Clutch and brake assembly

Claim 2

A clutch and brake assembly comprising a rotatable output shaft, a drive collar fixedly mounted on said shaft, drive means for imparting rotation to said shaft comprising a rotatably mounted drive wheel, a fixed hub concentrically positioned within said wheel in spaced relation thereto so as to define an annular groove therebetween, an annular passage in said drive collar in communication and registry with said groove, a helical coil spring positioned in said pAssage and groove and having one end connected to said collar and having its other end extending outwardly beyond said groove, the depth of said passage and groove being slightly greater than the thickness of said spring, whereby when a winding force is imparted to said spring, it contracts and tightly grips said hub and said drive collar so as to brake said shaft, whereas when an unwinding force is imparted to said spring, it expands and grips said drive wheel and said drive collar, whereby said wheel imparts rotation to said shaft, and means operatively associated with said other end portion of said spring for imparting a winding and unwinding force thereto, said means comprising a rotatably mounted cam to which said other spring end portion is connected, magnetic means releasably coupling said cam to said drive wheel for rotation therewith to impart an unwinding force to said spring, and means operable to stop rotation of said cam whereby a winding force is imparted to said spring.

Claim 3

In the assembly of claim 1, said releasable coupling means comprising a plurality of openings extending through said cam, and a magnetic pin loosely mounted in each said opening whereby said cam is magnetically attracted to said drive wheel for rotation therewith.

Claim 4

In the assembly of claim 1, said stop means comprising a solenoid controlled latch.

Claim 5

In the assembly of claim 1, frictional drag brake means in constant engagement with said output shaft.

Claim 6

In the assembly of claim 1, said output shaft being rotatably mounted on one-way bearings in order to prevent back-up thereof upon sudden braking.

Claim 7

A clutch and brake assembly comprising a rotatable output shaft, a drive collar fixedly mounted on said shaft, drive means for imparting rotation to said shaft comprising a rotatably mounted drive wheel, a fixed hub concentrically positioned within said wheel in spaced relation thereto so as to define an annular groove therebetween, an annular passage in said drive collar in communication and registry with said groove, helical coil spring positioned in said passage and groove and having one end connected to said collar and having its other end extending outwardly beyond said groove, the depth of said passage and groove being slightly greater than the thickness of said spring, whereby when a winding force is imparted to said spring, it contracts and tightly grips said hub and said drive collar so as to brake said shaft, whereas when an unwinding force is imparted to said spring, it expands and grips said drive wheel and said drive collar, whereby said wheel imparts rotation to said shaft, and means operatively associated with said other end portion of said spring for imparting a winding and unwinding force thereto, said means comprising a rotatably mounted cam to which said other spring end portion is connected, means releasably coupling said cam to said drive wheel for rotation therewith to impart an unwinding force to said spring, and means operable to stop rotation of said cam whereby a winding force is imparted to said spring, said cam having a plurality of recesses therein, said other spring end portion extending into any one of said recesses to effect the said connection with said cam.

Claim 8

A clutch and brake assembly comprising a rotatable output shaft, a drive collar fixedly mounted on said shaft, drive means for imparting rotation to said shaft comprising a rotatably mounted drive wheel, a fixed hub concentrically positioned within said wheel in spaced relation thereto so as to define an annular groove therebetween, an annular passage in said drive collar in communication and registry with said groove, helical coil spring positioned in said passage and groove and having one end connected to said collar and having its other end extending outwardly beyond said groove, the depth of said passage and groove being slightly greater than the thickness of said spring, whereby when a winding force is imparted to said spring, it contracts and tightly grips said hub and said drive collar so as to brake said shaft, whereas when an unwinding force is imparted to said spring, it expands and grips said drive wheel and said drive collar, whereby said wheel imparts rotation to said shaft, and means operatively associated with said other end portion of said spring for imparting a winding and unwinding force thereto, said means comprising a rotatably mounted cam to which said other spring end portion is connected, means releasably coupling said cam to said drive wheel for rotation therewith to impart an unwinding force to said spring, and means operable to stop rotation of said cam whereby a winding force is imparted to said spring, said cam having a plurality of recesses therein, said other spring end portion extending into any one of said recesses to effect the said connection with said cam.

Claim 9

A clutch and brake assembly comprising a rotatable output shaft, a drive collar fixedly mounted on said shaft, drive means for imparting rotation to said shaft comprising a rotatably mounted drive wheel, a fixed hub concentrically positioned within said wheel in spaced relation thereto so as to define an annular groove therebetween, an annular passage in said drive collar in communication and registry with said groove, a helical coil spring positioned in said passage and groove and having one end connected to said collar and having its other end extending outwardly beyond said groove, the depth of said passage and groove being slightly greater than the thickness of said spring, whereby when a winding force is imparted to said spring, it contracts and tightly grips said huB and said drive collar so as to brake said shaft, whereas when an unwinding force is imparted to said spring, it expands and grips said drive wheel and said drive collar, whereby said wheel imparts rotation to said shaft, and means operatively associated with said other end portion of said spring for imparting a winding and unwinding force thereto, said means comprising a rotatably mounted cam to which said other spring end portion is connected, means releasably coupling said cam to said drive wheel for rotation therewith to impart an unwinding force to said spring, and means operable to stop rotation of said cam whereby a winding force is imparted to said spring, said hub being fixed against rotation by means of a radially extending arm clamped thereto, the free end of said arm being resiliently mounted to cushion stopping of said cam.

Claim 10

A clutch and brake assembly comprising a rotatable output shaft, a drive collar fixedly mounted on said shaft, drive means for imparting rotation to said shaft comprising a rotatably mounted drive wheel, a fixed hub concentrically positioned within said wheel in spaced relation thereto so as to define an annular groove therebetween, an annular passage in said drive collar in communication and registry with said groove, a helical coil spring positioned in said passage and groove and having one end connected to said collar and having its other end extending outwardly beyond said groove, the depth of said passage and groove being slightly greater than the thickness of said spring, whereby when a winding force is imparted to said spring, it contracts and tightly grips said huB and said drive collar so as to brake said shaft, whereas when an unwinding force is imparted to said spring, it expands and grips said drive wheel and said drive collar, whereby said wheel imparts rotation to said shaft, and means operatively associated with said other end portion of said spring for imparting a winding and unwinding force thereto, said means comprising a rotatably mounted cam to which said other spring end portion is connected, means releasably coupling said cam to said drive wheel for rotation therewith to impart an unwinding force to said spring, and means operable to stop rotation of said cam whereby a winding force is imparted to said spring, said hub being fixed against rotation by means of a radially extending arm clamped thereto, the free end of said arm being resiliently mounted to cushion stopping of said cam.