Patent ID: 7130571
Filing Date: 2006-10-31
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A variable torque device comprising: a housing terminated at one end with a first transverse plate and at the opposite end with a second transverse plate; a threaded axial shaft terminated at one end with a hub and at the opposite end with a non-threaded section, said hub rotatably connected to said first transverse plate and said non-threaded section rotatably connected to said second transverse plate; a plurality of friction members, positioned transversely on said hub in sliding contact with one another, cooperating within said housing so as to be free to move in an axial direction; a threaded hub member on said threaded axial shaft and cooperating with said housing so as to be constrained from rotating, but free to move in an axial direction in response to rotation of said threaded shaft; and a force-generating urging member positioned axially between said threaded hub member and said plurality of friction members such that the amount of force generated by said urging member varies as said threaded hub member moves axially in response to rotation of said threaded axial shaft, thereby varying the torque applied to said threaded axial shaft due to the varying frictional force between individual members of said plurality of friction members.