Abstract: The present invention is a planar one-way clutch comprising a first and second plate rotatable about a common axis. The first plate is the driving plate. The second plate is the driven plate. The coupling surfaces of each plate define at least one recess. The recess in the first plate includes a strut receiving portion and a spring receiving portion. At least one strut, pivotable between a first and second position is received in the strut receiving portion of the first plate. At least one spring, having a base and an arm, is received within the spring receiving portion of the first plate. The arm extends from the base and engages the pivotable strut applying a controlled spring force to urge the strut towards the driven plate. The base portion of the spring is shaped to prevent at least circumferential movement of the spring.

Abstract: An adjustable-length support member, such as a motorcycle kickstand, includes a generally-tubular outer member defining a longitudinal bore with at least one recess formed in a surface of the bore, and an inner member telescopingly received in the longitudinal bore of the outer member including a plurality of recesses. The support member further includes a tension spring urging the inner member to a retracted position relative to the outer member, and at least one gravity-responsive locking element carried within a respective recess of one of the inner and outer members, wherein the locking element is urged by gravity out of engagement with a recess of the other of the inner and outer members as the attitude of the two members moves between an operative orientation and a stowage orientation.

Abstract: A planar inertia-actuated overrunning coupling assembly having a pocket plate and a notch plate mounted on a common rotary axis with planar juxtaposed coupling surfaces. A pocket plate having a plurality of angularly spaced pockets that receive adjustable clutch elements, the notch plate having angularly spaced notches, a clutch element being mounted in each pocket for pivotal movement about one edge thereof, an inertia-actuated ball in each pocket adjacent a clutch element, the pocket being formed with a ramp surface engageable with the inertiaactuated ball whereby the clutch element is shifted into locking engagement with the pocket plate in response to an inertia force acting on the actuator balls whereby torque is transmitted from one plate to the other in one direction of relative rotation of the plates, and wherein the clutch elements move out of registry with the pocket plate upon a reversal in the direction of relative rotation of the plates.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a driving member rotatable about a first axis; a pair of driven members, disposed on respective sides of the driving member for rotation about the first axis; and a pinion that simultaneously meshes with gear teeth defined on each driven member such that rotary power transmitted between the driven members through the pinion causes the driven members to rotate in opposite rotational directions. A coupling is disposed between the driving member and each driven member. Each coupling includes a strut that is selectively permitted to mechanically couple the driving member and a given driven member for rotation in one direction while permitting overrun in the other direction. Each coupling further includes a strut retainer that prevents the struts from mechanically coupling the driving member with the given driven member when the strut retainer assumes a predetermined rotational position with respect to the given driven member.

Abstract: A clutch plate, for use with a one-way clutch having a torque-load-transmitting member or “strut” includes a plurality of stacked laminas. At least two of the laminas cooperate to define a load-bearing surface. The load-bearing surface is cooperable with the torque-load-transmitting member to effect one-way torque-load transfer between the strut and the plate. Furthermore, the laminas are secured together to prevent relative movement of any one of the laminas with respect to another of the laminas when the torque-load is transmitted between the strut and the plate.

