Patent ID: 6055888
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A reversible bearing clutch device comprising:a) a primary body;b) a secondary body rotatably coupled to the primary body; andc) engaging means coupled between the primary and secondary bodies for (i) fixedly engaging the primary and secondary bodies in a first fixed relationship with the primary body in a first relative position, responsive to rotational movement of the primary body in a first rotational direction, (ii) disengaging the primary and secondary bodies, responsive to an amount of rotational movement of the primary body in a second rotational direction, and (iii) fixedly re-engaging the primary and secondary bodies in a second fixed relationship with the primary body in a second relative position, responsive to rotational movement of the primary body in the first rotational direction and regardless of the amount of rotational movement of the primary body in the second rotational direction;d) wherein the engagement means comprises:1) a primary wall formed on the primary body;2) a secondary wall formed on the secondary body generally opposing the primary wall, wherein the primary and secondary walls form at least two tapering spaces therebetween defining a first space and a second space, the spaces tapering in opposing directions;3) at least two bearings each disposed in one of the at least two tapering spaces defining a first bearing and a second bearing, the bearings being positioned and dimensioned to cause the first bearing to bind between the primary and secondary walls in the first space as the primary body rotates relative to the secondary body in a first rotational direction, and the second bearing to bind between the primary and secondary walls in the second space as the primary body rotates relative to the secondary body in a second rotational direction;e) displacement means for selectively displacing one of the bearings to prevent the displaced bearing from binding, such that displacement of the first bearing from the first tapering space allows the primary body to rotate independently with respect to the secondary body in the second rotational direction, and such that displacement of the second bearing from the second tapering space allows the primary body to rotate independently with respect to the secondary body in the first rotational direction; andf) wherein the displacement means comprises:1) a pivot member pivotally coupled to the primary body; and2) at least one pin formed on the pivot member and extending between the first bearing and the second bearing to engage and dislodge the bearings, such that pivoting the pivot member in a first pivot direction causes the pin to contact and dislodge the second bearing, and such that pivoting the pivot member in a second pivot direction causes the pin to contact and dislodge the first bearing.