One way clutch

A one way clutch, comprising coaxial first and second rotatable clutch members and an arcuate resiliently flexible intermediate member arranged between the clutch members, the first clutch member having a set of ratchet teeth and the intermediate member and second clutch member having means for preventing substantial relative rotation between the intermediate and second clutch members, characterized in that the intermediate member has a set of ratchet teeth engageable with the first member ratchet teeth and a set of sloping faced projections at intervals along the intermediate member, in that the intermediate member carries a pawl at one end and in that the second clutch member has a set of sloping faced projections at intervals around the member engageable with those of the intermediate member, the arrangement being such that on relative rotation of the clutch members in a non-driving direction, the pawl ratchets over the ratchet teeth of the first member but on relative rotation in the driving direction, the pawl engages a ratchet tooth of the first member and the projections on the intermediate member abut and ride up the faces of those of the second clutch member to flex the intermediate member towards the first clutch member until the sets of ratchet teeth on the intermediate and first members engage one another to transmit driving torque, said projections on the intermediate member comprising a series of lugs forming lateral extensions of the ratchet teeth on the intermediate member.