Abstract: A wrap spring device includes a first hub and a second hub located axially to the first hub. A wrap spring is located externally and concentrically about the first and second hubs and glycol-based solution surrounds the spring. The spring is engaged and disengaged thereby causing the first and second hubs to engage and disengage each other.

Abstract: A roller lock device has a shaft and a housing configured over the shaft for selective relative movement thereto. A plurality of rollers is configured between the housing and the shaft, at least some of which are substantially conically shaped. A cage is configured between the housing and the shaft and adjacent the rollers such that the rollers are at least partially constrained from movement by the cage. A control is configured to move the rollers axially thereby engaging and disengaging the roller lock. The housing has ramps configured to receive the rollers, the ramps having a curved contour.

Abstract: A wrap spring device includes a first hub and a second hub located axially to the first hub. A wrap spring is located externally and concentrically about the first and second hubs and glycol-based solution surrounds the spring. The spring is engaged and disengaged thereby causing the first and second hubs to engage and disengage each other.

Abstract: A brake mechanism includes an input, a chassis, a lock and a release mechanism. The input is an axially extending input having first and second ends. The chassis interfaces with the input such that the input is movable relative to the chassis. The lock is coupled to the chassis for constraining movement of the input relative to the lock. The release mechanism is coupled to the lock and is responsive to a force applied relative to the input and the chassis such that when the force is greater than a release force level the release mechanism allows the lock to disengage the input and such that when the force is less than the release force level the release mechanism does not allow the lock to disengage the input.

Abstract: A winch with a wrap spring brake is provided. The winch includes a rotatable drum configured to wind and unwind a cable. The cable may be connected to a load to be moved. A shaft is coupled to the drum such that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the drum, thereby winding or unwinding the cable about the drum. The winch also includes an input hub capable of rotating and coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the input hub causes rotation of the shaft. The winch also includes a grounding hub. Finally, the winch includes a wrap spring wound about the grounding hub. The wrap spring has a first end and a second end. The first end of the wrap spring is coupled to the shaft such that the first end rotates with the shaft. The wrap spring is configured to be wrapped down on the grounding hub when the input hub is not rotated, thereby automatically locking the winch.

Abstract: A wrap spring clutch including a drive shaft, an output hub, a shoulder, a hub, a wrap spring, a bushing, and a control ring. The drive shaft is configured to rotate about an axis. The output hub is mounted over the drive shaft and is configured with a first groove. The shoulder is fixed to the drive shaft and configured to rotate therewith. The hub is fixed to the drive shaft and is configured to rotate therewith. The wrap spring is helically wrapped about the drive shaft and over the hub. The wrap spring also includes a first wrap end and a second wrap end. The first wrap end is press fit into the first groove. The bushing is mounted over the drive shaft and the bushing has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is coupled between the drive shaft and the second wrap end. The control ring is mounted over the drive shaft and fixed to the second portion of the bushing thereby defining a second groove. The second wrap end is press fit into the second groove.

Abstract: A variable speed slip clutch is provided. The clutch has an output shaft, a first and second input hub, and output hub, a wrap spring and a control hub. In one embodiment, the clutch includes a source coupler coupled to a first and a second input drive. The output shaft is configured to rotate. The first input hub is coupled to the first input drive and configured to rotate about the output shaft in a first direction. The second input hub is coupled to the second input drive and configured to rotate about the output shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction. The output hub fixed to the output shaft and configured to rotate therewith. The wrap spring has a first and a second end. The first end of the wrap spring is fixed to the output hub such that the first end of the wrap spring rotates with rotation of the output hub. The control hub is coupled to the second end of the wrap spring. In one embodiment a control motor is provided and coupled to the control hub.

Abstract: A clutch has a rotatable input, a rotatable output, a spring and a damper mechanism. The rotatable input is capable of being rotated and of being held stationary. The spring is coupled to the input such that each time the input changes modes the spring changes states. The damper mechanism allows the spring to change states without rotating the input. The rotatable output is positioned relative to the spring such that the output synchronously rotates with the input when the spring is in the first state and rotates independently of the input when the spring is in the second state.

