Patent ID: 6050645
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
A clutching mechanism adapted for pivotably mounting a first member relative to a second member, the clutching mechanism comprising:an axis of rotation;a first member with the axis of rotation passing therethrough;a second member pivotably mounted relative to the first member for relative rotation therebetween about the axis of rotation;a shaft fixed to the first member and centered on the axis of rotation;a coil spring clutching member having a helically wound body wrapped around the shaft;a first end of the spring clutching member extending radially outwardly from the body to engage the second member;a second end of the spring clutching member extending radially outwardly from the body;a cam plate fixed relative to the shaft and disposed adjacent the second member; anda clutch engagement member being slidably disposed relative to the second member and receiving the second end of the spring clutching member and being biased relative to the second member in a first rotative direction to a clutch engaged position by the spring clutching member and being selectively displaceable in a second rotative direction to a clutch released position responsive to engagement of the clutch engagement member with the cam plate wherein when the clutch engagement member is in the clutch engaged position the coil spring clutching member is a one-way clutch preventing relative rotation in a first direction in any one of an infinite number of in-use positions while enabling rotation in a second direction and when the clutch engagement member is in the clutch released position the coil spring clutching member enables rotation in both directions.