Clutch mechanism for rotary power tool

A rotary power tool comprising:

• a motor;
• an output shaft;
• and
• a clutch mechanism positioned between the motor and the output shaft to transfer torque from the motor to the output shaft, the clutch mechanism including
• an input member to which torque from the motor is transferred,
• an output member arranged within and co-rotatable with the input member, the output member defining a rotational axis,
• a cam surface formed on one of the input member or the output member,
• a compression spring carried by the other of the input member or the output member for co-rotation therewith, and
• a follower having a circular cross-sectional shape biased against the cam surface by the compression spring,
• wherein, in response to relative rotation between the input member and the output member, the cam surface displaces the follower along a line of action coaxial or parallel with the spring, and wherein the line of action does not intersect the rotational axis.

A clutch mechanism for use in a rotary power tool having a motor, the clutch mechanism comprising:

• an input member to which torque from the motor is transferred;
• an output member co-rotatable with the input member, the output member defining a rotational axis;
• a cam surface formed on one of the input member or the output member;
• a pocket formed on the other of the input member or the output member for co-rotation therewith, the pocket defining a longitudinal axis that is transverse to the rotational axis;
• a compression spring received by the pocket for co-rotation therewith, the compression spring defining a longitudinal axis that is co-axial or parallel with the longitudinal axis of the pocket;
• and
• a follower having a circular cross-sectional shape biased against the cam surface by the compression spring;
• wherein, in response to relative rotation between the input member and the output member, the cam surface displaces the follower along a line of action coaxial or parallel with the longitudinal axes of the pocket and springs, and wherein the line of action does not intersect the rotational axis.