Ball Or Roller Patents (Class 192/44)
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Patent number: 5918825Abstract: A rolling member fitted into a guide recess and capable of performing a wedge action on a collar of a rotary quill is held by an annular holder in such a manner that the longitudinal movement of the rolling member can be restricted and the outside of the annular holder is rotatably fitted with an annular outer frame for restricting the outward movement of the rolling member, thereby forming a brake main body. By rotating the annular holder by use of a rotation operation member provided in the annular holder, the rolling member is controlled such that it can be restricted and held at an operative position allowing the wedge action or at a non-operative position prohibiting the wedge action, thereby switching the rotary quill to a reversal preventive position or to a reversal allowable position. Also, the brake main body is constructed as detachable one unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.Inventors: Kazuo Hirano, Eiji Shinohara, Takashi Higashimoto
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Patent number: 5794479Abstract: An adjustable member such as a seat back of a vehicle is connected to an adjustment mechanism which transfers an external mechanical or manual force to the seat back. The adjustment mechanism includes an actuating element which rotates the seat back in either direction in response to the application of the external force. An elastic return element stores energy during such movement to subsequently return the actuating element to a rest position. During such return, the actuating element is automatically disconnected from the seat back.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1996Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Inventor: Jorg Schwarzbich
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Patent number: 5785626Abstract: A shifter assembly for a shifting a vehicle transmission via a telescopeable transmission shift cable is provided. The shifter assembly includes a base, a shift lever pivoted to the base, a cable-actuating arm pivotally attached to the shift lever and adapted for operative connection to the transmission shift cable, and a coupler for securing the cable-actuating arm to the shift lever in an adjusted position. The coupler is movable between an adjustment-permitting position where a length variation in the transmission cable can be accommodated, and an interlocked position where the cable-actuating arm is secured to the shift lever. A manual, pawl-biased actuator on the shift lever is adapted to engage the coupler to move the coupler from the installed position to the interlocked position when the transmission cable is at a desired position.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1997Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped Products Division of JSJ CorporationInventors: Charles Osborn, Robert M. Medema, Andrew K. Ruiter
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Patent number: 5765669Abstract: A force transfer device 30 includes an inner race 40 and an outer race 38 and a plurality of reversible wedging elements 34 located between the inner and outer races. This device 30 allows for continuous force transfer between the inner and outer race. This device 30 further allows for locking the inner race 40 relative to the outer race 38 in infinitely varying positions. The device 30 includes scallops on at least one race which scallops are of complex shape in order to manage wedging of the wedging elements and surface stresses between the wedging elements and the race contact surfaces. The device 30 is also reversible.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1996Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: DWBH Ventures Ltd.Inventors: Daniel T. Adams, Eugene F. Duval
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Patent number: 5752590Abstract: A ratchet tool includes a housing having a bole for rotatably receiving a rod and having one or more grooves for receiving supporting members and having a curved slot formed around the hole for receiving two rollers. The curved slot includes narrower ends or center portion for allowing the rollers to engage with the rod and the housing for allowing the housing to rotate the rod. The rod may be driven to rotate in one direction when only one of the rollers is engaged with the rod and the housing. The ratchet tool may be used for screw drivers or for wrenches.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1996Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Inventor: Ching Chou Lin
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Patent number: 5720371Abstract: A rolling bearing clutch including an inner ring, an outer ring and a plurality of rollers interposed between the track surfaces formed on the inner and outer rings, said rollers are inclined with a predetermined twist angle (.beta.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1996Date of Patent: February 24, 1998Assignees: Ebara Corporation, THK Corporation LimitedInventors: Katsumi Kimura, Kaoru Hoshide
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Patent number: 5697267Abstract: A socket wrench is provided between an inner rotary seat thereof and an outer fitting seat thereof with a plurality of slender steel bars, rubber sleeves and resisting bars, which work together to prevent the skidding of the inner rotary seat and the outer fitting seat and to provide a high torsion strength.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1995Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Inventor: Chen-Chang Tsai
