Patent ID: 6227337
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: B60T,F16D

Abstract:
A clutch for use in selectively restricting rotation of a rotatable member that rotates within a rotational plane and about an axis of rotation, the rotatable member including an annular engagement surface circumscribing the axis of rotation, the clutch comprising:(a) a housing having defined thereon a convergent surface opposing the annular surface of the rotatable member and separated therefrom by a gap that decreases between first and second positions within the rotational plane of the rotatable member;(b) a roller disposed within the gap between the convergent and annular surfaces, the roller configured to rotate about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member, and the roller having a diameter that is less than the gap between the convergent and annular surfaces proximate the first position, but is greater than or equal to the gap between the convergent and annular surfaces proximate the second position;(c) a biasing mechanism coupled to the roller and configured to bias the roller toward the second position to wedge the roller between the convergent and annular surfaces and thereby restrict rotation of the rotatable member; and(d) a release mechanism coupled to the roller and configured to selectively oppose the biasing mechanism to bias the roller toward the first position and permit rotation of the rotatable member, the release mechanism including a wedge movable radially with respect to the rotatable member between a disengaged position and an engaged position proximate the roller.