GB892226A - Improvements in free-wheel mechanisms - Google Patents

Abstract

892,226. Ratchet gearing. SOC. BERTIN & CIE. Jan. 16, 1959 [Jan. 22, 1958], No. 1751/59. Class 80 (3). Ratchet gearing comprises a driving oscillating crank-arm 6 fast with a tube 1 surrounding a clutch coil formed by three helical springs 11, 12, 13 secured by equiangularlyspaced pegs 18 to a driven rotary shaft 2, the other ends of the three springs engaging lightly with the inner wall of the driving tube 1 so that, in one direction of relative rotation between the driving arm 6 and the driven shaft 10, the clutch springs are expanded radially into firm gripping engagement with the tube 1 and drive is transmitted therefrom to the shaft 2. Alternatively, the clutch springs 11, 12, 13 may be arranged to surround and grip a driven shaft. In the form shown, the ends of the clutch springs 11 ... 13 are each engaged by the radiallyprojecting ends 23 of three coiled springs 19 ... 21 secured to an inner tube 16 bolted to the driven shaft 2, the coiled springs 19 ... 21 biasing the clutch springs 11 ... 13 to unwind and accordingly engage the inner wall of the drive tube 1. In one modification, Fig. 2 (not shown), the coiled bias springs 19 ... 21 are replaced by pre-tensioned torsion rods having outwardly-projecting lugs engaging the clutch springs 11 ... 13, and in another modification, Fig. 4 (also not shown), a ring-shaped spring lying within the free-ends of the clutch springs 11 ... 13 biases the clutch springs into engagement with the drive tube 1. The tube 16 supporting the bias springs 19 ... 21 is secured to the driven shaft 2 by a bolt 51 and a nut 50, tightening the nut forcing the tube rightwards so that its coned end 15 is wedged into an internally coned sleeve 14 accordingly expanded into gripping engagement with the coils of the clutch springs 11 ... 13. A pump 30 supplies lubricating oil through passages 31 to lubricate the clutch coils and the bearings, and also to a sump 5.