Abstract: A planar overrunning coupling for transfer of torque from a driving member to a driven member in one direction and which permits freewheeling motion between the members upon a torque reversal, the coupling comprising coupling plates situated in close proximity with a strut retainer plate disposed between them, one plate being connected to the driving member and the other plate being connected to the driven member, each plate having strut recesses, a series of struts located in the recesses of one plate so that each strut may be pivoted, thereby allowing the struts to engage the companion recesses in the other coupling plate, the retainer having angularly spaced apertures that register with the struts to permit pivotal movement of the struts when the retainer plate is in one rotary position, the retainer plate, when it is in a second rotary position, preventing pivotal motion of the struts, thereby permitting freewheeling relative motion of the coupling plates.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one-way clutch includes forming an inner plate; forming first and second outer plate members having a common axis; forming at least one strut pocket in one of the group consisting of the inner plate and the second outer plate member; forming at least one notch in the other of the group consisting of the inner plate and the second outer plate member; assembling a strut in the at least one strut pocket; inserting the inner plate between the outer plate members; and securing the outer plate members together to form a unitary outer plate assembly such that the inner plate is rotatably retained within the outer plate assembly and the strut is engageable with the at least one notch to effect one-way torque transfer between the inner plate and the outer plate assembly. The method may also include forming the second outer plate member as two pieces having mating surfaces, and interlocking the mating surfaces together. A one-way clutch manufactured by the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An overrunning coupling assembly includes a notch plate and an annular coupling pocket plate positioned in face-to-face relationship with respect to each other along a common axis. The pocket plate has strut pockets disposed at angularly spaced positions about the common axis. The notch plate has notch recesses at angularly spaced positions about the common axis and positioned in juxtaposed relationship with respect to the strut pockets. Torque-transmitting struts are positioned in each of the strut pockets. Each strut has first and second ears at one edge thereof for enabling pivotal motion of the struts about an ear axis intersecting the ears. The opposite edge of each strut is movable between disengaged and engaged positions with respect to one of the notch recesses whereby one-way torque transfer may occur between the plates. A lubricant flows between the notch plate and pocket plate. A spring is positioned in each strut pocket and biases the respective strut toward the notch plate.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch assembly including first and second ring-shaped clutch members with face surfaces disposed in opposing relation and with at least one rigid strut disposed therebetween for movement to engage recessed pockets in the opposed surfaces upon rotation in one direction and for movement out of engagement with the pockets in at least one of the face surfaces upon relative rotation in the opposite direction. A retaining member permanently retains the clutch in assembled relation and cooperates with the ring-shaped clutch members to form a lubricant reservoir maintaining the struts in a lubricant bath during operation. The retaining member forms a weir over which the lubricant flows from the reservoir at a radial location to assure that the struts remain submerged during operation.

Abstract: A hub for a torque-transmitting member comprising a planar clutch. The clutch includes a pocket plate and a notch plate located within the hub. One plate is integrated within the hub, such as by casting or molding, to form an integral assembly, the other plate being splined or otherwise secured to a shaft. The pocket plate has strut pockets disposed about the axis of the hub. The notch plate has recesses at angularly spaced positions about the axis. Struts pivotally anchored in the strut pockets engage the notch plate recesses to effect one-way torque transfer between the plates.

Abstract: An overrunning coupling assembly includes a notch plate and an annular coupling pocket plate positioned in face-to-face relationship with respect to each other along a common axis. The pocket plate includes strut pockets disposed at angularly spaced positions about the axis. The notch plate includes notch recesses at angularly spaced positions about the common axis and positioned in juxtaposed relationship with respect to the strut pockets. The notch plate includes an inner circumferential rail at a radially inward side of the notch recesses and an outer circumferential rail at a radially outward side of the notch recesses. Torque-transmitting struts are positioned in the strut pockets. Each strut has first and second ears at one edge thereof for enabling pivotal motion of the struts about an ear axis intersecting the ears. The opposite edge of each strut is engageable with one of the notch recesses whereby one-way torque transfer may occur between the plates. Each opposite edge has first and second corners.

Abstract: A strut for mechanically coupling a driving member to a driven member in a planar one-way clutch is formed in a progressive die from a length of cold-formed metallic stock material such that the strut's diametrical member-engaging end surfaces are coextensive with a pair of cold-formed surfaces of the stock material. A pair of oppositely-projecting "ears" are integrally formed on the strut proximate to one of its end surfaces at one station of the progressive die. The ears cooperate with a complementary recess or pocket formed in one member's planar clutch face to thereby nominally position and maintain the strut's first end surface within the pocket. A surface on each ear is preferably coined at another station of the progressive die to thereby provide a relief which prevents deleterious contact between the ears and the opposed clutch face of the other clutch member.

