Adjustable bracket for alternator and related products

Abstract

An adjustable bracket for alternator and related products, including an alternator that adjustably secures with the timing gear cover found on most vehicle engines, an offset mounting bracket securing with the gear cover, and having upwardly extending inclined arms, for connecting with the bottom of the alternator, and a tensioning arm also securing with the timing cover, having an integral bend upwardly towards its linear and arcuate portion, with the arcuate portions of the tensioning arm having a slot formed therein, through which an adjustment bolt secures with the upper part of the alternator, to allow for the alternator to be pivoted, about its offset mounting bracket, to apply the proper tensioning to its installed V belt, to attain its proper operations.

Claims

1. An adjustable bracket for use for connecting an alternator to the motor of a vehicle, of the type incorporating a timing gear cover in its structure, comprising; an offset mount bracket providing for connecting with the timing gear cover, said mounting bracket securing with the bottom of an alternator, during its assembly, a tensioning arm, said tensioning arm at one end securing with the timing gear cover, said tensioning arm having a linear portion, and an integral arcuate portion, the arcuate portion of the tensioning arm providing for accommodating a bolt for securement of the upper portion of the alternator to the timing gear cover, when said bolt securing the alternator to the offset bracket and said tensioning arm is loosened, the alternator, upon installation of its accompanying V belt, may be adjusted into a tensioning position to provide the proper tautness to the V belt during its actuation of the alternator, and once the proper V belt tensioning is achieved, the bolts securing the alternator to the offset bracket and said tensioning arm are tightened, to secure the alternator and its V belt into their properly installed positions.

2. The adjustable bracket for alternator of claim 1, and including said offset bracket having a channel shaped portion, for securement with the timing gear cover, and a pair of upstanding arms, the upstanding arms providing for accommodating the bolt for securement of the offset bracket to the approximate bottom of the alternator.

3. The adjustable bracket for alternator of claim 2, wherein said arms of the offset bracket are bent to provide for their offset from the integral U shaped bracket in their structure.

4. The adjustable bracket for alternator of claim 1, wherein said integral linear tensioning arm has an offset from its location of connection to the timing gear cover.

5. The adjustable bracket for alternator of claim 4, wherein the linear portion of said tensioning arm integrally includes an angulated part, and an

4. integral downwardly extending portion, wherein the downwardly extending portion and the linear portion of the tensioning arm are maintained in parallel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0019] In referring to FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tensioning arm showing this new design;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the tensioning arm;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the tensioning arm;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a right edge view of the tensioning arm;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a left edge view of the tensioning arm;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a top view of the tensioning arm;

[0025] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the tensioning arm;

[0026] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the entire assembly, disclosing the alternator secured by its offset mounting bracket to the timing cover, and having the tensioning arm secured therewith to allow for the pivotal adjustment to be made to the alternator to assure that the proper alignment and tensioning upon its V belt is attained and sustains during operations of the device and its associated vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] This invention, as previously summarized, provides, more specifically, an alternator tensioner bracket that is used within Model A Ford, for securement of the alternator within the engine structure, and provides means for adjusting its tensioning, particularly upon the associated V belt, that provides for the rotation and energization of the alternator, during its functioning. More generally, this bracket could also be used with any of the variety of generators, alternators, for other vehicles, or for other mechanisms, where a tensioner bracket is required to maintain the proper tautness of the V belt, when installed and applied to such equipment, to provide for its turning and generation of electricity.

[0028] More specifically, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 7, the tensioner arm 1 that mounts directly to a timing gear cover 4, as noted in FIG. 8, and is secured by a cover bolt 3 that is used to anchor the tensioning arm 1, at the location of its shown end. The tensioner arm includes a somewhat linear portion 10, that is integral with an arcuate portion 11 and the arcuate portion has a corresponding slot, as at 12, that extends throughout its length, and through which the shown bolt 6, that attaches with the alternator, locates. As noted, the linear portion 10 of the tensioning arm has a slope offset portion 13, and which extends downwardly towards a further bent portion 14 that is generally parallel with the linear portion 10, as can be noted. Then, the previously identified cover bolt 3 can extend through the arm aperture 15, for its securement directly to the timing gear cover 4, as previously identified.

[0029] As can also be noted, the alternator offset mounting bracket 8 further secures somewhat downwardly to the timing gear cover, through the application of the bolt 9, that secures this offset mounting bracket to the cover, as can be seen.

[0030] The offset mounting bracket 8 includes a U shaped channel portion 16 and has a pair of upwardly extending integral arms 17 and 18, which are bent at a slight angle, as can be noted at 19 and 20, so as to bring the offset mounting bracket into alignment with the securing portion of the lower part of the alternator, through the application of the pivot bolt 7 through the arms 17 and 18, as can be seen. Thus, when the alternator is secured by means of this offset bracket, and the tensioning arm, through connection of its various bolts 6 and 7, the alternator is properly aligned for application of a V belt directly to the alternator 2, and places it in alignment with the crank shaft, and water pump, that drives the V belt, for providing rotation to the alternator, to attain its functioning. As can be understood, if the pivot bolt 7 is slightly loosened, and the arm bolt 6 is loosened, the alternator may then be pivoted, relative to the arcuate slot 12 of the tensioning arm 11, in order to pivot the alternator further outwardly, as can be understood, to provide the proper tensioning to its supplied V belt, and when such is attained, the bolt 6, and the bolt 7, can be tightly secured, to affix the alternator in position, having the proper tensioning upon the V belt, so that it does not slip, and efficiently drives the alternator in rotation, during its functioning.

[0031] The only time the bolt 3 will be loosened, is when the bracket is initially installed with the alternator to the timing gear cover 4, so as to place the tensioning arm and its slot 12 into position for allowing the alternator to circumferentially pivot, relative to the tensioning arm, so as to provide for future adjustments of the alternator, and its V belt, in preparation for installation and usage.

[0032] As can be noted, the V belt generally is applied to the pulley structure 21 of the alternator, when it is installed for usage. And, in order to maintain the proper and adequate alignment of the V belt, with the water pump and crankshaft, it is necessary that various offsets be provided, such as noted at 13 as integrally formed of the tensioning arm 1, and in addition, as can be seen at 19 and 20, for the upwardly extending arms 17 and 18, respectively, of the offset mounting bracket 8 of this device.

[0033] Variations and modifications to the subject matter of this invention may occur to those skilled in the art upon review of the structure of this device as described herein. Such variations, if within the spirit of this invention, are intended to be encompassed within the scope of any claims to patent protection issuing herein. The detailed description of the invention as set forth herein, and as depicted in the drawings, are set forth for illustrative purposes only.