GB343078A - Improvements in or relating to freewheel clutches - Google Patents

Abstract

343,078. Free-wheel clutches. SWALES, E. W. and RUDGE-WHITWORTH, Ltd., Rudge Works, Crow Lane, Coventry. Nov. 13, 1929, No. 34622. [Class 80 (ii).] In cycle and like free-wheels, the sprocket &c. a is provided with face ratchet teeth g formed by impressing an annular projection g<1> with dies &c. In the pressureoperation, the points of the teeth g are left sharp, the displaced material being spread laterally at the roots. The sprocket is preferably formed of thin sheet material and runs between separate side members on a single ring of balls c with or without a cage or distance-pieces. One side member h contains inclined pockets i for crescent-shaped pawls j bearing on a plate-spring k, the other side member n screwing on a reduced part h<3> of an extension h<1> of the side member h, this extension h<1> being provided with a ball race h<2>. The mechanism is enclosed by a flange on the member n projecting into a groove e in the sprocket and a cover l projecting into a groove f and clamped between the part h and a collar m on the hub. The ball race may alternatively be formed by a coned part on the extension h<1> and a complementary coned ring held in place by the member n. In another modification, the ball bearing is omitted and the sprocket runs on a plain bush located by the member n. Sliding or springless rocking pawls may be used, and pawls and ratchet teeth may be provided on both sides of the sprocket, in which case all the pawls need not engage simultaneously. The Provisional Specification describes an inversion in which the pawls are carried by the sprocket; where ratchet teeth are provided on both side members, the pawls may project to each side alternately.