Patent ID: 6412792
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: A63C

Abstract:
A mechanism for engaging a first rotating member and a second rotating member, said first rotating member being configured to rotate about a first rotational axis and said second rotating member being configured to rotate about a second rotational axis, said first and second rotating members each having a peripheral surface, and said first rotational axis being spaced apart from and substantially parallel to said second rotational axis, said mechanism configured for engaging said first rotating member along said peripheral surface of said first rotating member and for engaging said second rotating member along said peripheral surface of said second rotating member, said mechanism comprising:an engaging assembly having a central axis passing through said engaging assembly, said engaging assembly defining a braking member engaging portion, and said engaging assembly further including a peripheral rotating member engaging surface encircling said central axis, said peripheral rotating member engaging surface having a diameter greater than a minimum distance between the peripheries of said first and second rotating members, said rotating member engaging surface being adapted to frictionally engage the peripheries of said first and second rotating members when said first rotating member is rotating and when said second rotating member is substantially at rest so that when said engaging assembly engages said first and second rotating members, said first rotating member rotates said engaging assembly, and said engaging assembly, in turn, rotates said second rotating member; a mounting apparatus for mounting said engaging assembly so that said engaging assembly is adjacent said peripheries of said first and second rotating members and so that said engaging assembly is free to move a limited distance toward or away from said first and second rotating members while said central axis is maintained generally parallel to said rotational axes of said first and second rotating members; an actuation member, adjacent said engaging assembly, for selectively forcing said engaging assembly toward said first and second rotating members; and a braking member, adjacent said engaging assembly, for applying a braking force to said braking member engaging portion of said engaging assembly so that said engaging assembly retards the rotation of said first rotating member after said actuation member forces said engaging assembly toward said first and second rotating members.