Switchable locking device
OwnerAlejandro Barchineinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switchable locking device has a switchable lock and an output shaft configured to receive the switchable lock and to be selectively connected to and disconnected from a rotational shaft via the switchable lock. When received by the output shaft, the switchable lock is configured to be selectively switched between an ON state and an OFF state. In the ON state of the switchable lock, the output shaft is connected to the rotational shaft for undergoing rotation therewith. In the OFF state of the switchable lock, the output shaft is disconnected from the rotational shaft and does not undergo rotation therewith.
Claims20
A switchable locking device comprising:
- a switchable lock having a tubular configuration and being provided with a plurality of internal locking teeth and a plurality of external locking teeth;
- and
- a tubular case defining an internal space configured to receive the switchable lock, the tubular case being provided with a plurality of internal slots configured to lockingly engage the respective plurality of external locking teeth of the switchable lock such that the switchable lock is configured to undergo sliding movement relative to and within the internal space of the tubular case, the tubular case being configured to be selectively connected to and disconnected from a main shaft via the switchable lock;
- wherein in a first state of the tubular case, the tubular case is configured to be connected to the main shaft via the switchable lock by sliding movement of the switchable lock within the internal space of the tubular case in a first direction in which the plurality of internal locking teeth of the switchable lock are brought into locking engagement with respective outer locking teeth of the main shaft;
- and
- wherein in a second state of the tubular case, the tubular case is configured to be disconnected from the main shaft via the switchable lock by sliding movement of the switchable lock within the internal space of the tubular case in a second direction opposite to the first direction in which the plurality of internal locking teeth of the switchable lock are brought out of locking engagement with the respective outer locking teeth of the main shaft.
A switchable locking device comprising:
- a tubular case defining an internal space;
- and
- a switchable lock configured to be received entirely within the internal space of the tubular case and to slide along a central axis of the tubular case;
- wherein the switchable lock is configured to slide in a first direction along the central axis to connect the tubular case to a main shaft and in a second direction opposite to the first direction to disconnect the tubular case from the main shaft, the switchable lock remaining entirely within the internal space of the tubular case during sliding movement in the first and second directions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.