Overload clutch with vibration protection mechanism

An overload clutch for protecting drive lines comprising:

• a first clutch member and a second clutch member adapted to be placed in driving engagement with each other;
• aperture means in said first clutch member;
• first recess means circumferentially distributed in said second clutch member;
• rolling members held in said aperture means and adapted to be engaged in said first recess means for placing said first and second clutch members in torque-transmitting engagement;
• a switching ring having therein second recess means corresponding to said first recess means and angularly offset relative thereto when said clutch is in torque-transmitting engagement;
• circumferentially acting spring means holding said switching ring in said angularly offset position;
• axial spring means acting against said switching ring to urge said rolling members into torque-transmitting engagement within said first recess means;
• said switching ring being rotatable against the force of said circumferentially acting spring means when a predetermined nominal torque of said clutch is exceeded to bring said second recess means in corresponding angular position relative to said aperture means;
• vibration protection means comprising securing pin means mounted in said first clutch member so as to be axially movable relative thereto to a limited extent, detent means formed in said switching ring for engaging therein said securing pin means when said clutch is in torque-transmitting engagement, and spring means urging said securing pin means into engagement with said detent means;
• said securing pin means extending into said detent means a distance smaller than the maximum depth of said second recess means to enable said securing pin means to be disengaged therefrom when said nominal clutch torque is exceeded;
• said vibration protection means preventing vibration-induced movement of said second recess means into corresponding angular position relative to said aperture means.