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Patent number: 5678781Abstract: A rolling member fitted into a guide recess and capable of performing a wedge action on a collar of a rotary quill is held by an annular holder in such a manner that the longitudinal movement of the rolling member can be restricted and the outside of the annular holder is rotatably fitted with an annular outer frame for restricting the outward movement of the rolling member, thereby forming a brake main body. By rotating the annular holder by use of a rotation operation member provided in the annular holder, the rolling member is controlled such that it can be restricted and held at an operative position allowing the wedge action or at a non-operative position prohibiting the wedge action, thereby switching the rotary quill to a reversal preventive position or to a reversal allowable position. Also, the brake main body is constructed as detachable one unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1996Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.Inventors: Kazuo Hirano, Eiji Shinohara, Takashi Higashimoto
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Patent number: 5669682Abstract: A mechanism that automatically locks a movable storage unit against closure of an aisle between the unit and a blocking object such as a facing movable or stationary storage unit or a wall, while permitting continued opening of the aisle, without any electrical controls or power. A binding device is shiftable between a binding state permitting movement of the movable storage unit only away from the facing storage unit or wall, and a non-binding state permitting movement of the unit in either direction. The mechanism includes a clutch wheel which rotates with the wheels of the movable storage unit, and a resilient binding wheel, insertable between the clutch wheel and a stationary binding block. When the binding wheel is inserted as described, it will bind and preclude the clutch wheel from continuing to rotate towards the binding block. A latch is capable of holding the binding wheel out of binding state.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1996Date of Patent: September 23, 1997Assignee: Spacesaver CorporationInventor: Steven L. Janson
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Patent number: 5669476Abstract: An accordion type roller clutch energizing spring has a specially designed mounting fold which, when pressed radially down and over a flat faced radial cage cross bar, is retained to the cross bar with improved stability. The front and rear leaves of the mounting fold of the spring have a free state separation equal to the basic thickness of the cage cross bar. However, the rear leaf of the spring mounting fold is stamped with an integral bump or the like, which engages the rear face of the cross bar to spread the two leaves apart, creating extra tension in the mounting fold. The front leaf of the mounting fold is thereby kept snug and flat to the front face of the cage cross bar at all times.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1996Date of Patent: September 23, 1997Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Frederick Edward Lederman
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Patent number: 5662286Abstract: A rolling member fitted into a guide recess and capable of performing a wedge action on a collar of a rotary quill is held by an annular holder in such a manner that the longitudinal movement of the rolling member can be restricted and the outside of the annular holder is rotatably fitted with an annular outer frame for restricting the outward movement of the rolling member, thereby forming a brake main body. By rotating the annular holder by use of a rotation operation member provided in the annular holder, the rolling member is controlled such that it can be restricted and held at an operative position allowing the wedge action or at a non-operative position prohibiting the wedge action, thereby switching the rotary quill to a reversal preventive position or to a reversal allowable position. Also, the brake main body is constructed as detachable one unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1995Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.Inventor: Kazuo Hirano
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Patent number: 5649452Abstract: A vehicle shifter having a cable actuator that is responsive to the ignition key steering lock mechanism of a vehicle and actuates a cable attached to and extending between the key mechanism and the shifter. A cam responsive to the shifting of the shifter's handle is operatively connected to the cable actuator so that when the key is turned off, the cam locks the handle in "Park" and when the ignition key is turned on, the cam can be pivoted by the handle to actuate the cable actuator which actuates the cable to prevent the ignition key from being withdrawn. Preferably, the cable actuator is also a cam which is engaged and pivoted by the first-mentioned cam to actuate the cable. A safety mechanism is provided to prevent damage to the cable and other elements in the event an inadvertent force is exerted on the shift lever.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: July 22, 1997Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped Products, a Division of JSJ Corp.Inventors: Charles Osborn, Robert M. Medema, Andrew K. Ruiter
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Patent number: 5638929Abstract: A controllable clutch includes a plurality of piston members, a plurality of oil passages communicating with the piston members and a plurality of grooves for receiving a roller from the piston members. The piston members are disposed in one of an inner race and an outer race. The pistons in the piston member can extend in the same rotational direction to form a one-way clutch in that direction. Alternatively, the pistons in the piston members can extend in opposite rotational directions to form a clutch. Or, by selectively applying hydraulic fluid to the piston members, a one-way clutch can selectively be formed in either rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1995Date of Patent: June 17, 1997Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company, Ltd.Inventor: Dong-Hoon Park
