One-way clutch and application therefor

A number of embodiments of one-way clutches and applications therefor. In all embodiments, the one-way clutch is comprised of an outer member that is formed from a first portion that defines caging recesses for receiving the wedging members of the clutch and a second portion that forms the wedging surfaces with which the wedging members cooperate. the first portion is formed from a lighter weight, lower tensile strength material than the second portion so as to reduce the weight of the overall assembly without sacrificing strength. In the various embodiments, the outer member is reinforced by a number of different elements of the associated device such as a gear, pulley, oil filter or generator element. In some embodiments, one or both of the portions of the outer member are formed from a plurality of identically configured pieces so as to facilitate manufacturing. In several embodiiments, the wedging surfaces are formed by a continuous flange of the respective portion so as to provide additional reinforcing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to an improved one-way clutch assembly and 
applications for such a clutch. 
It is well known to employ one-way clutches for a wide variety of uses. 
Such clutches are operative to provide a driving relationship between a 
first member and a second member and yet permit the second member to 
overrun the first member under certain conditions. For example, such a 
one-way clutch may be utilized in conjunction with the starting mechanism 
of an internal combustion engine. The one-way clutch provides a driving 
connection between the starter motor and the engine output shaft for 
rotating the engine output shaft when the starter motor is operated to 
provide starting. However, once the engine starts and the starter motor is 
stopped, the one-way clutch permits the engine output shaft to be driven 
without driving the starting motor. 
It should be seen, therefore, that relatively large power must be 
transmitted through the one-way clutch. Normally the one-way clutch 
includes an outer member in which recesses are formed that receive wedging 
members and which have wedging surfaces against which the wedging members 
react. An inner member is rotatable relative to the outer member and has 
its outer surface engaged by the wedging members so as to provide a 
driving relationship between them. However, the wedging members are 
permitted to move away from the wedging surface of the outer member to 
permit overrunning. It should be readily apparent that the outer member 
must be formed from a very strong material to resist the large tensile 
forces exerted upon its wedging surfaces. Because of this, one-way 
clutches of the type heretofore utilized have been quite heavy. 
Recently, it has been proposed to form the outer member from a two-piece 
construction with one of these pieces being formed from a lighter weight, 
less strong material and which defines only the recesses in which the 
wedging members are received. A second, considerably stronger element, is 
fixed relative to the first member and has projections that extend into 
the recesses and which form the actual wedging surfaces. In this way, the 
weight can be reduced significantly without sacrificing the strength of 
the unit. 
It is a first object of this invention to provide an improved one-way 
clutch of the aforenoted type wherein a further weight reduction is 
possible. 
It is another object of this invention to provide an improved arrangement 
for reinforcing the member forming the wedging surfaces through its 
attachment to another related element so as to further reduce the overall 
weight of the one-way clutch. 
It should be apparent from the foregoing description of the construction of 
a one-way clutch that it is a relatively complicated structure. The outer 
member must form recesses for receiving the wedging elements and also is 
required to form a reaction surface against which biasing means operate 
for biasing the wedging members into engagement with the related inner and 
outer member surfaces. As such, if the two elements of the outer member 
are formed as single pieces, the cost of manufacturing them can be quite 
significant. 
It is, therefore, a further object of this invention to provide an improved 
and simplified construction for a one-way clutch. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a one-way clutch 
arrangement that may be conveniently and inexpensively manufactured. 
It should be apparent that the amount of power that may be transmitted 
through a one-way clutch is dependent upon the surface area of contact 
between the wedging members and the corresponding surfaces which they 
engage. In a given physical location, however, there is a practical limit 
to the amount of surface area which is possible. 
It is, therefore, a further object of this invention to provide an improved 
one-way clutch that is compact and which is capable of transmitting larger 
amounts of power than prior art type of devices. 
In one-way clutches of the type having a composite outer member, i.e., one 
made up of a plurality of pieces from different materials, it has been the 
practice to provide the wedging surfaces by means of individual 
projections formed from the wedging element of the outer member. As a 
result, the individual wedging surfaces are subjected to bending loads and 
this further reduces the amount of power which can be transmitted. 
It is, therefore, a still further object of this invention to provide an 
improved high strength, composite one-way clutch. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
All of the features of the invention are employed in a one-way clutch that 
is comprised of an inner member having an outer surface, an outer member 
rotatable relative to the inner member and defining caging recesses formed 
in part by wedging surfaces that face the inner member outer surface. A 
plurality of wedging members are each supported within a respective one of 
the recesses and between the inner member outer surface and the outer 
member wedging surfaces for establishing a coupling between the inner and 
outer members for simultaneous rotation. 
