Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vibrator for use in a power drill having a housing and a spindle rotatably and axially movably supported by the housing. The vibrator comprises a rotary cam fitted on the spindle for rotation with the spindle, the rotary cam having a cam surface formed with at least one axially protruding ridge or serration; a clutch cam axially slidably fitted on the spindle and disposed behind the rotary cam, the clutch cam being restricted from rotating about the spindle and releasably engageable with the rotary cam, the clutch cam having a cam surface formed with at least one axially protruding ridge; and a spring adapted to urge the clutch cam toward the rotary cam so as to absorb the axial thrusting force applied to the spindle when the spindle is retracted.

Abstract: An automatic locking gear is adapted to drivingly connect a drive axle and wheel hub automatically in response to application of torque to the drive axle which has a stationary housing in which said drive axle is journaled, a drive gear keyed for rotation with the drive axle while being slidable in an axial direction independently of the drive axle, and a driven gear is keyed for rotation with the wheel hub while being slidable in an axial direction independently of the wheel hub. The locking member is mounted on the stationary housing, and the cam follower mounted on the drive gear.

Abstract: A positive drive is disclosed of the type including an input (11,13,21) and a pair of outputs (27,29) in which torque is transmitted from the input to the outputs by means of a pair of drive coupled members (23 and 25) and clutch assemblies (35 and 37). In order to frictionally dampen any undesirable oscillations to the input relative to the outputs, each of the clutch assemblies includes inactive clutch discs (61 and 63). It is one important feature of the invention to increase the net clearance, i.e., the amount of rotational movement of the input relative to the outputs over which frictional dampening occurs. If additional biasing preload is required for the inactive discs only, a separate biasing spring (71,73) may be added for each of the clutch assemblies.

Abstract: A part-time four-wheel drive system for a motor vehicle includes a first set of wheels on a rear axleshaft driven from a transfer case through an axle differential, a front driveshaft driven from the transfer case, which transmits power to front axleshafts through a front axle differential. Integrally formed with the front differential mechanism is an automatic center disconnect which selectively connects and disconnects the front driveshaft from one of the front axleshafts. A cam mechanism within the differential mechanism moves a cam follower outward thereby producing a splined connection between the differential output and the selectively engaged front axleshaft so that the second wheel set is driven from the transfer case.

Abstract: A wheel hub clutch assembly comprises a cylindrical body formed therein with a first set of clutch teeth and fastened to a wheel hub, a sleeve member fixed to the outer end of a drive axle and located within the body, a clutch member formed with a second set of clutch teeth and axially slidably mounted on the sleeve member for rotation therewith, a cam ring operatively coupled with the outer end of a stationary axle tube for the drive axle and rotatable on the sleeve member, a cam follower ring axially slidably mounted on the sleeve member for rotation therewith and cooperable with the cam ring to be displaced toward the clutch member in response to rotation of the drive axle, and a connecting member engaged with the cam follower ring and the clutch member to permit relatively inward movement between the cam follower ring and clutch member.

Abstract: A braking arrangement adapted for use in connection with a rollable cart employed in commercial airplanes includes a longitudinal base plate, which has relatively narrow end portions of a predetermined width, and two roller pairs mounted on the base plate. At least one brake mechanism is mounted on the base plate, and acts on a corresponding roller pair. The brake mechanism includes a brake rod in parallel with an axle of the roller pair, a mounting plate for the brake rod located between the rollers, which has a recess on its lower side, and a rotary disc mounted within the recess of the mounting plate, which, in turn, has a downwardly projecting portion provided with two entrainment lugs. A guide for the brake rod is mounted on the mounting plate for restraining lateral movement of the brake rod, while permitting a movement of it along a substantially vertical direction.

