Abstract: A clutch includes an inner race, an outer race defining an inner cam surface having lobes and valleys, and a plurality of wedge segments configured to selectively couple the inner and outer races. The wedge segments are circumferentially arranged around the inner race with each segment disposed between adjacent ones of the lobes and valleys. Each segment is circumferentially movable towards the adjacent lobe to increase friction with the inner race and towards the adjacent valley to decrease friction with the inner race. A cage is configured to drive the circumferential movement of the wedge segments. Rotation of the cage relative to the outer race in a first direction permits overrunning of the inner race in a second direction that is opposite the first direction while a second set of the segments locks the inner race from rotating in the first direction relative to the outer race.

Abstract: A low-energy locking hinge mechanism operable with a spacecraft to support a deployable device, and to facilitate the deployment and locking of the deployable device, the hinge mechanism comprising: (a) a support base configured to couple to a structure of the spacecraft; (b) means for securing a deployable device to the support base, the deployable device being configured to rotate about a pivot axis; (c) a one-way clutch supported about the support base and operable with the means for securing, the one-way clutch being configured to facilitate one-way rotation of the deployable device from a stowed position to a deployed position, and to lock the deployable device in the deployed position, the one-way clutch having an inherent actuatable locking function configured to prevent backward motion; and (d) an actuation member operable with the one-way clutch to deploy the deployable device from the stowed position to the deployed position, the actuation member comprising an actuation energy sufficient to actuate

Abstract: Transmission device comprising a first rotary member mounted coaxially on a second rotary member. The first rotary member can rotate in one direction independently from the second rotary member, and in the opposite direction is constrained to the second rotary member in order to rotate solidly therewith. The device can assume a first and a second condition of use, wherein the first rotary member rotates in the two directions independently from the second rotary member, and a third condition of use wherein clamping means, integrally associated with the first rotary member, move from a position of non-interference to a constraint position wherein they constrain the second rotary member in order to make the first rotary member and the second rotary member rotationally solid.

Abstract: A controllable, multi-mode, bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly and a shift system adapted for transferring drive torque from a primary shaft to a secondary shaft. The clutch assembly includes a first ring journalled on a first rotary member, a second ring fixed to a second rotary member, and a plurality of rollers disposed in opposed cam tracks formed between the first and second rotary members. The first ring is split to define an actuation channel between its end segments. A first spring-biased pin is moveable between positions engaged with and released from one end segment of the split first ring. A second spring-biased pin is moveable between positions engaged with and released from the opposite end segment of the split first ring. A moveable pin actuator controls movement of the first and second pins for establishing distinct operational modes.

Abstract: The dog clutch for a square baler is normally retained in a disengaged position as a continuously driven sprocket rotates around it during baling operations. When a retainer for the dog is released, the dog is released by the retainer and flips out to an engaged position so as to be driven through one knotter revolution by a driving lug on the rotating sprocket, whereupon it is reset by the retainer into its disengaged position. An external lobe on the rotating sprocket blocks releasing movement of the retainer if the driving lug of the sprocket is in the immediate vicinity of the dog, which could otherwise cause an insecure engagement of the lug with the dog. The dog-engaging seat on the retainer is spring-loaded to provide yieldable relief in the event binding starts to occur between the retainer and the dog.

Abstract: A gear mechanism containing a clutch assembly made of an outer member and an inner member wherein the rotation of the inner member is less than one revolution. The inner member has a chord surface, and when inserted in the outer member a wedge shaped space is created. Rolling elements are mounted in the wedge shaped space such that when there is rotation of one of the members, the rolling elements are driven into one of the corners of the wedge shaped space causing the inner member to rotate with the outer member. A protrusion at a fixed location is used to dislodge the rollers. With the rollers dislodged, the inner member ceases rotation. Four embodiments are disclosed. In the first embodiment, two magnetic rollers are used to provide an engagement mechanism between the rollers and the corner of the wedge shape. The second embodiment discloses a single magnetized roller. The third embodiment discloses a spring separator positioned perpendicular to the chord to position two non-magnetic rollers.

Abstract: A novel dual-mode two-way clutch is provided which is capable of locking two relatively rotatable members from being rotated in any one of first and second directions opposite to each other, but which when an external force is applied, the clutch is in position to allow the rotatable members to rotate relative to each other in any one of the first and second directions. This dual-mode two-way clutch includes generally V-shaped cam faces 6 defined in an outer peripheral surface of an inner race 1 and a circumferentially extending raceway 2a defined in an inner peripheral surface of an outer race 2. A plurality of rolling elements 3 are interposed between the cam faces 6 and the raceway 2a in frictional engagement therewith for locking the relative rotation of the inner and outer races 1 and 2. When each of the rolling elements 3 is held in the corresponding cam face 6 at a location intermediate thereof, gaps are formed between the rolling elements 3 and the outer race 2 or cam faces 6 in a radial direction.

Abstract: A rotationally-dependent free-wheeling coupling for a motor vehicle comprises a first ring which constitutes a driving element in the towing mode of the motor vehicle, a second ring which constitutes a driven element in the towing mode, clamping elements which act between the first and second rings to transfer torque therebetween in both directions of torque flow, a cage which holds the clamping elements, and a friction element which causes the cage to rotate with the second ring. The rotationally-dependent free-wheeling coupling further comprises a latch which acts between the first ring and the cage, the latch being mounted for swiveling movement on an axle and entering a recess in the cage, the recess having a wall which constitutes a stop for the latch and defining a neutral (free-wheeling) position, a retaining spring which presses the latch into the recess of the cage, and a slipping spring.

Abstract: A shiftable roller clutch to replace the standard disk pack clutch in an automatic transmission is specifically designed to act cooperatively with the planet carrier, and to occupy a minimum of axial space within the transmission housing. The cage pilots on the outer surface of the cam race as it is shifted back and forth, and the actuator that moves the cage is axially aligned with the cam race, so that the total axial space taken up is minimized. The cam race also pilots on part of the planet carrier so as to maintain its concentricity therefrom.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for selectively transmitting and interrupting power between an input shaft and an output shaft arranged in coaxial relation in which a rotary member is coupled to one of the shafts to provide first and second states therebetween and wherein in the first state the rotary member is free to rotate and rotation is transmitted between the input and output shafts, whereas in the second state the input shaft can rotate relative to the output shaft and transmission of rotation is interrupted. The rotary member and the one shaft are angularly rotated relative to one another between first and second relative positions in the first and second states, and rotation of the rotary member is halted by a disc brake in the second state.

Abstract: A quickly-releasable clutch, comprises a linearly-movable member formed with a spiral thread on its outer surface; an angularly-movable member; an inner sleeve secured to the angularly-movable member to overlie the linearly movable member; a ball received in an opening in the inner sleeve for coupling the inner sleeve and the angularly movable member to the linearly-movable member; and an outer sleeve overlying the inner sleeve and axially movable with respect thereto. The outer sleeve is formed with a first inner annular surface dimensioned to engage the ball and to force it into the spiral thread of the linearly-movable member to couple the latter member to the angularly-movable member, and with a second inner annular surface dimensioned to permit said ball to disengage from the spiral thread of the linearly-movable member and thereby to decouple same from the angularly-movable member.

Abstract: A clutch includes an inner clutch member of a cylindrical shape fixedly mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith, a bushing mounted on the inner clutch member, and an outer clutch member mounted on the bushing and driven for rotation at a predetermined speed, coupling elements carried by the bushing for coupling the inner and outer clutch members together, a first cam fixedly mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, and a second cam pivotally mounted on the first cam and coupled to the bushing. An actuator initiates a revolution of the first cam, and it engages an acceleration section of a cam surface of the first cam at an initial portion of the revolution of the first cam to rotate it at a speed generally corresponding to a speed of rotation of the outer clutch member. The actuator engages a deceleration section of the cam surface at a final portion of the revolution to decelerate the speed of rotation of the first cam.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a fastener to a fabric includes a pair of levers disposed pivotably one on each side of a stationary die for interlocking a punch driver and an actuator therefor in such a manner that the former can be activated by the latter only after the levers have been lowered while supporting the fabric horizontally thereon.

Abstract: An overload clutch assembly including a driving member and a driven member having torque transmitting balls operatively disposed therebetween in apertures in the driving member and engageable in recesses in the driven member with a control member axially spring biased to hold the balls in the recesses in the driven member to effect the engaged condition of the clutch. The control member is circumferentially movable relative to the driving member against the action of biasing springs to bring recesses in the control member into alignment with the torque transmitting members so that the clutch assembly can be moved to the disengaged condition. The control member includes a first radially outwardly extending cam which is engageable by a radially movable external control tappet to cause circumferential movement of the control member for bringing the clutch into the disengaged condition when required other than in response to torque overload.

Abstract: A rotary power transmitting shaft decoupling device has a driving element sposed coaxially within a driven element and keyed thereto by a plurality of rollers held in aligned grooves and slots of the driving and driven elements, respectively, by an indexing ring that is coaxial with and surrounds the driven element. Actuation to effect decoupling is effected by arresting rotation of the indexing ring until the rollers become aligned with slots in the ring through which the rollers are ejected.

Abstract: A shaft decoupler wherein driving and driven components having grooved fles are keyed together by rollers held in the grooves by lands between recesses of a retaining assembly that normally rotates with the mentioned components and is momentarily arrested to allow the driving and driven components to advance the roller carrying grooves to alignment with the recesses to effect decoupling. The decoupler is characterized by the use of high strength plastic rollers, cooperating indexing elements to limit relative rotation between the driving component and the retaining assembly, and a solid lubricant filled plastic thrust and journal bearing.

Abstract: A device for feeding sheets to another machine, said device having conveying rollers continuously rotating at the same peripheral speed as the receiving rollers of the fed machine. Gripper devices reciprocate toward and away from the conveying rollers to pick up a sheet and accelerate it to the peripheral speed of the rollers. The gripper devices are disengageably coupled to the conveying rollers to be driven thereby and to be actuated in time sequence with the fed machine.

Abstract: A decoupler mechanism which provides for disengagement of a series of driving rollers from a toothed driven member by providing roller pockets for retaining the rollers by centrifugal force when the decoupler is activated.

Abstract: A quick connection or clutching device is positioned between a continuously rotating drive member and a driven member which assures, upon disengagement, an accurate angular positioning of the driven member. In use the device is applied to a circular stocking machine and the like, for the actuation of the cam drum advance and stopping mechanism from the needle cylinder.