Full-complement multi-directional coupling
AssigneeKer-Train Holdings Ltd.
InventorJohn Hugh Kerr
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-directional coupling (10) consists of a tubular slipper (14) between a tubular member (12) and a race (16), there being engageable tubular friction surfaces (20, 36) on the slipper (14) and the race (16), and facing bearing surfaces (18, 22) on the tubular member (12) and the slipper (14) defining therebetween a channel (28) with pockets (28a) receiving roller members (30), there being an actuator (e.g. a tooth (30)) on the tubular member (12) engaging a recess (40) in the slipper (14), or a spigot or a pin(s) or a cam engageable with the slipper (14) to provide two, three or four different modes of operation (e.g. lock-up, freewheel in both directions, freewheel in one direction and/or the other).
Claims22
A coupling comprising:
- a first coupling member including a first friction surface;
- a second coupling member including a first bearing surface, and a first recess provided within the first bearing surface;
- a tubular slipper disposed between the first and second coupling members, the slipper including a second friction surface for engaging with the first friction surface, and a second bearing surface coaxial to the first bearing surface, the first and second bearing surfaces defining a channel therebetween for receiving a plurality of roller elements therein, the second bearing surface including a second recess, the first and second recesses together defining a pocket opening into the channel for retaining one of the roller elements therein, the pocket being configured for coupling the first coupling member to the second coupling member as the slipper and the second coupling member rotate relative to one another, and the first recess comprises a first arched recess and the second recess comprises a second arched recess complementary in shape to the first arched recess and disposed substantially opposite to the first arched recess.
A programmable multi-directional coupling comprising:
- a first coupling member including a first friction surface;
- a second coupling member including a first cylindrical bearing surface, and a plurality of firs recesses provided within the first bearing surface;
- a tubular slipper disposed between the first and second coupling members, the slipper including a second friction surface for engaging with the first friction surface, and a second cylindrical bearing surface coaxial to the first bearing surface, the first and second bearing surfaces defining a channel therebetween, the second bearing surface including a plurality of second recesses, each said first recess together with a respective one of the second recesses defining a pocket opening into the channel, and the first recessed comprise arched recesses and the second recesses comprise arched recesses complementary in shape to the first recesses and disposed substantially opposite to the first recesses;
- a plurality of roller elements disposed in the pockets for coupling the first coupling member to the second coupling member as the slipper and the second coupling member rotate relative to one another;
- and
- an actuator for controlling rotational movement of the slipper relative to the second coupling member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.