Mechanism useful as a slip clutch or brake and method of making same

A mechanism useful as a slip clutch or brake comprising:

• a first member having a cylindrical inner wall;
• a second generally cylindrical member received coaxial within said first member so as to be rotatable therein;
• and
• a plurality of generally annular third spring members between said first and second members;
• said third members having a rectangular cross section and an external surface in contact with said inner wall of said first member, said second member having at least one longitudinal recess defining two wall surfaces, said third members having ends extending inwardly into said recess, each of said ends of said third members contacting said wall surfaces.

A method of making a mechanism useful as a slip clutch or brake comprising the steps of:

• providing a first member having a cylindrical inner surface,
• providing a second member having a generally cylindrical outer surface,
• defining a longitudinal recess in said second member extending to an end thereof, said recess being defined by walls spanning one hundred, eighty degrees or less,
• providing at least one generally annular friction spring element of generally rectangular cross section having ends bent inwardly so as to be essentially in full surface contact with said recess defining walls and positioning said at least one element on said second member in said recess, and
• inserting said second member with said at least one element thereon within said first member with said element in surface engagement with the inner wall of said first member.