Patent ID: 9121454
Filing Date: 2015-09-01
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. A locking member for controllably transmitting torque between first and second coupling members of a coupling assembly, the first coupling member including a coupling face having a pocket which is sized and shaped to receive and nominally retain the locking member, the locking member comprising: a member-engaging first end surface; a member-engaging second end surface; an elongated main body portion between the end surfaces; and projecting inner and outer pivots which extend laterally from the main body portion for enabling pivotal motion of the locking member about a pivot axis which intersects the pivots, the end surfaces of the locking member being movable between engaged and disengaged positions with respect to the coupling members during the pivotal motion whereby one-way torque transfer may occur between the coupling members and wherein the pivots are sized, shaped and located with respect to the main body portion to allow frictional engagement of an end surface of the outer pivot with an outer wall of the pocket to occur near the pivot axis during rotation of the first coupling member and the retained locking member above a predetermined RPM thereby reducing overall moment on the locking member about the pivot axis that has to be overcome to move the locking member between the engaged and disengaged positions wherein the inner pivot is notched to allow frictional engagement of a side surface of the notched inner pivot with an inner wall of the pocket and to prevent rotation of the locking member in the pocket .