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Patent number: 5588934Abstract: A vehicle shifter having a cable actuator that is responsive to the ignition key steering lock mechanism of a vehicle and actuates a cable attached to and extending between the key mechanism and the shifter. A cam responsive to the shifting of the shifter's handle is operatively connected to the cable actuator so that when the key is turned off, the cam locks the handle in "Park" and when the ignition key is turned on, the cam can be pivoted by the handle to actuate the cable actuator which actuates the cable to prevent the ignition key from being withdrawn. Preferably, the cable actuator is also a cam which is engaged and pivoted by the first-mentioned cam to actuate the cable.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 1995Date of Patent: December 31, 1996Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped ProductsInventors: Charles Osborn, Robert M. Medema, Andrew K. Ruiter
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Patent number: 5549187Abstract: A free-wheeling coupling sensitive to the direction of rotation for a motor vehicle comprises a first ring which constitutes a driving element in a 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 in both directions of torque flow, a cage in which the clamping elements are disposed, a fixed friction ring, and a friction element actively connecting the cage to the fixed friction ring. The friction element comprises a plurality of friction segments disposed between the cage and the fixed friction ring, the friction segments being slaved to rotate in the circumferential direction with the cage and being lifted away from the fixed friction ring by centrifugal force when they are caused to rotate at a rotational speed which is greater than a predetermined rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1994Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: Steyr-Daimler-Puch AGInventor: Hansjorg Kofler
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Patent number: 5547054Abstract: A free-wheeling coupling sensitive to the direction of rotation for a motor vehicle comprises a first ring which constitutes a driven element in a towing mode of the vehicle, a second ring which constitutes a driven element in the towing mode, clamping elements (e.g., rollers) which act between the first and second rings to transfer torque between them in both directions of torque flow, a cage in which the clamping elements are disposed, and a friction element acting between the cage and the second ring. The free-wheeling coupling further comprises a fixed switching ring, a cam rotatably mounted on the cage or the first ring, the cam including a control lever, and a spring which urges the control lever into engagement with the fixed switching ring until there is sufficient centrifugal force to lift the control lever out of engagement with the fixed switching ring.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1994Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: Steyr-Daimler-Puch AGInventor: Franz Gratzer
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Patent number: 5542515Abstract: An automatic spindle engager for a part-time axle of a four-wheel drive motor vehicle includes a wheel spindle that carries a wheel, an outer drive member, inner drive member drivably connected to an engine through an axleshaft, a set of drive rollers and clutch surfaces for drivably connecting the outer member and inner member, a set of spring loaded trigger rollers and inclined clutch surfaces on which the rollers are held, and a retainer movable with the changing position of the trigger rollers for transmitting movement of the trigger rollers to the set of drive rollers. Pairs of inclined clutch surfaces form detents in which the drive rollers are located when no torque is transmitted through the mechanism. The drive rollers move on their inclined clutch surfaces in accordance with movement of the retainer. This drivably connects a road wheel and the driven axle only when torque is transmitted in either direction from the engine to the wheels and from the wheels to the engine.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1994Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: John A. Richardson, Dean L. Nicopolis
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Patent number: 5499559Abstract: A reversible socket wrench including a handle having a box end, an adapter for mounting a socket for turning a workpiece, an adapter holder mounted within the box end and covered with a top cover plate to hold the adapter by roller bearings, a locating spring wire fastened to the adapter holder to hold it in position, and a slide moved in an arched slot on the top cover plate to shift the adapter holder between the forward operating position for allowing the adapter holder to be turned by the handle clockwise, and the backward operating position for allowing the adapter holder to be turned by the handle counter-clockwise.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1995Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Inventor: Ching-Chou Lin
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Patent number: 5494232Abstract: A rolling member fitted into a guide recess and capable of performing a wedge action on a collar of a rotary quill is held by an annular holder in such a manner that the longitudinal movement of the rolling member can be restricted and the outside of the annular holder is rotatably fitted with an annular outer frame for restricting the outward movement of the rolling member, thereby forming a brake main body. By rotating the annular holder by use of a rotation operation member provided in the annular holder, the rolling member is controlled such that it can be restricted and held at an operative position allowing the wedge action or at a non-operative position prohibiting the wedge action, thereby switching the rotary quill to a reversal preventive position or to a reversal allowable position. Also, the brake main body is constructed as detachable one unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1995Date of Patent: February 27, 1996Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.Inventors: Kazuo Hirano, Eiji Shinohara, Takashi Higashimoto
