Pulley having spring loaded release mechanism

Abstract

A pulley having a spring loaded release mechanism is disclosed which provides a safety override under high torque conditions. The pulley is provided with a first flange which rotates in the conventional manner with a central hub. A second flange is rotatably mounted on the central hub relative to the first flange and a bushing is disposed between the two flanges and may rotate relative to both. A resilient member urges the three elements together under normal operating conditions. The resilient member is preset to allow a certain amount of force on the second flange, relative to its speed. When this torque is surpassed by a belt mounted between the two flanges, the second flange and the bushing separate from the first flange to allow the belt to continue to spin on the bushing and a second flange, relative to the first flange. When the torque of the belt on the second flange returns to a level below that preset by the resilient member, the two flanges once again are urged together by the resilient member and the pulley resumes normal operation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.