GB592761A - Improvements in or relating to rotary power-transmitting devices - Google Patents

Abstract

592,761. Variable-speed ratchet gearing; ratchet clutches. SMITH, R. March 6, 1945, No. 5601. [Class 80(ii)] In a mechanism which may be used as a variable-speed ratchet gear or a ratchet clutch, parallel facing driving and driven discs are connected by members which are slidable in radial undercut grooves in one disc and carry rotatably mounted one-way gripping heads projecting into an annular or other endless groove in the other disc. If the discs are mutually laterally fixed, the mechanism functions as a ratchet clutch, and if they are relatively laterally displaceable it functions as a variable-speed ratchet gear. As shown, a face plate 11, Fig. 4, drivingly connected to a shaft 13 carries in radial T-shaped grooves 16, Fig. 3, sliders 17 having projecting heads 15 engaging an annular groove 23 in the face of a coupling plate 20 drivingly connected to a second shaft 21. Each head 15, Fig. 5, having a pin connection 18 with its slider 17, possesses arcuate upper and lower surfaces fitting the groove 23 and one or more (three are shown) one-way jamming rollers 29 inset in one or both of these surfaces, these rollers being urged by springs 33 into contact with the groove 23. The grooves 16 may extend only part way across the plate 11 as shown, or may be diametrical with or without a central gap.