In accordance with one feature of the invention, the outer member is formed 
by a first portion that defines the recesses but not the wedging surfaces 
and a second portion fixed relative to the first portion and defining the 
wedging surfaces. The first portion is formed from a lighter weight 
material having less tensile strength than the second portion. The second 
portion has a planar part from which projections forming the wedging 
surfaces extend. A more rigid member is affixed to and reinforces the 
planar part. 
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the outer member is 
also formed by a first portion that defines the recesses but not the 
wedging surfaces and a second portion that is fixed relative to the first 
portion and which defines the wedging surfaces. The first portion is 
formed from a lighter weight material and has less tensile strength than 
the second portion. In accordance with this feature, one of the portions 
is formed from a plurality of discrete parts that are fixed to the other 
portion. 
In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the outer member 
is also formed by a first portion that defines the recesses but not the 
wedging surfaces and a second portion that is fixed relative to the first 
portion and which defines the wedging surfaces. The first portion is 
formed from a lighter weight material having less tensile strength than 
the second portion. In accordance with this feature of the invention, 
pairs of axially spaced wedging members are received within the recesses 
and are engaged with the same wedging surface of the second portion. 
In accordance with still another feature of the invention, the outer member 
is also formed by a first portion that defines the recesses but not the 
wedging surfaces and a second portion that is fixed relative to the first 
portion and which defines the wedging surfaces. The first portion is 
formed from a lighter weight material having less tensile strength than 
the second portion. In accordance with this feature of the invention, the 
second portion has a planar part that extends generally perpendicularly to 
the axis of rotation and an inturned continuous flange forming the wedging 
surfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 and initially to FIG. 1, a typical 
environment is illustrated in which a one-way clutch constructed in 
accordance with any one of the embodiments of the invention can be 
employed. An off the road vehicle, which is such an environment, is 
identified generally by the reference numeral 41. The vehicle 41 includes 
a frame assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 42 that 
includes a head pipe 43 which journals a front fork 44. A front wheel 
carrying a balloon tire 45 is carried by the front fork 44 and may be 
steered by means of a handlebar assembly 46 in a known manner. 
A pair of rear wheels carrying balloon tires 47 are supported at the rear 
end of the frame 42 and are powered by a power unit, indicated generally 
by the reference numeral 48. The power unit 48 will be described in more 
detail to reference to FIG. 2. 
A seat 49 is carried by the frame 42 rearwardly of a fuel tank 51 which is, 
in turn, supported by the frame adjacent the head pipe 43. The vehicle 42 
is of the type that is designed primarily to be ridden by a single rider. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, the power unit 48 is comprised of an internal 
combustion engine, indicated generally by the reference numeral 52. The 
engine 52 drives an output shaft 53 which is, in the illustrated 
embodiment, a crankshaft. The crankshaft 53 is rotatably journaled within 
a combined crankcase transmission casing 54 and drives a change speed 
transmission through a centrifugal clutch and a manually operated multiple 
disk clutch. Since the transmission assembly forms no part of the 
invention, it has not been illustrated nor will it be described in detail. 
A combined starter generator housing, indicated generally by the reference 
numeral 55, is affixed to one side of the engine 52. The housing 55 
includes, among other things, an electric starter mechanism, indicated 
generally by the reference numeral 56 and which includes a one-way clutch 
57 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In 
addition, there is provided a magneto generator including an outer, 
generally cup-shaped member 58 that carries a plurality of permanent 
magnets 59 that cooperate with a stationary winding (not shown) for 
generating power and for providing electricity for firing the ignition 
system of the engine 52. 
A pull type starter mechanism, indicated generally by the reference numeral 
61, is mounted at the outer end of the housing 55 for emergency pull 
starting of the engine 52. 
Referring now primarily to FIGS. 3 through 5, the starter mechanism 56 
includes a gear 62 that is driven by a driving gear (not shown) of an 
electric starter motor. The gear 62 is affixed for rotation with an inner 
member 63 of the one-way clutch 57 in a suitable manner. The inner member 
63 is rotatably journaled on the crankshaft 53 by means of a plain bearing 
64. The inner member 63 has a cylindrical outer surface. 
The one-way clutch 57 further includes an outer member, indicated generally 
by the reference numeral 65, which is of a composite construction and 
consists of a first, caging element 66 that is formed from a light weight 
material having relatively low tensile strength such as a molded plastic 
or sintered metal. The caging element 66 has a partially cylindrical inner 
surface 67 that is spaced radially outwardly from the cylindrical outer 
surface of the inner member 63. The caging element 66 is formed with a 
plurality of recesses 68. 
Wedging members 69 are received within the recesses 68. The wedging members 
69 are contained between the outer surface of the inner members 63 and 
wedging surfaces 71 formed by projecting 72 of a wedging element, 
indicated generally by the reference numeral 73. The wedging element 73 is 
formed from a high strength, higher weight material than the caging 
element 66. However, since the wedging element 73 need not form the 
recesses 68, the clutch assembly and specifically the outer member 65 can 
be of a lighter weight than were a single piece construction employed. 
The projections 72 extend from a generally cylindrical part of the wedging 
element 73 and this cylindrical part is formed with a hub portion 74. This 
hub portion 74 is affixed for rotation with the crankshaft 53 by means of 
a key 75. 
It should be noted that the area where the projections 72 meet the 
cylindrical portion of the wedging element 73, they are formed with a 
fillet 76 so as to provide clearance for the mating corner of the wedging 
member 69. 
The caging element 66 is provided with a plurality of generally cylindrical 
recesses 77 that intersect the recesses 69. Plungers 78 are received and 
slidably supported in the recesses 77 and are urged into engagement with 
the wedging members 69 by coil compression springs 79. As a result, the 
wedging members 69 will be urged into engagement with the wedging surfaces 
71 and, accordingly, into the outer surface of the inner member 63. 
The wedging element 73 and caging element 66 are secured together by means 
of a plurality of threaded fasteners 81. In addition, the outer member 65 
comprised of these two elements is affixed to the cup-shaped member 58 of 
the magneto generator by the screws 81. A plurality of rivets 82 are 
employed for staking the wedging element 75 to the cup-shaped member 58 so 
as to reinforce it and thus permits the clutch per se to be lighter in 
weight. 
In this embodiment, when the starter gear 62 is rotated in a 
counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 4, the wedging members 69 will 
be cammed into engagement with the wedging surfaces 71 by the rotation of 
the inner members 63 and the action of the plungers 78 so as to rotatably 
drive the outer member 65 and, accordingly, the crankshaft 53. Once the 
crankshaft 53 is driven by the engine's running, however, the rotation of 
the gear 62 may be stopped and the outer member 65 will overrun the inner 
member 63, as is believed to be well known to those versed in this art. 
A one-way clutch constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the 
invention is shown in FIGS. 6 through 8 and is identified generally by the 
reference numeral 91. The one-way clutch 91 is similar in many regards to 
the embodiment of FIGS. 3 through 5. The main differences between this 
embodiment and the preceding embodiment relate to the construction of the 
wedging element and its association with a reinforcing member. For this 
reason, components which are the same or substantially the same as the 
preceding embodiment have been identified by the same reference numerals 
and will be described again only insofar as is necessary to understand the 
construction and operation of this embodiment. 
In this embodiment, a wedging element 92 of the outer member is formed from 
a plate-like material having a planar section 93 and may be formed from 
any suitable high tensile material such as sheet steel. Extending axially 
from the planar section 93 are a plurality of projections having inner 
surfaces 95 that form a wedging surfaces which cooperate with the wedging 
members 69 in the manner of the previously described embodiment. The area 
where the projections 94 join the section 93 is provided with fillets 76 
as in the previous embodiment so as to clear the wedging member 69. 
In this embodiment, the wedging element 92 is reinforced by means of an oil 
filter assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 96. The oil 
filter assembly 96 includes a base housing 87 that is affixed to the 
wedging element portion 93 and caging element 66 by means of the threaded 
fasteners 81. A cover plate 98 is affixed to the base 97 and the oil 
filter 96 receives oil through a passage (not shown) formed in the shaft 
which it surrounds. The oil and contaminants are then separated by the 
centrifugal force of rotation with the foreign particles being thrown to 
the outer surface of the base 97 and retained there while the cleaned oil 
may flow out through a suitable discharge passage (not shown). 
A one-way clutch constructed in accordance with still another embodiment of 
the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 and is identified generally 
by the reference numeral 101. The one-way clutch 101 is similar to the 
one-way clutch of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 through 5, however, in this 
embodiment, there is not reinforcing for the wedging element. However, in 
this embodiment, the caging element is formed with a plurality of 
outwardly extending fins 102 that will act as fan blades so as to direct a 
path of cooling air to some element of the engine to be cooled, for 
example, the magneto generator. In all other regards, this embodiment is 
the same as the previously described embodiments and, therefore, the 
components which are the same as those previously described or 
substantially the same have been indicated by the same reference numerals 
and will not be described again in detail. 
A one-way clutch constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the 
invention is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and is identified generally by the 
reference numeral 111. The one-way clutch 11 is substantially the same in 
construction as the embodiment of FIGS. 6 through 8. This embodiment 
differs from the previously described embodiment only in the element which 
is used for reinforcing the wedging element 92 and, for that reason, 
components which are the same as those of the embodiment of FIGS. 6 
through 8 have been identified by the same reference numerals and will not 
be described again in detail. 