Abstract: This auxiliary control device for manually and rotatably driving, for example in case of failure of the current supply system, a motor and reduction gear unit kinematically connected for example to a winding door or grille, a sectional door, or the like, comprises a pulley adapted when rotated to cause the axial movement of a sliding member through the medium of a cam device disposed across the pulley and the sliding member. This sliding member comprises on the one hand a set of dogs of a first half-coupling which are adapted to engage the dogs of another set rigid with the main driven shaft, and on the other hand noses adapted to engage guiding projections formed on a rotary braking member disposed coaxially to the pulley. When the dogs of the two sets engage each other the noses are fully disengaged from the guiding projections and thus the rotary braking member does not exert any antagonistic torque likely to counteract the actuation of the auxiliary control device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spool braking device for a double-bearing of fishing reel in which a lever for the fine adjustment of the spool braking force is provided on the same spool shaft as that of a lever for the coarse adjustment of the braking force so that the spool braking force can be adjusted coarsely and finely, in a smooth and rapid manner in the same direction over a wide adjustment range.

Abstract: An automatic hub clutch used for connection and disconnection of a drive axle with a wheel of a four-wheel drive vehicle, has a simple mechanism and a short axial length. The hub clutch includes a first spring adapted to bias a slide gear toward disengagement, and a second spring disposed radially inwardly of the slide gear and adapted to bias the slide gear toward engagement through a cam.

Abstract: A lever hoist comprises a change gear provided in a driving shaft for driving a sheave for winding-up a chain or rope for a load, an operating lever rockably driven by a hand, winding-up and winding-off driving pawls engageable with teeth of the change gear and changeable in response to the purpose of hoisting or lowering the load, and a braking assembly for preventing the change gear from being driven by a gravity of the load and having a spring for releasing the braking assembly. According to the invention the lever hoist further comprises a brake spring control member rotatably fitted on the driving shaft, a brake clamping spring arranged between the driving member and the brake spring control member, and a direction change transmission mechanism for transforming rotation of the brake spring control member into axial urging force of the brake clamping spring.

Abstract: A lever hoist comprises a change gear for driving a sheave for winding-up a chain or rope for a load, an operating lever rockably driven by a hand, winding-up and winding-off driving pawls engageable with teeth of the change gear and changeable in response to the purpose of hoisting or lowering the load, and a braking assembly for preventing the change gear from being driven by a gravity of the load and having a spring for releasing the braking assembly.

Abstract: A limited slip differential includes a rotatably mounted differential casing with a pair of side gears rotatably mounted therein. One of the side gears includes an annular clutch plate having a frusto-conical clutch surface. A clutch ring is generally mounted for rotation with the differential casing and is capable of axial movement between a biased non-engaged position and an engaged position against biasing wherein a mating surface thereon is brought into contact with the frusto-conical clutch surface of the clutch plate. An inertial ring is mounted for rotation with the differential casing but is capable of circumferential movement relative thereto between a neutral position and an actuated position. When either of the side gears experiences a slipped condition, it rapidly accelerates to cause the differential casing to exceed a predetermined rate of acceleration.

Abstract: A one way rotary force transmission system comprising a rotary force input means for receiving force from operatively associated drive means to impart an angular input velocity thereto; a rotary output means for rotation by said rotary force input means in only one direction to impart an angular output velocity thereto; rotatable force transmission means having at least one transmission member displaceable relative to the rotary force output means between an input force transfer position of direct positive input force transfer between the transmission means and the rotary force output means and a non-force transfer position preventing transfer of force between the rotary output means and the rotary force input means; and transmission actuating means operatively associated with the one transmission member of the transmission means for causing displacement thereof to the input force transmission position in response to applied force causing an angular input velocity greater than the angular output velocity of s

Abstract: A system for transmitting motion between a driving component and a driven component includes a torque release clutch for transmitting motion between the components until a predetermined amount of force is required to do so, whereupon the clutch releases. The clutch includes a pair of relatively movable members, at least one ball, and an expandable ring. The ball has one position wherein the ball is in engaged or interfering relationship between the pair of members whereby movement of one member effects movement of the other member. The ball has another position wherein the ball is out of interfering relationship with or disengaged from at least one movable member. The expandable ring is mounted on one of the movable members and is engageable with the ball to hold the ball in engaged position until a force applied to the ball exceeds a predetermined amount, whereupon the ring is forced to expand and allow the ball to move to the disengaged position.

