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Snap-fit chain guide with locking connector arrangement

  • US 6,758,777 B2
  • Filed: 11/16/2001
  • Issued: 07/06/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A chain guide comprising:

  • a bracket adapted for being secured to an associated engine, said bracket comprising a support surface defining an aperture, a bracket leading end and a bracket trailing end spaced from said bracket leading end in a chain movement direction;

    a guide blade comprising a blade leading end, a blade trailing end spaced from said blade leading end in said chain movement direction, a chain guide surface adapted for slidably supporting an associated chain moving in said chain movement direction, and an inner surface positioned on said support surface of said bracket, said guide blade selectively movable slidably on said support surface in said chain movement direction and a direction opposite said chain movement direction between a first position where said guide blade is separable from said bracket and a second position where said guide blade is fixedly secured to said bracket, wherein said blade leading end wraps around said bracket leading end defines a space that receives said bracket leading end when said blade is position in said second position; and

    , a male connector defined as one-piece construction with said guide blade and comprising a leg projecting outwardly from said inner surface and an enlarged end connected to said leg at a location spaced from said inner surface, wherein said aperture defined in said support surface of said bracket comprises a first portion conformed and dimensioned to accommodate passage therethrough of said leg and said enlarged end, and a second portion spaced in said chain movement direction from said first portion, said second portion conformed and dimensioned to allow passage therethrough of said leg and to block passage therethrough of said enlarged end so that when said guide blade is moved from said first position to said second position and said male connector is moved from said first portion of said aperture to said portion of said aperture, said support surface of said bracket is located between said surface of said guide blade and said enlarged end, and said enlarged end is engaged with said bracket to prevent movement of said inner surface of said guide blade away from said support surface of said bracket.

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