Positive Patents (Class 192/46)
  • Publication number: 20030047401
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ratchet one-way clutch comprising an inner race, outer race disposed for a relative rotation respect to the inner race and in concentric with the latter, recessed portions formed in one of an outer periphery of the inner race and an inner periphery of the outer race along a circumferential direction, pawl members formed on the other of the outer periphery of the inner race and the inner periphery of the outer race and adapted to be fitted into the recessed portions, springs for biasing the pawl members toward the recessed portions, and pockets for containing the pawl members and the springs, and wherein a discharge path is formed in the outer race, or a stator using such a ratchet one-way clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: NSK-WARNER K.K.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20030042100
    Abstract: A freewheel hub device comprises a spindle. A hub, a ratchet, a freewheel, an annular cover, and a sealing washer are sequentially arranged along the spindle. A flange extends from the freewheel at a position with respect to the inner lateral side of the hub. A ball ring encloses the flange so as to position the ratchet. The recess is installed at another end of the hub. An inner periphery of the recess is installed with a plurality of retaining grooves and first texture recesses. An inner side of the recess is arranged with a ratchet ring. The flange extending from the freewheel is engaged with a positioning ratchet pawl. The ratchet ring is installed with a groove. After the ball ring and ratchet are engaged with the flange. The flange and the ratchet ring are installed in the recess of the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Shu-Chen Juan
  • Publication number: 20030042101
    Abstract: A freewheel hub device comprises a spindle. A hub, a ratchet, a freewheel, an annular cover, and a sealing washer are sequentially arranged along the spindle. A flange extends from the freewheel at a position with respect to the inner lateral side of the hub. A bearing encloses the flange so as to position the ratchet. The recess is installed at another end of the hub. An inner periphery of the recess is installed with a plurality of retaining grooves and first texture recesses. An inner side of the recess is arranged with a ratchet ring. The flange extending from the freewheel is engaged with a positioning ratchet pawl. The ratchet ring is installed with a groove. After the bearing and ratchet are engaged with the flange. The flange and the ratchet ring are installed in the recess of the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Shu-Chen Juan
  • Patent number: 6527094
    Abstract: A freewheel arrangement, in particular for a guide wheel of a hydrodynamic torque converter, permits a relative rotation between two elements in essentially only one relative rotational direction with respect to one another about an axis of rotation. At least one pawl is pivotably supported on a first of the two elements and has a pawl section which can come into contact with a blocking surface of the second of the two elements. At least one pawl is formed by a plurality of pawl plate elements which can be stamped from sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Edgar Reinhart, Dietrich Bechmann, André Meyer, Friedrich Schramm, Christoph Sasse, Erwin Wack
  • Publication number: 20030034219
    Abstract: A stator using a ratchet one-way clutch including an inner race having concave portions on the outer periphery thereof, a claw member to be fitted into one of the concave portions on the outer periphery of the inner race, a spring biasing the claw member toward the outer periphery of the inner race, and an outer race having on the inner periphery thereof a pocket receiving therein the claw member and the spring and arranged so as to be concentric with and rotatable relative to the inner race, wherein at least one of the inner race and the outer race has a bearing function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 6520885
    Abstract: An axle disconnect device for use in an all wheel drive vehicle. The axle disconnect device includes a one-way overrunning clutch and a spring contacting the clutch. A spline locking ring contacts the spring on an end opposite of the clutch. A friction dog spline engages the surface of the spline locking ring while a differential ramp ring contacts the friction dog spline. The axle disconnect device also includes a cover ramp engaging the differential ramp ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: GKN Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Gassmann, Brent Peura
  • Patent number: 6516690
    Abstract: A ratchet tool includes an engaging member rotatably received in the head of the tool and a pawl is engaged with the toothed outer periphery of the engaging member. A notch is defined in a side opposite to the toothed surface of the pawl and one of two ends of the pawl is removably engaged with the inner periphery of the head. A selection member is received in the head and has a receiving hole for receiving a pin and a second spring therein. The pin is biased by the second spring and engaged with the notch. A protrusion extends from the selection member and a ball received in a recess in the inner periphery of the head is engaged with the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Yu Tang Chen
