Abstract: In a one-way clutch provided with an outer race, an inner race disposed for rotation relative to the outer race, a sprag disposed between the outer race and the inner race for transmitting torque, a holder for holding the sprag, and a garter spring for biasing the sprag in a direction of torque transmission, a stepped portion or a groove portion is provided on an axial side of the sprag and the garter spring is held on the stepped portion or the groove portion. The stepped portion or grooved portion serves to indicate the proper orientation of the sprag during assembly into the clutch and enhances the workability of the sprag.

Abstract: A one-way clutch designed to achieve a reduction in the number of parts and a simplification of assembly. The one-way clutch includes a retainer having a holding hole formed in a portion interposed between an outer race and an inner race to hold a sprag biting between the outer race. The retainer is provided with an elliptical flange urged against the inner periphery of a counterbore formed in the side of the outer race. Since the retainer holds the sprag with the holding hole, the structure of the one-way clutch is simplified. When the flange is pushed into the counterbore of the outer race, the portion of the major diameter of the flange presses the inner periphery of the counterbore, whereby the retainer is made integral with the outer race.

Abstract: A one-way clutch is provided with a retainer formed with a holding hole for holding a sprag biting between an outer race and an inner race. The retainer further has a sprag restraining piece intervening between the outer race and the inner race. The sprag restraining piece protrudes radially outwardly of the retainer and resiliently bears against the sprag so that the sprag is held between the holding hole and the sprag restraining piece and urged in a direction to bite between the outer race and the inner race. The retainer serves to hold the sprag in the holding hole and also serves to prevent the sprag from coming off the holding hole by the sprag restraining piece and causes the sprag to bite between the outer race and the inner race. Portions of the retainer serve multiple roles when compared to prior retainers and, therefore, the number of parts of the one-way clutch is decreased and the structure thereof becomes simple and the assembly thereof is simplified.

Abstract: A sprag type one-way clutch comprises an outer race having an inner peripheral raceway surface and an inner race disposed within the outer race and having an annular outer peripheral raceway surface, the outer race and the inner race being radially spaced apart from each other and concentrically disposed for relative rotation, a plurality of sprags disposed between the outer race and inner race for transmitting a torque between the outer peripheral raceway surface and the inner peripheral raceway surface, an annular retainer retaining the sprags, and a spring member holding the sprags between itself and the retainer and biasing the sprags in a meshing direction, and is characterized in that the retainer is provided with a cylinder portion having a radially extending window portion, the sprags are fitted in the window portion for pivotal movement, and the spring member is guided in a substantially circular form by the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion.

Abstract: A speed responsive centrifugal clutch having a one-way clutch function and suitable for use as a lock-up clutch of a torque converter is provided. The one-way clutch is provided not as a separate component but as structurally integrated in the clutch. The speed responsive centrifugal clutch includes a clutch plate fixedly mounted on a rotating shaft, a damper plate supported to be rotatable relative to the clutch plate and carrying damper elements, a reaction ring supported to be rotatable over a predetermined angle range relative to the damper plate, a plurality of shoe assemblies supported by the reaction ring to be displasable radially outwardly due to centrifugal forces, and a one-way clutch mechanism incorporated between the clutch plate and the damper plate. Because of the provision of such a one-way clutch mechanism in this particular manner, the overall size of the clutch can be minimized and transmission of rotating force can be carried out extremely smoothly.

Abstract: A speed responsive clutch assembly includes a generally disc-shaped clutch plate fixedly mounted on a rotating shaft on the driven side of the clutch assembly and a reaction ring supported by the clutch plate so as to be rotatable relative to the clutch plate over a predetermined angle. The clutch assembly also includes a plurality of shoe assemblies which are mounted on the reaction ring so as to be movable radially outward until they come into frictional contact with a casing, which is connected to a driving source, thereby establishing a coupled condition as the centrifugal force acting on the shoe assemblies increases. The assembly also includes a plurality of damper members interposed between the clutch plate and the reaction ring so that the rotational force can be transmitted between the clutch plate and the reaction ring through the damper members. Those shoe assemblies and damper members are arranged substantially along the same circumference.