Shiftable clamping-type locking mechanism
AssigneeIna Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
InventorHarald Hochmuth
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Abstract
A shiftable clamping-type locking mechanism, includes two track-defining elements and a plurality of clamping members, e.g. rollers or balls, arranged between the tracks of the elements and so spring-biased as to seek a clamped position. The clamping members are shiftable by a control unit from the clamped position into a release position in which the clamping members are liberated from the tracks so that the two elements can be freely moved relative to one another. A coupling unit positively connects the two elements to one another in order to prevent an undesired slip between the elements.
Claims14
A shiftable locking mechanism, comprising:
- a first element defining a track;
- a second element defining a track;
- a plurality of clamping members arranged between the tracks of the first and second elements and so spring-biased as to seek a clamped position;
- a control unit acting on the first and second elements for moving the clamping members from the clamped position into a release position in which the clamping members are disengaged from the tracks so that the first and second elements are freely movable relative to one another;
- and
- a coupling unit for detachably and positively connecting the first and second elements to one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.