Patent ID: 6589121
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A torque coupler for coupling rotatable inner and outer parts, the coupler comprising:an inner and outer slip section that can slip relative to each other in one direction only; wherein the inner and outer slip sections are flat and of equal thickness for the purpose of stacking said sections to increase the torque carrying capability of the coupler; wherein an inner slip section connected to the inner rotatable part to rotate with the inner part when the inner part is rotating, the inner slip section having an outer circumferential surface disposed around the inner part, the outer surface having a predetermined number of detents formed therein; and an outer slip section connected to the outer rotatable part to rotate with the outer part when the outer part is rotating, and seated against the inner slip section with an inner surface of the outer slip section in contact with the outer surface of the inner slip section; wherein the inner surface of the outer slip section has a pre-deternined number of spring-loaded teeth which are biased for engaging detents in the outer surface of the inner slip section to lock the inner slip section and the outer slip section and transfer an applied torque between the inner and outer parts; wherein the outer surface of the inner part has a pre-determined number of detents which are generally asymmetrical V-shaped profile formed by a stop surface and a cam surface having to be angled to allow cooperation only with the tip and bottom surface of the teeth on the outer slip section; wherein the stop surface of the V-shaped profile prevents the outer slip section from rotating in both directions relative to the inner slip section; and wherein outer slip section has keys on its outer perimeter to permit imbedding said outer slip section into outer rotatable part and wherein inner slip section has keys on its inner perimeter to permit imbedding said inner slip section into inner rotatable part.