  • Patent number: 6516931
    Abstract: A freewheel clutch includes detent pawls located between first and second clutch parts. The pawls are moved exclusively by control elements. As a result, the freewheel clutch does not need any spring elements to hold the pawls in place. The control elements are attached to a common actuating ring. The freewheel clutch can be very easily assembled, and only a small amount of force is required to move the pawls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Kröger
  • Publication number: 20030024784
    Abstract: A starter mechanism for an internal combustion engine for a motor-driven, manually-guided implement is provided. A clutch drum is rotatably mounted about a journal pin on a housing of the implement. The clutch drum is fixedly connected with a carrier of a ratchet for transfer of drive torque from the drum to the motor shaft. For the reversible engagement of the ratchet in a clutch member fixedly connected with the motor shaft, the ratchet has a pawl on the carrier that, with the aid of a guide element resting against a pawl pin, pivots during a starting process. On that side facing away from the carrier the pawl is spanned by an abutment element, at least in the region of its pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Andreas Stihl
    Inventors: Markus Husges, Etienne Chappatte, Martin Lambe
  • Publication number: 20030015391
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ratchet one-way clutch comprising inner and outer races disposed on a same axis and in which a pawl member as a torque transmitting member and a biasing member for biasing the pawl member are provided in one of the inner and outer races and a recessed portion into which the pawl member is fitted is provided in the other of the inner and outer races so that torque can be transmitted by engagement between the pawl member and the recessed portion and wherein a first pocket for housing the pawl member is provided in either the outer race or the inner race, and a supporting portion for supporting the pawl member in an axial direction is provided on an inner surface of the first pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20030015390
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ratchet one-way clutch comprising inner and outer races disposed on a same axis and in which a pawl member as a torque transmitting member and a biasing member for biasing the pawl member are provided in one of the inner and outer races and a recessed portion into which the pawl member is fitted is provided in the other of the inner and outer races and a damper spring is provided on an outer periphery of the outer race and wherein an inner surface of a spring pocket for containing the damper spring has a shape complementary to a shape of the damper spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 6505721
    Abstract: The present invention is a planar one-way clutch comprising a first and second plate rotatable about a common axis. The first plate is the driving plate. The second plate is the driven plate. The coupling surfaces of each plate define at least one recess. The recess in the first plate includes a strut receiving portion and a spring receiving portion. At least one strut, pivotable between a first and second position is received in the strut receiving portion of the first plate. At least one spring, having a base and an arm, is received within the spring receiving portion of the first plate. The arm extends from the base and engages the pivotable strut applying a controlled spring force to urge the strut towards the driven plate. The base portion of the spring is shaped to prevent at least circumferential movement of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean M. Welch
  • Publication number: 20020185352
    Abstract: A rope pull starter device for an internal combustion engine in a motor-driven, manually guided implement is provided, and has a clutch drum and a power transfer member on the clutch drum. Connected with the clutch drum is a carrier for a locking mechanism for the transfer of a drive torque from the clutch drum to a motor shaft of the internal combustion engine. Provided on the carrier is a pivotable pawl for the reversible engagement in a clutch element, whereby the pawl is provided with a pawl pin for the pivotable control of the pawl with the aid of a guide clip that rests against the pawl pin. The pawl pin is made of a different material than is the pawl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: Markus Husges to Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventor: Markus Husges
  • Publication number: 20020179392
    Abstract: A clutch race is formed from multiple layers of stampings which are joined together. Each of the stampings has a plurality of semi-perfs which include a protrusion on one side and pocket on the opposing side. The protrusions of one layer are interconnected with the pockets of an adjacent layer. The stampings forming the individual layers may either define a complete circle or an arcuate segment of a circle, which arcuate segments, when assembled, form a circular layer to be joined with adjacent layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: James R. Quigley
  • Patent number: 6488136
    Abstract: An improved ratchet wheel structure of a ratcheting wrench, having a restricting base at the bottom of the ratchet wheel, wherein the external diameter of the restricting base is slightly smaller than the diameter of the bottom hole on the fixing base of the ratchet wheel, and it extends to the intersection point of the ratchets of the ratchet wheel to form a serrated disk, and the ratchets aligned in parallel with the axial direction in the middle section of the ratchet wheel, and it extends to the intersection point of the positioning area such that the tip of the ratchets is corresponsive to the external diameter of the ratchet wheel, and a latching groove being disposed around an appropriate position in the positioning area such that a C-shaped buckle being latched into the latching groove for positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Chang
  • Publication number: 20020170796
    Abstract: A planar type of over-running clutch including first and second confronting plates is disclosed herein. The second plate itself includes movable struts and associated biasing mechanisms for cooperative engagement with cooperating shoulder members of the first plate under certain circumstances. An arrangement forming part of said second plate and cooperating with each strut and biasing mechanism of said second plate is provided for preventing the struts from moving to certain biased first positions when said second plate rotates in a particular way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Frank A. Fitz, Wayne K. Higashi, Paul B. Pires
  • Patent number: 6481551
    Abstract: A planar inertia-actuated overrunning coupling assembly having a pocket plate and a notch plate mounted on a common rotary axis with planar juxtaposed coupling surfaces. A pocket plate having a plurality of angularly spaced pockets that receive adjustable clutch elements, the notch plate having angularly spaced notches, a clutch element being mounted in each pocket for pivotal movement about one edge thereof, an inertia-actuated ball in each pocket adjacent a clutch element, the pocket being formed with a ramp surface engageable with the inertiaactuated ball whereby the clutch element is shifted into locking engagement with the pocket plate in response to an inertia force acting on the actuator balls whereby torque is transmitted from one plate to the other in one direction of relative rotation of the plates, and wherein the clutch elements move out of registry with the pocket plate upon a reversal in the direction of relative rotation of the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Ruth
  • Publication number: 20020153218
    Abstract: The present invention provides a one-way clutch for an automatic transmission, comprising an inner race, an outer race disposed in coaxial with the inner race and rotated relative to the inner race, recessed portions formed in an outer periphery of the inner race or an inner periphery of the outer race along a circumferential direction, pawls engaged by the recessed portions, and biasing members for biasing the pawls toward the recessed portions, and wherein the outer race is integrally provided on a case of the automatic transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Muramatsu, Nobuhiro Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20020148697
    Abstract: A one-way clutch assembly comprising a ratchet one-way clutch portion includes inner and outer races which are disposed in coaxial with each other, a pawl capable of being fitted into a recess provided in the inner or outer race to transmit torque, and a biasing member for biasing the pawl to promote the fitting, and a bearing portion disposed between the inner race and the outer race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Muramatsu, Nobuhiro Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20020139631
    Abstract: A frictionless rear hub sprocket and ratchet assembly includes a sprocket fastened to the rear hub of the bicycle and coupled to the chain on the chain wheel of the bicycle, the sprocket having a plurality of internal teeth, a wheel concentrically disposed within an inner diameter of the sprocket, the wheel having equiangularly spaced pairs of stop elements, a ratchet mounted within the inner diameter of the wheel, and a plurality of pawls respectively pivoted to the wheel at one side and respectively disposed between two stop elements of each pair of the stop elements at the wheel, wherein when the sprocket does no work or is rotated clockwise, or when the ratchet does no work or is rotated counter-clockwise, the pawls do not engage the internal teeth of the sprocket and the external teeth of the ratchet, and the sprocket and the ratchet can be respectively rotated relative to each other; when the sprocket is rotated counter-clockwise or the ratchet is rotated clockwise, the pawls are respectively forced int
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Ming Theng Wang
  • Publication number: 20020072446
