Torque-limiting spindle
AssigneeSchlage Lock Company LLC
InventorsDrake Lunday, Adam M. Litwinski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An exemplary torque-limiting spindle includes an input member, an output member, a clutch mechanism, and a bias mechanism. The input member extends along a longitudinal axis, is configured for connection with a handle, and includes a first engagement feature. The output member extends along the longitudinal axis, is configured for connection with a rotatable member of a lockset, and includes a second engagement feature. The clutch mechanism includes the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature. The bias mechanism is engaged with the input member and the output member and exerts a biasing force urging the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature into engagement with one another.
Claims23
A torque-limiting spindle, comprising:
- an input member extending along a longitudinal axis and configured for connection with a handle, the input member comprising an input member end face that varies longitudinally to thereby define a first engagement feature;
- an output member extending along the longitudinal axis and configured for connection with a rotatable member of a lockset, the output member comprising an output member end face that varies longitudinally to thereby define a second engagement feature;
- a bias mechanism engaged between the input member and the output member and exerting a biasing force to bias the input member toward the output member and urge the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature into engagement with one another;
- and
- a clutch mechanism comprising the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature;
- wherein the clutch mechanism is configured to transmit an input torque from the input member to the output member when the input torque is below a threshold torque;
- and
- wherein the clutch mechanism is configured to slip by causing relative longitudinal movement of the input member and the output member when the input torque is above the threshold torque.
A torque-limiting spindle, comprising:
- a first spindle member extending along a longitudinal axis, the first spindle member comprising a first end face that varies longitudinally to thereby define a first engagement feature;
- a second spindle member extending along the longitudinal axis, the second spindle member comprising a second end face that varies longitudinally to thereby define a second engagement feature;
- a bias mechanism engaged between the first spindle member and the second spindle member and exerting a biasing force to bias the first spindle member toward the second spindle member and urge the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature into engagement with one another;
- and
- a clutch mechanism comprising the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature;
- wherein the clutch mechanism is configured to transmit an input torque from the input member to the output member when the input torque is below a threshold torque;
- and
- wherein the clutch mechanism is configured to slip by causing relative longitudinal movement of the input member and the output member when the input torque is above the threshold torque.
A torque-limiting spindle, comprising:
- a first spindle member extending along a longitudinal axis, the first spindle member comprising a first longitudinal ramp;
- a second spindle member extending along the longitudinal axis, the second spindle member comprising a second longitudinal ramp;
- and
- a bias mechanism engaged between the first spindle member and the second spindle member and exerting a biasing force to bias the first spindle member toward the second spindle member and urge the first spindle member and the second spindle member into engagement with one another;
- and
- wherein the first longitudinal ramp and the second longitudinal ramp are configured to engage one another in response to an input torque, to transmit the input torque between the first spindle member and the second spindle member when the input torque is less than a threshold torque, and to cause relative longitudinal movement of the first spindle member and the second spindle member when the input torque is greater than the threshold torque.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.