192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Axially engaging
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-15
2001-05-15
Bonck, Rodney H (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Axially engaging
C192S069000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230864
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a clutch mechanism for engaging a drive shaft to a drive sprocket. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a clutch mechanism which allows disengagement of a drive pulley, hub, and the like, through a sliding action.
(b) Discussion of Known Art
Various clutch mechanisms have been developed, each including physical features that offer advantages for the particular application. Known clutch mechanisms fixedly attach components of the clutch mechanism directly to the drive shaft. The attachment of the clutch components to the drive shaft is typically carried out by providing a flattened section on the drive shaft. One of the clutch's components is then fastened to the drive shaft by means of a set-screw, key, or the like. For example, it is known that a friction plate and fly-wheel combination may be attached to the drive shaft by way of a key. The key or other attachment transmits torque, primarily as a shear force, from the drive shaft on through to the clutch components. The friction plate and fly wheel will then cooperate with an opposing friction plate to transmit power to a driven shaft.
Thus, known clutch mechanisms achieve the selectable engagement result by adding components which fixedly connect to the drive shaft, and thus require additional components that complicate the mounting and actuation of the clutch mechanism. These additional components make proper installation of the clutch mechanism difficult. Difficulties associated with the installation in turn lead to operational difficulties and power transfer inefficiencies.
This approach to the construction of clutch mechanisms has significant disadvantages in that the attachment of a clutch component to the drive shaft requires the provision and alignment of a mating element in the driven shaft. The mounting of mating elements on a pair of shafts involves precision machining or skilled labor for proper alignment and operation. Additionally, the stacking of several components in series can lead to serious problems with mounting space, necessitating the use of parallel gearing or mounting mechanisms to reduce the overall length of the installation. For example, in the mechanisms discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,887 to Fellows et al. Illustrates the use of a parallel shaft attached to reducing gears which eventually lead to an output shaft.
A known clutch or selectively connectable coupling is shown in
FIG. 3
of U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,327 to Fellows et al (“Fellows '327”). The mechanism shown in the Fellows '327 patent includes a a sliding gear with a splined aperture that is supported on a mating splined drive shaft. The gear can then be engaged or disengaged from succeeding drive train components by a movement of the gear over the splined shaft.
Other known publications teach mechanisms that are particularly useful in the selective engagement of drive mechanisms for overhead garage doors. These publications include U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,403 to Angelini et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,910 to Iha, U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,830 to Lee et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,141 to Miller, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,718 to Wikkerink. A review of these publications reveals a need for a simple selective engagement mechanism for the drive mechanism on systems such as garage door drive systems. Importantly, there remains a need for a selective engagement mechanism that can be attached to the drive system of a wide variety of drive mechanisms, the engagement mechanism cooperating with the output shaft of drive mechanism.
Furthermore, there remains a need for simple selective engagement mechanism that can be activated by a variety of linear, rotary, or leverage devices.
Still further, there remains a need for a selective engagement or clutch mechanism that eliminates components, such as a drive shaft attachment, while still maintaining the function of selective engagement.
SUMMARY
It has been discovered that the problems left unanswered by known art can be solved by providing a selective engagement mechanism or clutch which includes:
a support housing; and
a hub which is slidably supported by the housing.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the housing is simply a support that holds the hub over a drive shaft and permits the hub to slide along the drive shaft from an engagement, or driving, position to a disengagement position. The engagement of the shaft and hub will be carried out by a friction or shear force transmitting element. In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention the friction or shear force transmitting element includes a protrusion on the hub which mates with a recess of the type commonly found on the drive shaft.
Thus, it will be appreciated that an important feature of the instant invention is the use of the housing to provide sliding support to the hub at a desired position relative to the drive shaft. The use of the housing as the support for the hub allows mounting of the hub on a variety drive mechanisms which include an output shaft. For example, in garage door opening mechanisms many manufacturers provide drive systems which include a drive motor, reducing gears, and actuation systems. The drive system will typically include an enclosure which allows mounting of the drive system on a wall, overhead support, or other structure, and includes an opening from which extends a drive shaft. The drive shaft will include a flat portion or recess which has customarily been used to fixedly mount a drive pulley, gear, or the like.
It has been discovered that by providing a clutch mechanism that avoids the need to fixedly attach one of the clutch components to the driving or power shaft, and particularly to a spindle, one produces a new and useful clutch mechanism that eliminates elements of known clutch mechanisms, while maintaining the functions of known clutch mechanisms.
Additionally, important new and useful synergistic results have been produced by providing a clutch mechanism that cooperates directly with the output shaft of a drive system. The disclosed mechanism allows the user to mount the instant invention directly over, or against, the enclosure or surface which surrounds the output shaft. This allows proper positioning and installation of the disclosed mechanism by relatively unskilled workers.
It should also be understood that while the above and other advantages and results of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, showing the contemplated novel construction, combinations and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it should be clearly understood that changes in the precise embodiments of the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.
REFERENCES:
patent: 456827 (1891-07-01), Johnson
patent: 796205 (1905-08-01), Graham et al.
patent: 2010796 (1935-08-01), Bourque
patent: 2684741 (1954-07-01), Gregory
patent: 2761299 (1956-09-01), Huddle
patent: 3220718 (1965-11-01), Wikkerink
patent: 3504776 (1970-04-01), Misenti
patent: 3643642 (1972-02-01), Junes
patent: 3701404 (1972-10-01), Cassell
patent: 3722141 (1973-03-01), Miller
patent: 4161242 (1979-07-01), Moores et al.
patent: 4472910 (1984-09-01), Iha
patent: 4553652 (1985-11-01), Fallos
patent: 4605108 (1986-08-01), Monot
patent: 4832184 (1989-05-01), DeGood
patent: 4869354 (1989-09-01), Brazier
patent: 5048653 (1991-09-01), Fellows
patent: 5070982 (1991-12-01), Pitchford
patent: 5222327 (1993-06-01), Fellows et al.
patent: 5307965 (1994-05-01), Worrel
patent: 5581939 (1996-12-01), Regan et al.
Bonck Rodney H
Crabtree Edwin H.
Pizarro Ramon L.
LandOfFree
Clutch mechanism does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Clutch mechanism, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Clutch mechanism will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2542850