    Abstract: A bicycle hub includes a hub axle, a hub body and a sprocket support member. The hub axle has first and second portions releasably coupled together. The hub body has an outer tubular portion, a first engagement portion coupled to the outer tubular portion and an interior passageway. The first portion of the hub axle is rotatably supported in the interior passageway. The first engagement portion is formed with a first meshing surface. The sprocket support member is mounted on the second portion of the hub axle and has a second engagement portion formed with a second meshing surface non-rotatably engaged with the first meshing surface. The first and second meshing surfaces are so dimensioned to overlap to prevent axial separation without relative rotation occurring between the first and second engagement portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Takanori kanehisa, Kanji Kirimoto
  • Publication number: 20020063029
    Abstract: A driving arrangement with a free-wheel coupling has a coupling sleeve (1) and a coupling hub (10) rotatably supported in the coupling sleeve (1). Both are connected, via locking pawls (24), so that, during driving of the coupling hub (10), a slaving of the coupling sleeve (1) takes place. However, a faster rotation of the coupling sleeve (1) is allowed so that the coupling sleeve (1) can overtake the coupling hub (10). Belleville springs (25, 29) achieve a breaking effect with large lagging masses. The Belleville springs (25, 29) are kept non-rotational relative to the coupling hub (10) and are supported on the end faces (8, 9) of the coupling sleeve (1). The Belleville springs (25, 29) are pre-tensioned by means of a friction face (26).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Manfred Eidam, Stefan Rauschenbach
  • Publication number: 20020056602
    Abstract: Freewheel with reduced wear and noisiness, in which sprags are housed oscillating in respective containment slots obtained in the hub. Said containment slots have at their end a concave wall against which the sprag is to thrust and bear, at the other end a concave wall for holding the sprag and, between one and the other ends, a convex wall having a throat in which is housed a spring. The sprags are able to engage with stepped notches formed circumferentially in the shaft, having, mutually orthogonal, a thrust wall and a bearing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Applicant: ROTIS s.r.l.
    Inventor: Igino Aurora
  • Patent number: 6386349
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a driving member rotatable about a first axis; a pair of driven members, disposed on respective sides of the driving member for rotation about the first axis; and a pinion that simultaneously meshes with gear teeth defined on each driven member such that rotary power transmitted between the driven members through the pinion causes the driven members to rotate in opposite rotational directions. A coupling is disposed between the driving member and each driven member. Each coupling includes a strut that is selectively permitted to mechanically couple the driving member and a given driven member for rotation in one direction while permitting overrun in the other direction. Each coupling further includes a strut retainer that prevents the struts from mechanically coupling the driving member with the given driven member when the strut retainer assumes a predetermined rotational position with respect to the given driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean M. Welch
  • Patent number: 6374975
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the attachment of a rear bicycle wheel to the bicycle frame and involves a decoupling engagement mechanism between the one-way clutch assembly of the freehub, commonly referred to as the freehub body, and the rear hub shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Raphael Schlanger
  • Patent number: 6370987
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for precision control of degree of socket rotation where desired degree of rotation exceeds about 360°. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a cam structure associable with an assembly for holding and driving the socket so that either forward or reversed rotation of the cam structure and the socket are coincident. The cam structure includes a circumferentially projecting cam face construct movable through a path of rotation and having first and second spaced stop surfaces oriented across the rotation path. A rotation limiting mechanism includes first and second units for limiting cam rotation in each direction of rotation. Each unit includes a barrier portion and an actuating portion, movement of the barrier portion into the rotation path initiated by interaction of the rotating cam face construct and the actuating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventors: David Wilson, Jr., Harold A. Burdick
  • Patent number: 6373157
