Pivoted Pawls Patents (Class 192/43.1)
  • Patent number: 8079453
    Abstract: A controllable overrunning coupling assembly includes a control member mounted for controlled shifting movement between a first pair of coupling faces of first and second coupling members relative to reverse pockets formed in one of the coupling faces. The first pair of coupling faces oppose each other and are oriented to face axially along a common rotational axis. The control member is operable for controlling position of only reverse struts in the reverse pockets without controlling the position of forward rockers in forward pockets formed in a coupling face of a second pair of coupling faces of the coupling members that oppose each other and are oriented to face radially with respect to the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Kimes
  • Patent number: 8056690
    Abstract: A transmission includes a selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) assembly. The SOWC assembly includes a rotatable pocket plate, a rotatable slide plate, and an annular piston having a ramped surface feature. The piston, which can be hydraulically actuated, moves axially toward the pocket plate when applied, and axially away from the pocket plate when released, to thereby select between two torque holding or operating modes of the SOWC assembly. The ramped surface feature of the piston engages an axial knob portion of the slide plate when the piston is applied to select to one operating mode, thus rotating the slide plate in one direction. A return spring moves the piston away from the pocket plate when the other operating mode is selected, and the slide plate is rotated via a spring in another direction. A guide pin maintains a relative position of the piston and the slide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Alexander Millerman, Chunhao J. Lee
  • Patent number: 8051959
    Abstract: An overrunning coupling assembly includes a control element mounted for controlled shifting movement between coupling faces of annular coupling members relative to a first set of pockets in the first member. The control element is operable for controlling position of only reverse struts in the first set of pockets without controlling the position of forward struts in a second set of pockets in the coupling face of the second member. The control element allows at least one of the reverse struts to engage at least one of a set of locking formations on the coupling face of the second coupling member in a first position of the control element. The control element maintains the reverse struts in their pockets in a second position of the control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory M. Eisengruber
  • Patent number: 8042669
    Abstract: A SOWC for use with a vehicle transmission is provided. The clutch includes outer and inner elements, also referred to as races, with the latter oriented concentrically within the former about an axis of rotation. A selection mechanism, which may be annular plates operatively connected with the side of the races and with one another, is selectively rotatable with respect to the inner and outer elements between different positions. Pivotable rocker elements are positioned between the races and are movable along cammed slots of the annular plates when the annular plates are rotated to establish a forward, a reverse, and a neutral operating mode corresponding with the different positions of the annular plates. In some embodiments, in the neutral operating mode, none of the rocker elements are in contact with the inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Andrew L. Bartos
  • Patent number: 8042670
    Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch assembly (SOWC) includes a first race, a second race, a plurality of rockers, and a selector ring. The first race and the second race each surround the first axis. Each of the rockers selectively hold torque in a rotational direction to establish a clutch operating mode. The selector ring defines a plurality of windows and is configured to rotates about the first axis to align at least one of the windows to establish one of the plurality of different clutch operating modes. The SOWC is engaged by rotating the selector ring about the first axis to align at least one of windows in a predetermined manner. Alignment allows at least one of the rockers to engage the second race in a radial direction to hold torque in at least one rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew L. Bartos, Farzad Samie
  • Publication number: 20100252384
    Abstract: A controllable coupling assembly including a coupling member and an overrunning coupling and control assembly utilizing same are provided wherein a set of actuators are supported on a control member of the assembly for movement therewith to move or pivot respective struts received within pockets of the coupling member. Apparatus is responsive to a control pressure signal to exert a control force on the control member to cause the control member to move from its first position which corresponds to a first mode of the coupling assembly to its second position which corresponds to a second mode of the coupling assembly. The coupling assembly may be an overrunning clutch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory M. Eisengruber
  • Publication number: 20100243394
