US3598212A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retainer ring for a freewheel clutch
Assignee: Ringspann Albrecht Maurer KG
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Filing: 1970-01-12
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1990-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A retainer ring for insertion between the coaxially arranged driving member and the driven member of a freewheel clutch comprises a central ring portion having elongated holes wherein tiltable sprags are disposed, and two ring portions extending in radial direction from the central ring portion to the convexcylindrical bearing surface of the inner clutch member and to the concave-cylindrical bearing surface of the outer clutch member. The retainer ring is of Z-, H- or U-shaped cross section and the sprags are supported in the holes of the central ring portion by helical springs mounted on lugs projecting to the inside of the holes. One spring end is bent over for engaging the sprag in a groove, thereby securing it against displacement in radial clutch direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Emil Giese
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:31
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D41/00; F16D41/06; F16D41/069; F16D41/07; F02; F02M; F02M69/00; F02M69/04; F02M69/041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A retainer ring for a freewheel clutch including an outer clutch member having a concave-cylindrical bearing surface and an inner clutch member having a convex-cylindrical bearing surface arranged in coaxial alignment with the outer clutch member, the retainer ring comprising: (a) a ring element comprising a cylindrical central portion of which the diameter is of about a mean value between the diameters of the convex and the concave cylindrical bearing surfaces and annular ring portions on both sides of the cylindrical central portion and extending in radial direction of the clutch for supporting the ring element between the inner and the outer clutch members, the cylindrical central portion having elongated holes extending with their long sides in axial direction of the clutch and bridge portions separating the elongated holes from one another, and at least one lug projecting from one of the short sides of each hole in axial direction of the clutch; (b) tiltable sprags in the elongated holes for clamping the inner and the outer clutch members; and (c) spring means mounted on the lugs operatively engaging the sprags for tiltably supporting the sprags in the holes and for urging the sprags in their clamping position between the bearing surfaces of the inner and the outer clutch members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A retainer ring for a freewheel clutch including an outer clutch member having a concave-cylindrical bearing surface and an inner clutch member having a convex-cylindrical bearing surface arranged in coaxial alignment with the outer clutch member, the retainer ring comprising: (a) a ring element comprising a cylindrical central portion of which the diameter is of about a mean value between the diameters of the convex and the concave cylindrical bearing surfaces and annular ring portions on both sides of the cylindrical central portion and extending in radial direction of the clutch for supporting the ring element between the inner and the outer clutch members, the cylindrical central portion having elongated holes extending with their long sides in axial direction of the clutch and bridge portions separating the elongated holes from one another, and at least one lug projecting from one of the short sides of each hole in axial direction of the clutch; (b) tiltable sprags in the elongated holes for clamping the inner and the outer clutch members; and (c) spring means mounted on the lugs operatively engaging the sprags for tiltably supporting the sprags in the holes and for urging the sprags in their clamping position between the bearing surfaces of the inner and the outer clutch members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A retainer ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ring element with its cylindrical portion and its annular ring portions is of Z-shaped cross section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A retainer ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ring element with its central portion and its annular ring portions is of H-shaped cross section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A retainer ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ring element with its central portion and its annular ring portions is of U-shaped cross section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
A retainer ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tiltable sprags are each provided with a groove and an edge extending in axial direction of the clutch and abutting against the bridge portion of the cylindrical central portion when the sprags are tilted to the extreme clamping position, and the spring means comprise helical springs resting with one end against the ring element and having a bent-over portion of the other end engaging in the groove of the respective sprag, so that the sprags are secured against displacement in radial direction between the edges and the spring ends in the grooves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A retainer ring as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tiltable sprags are provided with a second edge also extending in axial direction of the clutch, the second edge being disposed on the side surface of the sprag diametrically opposite from the first edge with regard to the tilting axis, and wherein the bent-over portions of the spring ends are U-shaped for securing the sprags against displacement in radial clutch direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A retainer ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the short sides of the elongated holes opposite to the sides having the supporting lugs for the spring means are provided with projections operatively engageable with the sprags for keeping the sprags from contacting the radial ring portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A retainer ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring ends resting against the sprags limit the tilting motion of the sprags in the de-clamping direction, which ends abut against the adjacent bridge portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |