Patent ID: 6516929
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: E05B,F16D

Abstract:
A self-releasing clutch assembly (11) comprising;an input drive mechanism (12), an output drive mechanism (14) selectively engaged with said input device mechanism, a first actuator (42) mounted to said input drive mechanism (12), a second actuator (44) mounted to said out drive mechanism (14) and moveable relative to said first actuator (42), and a plurality of couplers (50) interdisposed between said first and second actuators (42,44) and moveable between a disengaged position with said couplers (50) resting against one of said first and second actuators and allowing the other of said first and second actuators to rotate relative thereto and an engaged position with said couplers interlocking said first and second actuators for relative concurrent movement, one of said first and second actuators including a plurality of driving surfaces (43) and said other actuator including a plurality of abutments (48), said driving surfaces (43) selectively moving said couplers (50) from said disengaged position to said engaged position in response to movement by said input drive mechanism (12) and said abutments (48) locking said couplers (50) between said first and second actuators to couple said input drive mechanism with said output drive mechanism thereby transferring said movement of said input drive mechanism to said output drive mechanism, said clutch assembly characterized by a coiled spring (54) encircling said couplers (50), said coiled spring having at least two ends extending in a substantially orthogonal direction toward said couplers (50) for continuously biasing said couplers into said disengaged position with said couplers resting against said one of said first and second actuators such that said coiled spring automatically disengages said couplers from said abutments when said movement of said input drive mechanism ceases.