    Abstract: A drive mechanism includes a housing, a stationary shaft, at least one acceleration gear assembly, a rotation plate, and at least two centrifugal blades. The acceleration gear assembly having a plurality of acceleration gears is disposed inside the housing and pivots on the stationary shaft, and skewed teeth of the housing engage with the acceleration gears to force the acceleration gears to rotate as the housing rotates. The rotation plate is disposed inside the housing and pivots on the stationary shaft, and is actuated by the acceleration gear assembly and has a first end surface, a second end surface, and a first annular surface connected with the first and the second end surfaces. The centrifugal blades are disposed on the second end surface, and one side of the centrifugal blades has a unidirectional rotatable element engaging with the skewed teeth when the rotation direction of the housing reverses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Chun-Tang Lee, Xin-Chang Yang, Zhong-Cheng Li
  • Publication number: 20100230226
    Abstract: An overrunning one-way clutch or coupling assembly includes a first outer coupling member and an inner coupling member which together have a first pair of annular coupling faces therebetween and a second outer coupling member which together with the inner coupling member have a second pair of annular coupling faces therebetween. Both pairs of coupling faces are formed with sets of pockets and locking formations. Forward and reverse sets of struts are located in pockets axially spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Prout
  • Publication number: 20100206679
    Abstract: A bidirectional driving device includes a ratchet wheel, a movable handle, a fixed casing, a pawl reset spring, a handle reset spring and a central shaft. The handle reset spring is in an inner hole of the ratchet wheel, A positioning column of the handle reset spring is placed in sliding slots of the movable handle and of the fixed casing. First and second pawls are disposed between the ratchet wheel and the movable handle. Tooth sections of the first and second pawls are engaged with ratchet teeth of the ratchet wheel. Positioning columns of the first and second pawls are connected with the movable handle. Bosses of the first and second pawls are placed in sliding slots of the fixed casing, each composed of two circular arc slot sections with different radius. The pawl reset spring is connected with the bosses and with the central shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Chengxin Cai, Yuanhe Gao
  • Patent number: 7766790
    Abstract: A controllable selectable one-way clutch is provided for use within a hybrid transmission. The clutch comprises an outer and inner race, and a first and second selector plate. A transmission motor controller synchronizes the speeds of the races to facilitate application and release of the clutch, and a transmission controller communicates a signal to the clutch for re-positioning of the plates to apply and release the clutch. The clutch has three operational modes, including freewheeling and holding torque in one direction or both directions. A method is also provided for applying a selectable one-way clutch in a vehicle having a hybrid transmission with a motor controller and a transmission controller, including synchronizing the clutch speed using the motor controller, detecting the direction of the race speed difference, communicating the race speed difference to the transmission controller, and selecting between the clutch operational modes in response to the detected speed difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Stevenson, Paula J. Armstrong, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 7743678
    Abstract: A selectable one-way rocker clutch assembly includes an inner race disposed radially within an outer race, first and second plurality of rockers, a selector ring and an apply plate. The inner race defines a plurality of pockets configured to operatively retain the first and second plurality of rockers. The first plurality of rockers is configured to resist rotation of the outer race relative to the inner race in a first direction. The second plurality of rockers is configured to resist rotation of the outer race relative to the inner race in a second direction. The selector ring is disposed radially between the inner race and outer race. The apply plate is configured to engage with the selector ring and, in so doing, rotate the selector ring to thereby selectively retract the first and/or second plurality of rockers and thus control the state of the rocker clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott H. Wittkopp, James M. Hart, Clinton E. Carey
  • Patent number: 7721860
    Abstract: There is provided a power coupling device comprising first and second coupling members, at least one of which is capable of rotating about a common axis and relative to each other. The first coupling member has a pocket, and the second coupling member has notches. The power coupling member also comprises first and second struts arranged at least partly in the pocket. Each of the first and second struts is urged to emerge from the pocket and capable of engaging with one of the notches. The first strut is capable of transmitting torque between the first and second coupling members only in a first direction, and the second strut is capable of transmitting torque between the first and second coupling members only in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Tokimori Saka
