 2 against which the geared lifts 5 rest, to prevent their release from the gear 6, and a clamp 12 is mounted over the carriage 3 toguidefthe forward end of the latter, since this end,

which is supplied with the teeth 7 is not engaged by the flanges l of the track 2, and being narrower so as to conveniently pass b-etween'the two upright bars comprising the lift 5/ A sprocket13 is mounted in bearings 14: near the end of the carriage 3 opposite the teeth 7 in an aperture formed therefor.

Accordingly and in operation, the base members 1 are securely fastened to the derrick floor, assuming that the invention is so used, and in alinementwith the rotary drive chain not shown but under which the sprocket 13 is positioned.

Upon rotating the crank shaft 8, the track 2 is elevated, simultaneously with the sliding movement of the carriage 3 in the direction of the pivot point a of the track, this being brought about by the dual function of the gear 6 through its engagement with the teeth 7 beneath the carriage 3' and geared lift 5. The sprocket 13 thus changes its position with respect to the chain, being moved upward and forward to thereby engage the chain, urging the same upward and reducing the slack and consequent slapping thereof.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capable of considerable modification, and such modification as is in keeping with the appended claims, is considered within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In an adjustable rotary drive chain idler, a base, a carriage track pivoted at one end to the base; a geared carriage capable of endwise movement on the track, and carrying an idle sprocket; a geared lift pivoted to the other end of said base and arranged normally in upright position; means to dually engage the gears of said carriage and lift to elevate the carriage track simultaneous with sliding movement of said carriage.

2. In an adjustable rotary drive chain idler a base member; a carriage track PlVOlm ally carried by the base member; a carriage slidably carried by the track and having toothed under surface near one end; a sprocket carried by the carriage; a geared lift arranged adjacent the toothed portion of 3 the carriage and means on the track to dually engage the lift and teeth of said carriage to elevate the track and move the carriage thereon.

3. In an adjustable drive chain idler, a carriage track supporting a slidable carriage having a toothed under surface, an idle sprocket carried by said latter element;

7 means arranged at one end having a toothed surface; and a gear engaging said toothed surfaces jointly to elevate one end of said track simultaneous with the consequent sliding movement of said carriage.

4. In an adjustable drive chain idler, a carriage track having one end pivotally held; a geared lift arranged adjacent the other end of said track; a gear carried by said track and engaging the gears of said lift; a slidable carriage also carried by said track having toothed portion engaged by said ably supported on said track carrying an idle sprocket and having a toothed surface also engaged by said gear, and means to rotate said gear to cause upward movement of said track with sliding movement of said carriage.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a stationary base member; a carriage track pivotally held at one end to one end of said base member; a geared upright pivotally held at the other end of said basemember; .a gear carried by said track and 00.- operating with said upright to raise the track when rotated; a carriage having restricted sliding motion on saidtrackprovided with a toothed surface also eo-operating with said gear; an idle sprocket carried by said carriage, and means to rotate said gear to cause co-operative movement of said track and carriage.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HENRYGBADY GAY.

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