Patent ID: 7163097
Filing Date: 2007-01-16
Classification: E05F,E05Y,F16D

Abstract:
1. A clutch assembly for a motor having an armature shaft and a worm shaft having a worm constructed and arranged to engage a gear, the clutch assembly comprising: a clutch housing including a race surface, a cam coupled to the worm shaft, follower structure operatively associated with the cam, a clutch plate, and a clutch coupler associated with the clutch plate, the cam, and the follower structure, the coupler being coupled to the armature shaft for rotation therewith, such that rotation of the coupler rotates the clutch plate, the cam and follower structure, and thus the worm shaft, whereby during a back drive condition of the motor, when torque is transmitted to the worm shaft and thus to the cam, the cam is constructed and arranged to cause the follower structure to contact and exert pressure on the race surface thereby preventing rotation of the worm shaft, wherein the coupler includes a pair of engagement members disposed in spaced relation with the cam there-between, each engagement member having a pair of side surfaces and a pair of top surfaces, with the top surfaces meeting to define an apex.