Abstract: A self-contained fan clutch including a housing in which is contained a rotatable drive disc driven by a source of power connected to the housing and the drive disc. Also mounted within the housing is an annular piston having an annular piston portion reciprocable within a cylinder member, the piston portion carrying a friction facing engageable with the driven drive disc when the piston is actuated within the cylinder. The piston divides the cylinder into a high pressure side and a low pressure side with the piston, piston portion and cylinder carried by the housing with the housing having a series of fan blades mounted thereon.The cylinder member mounts a reciprocal pump plunger actuated by a cam mounted on the driven drive disc for pressurizing the high pressure side of the cylinder which causes the friction facing of the piston portion to engage the drive disc and be rotated together with the housing and fans thereon. The pump plunger is actuated by a thermal sensor pill.

Abstract: An automatic hub clutch used for connection and disconnection of a drive axle with a wheel of a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a simple mechanism having a short axial length. The hub clutch includes a first spring adapted to bias a slide gear toward disengagement, and a second spring disposed between and coaxially with the first spring and the slide gear, and adapted to bias the slide gear toward engagement through a cam.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch comprises a drive shaft for transmitting a rotational driving force, a drive clutch member which is rotated with the drive shaft, a driven clutch member in engagement with the drive clutch to receive rotational motion thereof and movable axially to transmit the rotational motion to a hub, and a brake member to impart a desired braking force to rotational movement of the driven clutch member. In a two wheel running mode, the driven clutch member is disengaged from the hub so that the driving force, which is received by a non-driven wheel from the road surface, is limited to the wheel only.

Abstract: A clutch-brake assembly adaptable for use in a lawn mower having a rotary blade. The assembly is fully enclosed by a housing (34) secured to the engine. Drive shaft (14) of the engine rotates the input member (20) via keys (22). A conical annular ring (74) has an annular surface (106) engageable with surface (110) of member (20) to rotate output member (28) and the attached blade (90). Self-energizing camming surfaces (80, 82) are employed to insure one-to-one drive between the input and output members. Springs (84) are used to bias ring (74) into engagement with member (20). An axially movable braking ring (54) with limited rotational movement relative to housing (34) is engageable with an annular surface (108) of ring (74). Movement of ring (54) is caused by springs (70) and ramping surfaces similar to those of (80, 82). The assembly employs the same oil used in the reservoir of the engine. Unique connecting means ( 36) are employed to reduce nonrotatable loads on shaft (14).

Abstract: A clutch type torque control device characterized in that balls seated in ball receiving holes made in a main shaft are pressed against squarely planed-off surfaces made at the outer circumferential surface of a cam fitted to a driving shaft which is driven by an air driven motor through the medium of a spring and a cam ring for transmission of motive power from the cam to the main shaft and a stop pin inserted in the main shaft is engaged with a planed-off part made at the outer circumferential surface of a pilot pin slidably inserted in the cam, whereby when a torque load on the main shaft reaches a predetermined torque value the stop pin is disengaged from said planed-off part due to rotational difference between the cam and the main shaft and consequently a valve kept open through the medium of the pilot pin and a push rod is closed, resulting in the stopping of the motor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fishing reel which has free spooling, variable drag, and lock up action controlled by an exterior lever. The lever is cammed to a draw rod, which, in turn, through a floating contact, pins journalled through the reel housing, and a thrust bearing, urges a brake disk against a brake lining fixed to the spool. The floating contact is adjustable for presetting the maximum drag and provides smooth operation even under conditions of a warped brake disk or uneven brake lining. And use of approximately a dozen pressure pins, depending on reel size, avoids pressure warpage of the thrust bearing race and consequent binding during maximum drag operation. The brake disk, floating contact, journalled pins, and thrust bearing are located in a housing opposite that containing the lever, winding handle, and a second thrust bearing for the spool and thereby permit easy access for repair.

Abstract: An automatic clutch disposed between driving and driven members comprises, on the driving side, a drive clutch movable only axially relative to other parts and normally biased in the declutching direction, an outer cam located on the side where the drive clutch is biased and moved, the cam being adapted to move in the same way as the drive clutch, with a spring disposed between the outer cam and the drive clutch to bias them away from each other, and a stationary inner cam adapted to be connected to or disconnected from the outer cam according as the clutch disengages or engages, the inner cam having projections. A holdout ring has projections to be engaged with the projections of the inner cam and adapted to keep the outer and inner cams out of connection when the driving side stops, the holdout ring being fitted over the outer cam under such frictional conditions that, only when the ring has engaged the inner cam, it can circumferentially slide relative to the outer cam.

