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US 5,507,374 AGranted
Clutch controlled roller shade mechanism with integral overrunning ratchet
AssigneeGeneral Clutch Corporation
InventorEdward T. Rude
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bi-directional sprang clutch further including a ratchet and pawl so as to permit substantial torque to be transmitted to the shade roller only in one direction. In the other direction, the roller is nearly free to rotate so that the weight of the shade material depending from one side of the roller exerts a torque on the roller which prevents reverse rolling.
Claims26
A spring clutch assembly comprising:
- a shaft;
- at least one helically wound axially mounted spring for making frictional contact with the shaft;
- engaging means for selectively applying a tightening force in only one direction to one end of said at least one spring for substantially preventing rotation of said at least one spring with respect to said shaft in said one direction;
- an operating means concentrically mounted for rotation between said at least one spring and said engaging means;
- and
- means for substantially preventing the application of torque by said operating means to said engaging means in said one direction comprising a pawl member assembled onto said at least one spring.
3 more elements
A spring clutch assembly comprising:
- a shaft;
- at least one helically wound axially mounted spring for making frictional contact with the shaft;
- engaging means for selectively applying a tightening force in only one direction to one end of said at least one spring for substantially preventing rotation thereof with respect to said shaft in said one direction;
- pulley means concentrically mounted for rotation between said at least one spring and said engaging means;
- and
- means for substantially preventing the application of torque by said pulley means to said engaging means in said one direction comprising a pawl member assembled onto said at least one spring;
- wherein said at least one spring is in selective operative engagement with said engaging means by means of said pawl member during relative rotation movement of said engaging member with said shaft.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.