  • Publication number: 20100122883
    Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch assembly (SOWC) includes a first race, a second race, a plurality of rockers, and a selector ring. The first race and the second race each surround the first axis. Each of the rockers selectively hold torque in a rotational direction to establish a clutch operating mode. The selector ring defines a plurality of windows and is configured to rotates about the first axis to align at least one of the windows to establish one of the plurality of different clutch operating modes. The SOWC is engaged by rotating the selector ring about the first axis to align at least one of windows in a predetermined manner. Alignment allows at least one of the rockers to engage the second race in a radial direction to hold torque in at least one rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Bartos, Farzad Samie
  • Patent number: 7647852
    Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver having an handle (10) and two pivotal pawls (26, 27) and a selector (51) rotatable relative to the handle for actuation of the pawls relative to a gear (18). The selector and gear are axially connected together and are arranged to be disassembled as a sub-assembly from the remainder of the screwdriver for cleaning the screwdriver. The pawls are mounted to pivot in parallel planes and on opposite sides of a radial plane extending along a longitudinal axis of the screwdriver, and they have V-shaped teeth for gear engagement. There is permanent indicia on the screwdriver showing four settings for the screwdriver, including a cleaning setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: James H. Rinner
  • Publication number: 20090266667
    Abstract: A SOWC for use with a vehicle transmission is provided. The clutch includes outer and inner elements, also referred to as races, with the latter oriented concentrically within the former about an axis of rotation. A selection mechanism, which may be annular plates operatively connected with the side of the races and with one another, is selectively rotatable with respect to the inner and outer elements between different positions. Pivotable rocker elements are positioned between the races and are movable along cammed slots of the annular plates when the annular plates are rotated to establish a forward, a reverse, and a neutral operating mode corresponding with the different positions of the annular plates. In some embodiments, in the neutral operating mode, none of the rocker elements are in contact with the inner race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Andrew L. Bartos
  • Publication number: 20090211863
    Abstract: A controllable overrunning coupling assembly includes a control member mounted for controlled shifting movement between a first pair of coupling faces of first and second coupling members relative to reverse pockets formed in one of the coupling faces. The first pair of coupling faces oppose each other and are oriented to face axially along a common rotational axis. The control member is operable for controlling position of only reverse struts in the reverse pockets without controlling the position of forward rockers in forward pockets formed in a coupling face of a second pair of coupling faces of the coupling members that oppose each other and are oriented to face radially with respect to the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: John W. Kimes
  • Publication number: 20090205918
    Abstract: A transmission includes a selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) assembly. The SOWC assembly includes a rotatable pocket plate, a rotatable slide plate, and an annular piston having a ramped surface feature. The piston, which can be hydraulically actuated, moves axially toward the pocket plate when applied, and axially away from the pocket plate when released, to thereby select between two torque holding or operating modes of the SOWC assembly. The ramped surface feature of the piston engages an axial knob portion of the slide plate when the piston is applied to select to one operating mode, thus rotating the slide plate in one direction. A return spring moves the piston away from the pocket plate when the other operating mode is selected, and the slide plate is rotated via a spring in another direction. A guide pin maintains a relative position of the piston and the slide plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Alexander Millerman, Chunhao J. Lee
  • Publication number: 20090045024
    Abstract: An overrunning radial coupling assembly having dual bearing support is provided. The assembly includes an inner member having an outer peripheral surface and an outer member having an inner peripheral surface adjacent the outer peripheral surface in radially inner and radially outer relationship. At least one of the members is mounted for rotation about an axis. One of the members includes pockets angularly spaced about the axis. Each of the pockets has a closed end and an open end located axially opposite the closed end. The assembly further includes a plurality of pawls. Each of the pawls is located in a pocket and is supported to pivot toward the peripheral surface of the other of the members. The assembly still further includes a retainer secured to one of the members. The retainer covers the open end of the pockets. The inner and outer peripheral surfaces define a first radial bearing interface adjacent the closed end of each of the pockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Ruth