Abstract: An automatic hub clutch for the front wheels of a four-wheel drive vehicle which enables said wheels to automatically become engaged or disengaged from the front axle shaft when the transfer case of the vehicle is shifted to the required operating mode. The hub clutch comprises a plurality of gears the engagement of which is carried out through a control assembly that includes a control plate which forces a plurality of ball members over a cam surface for compressing a spring member to move the gear members into engagement with one another. The gear members are moved out of engagement under the action of a spring when the ball members are moved over the cam surface in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A fan clutch for a vehicle engine connects the engine cooling fan with the engine when the cooling effect of the engine fan is necessary and disconnects the fan when its cooling effect is not necessary. The clutch includes a driven member and a driving member and a belt carried by the driving member and rotatable therewith which is adapted to engage the driven member when the clutch is to be engaged. The driven member comprises a pair of relatively rotatable, axially extensible portions, so that when the belt is in driving engagement with the driven member, relative rotation between the portionsextends the same so that engagement surfaces on one of the portions and on the driving member are brought into engagement, thus connecting the driven and driving members.

Abstract: Disc brakes have heretofore not received wide utilization on fork lift trucks because of the problems of space and lubrication. A lift truck has a very small, central hub area which greatly limits the size and type of brake and the ways of lubricating the brake. The disc brake actuator (7) of the present invention meets the problem of incorporating disc brakes (10) into the limited space of the wheel drive assembly (22) of a fork lift truck by mechanically applying the disc brakes (10) through axial rotation of the actuator (37,50) about the jack shafts (18). The difficulty of lubricating the disc brakes (10) is overcome either by utilizing the brake actuator (37) as a conduit for lube oil from the differential (11) or sealing off the lube oil from the differential (11) with a seal (58) in the brake actuator (50) so that the disc brakes (10) can be independently lubricated.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved automatic four-wheel drive clutch of the type forming the subject matter of my copending application U.S. Ser. No. 180,699, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,868, but differing therefrom in that instead of employing axially-spaced toothed cam surfaces with toothed cam followers forming an operative connection therebetween effective upon relative rotation to move a drive member into and out of driving engagement with a driven element, circumferentially-spaced coaxial cam rings carrying opposed pairs of overlapped oppositely opening generally V-shaped track-forming grooves operatively interconnected by a single ball between each pair is used to shift the drive element axially between its engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly of the live spindle type is rendered driven or free wheeling by a torque responsive hub clutch. The hub clutch operates in response to the presence or absence of relative rotary motion between a driveable axle and a passive or stationary member in the wheel assembly.

Abstract: A torque cam assembly for variable speed belt drives having a driven sheave with an axially slidable flange, in which a collar is mounted on the shaft of the sheave and has a plurality of cams thereon, and a cam follower structure having generally axially protruding members is mounted on the slidable flange of the sheave for cooperating with the cams on the collar. Wear elements are disposed on the members and are adapted to contact the cams on the collar. Two sets of cams may be used with the cams of one set facing in one direction and the cams of the other set facing in the opposite direction, and a pair of wear elements is provided on each of the members for engagement with the facing cams. Each wear element is provided with a distinct protrusion of a generally conical shape to provide the initial contact area with the respective cam surface, for creating substantially equal load sharing relationship between the various cams.

Abstract: An isokinetic exercise device comprises in a linking arrangement first and second manually-operated members with a floating plate and brake assembly therebetween, all members mounted in rotation about a shaft member. A series of paired arcuate raceways, having a non-linear sloped profile, are located in the opposing faces of the floating plate and the first member. Captivation of a ball bearing between the raceways presents a driving connection for transmittal of forces, created by operator rotation of the first and second members, to the brake assembly. The brake assembly responds to such forces to retard rotation of the first and second members linked thereto, such retardation presented as a resistance to the user. A speed selector assembly provides for a selectable change in the location and attitude of the driving connection so as to control the efficacy of the driving connection which changes the degree of forces transmitted to the brake assembly.

