Patent ID: 6116579
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: B62D,B66D,F16D,Y10S

Abstract:
A cam assembly having a predetermined maximum operating torque, comprising:a cam member having a cavity defined by a side wall having an inner peripheral surface and a floor having an aperture therethrough, wherein said inner peripheral surface includes at least one cutout portion extending radially outwardly from said inner peripheral surface;a plurality of springs disposed within said cavity, each of said springs including at least one connection end member, a body portion and at least one detent extending outwardly from said body portion, wherein each of said detents has an apex that selectively extends into one of said cutout portions in said cavity to operatively connect each of said springs to said cam member; anda rotatable input shaft extending through said aperture in said cam member, said input shaft having at least one opening therein, wherein said connection end members are receivable in said opening to operatively connect said springs to said input shaft; andwherein an operating torque applied to said input shaft rotates said it, causing said cam member to rotate when said operating torque is less than or substantially equal to said predetermined maximum operating torque, said detents of said each spring deforming when said operating torque exceeds said predetermined maximum operating torque such that said apex of each of said detents disengages from said cutout portion of said cam member when said input shaft rotates said spring, thereby limiting the operating torque of said input shaft to said predetermined maximum operating torque.