  • Patent number: 7484605
    Abstract: The overrunning radial coupling assembly or clutch and a method of controlling the engagement of inner and outer plates or members of the assembly are provided wherein adjacent engaging radial locking pawls are selectively controlled by a single, rotatable control plate or element to obtain full lock, one-way lock and one-way overrun conditions. The assembly includes free-floating, forward pawls and free-floating, reverse pawls adjacent to their respective forward pawls. The forward and reverse pawls are movable between a notch-engaging, engaged position (i.e., full lock condition) and a disengaged position in which the outer member is permitted to free-wheel relative to the inner member in the one-way overrun condition in one direction about a first axis and the outer member is locked to the inner member in the one-way lock condition in the opposite direction. A number of different embodiments of the assembly and method are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice A. Pawley, Brian W. Smithwick
  • Publication number: 20080308376
    Abstract: A ratcheting mechanism for a hand-held tool is provided. The mechanism includes a housing having a central opening and a pair of slots disposed on opposite sides of the opening. Each slot has an arcuate or circular end portion opposite the central opening which circumscribes an arc of greater than 180° in order to pivotally retain a generally circular stem of a pawl therein. Due to the presence of a pair of biasing members within the housing, each pawl is biased inwardly towards the central opening and into engagement with teeth located on the exterior of a gear rotatably disposed within the central opening. A cap rotatably connected to the housing over the pawls and the central opening is able to selectively disengage one of the pawls to allow the rotation of the gear within the central opening in a specified direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Michael T. Gauthier
  • Publication number: 20080243134
    Abstract: A tool for driving a workpiece during surgical procedures has a handle. A gear with teeth thereon is rotatably supported along an axis within the handle. Two pawls are pivotally supported by the handle adjacent the gear and are orbital about the axis upon rotation of the handle. Each pawl has teeth that engage the gear teeth to transmit torque from the handle to the workpiece. Two springs yieldingly urge the pawls into engagement the gear teeth. A cap, with an actuator thereon, is rotatable with respect to handle. The cap has a first position in which the actuator retracts the first pawl out of engagement with the gear teeth, a second position in which the actuator retracts the second pawl out of engagement with the gear teeth, and a third position in which neither the first pawl nor the second pawl is retracted by the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Kurt P. Limberg, Douglas A. Moyer
  • Publication number: 20080217131
    Abstract: A device for transmitting torque between a first component and a second component is provided. The device includes a first race coupled to the first component and a second race coupled to the second component. The second race is disposed concentrically with the first race. A first rocker is pivotally connected to the first race and is moveable to rotationally fix the first race to the second race to transfer torque therebetween. A second rocker is pivotally connected to the first race and is disposed axially adjacent to the first rocker. The second rocker is moveable to rotationally fix the first race to the second race to transfer torque therebetween. A selector ring is disposed between the first race and the second race. The selector ring is moveable to engage the first rocker to prevent the first rocker from engaging the second race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott H. Wittkopp, James M. Hart, Clinton E. Carey
  • Patent number: 7422537
    Abstract: A power transmission system coupling (100) configured to provide a responsive and controllable clutch (110) using a torque split arrangement including a planetary gear set (106) for torque modulation, together with a locking device (134) to maximize torque transfer capability when modulation is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventor: Mircea Gradu
  • Patent number: 7413065
    Abstract: A ratcheting mechanism for a hand-held tool is provided. The mechanism includes a housing having a central opening and a pair of slots disposed on opposite sides of the opening. Each slot has an arcuate or circular end portion opposite the central opening which circumscribes an arc of greater than 180° in order to pivotally retain a generally circular stem of a pawl therein. Due to the presence of a pair of biasing members within the housing, each pawl is biased inwardly towards the central opening and into engagement with teeth located on the exterior of a gear rotatably disposed within the central opening. A cap rotatably connected to the housing over the pawls and the central opening is able to selectively disengage one of the pawls to allow the rotation of the gear within the central opening in a specified direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Gauthier Biomedical Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Gauthier
