Patent ID: 6394248
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: F16D,F16H

Abstract:
An over-running clutch pulley for mounting to a rotational input shaft of a device, said clutch pulley being driven by a rotational input member adapted to cause rotation of said clutch pulley, said clutch pulley comprising:a first hub having a cylindrical extension defining a first inner surface of a first diameter; a sheave having a first portion to engage the input member and cause rotation of said sheave, said sheave including a second inner surface having a diameter substantially the same as said first inner surface and being coaxial therewith, said first and second inner surfaces being located adjacent to one another and cooperating to define a composite inner surface; a bearing located between said sheave and at least one of said first hub and permitting relative rotation therebetween; a spring having a free standing outer diameter greater than said first diameter, said spring frictionally engaging said composite inner surface such that said spring is retained in engagement therewith by a radially outward normal force inherently exerted by said spring, said spring oriented in a direction such that positive driving of said sheave relative to said first hub causes an increased outward normal force to be exerted against said composite inner surface whereby said sheave and said first hub are prevented from rotating relative to one another and torque is transferred from said input member to said first hub, said orientation of said spring also being such that deceleration of said sheave relative to said hub causes a decreased outward normal force to be exerted by said spring on said composite inner surface thereby permitting said sheave and said first hub to rotate relative to one another and allowing said first hub to overrun said sheave; and a second hub having a portion defining a bore of a diameter to receive the input shaft and mount thereon, said second hub being moveably coupled to said first hub for limited relative rotation therebetween; and a resilient member mounted between said first hub and said second hub, said resilient member providing a force in opposition to relative movement between said first hub and said second hub.