A hydraulic tensioner that decreases the number of components, secures an
adequate backlash, and prevents backward movement of a plunger. The
hydraulic tensioner includes a hollow plunger having rack teeth formed on
a portion of an outer circumferential surface, slidably received in a bore
of the housing, where the plunger has an inner space to form a fluid
chamber with the bore. A slider housing portion, having an inclined
surface, located in the housing, receives a wedge-shaped slider having a
ratchet portion adapted to engage with the rack teeth of the plunger and a
second side surface. The wedge-shaped slider being slidable along the
inclined surface of the slider housing portion in a direction crossing an
axial centerline of the plunger. The hydraulic tensioner further includes
a first spring biasing the plunger in a protruding direction, and a second
spring biasing the slider such that the slider moves along the inclined
slide surface of the slider housing portion. A "wedge-effect" prevents the
plunger from moving backwards.