  • Publication number: 20080142329
    Abstract: A powered ratchet drive for a ratchet wrench includes a pair of elongate pawls for driving an output member of the wrench. Each pawl may have a lower portion pivotally attached to a rocker and an upper portion comprising teeth for engagement with teeth of the output member to turn the output member. The upper portion of the pawl extends outward at an angle with respect to the lower portion. The ratchet may include a compression spring secured inside a cavity of each pawl for biasing the pawl into engagement with the output member. The ratchet also includes a reversing switch mechanism for selectively configuring the ratchet in a forward-driving configuration and in a reverse-driving configuration. The switch mechanism includes a cam disposed between the pawls. The cam has a groove for receiving one of the pawls during operation depending on the configuration of the ratchet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: SP AIR KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20080110715
    Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a first coupling member having a pocket and a fluid passage that extends toward the pocket, and a second coupling member having a locking formation. The assembly further includes an engaging member that is received in the pocket and that is engageable with the locking formation. The fluid passage is configured to supply pressurized fluid toward the pocket to move the engaging member into contact with the locking formation to effect torque transfer between the coupling members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Brice A. Pawley
  • Patent number: 7344010
    Abstract: An overrunning coupling assembly and a method of controlling the engagement of planar first and second members are provided wherein the assembly includes clustered pawls and their respective pawl-holding portions. The planar first and second members have inside surfaces extending generally normal to a first axis. The pawls include a forward set of free-floating pawls and a reverse set of free-floating, clustered pawls. The forward and reverse sets of pawls are movable between a notch-engaging, engaged position and a disengaged position. Because of the clustering, a control element, disposed between the first and second surfaces, need not be fully circular and is controllably rotatable about the first axis between first and second angular positions relative to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Fetting, Jr., Brice A. Pawley
  • Patent number: 7328633
    Abstract: A device for switching wrenching direction of a ratchet wheel of a ratchet tool. A ratchet wheel and a pawl are accommodated in a receiving cavity of the main body of the ratchet tool. The receiving cavity is covered by a cover board for hindering the ratchet wheel and the pawl from dropping out of the receiving cavity. A shift member is disposed on the pawl. The cover board is formed with a locating slot corresponding to the shift member. The locating slot has a first locating section and a second locating section. After the shift member is shifted to move the pawl and switch the wrenching direction, the shift member can be selectively located in the first locating section or the second locating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Advance Team Power Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Lang Lin
  • Publication number: 20070278061
    Abstract: The present invention provides a selectable one-way rocker clutch assembly having an inner race disposed radially within an outer race, first and second plurality of rockers, a selector ring and an apply plate. The inner race defines a plurality of pockets configured to operatively retain the first and second plurality of rockers. The first plurality of rockers is configured to resist rotation of the outer race relative to the inner race in a first direction. The second plurality of rockers is configured to resist rotation of the outer race relative to the inner race in a second direction. The selector ring is disposed radially between the inner race and outer race. The apply plate is configured to engage with the selector ring and, in so doing, rotate the selector ring to thereby selectively retract the first and/or second plurality of rockers and thus control the state of the rocker clutch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott H. Wittkopp, James M. Hart, Clinton E. Carey
  • Patent number: 7264099
    Abstract: A motorcycle transmission shifting mechanism includes a foot-operated gearshift assembly provided with a pedal and cam subassembly, displaceable relative to one another to establish a desired speed-ratio position, and a hand-operated clutch release mechanism operative to release a clutch for shifting through multiple speed-ratio positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Duignan
  • Patent number: 7258214
