Overrunning clutch and retainer
AssigneeThe Torrington Company
InventorJ. Russell Elmore
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This novel clutch retainer comprises two separated end plates. A plurality of circumferentially spaced spring tabs extend axially from each end plate toward the other end plate, the tabs biasing the clutching rollers toward locking engagement between the clutch cam surfaces and the shaft or inner race.
Claims22
In a clutch with an inner member and an outer member of greater inside diameter than the outside diameter of the inner member thereby providing a space between said inner and outer members with one of said members having a cam surface and a plurality of adjacent rolling members in said space;
- the smallest circumferential space between the rollers being too small to allow springs to enter such smallest space and operate properly;
- a retainer comprising;
- a first end plate and a second end plate, said end plates being positoned in the space between the inner and outer clutch members;
- each end plate including a plurality of circumferentially spaced spring biasing members extending axially toward the other end plate, each spring biasing member extending into a circumferential space between adjacent rolling members larger than the smallest circumferential space between said adjacent rolling members;
- and
- means for preventing relative rotation of the end plates with respect to the member having a cam surface.
An overrunning roller clutch comprising;
- a cylindrical inner member and an outer member of greater inside diameter than the outside diameter of the inner member thereby providing a space between said inner and outer members with said outer member having clutch cam surfaces on its interior periphery;
- a plurality of rolling members in said space, the smallest circumferential space between the rolling members being too small to allow biasing springs to enter such smallest space and operate properly,
- a retainer consisting of a first end plate and a second end plate said end plates being longitudinally spaced apart at opposite ends of the rolling members and being positioned in the space between the inner and outer clutch members;
- each end plate including a plurality of circumferentially spaced biasing tab members extending axially toward the other end plate, each biasing member extending into a circumferential space between adjacent rolling members larger than the smallest circumferential space between said adjacent rolling members and resiliently urging at least one of the plurality of rollers toward lockup wedging position in the clutch;
- and
- means for preventing relative rotation of the end plates with respect to the member having a cam surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.