    Abstract: A notched type one-way clutch (11) has a strut (8) which is accommodated, together with a spring (9), within a pocket portion (7) formed in a resinous stator body (1) and also has a notched plate (6), the notched plate (6) being combined with the stator body (1) in a relatively rotatable manner and provided with an engaging recess (10) with which the strut (8) comes into engagement in one rotational direction. A swing angle limiting portion (12) for limiting a swing motion of the strut (8) up to a predetermined angle is formed in the pocket portion (7). Further, a movement limiting portion (14) for limiting the movement of the strut (8) toward an anti-engaging face (7b) side within the pocket portion (7) is formed on an engaging face (7a) side of the swing angle limiting portion (12) integrally by molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventor: Katsumi Sekine
  • Patent number: 6363901
    Abstract: An outboard motor has a quieter operating recoil starter arrangement. The recoil starter has a starter drum with a dog clutch arrangement having two dog cam members. The dog cam members rotate between an initial position and an extended position under the influence of a clutch drive member. Specifically, the dog cams each have a portion which engages a starter pulley when a starter rope is pulled. The dog cams are configured to extend minimally into a corresponding slot of the starter pulley when in their extended position. Such configuration results in less chatter when the starter pulley speed exceeds the starter drum speed upon ignition of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Watanabe, Goichi Katayama
  • Publication number: 20020027055
    Abstract: Ratchet free wheel device comprising a first element 1 provided with cavities 14, a number of ratchets 28 able to project into said cavities 14, and a second element 2 for supporting the ratchets 28 so that the second element 2 rotates as one with the first element 1 in one direction of relative rotation of said first and second elements and is free to rotate in an opposite direction of relative rotation. The device comprises a means of controlling the ratchets 28 which is capable of preventing them from projecting into said cavities 14 so that the second element 2 is free to rotate with respect to the first element 1 in two opposite directions of relative rotation of said first and second elements when said control means is active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Marc Le-Calve, Christophe Houdayer, Virginie Hamada
  • Publication number: 20020014384
    Abstract: A freewheel clutch includes detent pawls located between first and second clutch parts. The pawls are moved exclusively by control elements. As a result, the freewheel clutch does not need any spring elements to hold the pawls in place. The control elements are attached to a common actuating ring. The freewheel clutch can be very easily assembled, and only a small amount of force is required to move the pawls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Kroger
  • Publication number: 20020005327
    Abstract: A ratchet one-way clutch comprises an inner race provided with recessed portions on the outer circumference; an outer race member arranged coaxially with the inner race, being provided with pockets on the inner circum-ferential side; a pawl member arranged for each of the pockets to transmit torque by being fitted into each of the recessed portions; and a biasing member for biasing the pawl member in the inner diametral direction to promote the fitting. For this clutch, an operating element is provided to relatively rotate with respect to the outer race member, and an elastic member resides inclusively between the outer race member and the operating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Muramatsu, Hirofumi Ogata, Hirobumi Shirataki
  • Publication number: 20020005326
    Abstract: A ratchet one-way clutch comprises an inner race and an outer race coaxially arranged to be relatively rotative; a pawl member arranged between the inner race and outer race to be fitted into a recessed portion provided for the outer circumferential face of the inner race or the inner circumferential face of the outer race for transmitting torque; a spring for biasing the pawl member to the outer circumference of inner race; and a bush for supporting the pawl member and spring to operate bearing for the inner race and outer race. For this clutch, a recessed portion is formed on the inner circumferential face of the bush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 6338403
    Abstract: A ratchet-type one-way clutch mechanism 300, 360. The mechanism has an inner race member 302, 364 with a plurality of notches 312, 372, an outer member 304, 362 with a plurality of pockets 310, 370, a plurality of pawl members 306, 368 positioned in the pockets for engagement with the notches, and spring biasing members 308 for biasing the pawl members toward engagement. The outer member can be a stator member 362 or an outer race member 304. Retainer members 314, 366 retain the pawls axially in the pockets. Bearing surfaces 303, 305, 307, 315 on the inner race member, outer member and retainer member provide bearing support. Large radii R1 on the pawl members and pawl pockets reduce wear and minimize the cost of secondary machining operations. The lower surfaces 344 of the pawl members are curved and the curvature R2 can be larger than the curvature R3 of the inner race member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Costin, Nirmal R. Pavangat, James R. Wells, Gerald F. Beno, Ronald F. Green