    Abstract: An overrunning coupling assembly and a method of controlling the engagement of planar first and second members are provided wherein two sets of opposed engaging struts are applied with one motion of a single control plate or member. The planar first and second members have inside surfaces extending generally normal to a first axis. The assembly includes free-floating, forward keys and free-floating, reverse keys opposed to the forward keys. The forward and reverse keys are movable between a notch-engaging, engaged position and a disengaged position in which the second member is permitted to free-wheel relative to the first member. The planar control member is disposed between the first and second surfaces and is controllably rotatable about the first axis between first and second angular positions relative to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice A. Pawley, Brian W. Smithwick
  • Patent number: 7198587
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission is provided with a selectable (reversible) braking one-way clutch operative to brake rotation of a member of a planetary gear set of the transmission when the transmission is in reverse and first speed. First and second rotating input clutches are slipped when the vehicle is launched in reverse or first speed. The transmission is preferably characterized by the absence of a torque converter, but the invention may be implemented with a torque converter if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 7194934
    Abstract: A ratcheting torque wrench comprising a torsional shaft connected to a hex tip; a sleeve that fits over the torsional shaft; a sleeve dial having a hole and configured to fit around the sleeve such that the diameter of the sleeve dial hole accommodates the sleeve; a shaft dial connected to the sleeve dial; a nylon ring connected to a ratchet housing; a ratchet gear connected to the ratchet housing, the ratchet housing mating with the ratchet gear; a spring connected to the nylon ring and the ratchet gear; a ratchet cover that fits over the ratchet housing; a retaining ring connected to the ratchet cover and configured to engage the torsional shaft; a ratchet fitting connected to the ratchet housing, wherein the ratchet fitting accommodates a first handle, wherein the sleeve has a hole to accommodate a second handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Custom Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Mahmoud F. Abdelgany
  • Patent number: 7156216
    Abstract: A ratcheting mechanism for a hand-held tool is provided. The mechanism includes a housing having a central opening and a pair of slots disposed on opposite sides of the opening. Each slot has an arcuate or circular end portion opposite the central opening which circumscribes an arc of greater than 180° in order to pivotally retain a generally circular stem of a pawl therein. Due to the presence of a pair of biasing members within the housing, each pawl is biased inwardly towards the central opening and into engagement with teeth located on the exterior of a gear rotatably disposed within the central opening. A cap rotatably connected to the housing over the pawls and the central opening is able to selectively disengage one of the pawls to allow the rotation of the gear within the central opening in a specified direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Gauthier Biomedical Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Gauthier
  • Patent number: 7124664
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench including a head section formed with two slots and two pawls each having a post slidably fitted through the slots. The ratchet wrench further includes a shift member formed with two slots respectively intersecting the slots of the head section. The posts of the pawls are slidably inlaid in the slots of the head section and the slots of the shift member. By means of shifting the shift member, the pawls can be directly driven to slide along the slots, whereby one of the pawls is engaged with the ratchet wheel, while the other of the pawls is disengaged from the ratchet wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Chang Chuan Lee
  • Patent number: 7107877
    Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver includes a main rod, a driven shaft, a ratchet mechanism, a socket connector, a control member, and a handle. Thus, the pawl member of the ratchet mechanism is pivoted to engage the ratchet teeth of the socket connector by rotation of the rotation wheel of the control member, so that the ratchet screwdriver is operated easily and conveniently, thereby facilitating a user operating the ratchet screwdriver to drive a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Yi-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 7101306
    Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly employed in connection with a reduced capacity low friction clutch to provide low and reverse gears in a transmission. The clutch assembly including an inner race, an outer race, and engagement members supported therebetween. The inner race is operatively coupled to the transmission casing and the outer race is operatively coupled to the ring gear of the gear set as well as the inner race of the friction clutch assembly. The clutch assembly further includes at least one actuating cam. The actuating cam operates to actuate the engagement members to provide four separate modes of operation between the inner and outer races of the clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Blair, John M. Kremer, R. Keith Martin, Melissa Koenig, Brian Stefina
  • Patent number: 7073648