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Patent number: 5443147Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1994Date of Patent: August 22, 1995Assignee: Steyr-Daimler Puch AGInventor: Franz Gratzer
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Patent number: 5351583Abstract: A toothless ratchet and clutch mechanisms chararacterized by substantially continuous engagement of the rachet wheel, thus allowing the mechanism to operate even under very limited-space conditions. Also, a biasing mechanism for the stem of the socket driver of the rachet or clutch, which eliminates backlash, if the stem is undersized as compared to the socket cavity which receives the stem.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1993Date of Patent: October 4, 1994Assignee: PatCore, IncorporatedInventors: Oleg Szymber, Eustathios Vassiliou
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Patent number: 5348126Abstract: A multifunctional energy-saving system for vehicles is composed of an automatic clutch mechanism (1) and a control mechanism (2). The automatic clutch mechanism mainly comprises a shaft (4) with a regular prismatic section (5), a hub (6) and a synchronous cage (10) with torque-transmitting elements (12). When the speed of the shaft is higher than that of the hub torque is transmitted between them through the torque-transmitting elements (12). When the speed of the shaft becomes lower than that of the hub, no torque is transmitted between them. The shaft can be engaged with the hub as required at any time responding to the control mechanism. The energy consumption can be considerably reduced with the present system. When the automatic clutch mechanism having a symmetric structure is used in the system and disposed in place of the original differential of a vehicle, the automatic clutch mechanism can further function as a differential with anti-slip capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1993Date of Patent: September 20, 1994Assignee: Hitop Science Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Xinglong Gao
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Patent number: 5307911Abstract: A two-way free-wheeling clutch is formed between a drive shaft and a driven shaft concentric with and encircling at least a portion of the drive shaft that is formed by axially extending substantially chord forming portions. The chord forming portions cooperate with circular bearings interposed between the portions and a circumferential surface of the encircling portion of the driven shaft to drive the driven shaft from the drive shaft. Drive of the driven shaft by the drive shaft is obtained by relatively positioning the bearings and the portions so the bearings are toward the radial extremities of their respective chord portions a driving wedge is formed with the inner circumferential surface of the driven shaft. When the portions and the bearings are shifted to relatively position the bearings closer to the centre of the chord forming portions i.e. minimum radial position on the chord free rotation of the driven shaft freewheeling of the driven shaft is permitted.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1993Date of Patent: May 3, 1994Assignee: Inuktun Services Ltd.Inventor: Allen C. Robinson
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Patent number: 5297450Abstract: A variable speed transmission includes parallel driver and driven shafts (54, 56) which mount respective series of intermeshing gears (60-65, 70-75) of progressively increasing gear ratio for selectively transmitting power from one shaft to the other. A series of two-way roller clutches are interposed between the driven shaft (56) and respective gear members (70-75) of the series of driven gears. The roller clutches are engageable for rotatively coupling the driven gears (70-75) to the driven shaft (56) and are disengageable for permitting relative rotation between the driven gears and the driven shaft. Each of the roller clutches includes a cam disk (10) having a plurality of recesses (20) formed in its peripheral surface and a roller retainer (12) circumferentially supporting a plurality of rollers (32) within respective recesses (20) in the cam disk.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1991Date of Patent: March 29, 1994Inventor: Roger MacPherson
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Patent number: 5285867Abstract: The handwheel of a vehicle is connected to a handwheel shaft which in turn is connected through a load torque isolating device (overrunning clutch) that acts in either of the two directions of rotation and is connected to a steering shaft that controls a hydraulic arrangement. The hydraulic arrangement controls a steering motor that in turn controls the direction of turning of the vehicle. A second motor is drivingly connected to the overrunning clutch to rotate the steering shaft when the second motor is operated but when the steering is controlled by the handwheel, movement of the second motor is prevented. The second motor is operable from a location remote from the vehicle. The overrunning clutch includes a hub connected to the steering shaft and is movable by the handwheel shaft, the hub being wedgable against the clutch housing for being driven by the second motor by two jamming rollers that each acts in one direction of rotation and can be released by rotating the handwheel shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1991Date of Patent: February 15, 1994Assignee: Danfoss A/SInventors: Poul H. H. Pedersen, Thorkild Christensen, Johannes V. Baatrup, Svend E. Thomsen
