Magnetic slip clutch

Claim 2

A magnetic slip clutch comprising, input and output magnet means adapted to be supported for relative rotation about a common axis, one of said input and output magnet means including an inner member of magnetic material, a sleeve of magnetic material surrounding said inner member and a permanent magnet ring between said inner member and sleeve and inducing opposite polarity therebetween, said inner member and sleeve having corresponding end faces, and the other of said input and output magnet means having end face means juxtaposed and magnetically attracted to said end faces of said inner member and sleeve.

Claim 3

The clutch according to claim 1, wherein said permanent magnet ring is comprised of magnetized rubber.

Claim 4

The clutch according to claim 2, wherein said end faces of said inner member and sleeve are coplanar and the corresponding end face of said permanent magnet ring is spaced inwardly of said coplanar end faces.

Claim 5

The clutch according to claim 1, wherein said other of said input and output magnet means includes an inner member of magnetic material, a sleeve of magnetic material surrounding said inner member and a permanent magnet ring between said inner member and sleeve and inducing opposite polarity therebetween, said inner member and sleeve of said other magnet means having corresponding end faces defining said end face means, and said induced polarity in said inner member and sleeve of said other magnet means being opposite to the induced polarity of the corresponding inner member and sleeve of said one magnet means.

Claim 6

The clutch according to claim 4, wherein the end faces of said inner members and the end faces of said sleeves of said one and other magnet means are respectively of substantially the same dimensions transverse to said axis.

Claim 7

The clutch according to claim 5, wherein said corresponding end faces of said inner members and sleeves of each said one and other magnet means are coplanar.

Claim 8

The clutch according to claim 6, wherein said permanent magnet rings are each comprised of magnetized rubber and have end faces spaced inwardly from the coplanar end faces of the corresponding inner member and sleeve.

Claim 9

The clutch according to claim 1, wherein said inner member is a sleeve apertured to receive means for supporting said components for relative rotation.

Claim 10

The clutch according to claim 4, wherein the inner member of each of said one and other magnet means is a sleeve apertured to receive means for supporting said input and output magnet means for relative rotation.

Claim 11

A magnetic slip clutch mountable on drive shaft means and comprising, an input clutch component mountable on said shaft means for rotation therewith and including first inner and first outer concentric rings of magnetic material and a permanent magnet ring therebetween inducing opposite polarity in said first inner and outer rings, and an output clutch component mountable on said shaft means for rotation relative thereto and including second inner and second outer concentric rings of magnetic material and a permanent magnet ring therebetween inducing opposite polarity in said second inner and outer rings, said first and second inner outer rings having end faces disposed in abutting relationship when mounted on said shaft means and the induced polarities of said first and second inner rings and of said first and second outer rings being opposite, whereby said input and output components are magnetically attracted to one another.

Claim 12

A magnetic slip clutch mountable on drive shaft means and comprising, an input clutch component mountable on said shaft means for rotation therewith and including first inner and first outer concentric rings of magnetic material and a permanent magnet ring therebetween inducing opposite polarity in said first inner and outer rings, and an output clutch component mountable on said shaft means for rotation relative thereto and including second inner and second outer concentric rings of magnetic material and a permanent magnet ring therebetween inducing opposite polarity in said second inner and outer rings, said first and second inner outer rings having end faces disposed in abutting relationship when mounted on said shaft means and the induced polarities of said first and second inner rings and of said first and second outer rings being opposite, whereby said input and output components are magnetically attracted to one another.

Claim 13

The clutch according to claim 10 in combination with, driVe shaft means, a drive motor for rotating said drive shaft means, a pinion gear connected to said output clutch component for rotation therewith and drivable by said motor through said input and output clutch components, a gear segment pivotal about a pivot axis parallel to the axis of said drive shaft means, said gear segment having teeth in meshing engagement with said pinion, first and second means to stop said gear segment in circumferentially spaced locations relative to said pivot axis, said motor being operable through said pinion to pivot said gear segment in one direction to engage said first stop means, means for biasing said gear segment in the direction opposite said one direction to engage said second stop means, switch means, cam drum means supported for stepped rotation relative to said switch means and including cam means for actuating said switch means in response to stepped rotation, and ratchet and pawl means actuated in response to movement of said gear segment between said first and second stop means to step said cam drum means, said clutch providing for said drive shaft means to rotate relative to said pinion when said gear segment engages said first and second stop means.