    Abstract: A power transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force from a drive shaft to a driven member of a gear via a one-way clutch is provided. The one-way clutch includes a swinging clutch portion swingably fitted in a clutch portion housing groove formed in a first end portion of the drive shaft. The swinging clutch portion has a cylindrical portion as the axis of rotation and a projecting portion. When the drive shaft rotates, the projecting portion of the swinging clutch portion is raised by a slit of a collar fitted onto the drive shaft, engaging one of a plurality of engaging grooves formed in the inner peripheral surface of the driven member. When the drive shaft does not rotate, the swinging clutch portion lies down, and the projecting portion does not engage any engaging groove, allowing the driven member to rotate bidirectionally relative to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Ishikawa, Kazuyoshi Miyahara
  • Patent number: 7069811
    Abstract: An actuation device of an adjustment unit for automotive vehicle seats has a hand lever and a frame. The frame carries the hand lever and accommodates an output shaft. The hand lever adopts a central position when the actuation device is in a position of rest, and may be pivoted alternatively in the two directions of rotation against the action of an elastic means biasing it in the central position. The hand lever has a first driving region. An adjustment wheel having circumferential gear teeth is centred on the output shaft. A pivotal lever has a long hole surrounding the output shaft, has a left engagement region and a right engagement region substantially extending as a continuation of the long hole. These regions are both provided with teeth matching the gear teeth of the adjustment wheel and being disengaged from the teeth of the adjustment wheel in the position of rest of the actuation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ernst-Reiner Frohnhaus, Ulrich Karthaus
  • Patent number: 7066054
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench includes a base connected to a handle and a cylindrical top on the base has two recesses for receiving two pawls therein. Each recess includes a hole in an inner bottom thereof so that the two pawls are pivotably inserted in the two holes by their respective shafts. A ring is rotatably mounted to the cylindrical top and has a concaved area for allowing at least one of the two pawls to be extended outward. A driving member having a skirt portion which has teeth defined in an inner periphery thereof and the teeth are engaged with at least one of the two pawls. The base is easily to be manufactured and the two shafts of the two pawls are easily to be assembled in the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Kuo-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 7014023
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved ratcheting mechanism for a tool that includes a number of bearings disposed within the mechanism that maintain the alignment of a gear forming a part of the mechanism with the remainder of the parts of the mechanism. The bearings are disposed within a housing for the mechanism and serve to align and allow the free rotation of a shaft connected to the gear. The bearings, by maintaining the alignment of the shaft and gear with the remainder of the mechanism, prevent the gear from experiencing any lateral or axial displacement with respect to the remainder of the mechanism. Further, the various components of the mechanism are effectively sealed to the housing in order to provide a fluid tight mechanism for use in a variety of different applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Gauthier Biomedical, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Gauthier
  • Patent number: 6997084
    Abstract: A ratcheting driver for rotationally driving a piece and having a handle and pivotal pawls engageable with a driven gear and being capable of ratcheting and driving in both rotational directions. A cap is rotatable relative to said handle and it has a web for pivoting the pawls out of engagement with the gear. Through the selective rotation of the cap, the setting of the pawls is established. A spring positions the pawls in driving positions, and the cap has surfaces which disengage the pawls from the gear upon rotation of the cap. A method of arranging the driver is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Pilling Weck Incorporated
    Inventors: Hua Gao, James A. Rinner
  • Patent number: 6981434
    Abstract: A wrench includes a head with an engaging wheel rotatably received in a through hole in the head and a recess is defined in an inner periphery of the through hole so as to receive two pawls therein. A recessed area is defined in a surface of the head and a bridge portion is located between the through hole and the recessed area. A space is defined in an underside of the bridge portion and in communication with the through hole. Each pawl has a protrusion and the space allows the protrusions of the pawl to be inserted in the recess without any orientation adjustment. A control member is rotatably received in the recessed area and has a concavity for retaining the two protrusions therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Inventor: Terence Chen
  • Patent number: 6948605
