Patent ID: 6655515
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A modular, bi-directional wheel clutch unit adapted to be assembled to the driving axle of a walk-behind machine, said unit comprising:a rotatable wheel-driving hub including a casing portion; a clutch cage disposed in said casing portion and surrounded thereby, said clutch cage having a plurality of circumferentially-distributed openings; a rotatably driven cam element disposed in said casing portion and surrounded by said clutch cage, said cam element having a plurality of discrete surfaces thereon; and a plurality of rollers rotatably disposed within said casing portion and within said clutch cage openings, said rollers located between said casing portion and said cam element discrete surfaces, said rollers having an engaged position wherein said cam element and said hub are in binding engagement through said rollers and said hub is rotatably driven by said cam element, and a disengaged position wherein said hub is freely rotatable relative to said cam element; wherein said wheel clutch unit is modular and self-contained, said unit being selectively attachable and detachable as a unit to and from said driving axle of said walk-behind machine.