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Patent number: 5275261Abstract: An electromagnetic brake/clutch device includes a drive shaft supported by at least one bearing for transmitting torque, a housing, affixed to prevent its rotation, surrounding the drive shaft, and an electromagnetically activated device within the housing to selectively prevent and allow rotation of the drive shaft. The electromagnetically activated device includes a plurality of cammed rollers acting to prevent clockwise rotation of the drive shaft and a plurality of cammed rollers to prevent counter-clockwise rotation of the drive shaft. The drive shaft includes a circumferential disk and the housing includes a reaction ring for engagement with the plurality of cammed rollers. The plurality of cammed rollers are released from engagement with the circumferential disk and the reaction ring by a plurality of tripping mechanisms within the housing. The tripping action uses the locking force to act as a release force merely by changing the boundary conditions of the roller interface angles.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1992Date of Patent: January 4, 1994Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: John M. Vranish
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Patent number: 5269207Abstract: A drive mechanism which would ordinarily be used as a socket wrench drive mechanism utilizes internal roller bearings confined in ramp spaces which ramp in opposite directions between the internal socket wrench-mounting rotor and an external cylindrical chamber of the drive portion, such that when rotated in one direction, one set of the roller bearings ramps into wedged position in their ramp spaces to drive the rotor, and when rotated in the other direction, the other set of bearings is held clear of the wedge position so that the wrench free-wheels. This arrangement eliminates virtually all play or lash. Reversibility of the drive is established by a thumb-operated rocker which is rotatable between left-handed drive position and right-handed drive position.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1992Date of Patent: December 14, 1993Inventor: James W. Kutzler
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Patent number: 5263554Abstract: The invention relates to a disc-brake motor subassembly comprising at least one piston (10), which can be controlled by a mechanical subassembly having first and second plates (40, 48), one of which is actuated in rotation, these two plates bearing mutually faced indentations (54, 56) in which is accommodated at least one ball (52), the indentations being provided in the axial direction of the plates with a slope which allows the conversion of the rotation of a first plate into axial displacement of the second plate in order to control the piston (10). According to the invention, in the course of the rotation the ball (52) follows a trajectory, the distance of each of the points of which from the axis of the plates (40, 48) is variable.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1992Date of Patent: November 23, 1993Assignee: Bendix Europe Services TechniquesInventor: Jean-Claude Mery
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Patent number: 5235878Abstract: A circumferential bead for preventing pin rollover is disposed on a retainer insert mounted in the shell of a stud gripper socket and spaced from the inner surface of the shell. The shell has at least one cam surface on its inner surface and there are roller pins disposed for rolling motion on each cam surface between the cam surface and the retainer insert.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1992Date of Patent: August 17, 1993Inventor: Richard H. Young
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Patent number: 5234088Abstract: Devices (10 and 100) for varying the rotational phase relation between a camshaft (12) and an unshown crankshaft in response to positive and negative torque pulsations. The devices include double-acting one-way clutches (24 and 106) disposed in series with support and drive members (20,22 and 102,104) for selectively retarding and advancing the camshaft relative to the crankshaft in response to the torque pulsations. If none of the torque pulsations go negative due to relatively high constant torque, a splitter spring (30) may be disposed in parallel with the one-way clutches.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1991Date of Patent: August 10, 1993Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Keith Hampton
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Patent number: 5222582Abstract: A reversible unidirectional clutch of the hyperboloidal type having an inner race whose surface approximates a hyperboloidal, and an outer race formed of a super derivative forming a volume therebetween for disposition of thurst transmitting rollers. The engagement direction of which may be reversed with reversing the skew of the thurst transmitting rollers allowing rotation of the inner and outer race in both directions or, selectively, in either one direction or the other, or capable of freewheeling each race in both directions.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1992Date of Patent: June 29, 1993Assignee: Hybo Science, Inc.Inventor: Rudolf R. Castens
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Patent number: 5199329Abstract: A handle has a box end with an internal wall that confines a through-bore to receive movably a pair of identical rollers. The rollers has an eccentric shaft fixed between them and a central rectangular opening that extends through the eccentric shaft. An annular space formed around the eccentric shaft and confined by the internal wall of the box end includes a widest portion with a first length on one side of the eccentric shaft and a narrowest portion with a second length formed on the other side of the eccentric shaft. A plate is fixed perpendicularly between the rollers. A compression spring has one end secured to the plate. A cylindrical member with a diameter that is smaller than the first length but larger than the second length is disposed between the rollers.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1992Date of Patent: April 6, 1993Inventor: Frank Hsu