  • Publication number: 20010054531
    Abstract: An improved ratchet wheel structure of a ratcheting wrench, having a restricting base at the bottom of the ratchet wheel, wherein the external diameter of the restricting base is slightly smaller than the diameter of the bottom hole on the fixing base of the ratchet wheel, and it extends to the intersection point of the ratchets of the ratchet wheel to form a serrated disk, and the ratchets aligned in parallel with the axial direction in the middle section of the ratchet wheel, and it extends to the intersection point of the positioning area such that the tip of the ratchets is corresponsive to the external diameter of the ratchet wheel, and a latching groove being disposed around an appropriate position in the positioning area such that a C-shaped buckle being latched into the latching groove for positioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 6332520
    Abstract: The invention is a planar clutch having a plurality of pawls and a related plurality of notches numerically selected so that two more pawls are engaged at substantially the same time, thus sharing and balancing the eccentric forces of engagement between the drive plate and the driven plate. The pawls have a cross-sectional design, wherein each pawl has surfaces for receiving compressive loading forces and is thicker at a middle point between the surfaces for receiving compressing loading forces. A pivot ridge is located at the thickest area of the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel P. Costin
  • Patent number: 6332519
    Abstract: A rolling-element clutch assembly including a first race member, a second race member and a plurality of rolling elements. The first race member defines a first race surface having a first ratchet surface portion. The second race member defines a second race surface having a second ratchet surface portion. The first race surface and the second race surface define a raceway therebetween. A plurality of rolling elements are disposed in the raceway. The rolling elements provide rolling support between the first race member and the second race member when the first race member moves in a first direction relative to the second race member. At least one of the plurality of rolling elements engages the first and second ratchet surface portions when the first race member moves in a second direction relative to the second race member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: General Dynamics Government Systems
    Inventor: John Edward Roberts
  • Patent number: 6315098
    Abstract: A multi-mode rolling element clutch assembly including first and second race members and a plurality of rolling elements. The first race member defines a first race surface having a ratchet surface portion. The second race member defines a second race surface. The first second race surfaces define a raceway therebetween. A plurality of rolling elements are disposed in the raceway. The ratchet surface portion has a multi-mode ratchet mechanism for providing first and second ratchet configurations. When the multi-mode ratchet mechanism is in the first ratchet configuration, the rolling elements may provide rolling support between the first and second race members when the first race member moves in a first direction relative to the second race member, and one of the rolling elements may engage the first ratchet surface portion when the first race member moves in a second direction relative to the second race member, thereby providing load transmission capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: General Dynamics Goverment Systems Corporation
    Inventor: John Edward Roberts
  • Publication number: 20010035322
    Abstract: A freewheel arrangement, in particular for a guide wheel of a hydrodynamic torque converter, permits a relative rotation between two elements in essentially only one relative rotational direction with respect to one another about an axis of rotation. At least one pawl is pivotably supported on a first of the two elements and has a pawl section which can come into contact with a blocking surface of the second of the two elements. At least one pawl is formed by a plurality of pawl plate elements which can be stamped from sheet metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Edgar Reinhart, Dietrich Bechmann, Andre Meyer, Friedrich Schramm, Christoph Sasse, Erwin Wack
  • Publication number: 20010027906
    Abstract: A one-way transmission with a resetting function for use in ratchet mechanisms. The resetting spring for the actuating lever is arranged to also takes over the prestressing of the one-way transmission element. The integration of the following switch components is also possible; the shift lever and the one-way transmission element; the shift lever, the one-way transmission element and the resetting spring; the positioning device and the positioning pawls; of the positioning device and actuating button; the actuating button and the resetting element; and the positioning device, the actuating button and the resetting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Assel
  • Publication number: 20010025758