Abstract: The invention is a spring clutch mechanism including a first member and a second member coaxially disposed with respect to the first member where at least one of the first and second members is rotatable. A wrap spring assembly is in rotational engagement with the first member. At least one slip clip which has an outer axially extending surface and an axially extending aperture which forms an inner axially extending surface is disposed in rotational engagement between the second member and the wrap spring assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a friction torque hinge and method for making the same. The friction torque hinge comprises a rotatable shaft, at least one frictional element and an element housing. The frictional elements are mounted on and frictionally engage the shaft. The frictional elements have an outer element shape. The element housing has an inner cavity with a shape that matches the outer element shape of the frictional elements. The element housing contacts substantially the entire outer element shape of the plurality of frictional elements. This prevents relative rotation of the element housing and the frictional elements.

Abstract: A clutch has a rotatable input, a rotatable output, a spring and a damper mechanism. The rotatable input is capable of being rotated and of being held stationary. The spring is coupled to the input such that each time the input changes modes the spring changes states. The damper mechanism allows the spring to change states without rotating the input. The rotatable output is positioned relative to the spring such that the output synchronously rotates with the input when the spring is in the first state and rotates independently of the input when the spring is in the second state.

Abstract: The present invention is a hinge system for attaching a hinged element to a base forming a hinged unit. The hinge system includes first and second torsion rods fixed to the hinged element and to the base proximate such that the first and second torsion rods are deflected as the hinged element is rotated relative to the base producing first and second torsion forces. The first and second torsion forces prevent the hinged element from twisting as the hinged element is rotated relative to the base. A friction element is connected between the base and the hinged element for offering resistance to the relative rotation of the base and the hinged element.

Abstract: The present invention is a spring hinge for generating torque. The spring hinge includes a shaft and a single helical element. The shaft has a surface with an outer diameter and is capable of rotation. The single helical element is wrapped about the shaft. The helical element includes a first end and a second end. The helical element produces a variable torque between the first and second ends.

Abstract: The present invention is a torque producing apparatus comprising a first member, a second member, and a retention means. The first member has first and second arms, each having first and second ends, and a connection portion adjacent the joined first ends of the first and second arms. The arms have an outer surface and define an axial aperture. The axial aperture defines at least a portion of an inner surface of the arms. The second ends of the arms define an opening between the outer and inner surfaces. At least one of the inner and outer surfaces have a predetermined diameter when the member is in a relaxed state. The second member has a surface arranged to engage in interference fit against at least one surface of the first member when the first member is in its relaxed state. The retention means engages the connection portion of the first member so that the second member rotates relative to the first member upon relative rotation of the second member and the retention means.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated clutch having an integrated sensor activated control circuit for selectively engaging and disengaging the clutch.

Abstract: An apparatus includes means for feeding a wire from a fixed outlet against a coiling surface having a variable location in relation to the fixed outlet. The fixed outlet directs the wire in a path and the wire is deflected from the path by the coiling surface to bend the wire. The wire is monitored and output signals indicative of a physical characteristic of the deflected wire are generated. A controller receives the signals and generates control signals as a function thereof. An actuator, responsive to the control signals, adjusts the location of the coiling surface such that the physical characteristics are substantially uniformly maintained during the forming of the spring.

Abstract: A spring hinge and method of making same are disclosed. The spring hinge has a housing enclosing the spring and its associated shaft. The housing includes projections adjacent the ends of the spring such that upon rotation of the spring in either direction, an end of the spring is engaged by the housing and the spring is caused to expand into the "wrap open" condition.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a spring having a spring body and first and second generally axial toes from a wire is disclosed. The apparatus includes mechanisms for feeding the wire from a fixed outlet, wherein the fixed outlet directs the wire in a path; bending a first length of wire fed from the fixed outlet to form a first generally axial toe; bending a second length of wire fed from said fixed outlet to form a spring body; and bending a third length of the wire fed from the fixed outlet to form a second generally axial toe. The wire is then clipped after the formation of the second generally axial toe to separate the spring from a remaining portion of the wire. A method of forming such a spring is also disclosed.

Abstract: Spring clutch is actuated by magnetic field applied radially between non-rotatable source and rotative clutch hub and spring-contracting ring.

Abstract: The present invention is a torque producing apparatus comprising a first member, a second member, and a retention means. The first member has first and second arms, each having first and second ends, and a connection portion adjacent the joined first ends of the first and second arms. The arms have an outer surface and define an axial aperture. The axial aperture defines at least a portion of an inner surface of the arms. The second ends of the arms define an opening between the touter and inner surfaces. At least one of the inner and outer surfaces have a predetermined diameter when the member is in a relaxed state. The second member has a surface arranged to engage in interference fit against at least one surface of the first member when the first member is in its relaxed state. The retention means engages the connection portion of the first member so that the second member rotates relative to the first member upon relative rotation of the second member and the retention means.