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Patent number: 5199831Abstract: The infinitely positionable coupling system of the present invention includes a hollow outer race, a hollow inner race, and a locking assembly which permits locking of the hollow inner race to the hollow outer race in an infinite number of positions. The hollow outer race engages a nose piece and the hollow inner race threadably engages the drill housing. Accordingly, the nose piece is infinitely positionable with respect to the drill housing by positioning the hollow inner race with respect to the hollow outer race and allowing the locking assembly to hold them in position one with respect to the other.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1992Date of Patent: April 6, 1993Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.Inventor: Robert Broucksou
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Patent number: 5188316Abstract: The throttle of an aircraft can be alternatively controlled either by a flight control computer or by the manual control of the pilot. A clutch is installed between the throttle control lever and a control input to the flight control computer which in the autothrottle mode of operation is engaged to enable control of the throttle by the flight control computer with the control lever being positioned in accordance with such control. When manual takeover of the throttle control is desired, a switch is actuated by the pilot which operates to disengage the clutch and thereby disconnects the control output of the computer from the lever so that only manual control is provided. A unique clutch mechanism is employed which utilizes a pair of locking wedges which operate in conjunction with a pair of rollers. The wedges and rollers are driven into engagement with each other by a solenoid, the opposing plates of the clutch being held in locking engagement through the intermediary provided by the wedges and rollers.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1991Date of Patent: February 23, 1993Assignee: Dover CorporationInventors: Jim Dressler, Bill Johnston, Gerald Loftis, Mark Salierno, Gordon Solt, Jeff Spira, Manual Tarsha
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Patent number: 5165509Abstract: A bidirectional retaining clutch capable of stopping rotation of a rotated object such as a revolving shaft of a pivoted cover of a personal computer, a door sheave of a sliding door or the like in one direction at any desired position while keeping it freely rotatable, as well as ensuring free rotation of the rotated object in an opposite direction as desired when torque of a predetermined level or more is applied. An outer cylindrical structure arranged so as to rotated relative to a shaft includes a pair of roller positioning members each provided on an inner surface with roller receiving recesses of an elliptic shape. The rollers which are received in the recesses selectively move in the recesses so as to permit the shaft to be revolved relative to the outer cylindrical structure in one direction while preventing revolution of the shaft in an opposite direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1991Date of Patent: November 24, 1992Assignee: Fuji Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hidenori Kanno, Yukihisa Kajiyama, Hisatoshi Iwai, Mashmichi Muroi
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Patent number: 5152197Abstract: Toothless ratchet and clutch mechanisms characterized by substantially continuous engagement of the rachet wheel, thus allowing the mechanism to operate even under very limited-space conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1991Date of Patent: October 6, 1992Assignee: Patcore, IncorporatedInventors: Oleg Szymber, Eustathios Vassiliou
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Patent number: 5145042Abstract: A variable speed transmission includes parallel driver and driven shafts (54, 56) which mount respective series of intermeshing gears (60-65, 70-75) of progressively increasing gear ratio for selectively transmitting power from one shaft to the other. A series of two-way roller clutches are interposed between the driven shaft (56) and respective gear members (70-75) of the series of driven gears. The roller clutches are engageable for rotatively coupling the driven gears (70-75) to the driven shaft (56) and are disengageable for permitting relative rotation between the driven gears and the driven shaft. Each of the roller clutches includes a cam disk (10) having a plurality of recesses (20) formed in its peripheral surface and a roller retainer (12) circumferentially supporting a plurality of rollers (32) within respective recesses (20) in the cam disk.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1991Date of Patent: September 8, 1992Inventor: Roger MacPherson
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Patent number: 5136901Abstract: A reversible drive mechanism for socket wrenches, having a detented selector cap thereon. The socket driving post of the wrench is fixedly attached to a triangular shaft rotatably contained within an internal cylindrical bearing surface, creating three arc-shaped spaces. The cylindrical surface is the inner surface of the head of the wrench handle. Each of the surfaces on the triangular shaft has tiltably mounted thereon a U-shaped fixture, which loosely contains within its arms a cylindrical roller. As the selector cap is rotated back and forth between selector positions, each U-shaped fixture tips back and forth on its respective triangular surface, and shifts the contained roller from one side to the other of its respective arc-shaped space.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1991Date of Patent: August 11, 1992Inventor: Keith S. Williams