    Abstract: A ratcheting mechanism for a hand-held tool is provided. The mechanism includes a housing having a central opening and a pair of slots disposed on opposite sides of the opening. Each slot has an arcuate or circular end portion opposite the central opening which circumscribes an arc of greater than 180° in order to pivotally retain a generally circular stem of a pawl therein. Due to the presence of a pair of biasing members within the housing, each pawl is biased inwardly towards the central opening and into engagement with teeth located on the exterior of a gear rotatably disposed within the central opening. A cap rotatably connected to the housing over the pawls and the central opening is able to selectively disengage one of the pawls to allow the rotation of the gear within the central opening in a specified direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Gauthier Biomedical Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Gauthier
  • Patent number: 6918477
    Abstract: A direction switch for a wrench has first and second control members. The first control member includes a first pivot and a first lever. The second control member includes a second pivot and a second lever. The first control member and the second control member are mounted to first and second side of the wrench, respectively. The first and second control members are operatively connected to each other by a coupling provided between the control members to allow simultaneous actuation of the control members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Lea Way Hand Tool Corporation
    Inventor: Tom Tuanmu
  • Patent number: 6905009
    Abstract: A bi-directional clutch assembly of the present invention is provided that comprises an inner race, an outer race, and an engagement mechanism disposed between said inner race and said outer race. The engagement mechanism is operable to move between a disengaged position wherein the inner and outer races may freely rotate relative to one another and an engaged position wherein the inner and outer races are locked so as to translate torque therebetween. The present invention also includes at least one actuator that is operatively connected to the engagement mechanism and responsive to a first momentary control force to selectively move the engagement mechanism to the engaged position and to hold the engagement mechanism in the engaged position after the first control force has been terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Clyde A. Reed, Brian K. Stefina
  • Patent number: 6857339
    Abstract: A wrench structure includes a drive head formed with a receiving chamber and having an end face formed with a direction control recess. The end face of the drive head is formed with a spacing portion. Thus, the spacing portion is continuously extended through the end face of the drive head and is not broken, so that the end face of the drive head is continuously extended through the drive head and is not broken, thereby preventing the stress from being concentrated on the portion between the receiving chamber and the direction control recess of the drive head, such that the structural strength of the drive head can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: Terence Chen
  • Patent number: 6832674
    Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly including an inner race, an outer race, and engagement members supported therebetween. The clutch assembly further includes at least one actuating cam. The actuating cam operates to actuate the engagement members to provide four separate modes of operation between the inner and outer races of the clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Blair, John M. Kremer, R. Keith Martin, Melissa Koenig, Brian Stefina
  • Publication number: 20040251105
    Abstract: Disclosed is a direction switch. The direction switch includes a first control member and a second control member. The first control member includes a first pivot and a first lever. The second control member includes a second pivot and a second lever. The first control member and the second control member are mounted to a first and a second side of the wrench, respectively, wherein the first and second control members are operatively connected to each other by means of a coupling means provided between the two control members to allow simultaneous actuation of the control members. Further disclosed is a direction switch constructing of a single component and a reversible gear wrench adopting such direction switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: LEA WAY HAND TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tom Tuanmu
  • Publication number: 20040238306
    Abstract: A bi-directional clutch assembly of the present invention is provided that comprises an inner race, an outer race, and an engagement mechanism disposed between said inner race and said outer race. The engagement mechanism is operable to move between a disengaged position wherein the inner and outer races may freely rotate relative to one another and an engaged position wherein the inner and outer races are locked so as to translate torque therebetween. The present invention also includes at least one actuator that is operatively connected to the engagement mechanism and responsive to a first momentary control force to selectively move the engagement mechanism to the engaged position and to hold the engagement mechanism in the engaged position after the first control force has been terminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Clyde A. Reed, Brian K. Stefina