Molded cage for an overrunning roller clutch

Claim 2

A roller clutch cage comprising a plurality of generally axial, circumferentially spaced cross bars having first and second axial end portions, a plurality of first arcuate end segments alternately connecting said first and second axial end portions of adjacent cross bars, a plurality of second arcuate end segments alternately connecting said first and second axial end portions of adjacent cross bars, said second arcuate end segments having an outer diameter no greater than the inner diameter of said first arcuate end segments, said first and second arcuate end segments being connected to opposite axial end portions of adjacent cross bars and forming generally rectangular roller receiving pockets therewith, a plurality of first ears projecting radially from a number of arcuate end segments connecting said first axial end portions, and a plurality of second ears projecting radially from a number of arcuate end segments connecting said second axial end portions, said first and second ears being integral with the same type of arcuate end segments and projecting away from the other type of arcuate end segments and having portions spaced radially from said cross bars whereby said cage is adapted to be molded in a two-part mold without any separate mold inserts and whereby said first and second ears are adapted to engage recessed surfaces in a cammed clutch race.

Claim 3

The cage as defined in claim 1 wherein said first ears are integral with a number of said first arcuate end segments connecting said first axial end portions, said second ears are integral with a like number of said first arcuate end segments connecting said second axial end portions and said first and second ears project radially outwardly from their respective arcuate end segments and have portions disposed radially outwardly of said cross bars.

Claim 4

A roller clutch cage comprising a plurality of generally axial, circumferentially spaced cross bars having first and second axial end portions, a plurality of outer and inner arcuate end segments arranged in coplanar pairs alternately connecting said first and second axial end portions of adjacent cross bars, a plurality of intermediate arcuate end segments alternately connecting said first and second axial end portions of adjacent cross bars, said intermediate arcuate end segments having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of said outer arcuate end segments and an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said inner arcuate end segments and said coplanar pairs and said intermediate arcuate end segments being connected to opposite axial end portions of adjacent cross bars to facilitate the forming of generally rectangular roller receiving pockets in a two-part mold without separate mold inserts, a plurality of first, radially outwardly projecting ears integral with a number of said outer arcuate end segments connecting said first axial end portions, a plurality of second, radially outwardly projecting ears integral with a like number of said outer arcuate end segments connecting said second axial end portions, each of said first and second ears being located adjacent a cross bar and having an outboard and an inboard portion disposed radially outwardly of the cross bar, said outboard portions having a radial surface perpendicular to the axis of the cage and facing inboard for engaging an end surface of a cammed clutch race, said inboard portions having a generally axial surface perpendicular to the radial surfaces of the outboard portions and sloping radially inwardly toward the adjacent cross bar for engaging a recessed surface in a cammed clutch race, whereby said cage is adapted to axially retain a cammed clutch race and impart a balanced reaction force thereto, outer, inner and intermediate corner blocks respectively connected to said outer, inner and intermediate arcuate end segments and said cross bars whereby the cage is adapted to axially retain accordion-shaped springs when such are mounted on said cross bars and protect the springs against total collapse by rollers when such are disposed in said pockets, said outer, inner and intermediate corner blocks respectively being aligned with said outer, inner and intermediate arcuate end segments and each of said corner blocks having no greater radial thickness than the arcuate end segment with which it is aligned to facilitate the molding thereof in a two-part mold without separate mold inserts, and each of said cross bars having an outer ledge aligned with said outer arcuate end segments and having no greater radial thickness than the outer arcuate end segment with which it is aligned for retaining a spring thereon and facilitating the molding of the ledges in a two-part mold without mold inserts.

Claim 5

A roller clutch cage comprising a plurality of generally axial, circumferentially spaced cross bars having first and second axial end portions, a plurality of outer and inner arcuate end segments arranged in coplanar pairs alternately connecting said first and second axial end portions of adjacent cross bars, a plurality of intermediate arcuate end segments alternately connecting said first and second axial end portions of adjacent cross bars, said intermediate arcuate end segments having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of said outer arcuate end segments and an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said inner arcuate end segments and said coplanar pairs and said intermediate arcuate end segments being connected to opposite axial end portions of adjacent cross bars to facilitate the forming of generally rectangular roller receiving pockets in a two-part mold without separate mold inserts, a plurality of first, radially outwardly projecting ears integral with a number of said outer arcuate end segments connecting said first axial end portions, a plurality of second, radially outwardly projecting ears integral with a like number of said outer arcuate end segments connecting said second axial end portions, each of said first and second ears being located adjacent a cross bar and having an outboard and an inboard portion disposed radially outwardly of the cross bar, said outboard portions having a radial surface perpendicular to the axis of the cage and facing inboard for engaging an end surface of a cammed clutch race, said inboard portions having a generally axial surface perpendicular to the radial surfaces of the outboard portions and sloping radially inwardly toward the adjacent cross bar for engaging a recessed surface in a cammed clutch race, whereby said cage is adapted to axially retain a cammed clutch race and impart a balanced reaction force thereto, outer, inner and intermediate corner blocks respectively connected to said outer, inner and intermediate arcuate end segments and said cross bars whereby the cage is adapted to axially retain accordion-shaped springs when such are mounted on said cross bars and protect the springs against total collapse by rollers when such are disposed in said pockets, said outer, inner and intermediate corner blocks respectively being aligned with said outer, inner and intermediate arcuate end segments and each of said corner blocks having no greater radial thickness than the arcuate end segment with which it is aligned to facilitate the molding thereof in a two-part mold without separate mold inserts, and each of said cross bars having an outer ledge aligned with said outer arcuate end segments and having no greater radial thickness than the outer arcuate end segment with which it is aligned for retaining a spring thereon and facilitating the molding of the ledges in a two-part mold without mold inserts.

Claim 6

The roller clutch cage as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said cross bars has an inner ledge aligned with said inner arcuate end segments which inner ledge has a radial thickness no greater than that of the inner arcuate end segment with which it is aligned to facilitate the molding thereof in a two-part mold without separate mold inserts and wherein said outer and inner ledges are located on the sides of the cross bars opposite the sides connected to the corner blocks whereby said outer and inner ledges are adapted to cooperate in retaining rollers in a unit-handled subassembly with said cage.