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Patent number: 5129871Abstract: A shaft connected to a component of a planetary gearset is driveably connected by a coupling to alternate friction elements in accordance with the relative speeds of the coupling members and the direction of rotation of the driven coupling member. The coupling includes a radially inner one-way coupling and an outer one-way coupling, the outer race of the inner coupling and inner race of the outer coupling being the intermediate race, which is connected to the gearset. The inner race and outer race have cam surfaces contacting roller clutch elements located in a cage and spaced mutually about the coupling axis. The cam surfaces of the races are inclined with respect to the adjacent surface of the intermediate race in opposite directions, so that when one coupling drives, the other coupling overruns.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1991Date of Patent: July 14, 1992Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Joseph L. Sandel, Richard A. Snyder, Clinton F. Justice
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Patent number: 5125489Abstract: A cylindrical cassette body contains the movable balls and ball-biasing springs of a ball-type clutch. The balls ride in grooves in an element disposed within the body. Exteriorly, the cog body has longitudinal keyways to receive internal teeth of a set of cogs all of which have the same internal diameter. The exterior of the body is also threaded and is selectively employed in combination with a free-wheeling cog adapter having two different outer diameters, such adapter receiving a set of cogs having two different inner diameters.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1990Date of Patent: June 30, 1992Inventor: Pyong I. Cha
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Patent number: 5103950Abstract: In a two-way clutch comprising an outer race having a plurality of roller receiving portions each formed by a pair of bisymmetrical arch-shaped cam surfaces, rollers disposed in the roller receiving portions, and a cage having support portions for the rollers and disposed on the inner periphery side of the outer race, the cage has a portion extending in the direction of a rotary shaft and clutch shoe receiving portions radially provided on the extending portion, and clutch shoes slidably fitted in the clutch shoe receiving portions have a sliding surface displaced by a centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of the clutch and sliding relative to a member outside the clutch.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1991Date of Patent: April 14, 1992Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.Inventors: Jyoji Ito, Masao Shoji
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Patent number: 5050457Abstract: In the V belt type continuously variable transmission, after the output power from the prime mover has been transmitted to the input pulley shaft, two paths are operable to transmit the output power from the input pulley shaft to the output pulley shaft, two paths which are a main power transmitting path through a V belt engaged between the input pulley and the output pulley and a sub power transmitting path through the 2-way differential clutch. The drive ratio of the sub power transmitting path is set in a slightly smaller value than the maximum drive ratio of the main power transmitting path.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1989Date of Patent: September 24, 1991Assignee: Aichi Kikai Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsunao Takayama, Tsutomu Yasue, Akiyoshi Morishita, Kozo Yamauchi
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Patent number: 5025902Abstract: The bidirectional differential clutch enables to transmit or cutoff both clockwise and counterwise rotation at the input side. The clutch comprises an input gear having a first cylindrical surface, an output gear having a second cylindrical surface disposed with a space to the first cylindrical surface so as to be relatively rotatable, a plurality of engaging members interposed in the space, a holding member inserted into the space, the holding member having a pocket storing the engaging members, the engaging members being for operation from a neutral position in which both cylindrical surfaces are not engaged with each other to an operational position in which both cylindrical surfaces are engaged with each other, a sub-gear producing differential velocity in correspondence to the rotation of the input gear, and the holding member being linked with the sub-gear to slide in a peripheral direction by the differential velocity to operate the engaging members to the operational position.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 1990Date of Patent: June 25, 1991Assignees: Aichi Kikai Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, NTN CorporationInventors: Munehisa Imai, Atsushi Asano, Tsutomu Yasue, Kenichiro Ito, Hiromi Nojiri
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Patent number: 4987803Abstract: A power wrench includes a socket which is rotatably retained in a head portion of the wrench by a retainer. A yoke is actuated to rotate reciprocally by a driving axle. A number of recesses are formed in the middle portion and the upper portion of the socket, each recess in the middle portion of the socket receives a roller, and each recess in the upper portion of the socket receives a ball. When the yoke rotates in one direction, the socket is actuated to rotate by the rollers. When the yoke rotates in a reverse direction, the balls are caused to hold the socket and prevent the socket from backlash.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1990Date of Patent: January 29, 1991Inventor: Shyh Y. Chern