Abstract: A clutch/brake mechanism designed to reduce the possibility of its clutch and brake components being engaged simultaneously that includes axially fixed clutch and brake members (80 and 33) spaced from one another relative to the drive shaft (21) of a power source, and an axially movable carrier (65) arranged about the drive shaft. The carrier has wall surfaces defining a movable brake element (75) and a movable clutch element (76), the former being engageable with the fixed brake member (33) when the carrier is in one position and the latter being engageable with the clutch member (80 ) when the carrier is moved to another position.

Abstract: A drive arrangement consisting of a DC motor having an oscillating mode and a unidirectional rotation mode, the motor driving a mechanically shifted transmission. The transmission shifter arrangement is operated by an incremental rotation of the drive motor which causes a cam follower-shifter member to be axially displaced from a neutral position to produce either a spin or agitate drive condition of the transmission.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an automatic four-wheel drive clutch characterized by a sliding gear subassembly having a toothed ring, a cam ring with concave toothed cans opposing the latter, and springs biasing them apart. The toothed ring is movable along the axle into meshed engagement with an opposed ring of teeth carried by a driven element that turns with the front steerable wheel. A first biasing element normally urges the sliding gear subassembly into disengaged position while a subassembly including a set of toothed rollers mounted for rotation within an annular gap left between a pair of concentric sleeve bearings mesh with a ring of teeth on a thrust plate defining a circular track for the rollers to run around while traveling along the cams.

Abstract: A hub clutch for wheels of a four-wheel drive vehicle need not be operated by the driver from the exterior of the vehicle. The hub clutch comprises a sleeve drive clutch member fixed to a drive shaft, a slide clutch member engaged to the drive clutch member through splines formed thereon and movable in the axial direction, and a driven clutch member adapted to be connected to or disconnected from the slide clutch member by axial movement thereof. A retainer is engaged to a stationary system, and a cam mechanism is provided for moving the slide clutch member in the axial direction, thereby carrying out a clutch connection when relative rotation is present between the retainer and the slide clutch member, and for releasing the clutch connection when the relative rotation becomes absent and a drive is provided from the driven clutch member side.

Abstract: A hub clutch for wheels of a four-wheel drive vehicle need not be operated by the driver from the exterior of the vehicle. The hub clutch comprises a sleeve drive clutch member fixed to a drive shaft, a slide clutch member engaged to the drive clutch member through splines formed thereon and movable in the axial direction and a driven clutch member adapted to be connected to or disconnected from the slide clutch member by axial movement thereof. A retainer is engaged to a stationary system. Resilient means biases the slide clutch member in an axial direction of the drive shaft. A cam mechanism moves the slide clutch in the axial direction, thereby carrying out a clutch connection when relative rotation is present between the retainer and the slide clutch member, and releasing the clutch connection when the relative rotation becomes absent and a drive is provided from the driven clutch member side.

Abstract: A belt drive clutch having a hexagonal sleeve splined on a power output shaft and carrying an outer sheave disc. A drive belt supporting annulus is freely rotatable on the sleeve and located between the outer sheave disc and an inner sheave disc. The inner sheave disc has a stud shaft extending inwardly and having a hexagonal bore matching the hexagonal external conformation on the sleeve. Ball bearings are assembled on the stud shaft and a clutch control ring is assembled on a peripheral race of the ball bearing. A camming arrangement shifts the clutch control ring axially to engage or disengage the belt by optionally constricting or expanding the space between the outer and inner sheave discs.

Abstract: A drive arrangement is disclosed for producing oscillation of a washing machine agitator and rotation of the basket for the spin cycle. The arrangement consists of a DC motor having an oscillating mode and a unidirectional rotation mode, the motor driving a mechanically shifted transmission, including a planetary gear set driving the washing machine agitator during the oscillation mode of the motor. A gear case is clutched to the washing machine basket during the spin cycle to produce direct drive of the basket during unidirectional rotation of the motor. The transmission shifter arrangement is operated by an incremental rotation of the drive motor which causes a cam follower-shifter member to be axially displaced from a neutral position to produce either a spin or agitate drive condition of the transmission.

