# US 9,752,628 B2 · Self-locking clutch mechanism

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- Number: US 9,752,628 B2
- Document ID: US9752628B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/959,731
- Filed: 2015-12-04
- Published: 2017-06-08
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2015-12-04
- Assignees: The Gates Corporation
- Applicants: Gates Corporation
- Inventors: Benjamin R. Langhorst; Dean Schneider; Alexander Serkh
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752628B2

## CPC

- F16D 41/206: {having axially adjacent coils, e.g. helical wrap-springs}
- F16D 13/08: with a helical band or equivalent member, which may be built up from linked parts, with more than one turn embracing a drum or the like, with or without an additional clutch actuating the end of the band (F16D13/02 takes precedence; {similar slip couplings F16D7/022; similar clutches electromagnetically actuated F16D27/025, F16D27/105} ; similar free-wheel clutches F16D41/20; similar brakes F16D49/02)
- F16D 13/12: with an expansible band or coil co-operating with the inner surface of a drum or the like (F16D13/02 takes precedence; similar brakes F16D51/02)
- F16D 41/02: disengaged by contact of a part of or on the freewheel or freewheel clutch with a stationarily-mounted member
- F16D 2121/14: Mechanical
- F16H 1/12: with non-parallel axes
- F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- F16H: GEARING

## Abstract

A self-locking clutch mechanism comprising a base, an output member journalled to the base, a first spring engaged between the base and the output member, the first spring exerting a first spring force in a first direction, a clutch spring engaged with an intermediate member and frictionally engaged with a base cylindrical surface, an input member rotationally engaged with the base, the input member intermittently engagable with the clutch spring through a control member such that the clutch spring is temporarily released from the base cylindrical surface upon a rotary movement of the control member in a first direction, the intermediate member rotates upon release of the clutch spring from the base cylindrical surface, and a second spring engaged between the intermediate member and the output member, the second spring exerting a second spring force opposite the first spring force.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A self-locking clutch mechanism comprising:
a base (301);
an output member (604) journalled to the base;
a first spring (701) engaged between the base and the output member, the first spring exerting a first spring force in a first direction;
a clutch spring (302) engaged with an intermediate member (205) and frictionally engaged with a base cylindrical surface (303);
an input member (202) rotationally engaged with the base;
the input member (202) intermittently engagable with the clutch spring through a control member (201) such that the clutch spring is temporarily released from the base cylindrical surface upon a rotary movement of the control member in the first direction;
the intermediate member rotates upon release of the clutch spring from the base cylindrical surface, the clutch spring is releasable from the base cylindrical surface upon the intermediate member being urged by the control member in a second direction opposite the first direction; and
a second spring (501) engaged between the intermediate member and the output member, the second spring exerting a second spring force opposite the first spring force.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The mechanism as in claim 1, wherein the input mechanism comprises bevel gears engaged with the control member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The mechanism as in claim 1, wherein the first spring comprises a torsion spring loaded in an unwinding direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The mechanism as in claim 1, wherein the second spring comprises a torsion spring loaded in an unwinding direction.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The self-locking clutch mechanism as in claim 1, wherein the clutch spring radially expands to frictionally engage the base cylindrical surface.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The self-locking clutch mechanism as in claim 1, wherein the clutch spring comprises a coil.