Tensioning systems and methods

1. A tensioning apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a fastener extending through an entire length of the housing;

a trolley adjustably positioned within the housing about the fastener;

a pulley disposed outside the housing and coupled to the trolley, wherein the pulley moves in unison with the trolley along an opening in the housing;

a spring disposed about the fastener between a plate and an interior surface of the trolley; and

wherein, when the spring is compressed, the spring preserves a position of the trolley and the pulley against movement in a direction opposite a direction of compression.

2. The tensioning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the trolley and the pulley move in unison along the opening in the housing in response to adjustment of the fastener.

3. The tensioning apparatus of claim 2 , wherein:

the spring compresses between the plate and the interior surface in response to force applied to the fastener in a tightening direction; and

the plate is disposed about the fastener inside the trolley.

4. The tensioning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spring preserves the position of the trolley and the pulley against downward movement.

5. The tensioning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises a slide that extends substantially parallel to the fastener.

6. The tensioning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a threaded member that extends through an entirety of the housing.

7. The tensioning apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a belt disposed along the pulley, wherein the pulley supplies tension for the belt.

8. A method of tensioning, comprising:

positioning a trolley within a housing about a fastener that extends through an entire length of the housing;

coupling a pulley to the trolley, wherein the pulley is disposed outside the housing;

adjusting the fastener, the pulley moving in unison with the trolley along an opening in the housing in response to the adjusting; and

wherein the adjusting comprises applying force to the fastener in a tightening direction, a spring compressing between a plate and an interior surface of the trolley in response to the force in the tightening direction.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the fastener extends vertically through an entirety of the housing.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the spring and the plate are each disposed about the fastener inside the trolley.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the compressed spring preserves a position of the trolley and the pulley against movement in a direction opposite a direction of compression.

12. The method of claim 8 , comprising applying force to the fastener in a loosening direction, the spring decompressing in response to the force in the loosening direction.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the applying force to the fastener in the tightening direction comprises supplying increased tension for a belt disposed along the pulley.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the opening comprises a slide that extends substantially parallel to the fastener.

15. The method of claim 8 , wherein the fastener comprises a threaded member that extends through an entirety of the housing.

16. A tensioning system, comprising:

a housing;

a fastener extending at least partially through an entire length of the housing;

a trolley adjustably positioned within the housing about the fastener;

a tensioning pulley disposed outside the housing and coupled to the trolley, wherein the tensioning pulley moves in unison with the trolley along an opening in the housing;

a motor comprising a motor pulley coupled thereto;

a motor-driven system comprising a drive pulley coupled thereto;

a belt linking the motor pulley and the drive pulley, wherein the tensioning pulley engages the belt at a point between the motor pulley and the drive pulley and supplies tension for the belt;

a plate disposed about the fastener inside the trolley; and

a spring disposed about the fastener between the plate and an interior surface of the trolley.

17. The tensioning system of claim 16 , wherein the motor-driven system comprises a blower for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

18. The tensioning system of claim 16 , wherein the trolley and the tensioning pulley move in unison along the opening in the housing in response to adjustment of the fastener.

19. The tensioning system of claim 16 , wherein the spring compresses between the plate and the interior surface in response to force applied to the fastener in a tightening direction.

20. The tensioning system of claim 19 , wherein, when the spring is compressed, the spring preserves a position of the trolley and the tensioning pulley against movement in a direction opposite a direction of compression.