Abstract: The drum of a hoisting apparatus is axially shifted to frictionally engage a driving plate. The drum is shifted by rotating an adjacent, first disc about the drum axis relative to a coaxial stationary disc. Each of the discs has three holes of a particular configuration to define three cooperative pairs of holes. Each cooperative pair of holes receives a dowel of predetermined length so that rotation of the first disc causes the dowel to react against the discs and shift the first disc and drum away from the stationary disc and into frictional driving engagement with the driving plate.

Abstract: Shift mechanism for a transmission is provided for engaging and disengaging a gear therein. The mechanism is particularly designed to disengage the gear when the transmission is under a heavy load. The mechanism includes a clutch dog or collar on a shaft, with the collar having at least one lug or tooth which is engagable with and disengagable from a lug or tooth on a gear rotatably carried on the shaft. The clutch collar has a peripheral flange with a cam configuration on the side toward the gear. A shifter fork has a projection or cam follower with a cam surface facing the cam surface of the flange. To disengage the clutch collar from the gear, the cam follower of the shifter fork is engaged with the cam surface of the clutch collar and forces it away from the gear to a disengaged position, even when the transmission is under a heavy load.

Abstract: A clutch for engaging a driving member with a driven member automatically upon application of torque to rotate the driving member in either direction, for maintaining engagement in either the drive or coast mode of operation and during the transition between drive and coast, for maintaining engagement in either forward or reverse operation and during the transition between forward and reverse, and for disengaging automatically upon interruption of the torque and slight rotation of the driving member in the opposite direction. The clutch includes a mechanism for developing high frictional drag upon initial rotation of the driving member to effect clutch engagement, and low frictional drag thereafter to conserve power.

Abstract: A transmission shift mechanism for use in a vertical axis automatic washing machine having reversible rotary drive means has a drive gear on which is mounted an eccentric for translating rotary motion into oscillatory motion in a plane perpendicular to the washing machine axis. The oscillatory motion is transmitted to the agitator shaft of a washing machine by a rack and pinion. The pinion is rotatably mounted on the agitator shaft and has teeth on a lower surface thereof which engage teeth on an upper surface of a sleeve co-rotatable with the agitator shaft to form a jaw clutch for driving the agitator shaft from the rack and pinion. A shifter fork also connected to the eccentric operates cams to raise the pinion out of engagement with the sleeve to disengage the jaw clutch when the eccentric is rotating in a first direction, and returns the clutch teeth to engagement when the eccentric rotates in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A free wheel hub mechanism including a body fixed to a wheel, an annular clutch continuously engaged with the body, an interengaging member connected to an axle shaft rotatable therewith and engageable with the annular clutch, a follower operatively connected to the annular clutch and axially movable in response to the rotation of a manual handle, and a nut fixed to the axle shaft for supplying a preload force on a taper bearing between a housing and the axle shaft.

Abstract: A limited slip differential includes a mechanism for producing a varied bias ratio as a result of changes in side gear torque. An annular drive flange is biased toward frictional locking means within the differential case to provide biasing as required. The flange contains a first cam surface mateable with a second cam surface disposed on the back face of one of the side gears. Either the first or second cam includes a variable pressure angle, whereby a varied biasing force is developed on the drive flange as the side gear moves relative to the flange via changes in side gear toque.

Abstract: A friction clutch including interleaved compressible friction plates or overlapping conical rings and selectively operable structure effecting engagement thereof. One aspect of the invention relates to the structure for utilizing torque generated between the parts to be clutched for providing the compression force to be applied to the plates or the cone rings. Roller and ramp structure is provided between driving and driven parts responding to torque initially applied to the driving member for generating an axial force which is then applied to the clutch pack compressing structure. The roller has an elongated structure which will permit it to first roll about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the friction clutch and subsequently slide along its axial length. This structure will prevent or at least considerably reduce the power surges following a complete clutching operation.

Abstract: A locking gear in the form of an annular, slotted cam member causes a driving member to move into locking engagement with a member to be driven automatically in response to the application of torque or positive rotation to the driving member. The driving member can be disengaged only by removing torque from the driving member and reversing the direction of rotation of the driven member without relying upon spring force for disengagement. Accordingly, the driving member is not only forcefully cammed into engagement with the member to be driven but is mechanically and positively cammed into disengagement at the will and under the full control of the operator. Thus in four-wheel drive vehicles, the wheels or members to be driven are selectively engaged by a drive gear which is slidably advanced through interengagement of cam followers on the drive gear with camming surfaces on the locking gear.

