Patent ID: 6736766
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A stepless, ratchet action, rotational drive device that provides both variable levels of adjustable rotational resistance and also selective direction in which the resistance acts, comprising:a first rotatable member having a body including an exposed face, an opposed internal face, a shaft projecting from said internal face, a first ramp element disposed upon said internal face, wherein said first ramp element has a plurality of ramps formed thereon, and a first engagement member disposed upon said body of said first rotatable member; a second ramp element rotatably supported on said shaft, bearing an internal face facing away from said first rotatable member and an external face bearing a plurality of ramps formed thereon, wherein said ramps of said second ramp element face said ramps of said first ramp element; a second rotatable member constrained to rotate about said shaft, having a body including an external face, an internal face facing said internal face of said first rotatable member, and a second engagement member disposed upon said body of said second rotatable member; an anti-friction bearing disposed between said internal face of said second ramp element and said second rotatable member; a clutch disposed to couple said first rotatable member selectively to said second rotatable member such that resistance forces are established between said first rotatable member and said second rotatable member selectively when said first rotatable member is rotated in a first direction relative to said second rotatable member, and when said first rotatable member is rotated in an opposed second direction relative to said second rotatable member; and a retainer disposed to retain said second rotatable member on said shaft of said first rotatable member.