    Abstract: A ratchet type one-way clutch in which an outer ring is made of aluminum is improved in durability. In order to solve such problems as an increase in the number of parts, complication, bulkiness, an increase in weight and an increase in cost, there is provided a one-way clutch with the lock-up function also having the function of idly rotating only in one direction and the function of blocking the rotation in both directions. In a ratchet type one-way clutch having an outer ring having a pocket in the inner periphery thereof, an inner ring disposed coaxially with the outer ring and having a notch in the outer periphery thereof, a pawl contained in the pocket and fitted in the notch of the inner ring for transmitting torque between the inner ring and the outer ring, and a resilient member for biasing the pawl toward the inner ring, the outer ring is made of aluminum, and the inner peripheral side surface of the outer ring is subjected to a hardening process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Yoshio Kinoshita, Hirobumi Shirataki, Kazuhiko Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 6290044
    Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch assembly for use in an automatic transmission comprises a strut plate rotatable about a central hub and having pockets and struts mounted therein for pivotable rotation. A selecting plate concentrically located about an activator hub has teeth extending axially inboard and configured to fit in the apertures in an activator plate. A turning device is selectively operable to activate one-way clutching mode by rotating the pin of a control plate to disengage selecting cams and displace selecting plate teeth inboard beyond the inboard face of the activator plate wherein the struts catch the teeth when the strut plate assembly is rotated in a clutching direction. The catching ends of the struts are cammed in the pockets by ramped camming ends of the teeth when the strut plate assembly is rotated in the opposing direction, thereby allowing freewheeling of the strut plate in the overrun direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Boris Iosifovich Burgman, Dwayne Paul Joppeck, John William Kimes
  • Patent number: 6286649
    Abstract: A unidirectional drive for a multi-part construction toy. A circular first drive element is received within the cylindrical wall of a second drive element. Each drive element has angularly oriented fixed drive teeth projecting toward the other. The outermost dimension of the first drive element is such as to enable it to rotate in one direction within the second drive element, without driving engagement to cause the second element to rotate. At least one of the drive elements is free to move radially with respect to its axis of rotation such that, when rotated in a driving direction, relative radial displacement between the two drive elements causes the respective drive teeth to become positively engaged for maintaining the two drive elements in positive driving relation. An extraordinarily simple and inexpensive one-way clutch drive is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Connector Set Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Robert Gleim
  • Patent number: 6241032
    Abstract: The apparatus has a housing arranged to function as a length of drill string, including a fluid tight fluid conducting bore, with means at each end for connecting to a continuing drill string. The housing has two principal portions bearingly connected for rotation and axial constraint. A spring loaded one way clutch connects the two portions such that torque can be conducted therethrough in only one rotational direction. The clutch has one, spring loaded, axially moving element to actuate the clutch unless locked by optional provisions. The axial movement, optionally, actuates a valve in the fluid conducting bore to create a pressure drop in the fluid stream when the clutch is disengaged to provide a pressure signal that can be detected at the surface to indicate that the clutch is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas E. Falgout, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6206160
    Abstract: A ratchet transmission control mechanism includes a main body, a spindle rotatably mounted in a longitudinal hole in the main body, two pawls slidably mounted in two transverse holes in the main body, respectively, two elastic members respectively mounted in two arcuate channel devices defined in an outer periphery of the main body, and a switch cap mounted around the main body. The switch cap is movable between three positions, wherein when the switch cap is in a central position, the two pawls are respectively biased by the elastic members to engage with a toothed portion of the spindle, thereby allowing the spindle to drive a fastener in either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Tsai-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 6202813