Abstract: A damper assembly for use with a transmission structure having at least two spline tooth spaces. The damper assembly comprises a torque transmission plate having at least a first and second spline situated to engage the at least two splined tooth spaces and a damper element located such that when the torque transmission plate engages the transmission structure, the damper element will be compressed between the first spline and one of the at least two splined tooth spaces before the second spline engages the other of the at least two spline spaces. Accordingly, the engagement of the second spline with the other of the at least two splined tooth spaces is dampened.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a load-transmitting part having at least two lateral engaging surfaces includes stamping a plurality of thin laminas from generally planar stock material. The laminas are stacked together such that the laterally-disposed surfaces of adjacent laminas cooperate to define the lateral engaging surfaces of the part. The laminas are permanently secured together to prevent relative laminar movement when a load is transmitted from one of the lateral engaging surfaces to another of the lateral engaging surfaces.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch assembly including first and second ring-shaped clutch members with face surfaces disposed in opposing relation and with at least one rigid strut disposed therebetween for movement to engage recessed pockets in the opposed surfaces upon rotation in one direction and for movement out of engagement with the pockets in at least one of the face surfaces upon relative rotation in the opposite direction. A retaining member permanently retains the clutch in assembled relation and cooperates with the ring-shaped clutch members to form a lubricant reservoir maintaining the struts in a lubricant bath during operation. The retaining member forms a weir over which the lubricant flows from the reservoir at a radial location to assure that the struts remain submerged during operation.

Abstract: A planar coupling having a first coupling plate connected drivably to a torque input member and a second coupling plate connected to a torque output member, the first coupling plate being mounted for rotation relative to the second coupling plate, the first plate having angularly spaced recesses at uniform radial distances from the axis of the assembly, the second coupling plate having cooperating recesses in which are positioned force transmitting struts that are biased in an axial direction relative to the axis of the assembly so that upon relative rotation of the coupling plates, the struts in the second coupling plate will engage the recesses in the first coupling plate, the geometry of the struts providing for simplified manufacture and for reduced stresses in the struts as they engage the coupling plate recesses.

Abstract: A steering column assembly. The steering column assembly comprises an upper column member and a lower column member mounted to the upper column member such that the upper column member can move relative to the lower column member. A shock absorption assembly is interconnected between the upper column member and lower column member. The shock absorption assembly includes a piston member and a piston receiver, the piston receiver including absorbing material which, upon impact to the upper column member, is compressed by the piston member within the piston receiver and extruded from the piston receiver so as to absorb impact energy as the upper column member moves relative to the lower column member.

Abstract: An improved one-way clutch assembly according to this invention includes a drive member and a driven member each having a generally planar annular surface and assembled for rotation about a common axis with the planar annular surfaces in opposed spaced relation. A coupling system is mounted between the driving and driven members and rotatably fixed for rotation with the drive member. The coupling system includes a plurality of struts or pawls supported one on one end of each of a plurality of elongated, resilient arms for movement between a retracted position within a recess in the drive member and a drive position engaging a shoulder in a pocket in the driven member.

Abstract: A shock absorbing assembly capable of being connected to a vehicle frame member having a frame member aperture defining an aperture perimeter and for dampening movements between a body member and the vehicle frame member. The shock absorbing assembly comprising a first spacer member and a second spacer member. The first spacer member has first absorption material and a first locking member having one of a male and female configuration and the second spacer has second absorption material and a second locking member having the other of a male and female configuration. The male configuration includes at least one prong having at least one locking protrusion and the female configuration includes at least one female recess.

Abstract: A clutch separator plate for use in an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. The clutch separator plate comprises a first plate and at least a second plate, the first plate having a first side defining a first protrusion and a second side, the second plate having a third side and a fourth side, and the first plate and the second plate being used together by placing the first side of the first plate adjacent either one of the third side or the fourth side of the second plate such that the first plate and the second plate will be spaced apart by the first protrusion during use.