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Patent number: 4987670Abstract: An improved spring retention for a roller clutch energizing spring includes a relatively narrow, flexible and axially disposed retention tab lanced out of the flat end leaf of the spring, which snaps into an equally narrow, axially disposed retention groove in the end face of a cage journal block. This allows the strength of the journal block and the radial width of the spring to be maximized.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1990Date of Patent: January 29, 1991Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: James R. Papania
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Patent number: 4958533Abstract: A variable speed transmission includes parallel drive and driven shafts which mount respective series of intermeshing gears of progressively increasing gear ratio for selectively transmitting power from one shaft to the other. A series of two-way roller clutches are interposed between the driven shaft and respective gear members of the series of driven gears. The roller clutches are engageable for rotatively coupling the respective gear members to the driven shaft and are disengageable for permitting relative rotation between the respective gear members and the driven shaft. Each of the roller clutches includes a cam disk having a plurality of recesses formed in its peripheral surface and a roller retainer circumferentially supporting a plurality of rollers within respective recesses in the cam disk. A hydraulically controlled actuator is connected to each of the retainers for indexing the roller retainers together with the plurality of rollers between respective limit positions within the recesses.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1989Date of Patent: September 25, 1990Inventor: Roger Macpherson
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Patent number: 4899858Abstract: An improved automatic clutch control system for controlling a vehicle master clutch (16) drivingly interposed a throttle controlled engine (14) and a change gear transmission (12) in an automatic/semi-automatic mechanical transmission system (AMT) is provided. A monitored clutch parameter (CPV) is compared to a reference value (IEPCPV) to determine the expected point of incipient engagement of the clutch. The reference value is periodically updated, to compensate for wear and the like.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1989Date of Patent: February 13, 1990Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: William F. Cote, Donald Speranza
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Patent number: 4887703Abstract: An overriding clutch having a housing, an outer body, and an inner body, wherein the outer body and inner body are rotatable about a clutch axis. The outer body includes a peripheral wall with a radially inner surface and includes an end wall connected to the peripheral wall and to a first shaft portion. The inner body includes an annular wall portion and a second shaft portion connected to the annular wall portion; and has a compression member with a pair of diametrically opposite roller members. The compression member has a center portion and has a pair of enlarged end portions, which are received in a pair of bearing holes in the annular wall portion. The enlarged end portions have a pair of radially outer sides with a respective pair of end bearing surfaces for urging the respective roller members against the radially inner surface by equal and opposite radial forces, for transmitting a torque from the inner body to the outer body.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1988Date of Patent: December 19, 1989Assignee: Honeywell Inc.Inventors: Eugene A. Moore, Elmer B. Lutz
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Patent number: 4884478Abstract: A screw tool has a direction-reversible catch including clamping members disposed within wedge-shaped clamping spaces between an outer drive ring part (5) and an inner driven core part (8) of approximately triangular shape in cross section, the clamping members are displaceable by a rotatable switch member which is lockable in its switch positions into release with respect to the wedge walls of the corresponding clamping space by drivers acting on the clamping members and blocking the passage of the clamping members into, in each case one of their two clamping positions, and it proposes, in provide for a structurally simple friction-minimized construction wherein each clamping member lies loosely in a clamping space and is displaceable into its clamping position by the rotation of the drive ring part.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1987Date of Patent: December 5, 1989Assignee: Wera Werk Hermann Werner GmbH & Co.Inventor: Karl Lieser
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Patent number: RE34680Abstract: A screw tool has a direction-reversible catch including clamping members disposed within wedge-shaped clamping spaces between an outer drive ring part (5) and an inner driven core part (8) of approximately triangular shape in cross section, the clamping members are displaceable by a rotatable switch member which is lockable in its switch positions into release with respect to the wedge walls of the corresponding clamping space by drivers acting on the clamping members and blocking the passage of the clamping members into, in each case one of their two clamping positions, and it proposes, in provide for a structurally simple friction-minimized construction wherein each clamping member lies loosely in a clamping space and is displaceable into its clamping position by the rotation of the drive ring part.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1991Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Assignee: Wera Werk Hermann Werner GmbH & Co.Inventor: Karl Lieser