    Abstract: A ratchet mechanism for a bicycle hub includes a first hub member and a second hub member, wherein the first hub member and the second hub member are rotatable relative to each other. A pawl is supported by the first hub member, a ratchet tooth is supported by the second hub member, and a biasing mechanism is provided for biasing the pawl toward the ratchet tooth. A pawl control mechanism is responsive to relative rotation of the first hub member and the second hub member for allowing the pawl to contact the ratchet tooth when the first hub member and the second hub member rotate relative to each other in one direction and for preventing the pawl from contacting the ratchet tooth when the first hub member and the second hub member rotate relative to each other in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yahata, Koshi Tabe
  • Patent number: 6193038
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one-way clutch includes forming an inner plate; forming first and second outer plate members having a common axis; forming at least one strut pocket in one of the group consisting of the inner plate and the second outer plate member; forming at least one notch in the other of the group consisting of the inner plate and the second outer plate member; assembling a strut in the at least one strut pocket; inserting the inner plate between the outer plate members; and securing the outer plate members together to form a unitary outer plate assembly such that the inner plate is rotatably retained within the outer plate assembly and the strut is engageable with the at least one notch to effect one-way torque transfer between the inner plate and the outer plate assembly. The method may also include forming the second outer plate member as two pieces having mating surfaces, and interlocking the mating surfaces together. A one-way clutch manufactured by the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary B. Scott, Brice A. Pawley, Jeffrey J. Prout, Stephen M. Ruth
  • Patent number: 6189666
    Abstract: A ratchet mechanism for enabling motion to be transferred in one direction but not in the opposite direction as disclosed which does not require springs. The mechanism includes an engagement member (16, 50, 100, 250, 330) which has teeth for engaging teeth on an outer member (12, 70, 200, 300). The engaging member (16, 50, 100, 250, 330) is mounted on an inner member (30, 80, 220, 320). A drive surface (120, 255, 323) on the engagement member (16, 50, 100, 250, 330) contacts teeth of the outer member (12, 70, 200, 300) when rotated in one direction so as to move the engagement member into position whereby a tooth (18, 110, 258, 335) can engage teeth of the outer member. When rotated in the opposite direction, the engagement member is moved out of engagement with the outer member to enable the ratchet to freewheel. In other arrangements, a cam (34, 321) either alone or in engagement with a drive surface causes engagement or disengagement of the teeth of the engagement member with the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Aimbridge Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Eric Paul Willmot
  • Patent number: 6186299
    Abstract: An overrunning coupling assembly includes a notch plate and an annular coupling pocket plate positioned in face-to-face relationship with respect to each other along a common axis. The pocket plate has strut pockets disposed at angularly spaced positions about the common axis. The notch plate has notch recesses at angularly spaced positions about the common axis and positioned in juxtaposed relationship with respect to the strut pockets. Torque-transmitting struts are positioned in each of the strut pockets. Each strut has first and second ears at one edge thereof for enabling pivotal motion of the struts about an ear axis intersecting the ears. The opposite edge of each strut is movable between disengaged and engaged positions with respect to one of the notch recesses whereby one-way torque transfer may occur between the plates. A lubricant flows between the notch plate and pocket plate. A spring is positioned in each strut pocket and biases the respective strut toward the notch plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Ruth
  • Patent number: 6173824
    Abstract: A rolling-element clutch assembly including a first race member, a second race member and a plurality of rolling elements. The first race member defines a first race surface having a first ratchet surface portion. The second race member defines a second race surface having a second ratchet surface portion. The first race surface and the second race surface define a raceway therebetween. A plurality of rolling elements are disposed in the raceway. The rolling elements provide rolling support between the first race member and the second race member when the first race member moves in a first direction relative to the second race member. At least one of the plurality of rolling elements engages the first and second ratchet surface portions when the first race member moves in a second direction relative to the second race member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: General Dynamics Government Systems Corporation
    Inventor: John Edward Roberts
  • Patent number: 6155394
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bicycle coasting mechanism. The coasting mechanism includes a plurality of pawls which are rotatably mounted and which are configured to engage a plurality of ratchet teeth. A linkage engages each pawl and causes the substantially simultaneous engagement of each pawl with the ratchet teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: William B. Shook