Abstract: Torque is transmitted from the input member of a clutch to a primary shoe when the primary shoe is pressed into frictional engagement with the input member by compression springs. When initially turned by the input member, the primary shoe moves a series of balls angularly along inclined ramps to cause a secondary shoe to shift into frictional engagement with the input member and transmit torque to the output member of the clutch. A brake acts through the shoes to retard the output member when the clutch is disengaged.

Abstract: A crib toy having a shaped outer shell with a downward facing U-shaped aperture adapted to fit over a crib rail. The shell houses an automatic reversing mechanism which drives an output roller positioned in the aperture for moving the toy back and forth along the rail.In a preferred embodiment, the reversing mechanism includes a motor which rotates first and second cam surfaces at a first speed and first and second cam followers at a second speed causing the cam followers to drive first and second gears to operate the output roller. The preferred embodiment combines a music box with the reversing mechanism to provide a synthesis of music and movement for a child.

Abstract: A clutch for engaging a driving member with a driven member automatically upon application of torque to rotate the driving member in either direction, for maintaining engagement in either the drive or coast mode of operation and during the transition between drive and coast, for maintaining engagement in either forward or reverse operation and during the transition between forward and reverse, and for disengaging automatically upon interruption of the torque and slight relative rotation of the members. The clutch includes a mechanism for developing high frictional drag upon initial rotation of the driving member to effect engagement, and low frictional drag thereafter to conserve power. The clutch also includes a preloading mechanism so that if engagement should be blocked, it will be completed automatically when the blockage is relieved. The clutch further includes a mechanism tending to resist initial rotation of the driving member so that a false torque signal does not cause engagement.

Abstract: A clutch for automatically engaging a driving member with a driven member upon application of torque to rotate the driving member in either direction, for maintaining engagement in either the drive or coast mode of operation and during the transition between drive and coast, for maintaining engagement in either the forward or reverse mode of operation and during the transition between forward and reverse, and for disengaging automatically upon interruption of the torque and slight rotation in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An automatic locking gear has been devised in which rapid, positive axial location and driving engagement is established between concentric driving and driven members through the agency of a clutch type actuator mechanism which is responsive to rotation of the driving member to be forced into intermeshing engagement with a complementary receiving member on the driven member. The actuator mechanism is characterized by including a spring-loaded compressible bearing arrangement which normally urges the actuator mechanism into a locked stationary position but will permit retraction of the actuator mechanism away from the locked position whenever torque is applied to the actuator mechanism so that the mechanism is free to travel or rotate with the actuator-receiving mechanism when the driving and driven members are interconnected; and when torque is no longer applied to the actuator mechanism it is free to return gradually into its normal locked position without the application of external forces or control.

Abstract: A drive coupling between a pair of shafts transmitting torque when the driving shaft is rotated in one direction and for selectively disengaging the shafts when the driving shaft is rotated in the opposite direction. The coupling comprises a two-part clutch, a first part of which is connected to the driven shaft and the second part of which is connected to the driving shaft. The latter has a cylindrical sleeve which surrounds a cam sleeve connected to the driving shaft with a cam groove engaged by a follower means connected to the clutch sleeve. The cam groove is shaped to provide two cam positions, i.e., one for the coupled drive and the other for disengaging the drive. Means are provided to lock the second part of the clutch against rotation to change the position of the follower for decoupling the shafts upon reverse rotation of the driving shaft.

Abstract: An automatic clutch comprises, on the driving side, a drive clutch movable only axially relative to the associated drive members and normally biased in the declutching direction, a stationary inner cam located on the side toward which the drive clutch is biased and moved, the inner cam being connected to or disconnected from the drive clutch accordingly as the clutch disengages or engages, and a holdout ring having projections to be engaged with lands of the inner cam and adapted to keep the drive clutch and the inner cam out of connection when the driving side stops, the holdout ring being fitted over the drive clutch under such frictional conditions that, only when the ring has engaged the inner cam, it can circumferentially slide relative to the drive clutch. The automatic clutch further comprises, on the driven side, a driven clutch movable only axially relative to the associated driven members and normally biased in the clutching direction.