In this embodiment, a sprocket, indicated generally by the reference number 
112, which is used for driving the timing chain of the camshaft of the 
engine, is used for the reinforcing member. The sprocket 112 is formed 
with a flange portion 113 that radiates from a planer portion 114 which 
is, in turn, affixed to the wedging element 93 by threaded fasteners 115 
so as to provide reinforcing. Teeth 116 extend from the flange portion 113 
so as to drive the timing chain (not shown) in a known manner. The 
arrangement may also cooperate to act as an oil filter as with the 
embodiments of FIGS. 6 through 8 and for this purpose a cover plate 98 is 
affixed to the sprocket hub 113. This embodiment otherwise operates as the 
previously described embodiments and, for that reason, a detailed 
description of its operation is not believed to be necessary. 
In the embodiments of the invention thus far described, the outer member of 
the one-way clutch has consisted of two pieces, the caging element and the 
wedging element, each of which performs a separate caging and wedging 
function thus permitting a lighter weight than the prior art type of 
construction. When both of these elements are formed as single pieces, the 
single piece may have a complicated configuration and further cost 
advantages may be realized by making at least one or both of these 
elements from multiple pieces. A one-way clutch constructed in accordance 
with such an arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 13 through 15 and is 
identified generally by the reference numeral 121. The one-way clutch 121 
is comprised of an inner member 122 that has a cylindrical outer surface 
and which forms the driving or input element to the one-way clutch as in 
certain of the previously described embodiments for selectively driving a 
shaft 123. 
An outer member, indicated generally by the reference numeral 124, is, like 
the previously described embodiments, made up of a wedging element and a 
caging element. In this embodiment, however, the caging element is 
comprised of a three piece construction having the pieces 125, 126 and 
127. The pieces 125, 126 and 127 are formed from a light weigh, low 
tensile strength material such as a molded plastic or a sintered metal. In 
addition, each of the pieces 125, 126 and 127 has an identical 
configuration so that they may all be formed in the same mold or die. 
Each piece 125, 126 and 127 is formed with a respective caging recess 128 
in which a respective wedging member 129 is positioned. A bore 131 
intersects each of the recesses 128 and slidably supports a plunger 132. 
The plungers 132 are urged into engagement with the respective wedging 
members 129 by means of coil compression springs 133 positioned in the 
bases of the recesses 131 and which act against the plungers 132. 
A wedging element 134, which may be formed from a suitable high tensile 
strength material such as sheet steel is provided with a planar section 
that is formed with cutouts or recesses 135 from which inwardly extending 
projections 136 are bent. Projections 136 extend in a generally axial 
direction and form wedging surfaces 137 against which the wedging elements 
129 are urged by the spring biased plungers 132. 
The intersection between the surfaces 137 and the planar portion of the 
wedging element 134 are formed with fillets 138 so as to clear the wedging 
members 129. 
The wedging element 134 is also provided with an internally splined opening 
139 so as to provide the non-rotatable connection with the shaft 123. 
The individual caging element pieces 125, 126 and 127 are non-rotatably 
aligned with the wedging element 134 by means of locating pins 141 that 
are received in bores 142 formed in the caging element pieces 125, 126 and 
corresponding bores 143 formed in the wedging element 134. In addition, 
threaded fasteners 144 serve to axially fix the pieces together. 
It is believed that the operation of this embodiment should be clear to 
those skilled in the art, particularly in view of the previous 
description. 
A one-way clutch constructed in accordance with a still further embodiment 
of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 16 through 18 and identified 
generally by the reference numeral 151. The one-way clutch 151 is 
substantially the same as the one-way clutch 121 of the embodiment of 
FIGS. 13 through 15 and, for that reason, components which are the same 
have been identified by the same reference numerals and will not be 
described again. The main difference between the embodiment of FIGS. 16 
through 18 and that of the embodiment of FIGS. 13 through 15 is in the 
construction of the wedging element 134 and its manner of attachment to 
the caging element pieces 125, 126 and 127. 
In this embodiment, in addition to the caging element 124 being formed from 
three pieces 125, 126 and 127, the wedging element 134 is also formed from 
three pieces 152, 153 and 154. Like the pieces 125, 126 and 127, the 
pieces 152, 153 and 154 are all of the same construction. The screws 144 
serve to hold the respective pieces 125, 152; 126, 153, and 127, 154 
together. In addition, all of these pieces are secured together in fixed 
circumferential relationship by means of a backing plate 155 which has a 
generally annular configuration and in which the splines 139 are formed. 
It should be noted that the pins 141 extend through bores 144 formed in 
the wedging member pieces 152, 153 and 154 and are received in blind bores 
156 formed in the backing plate 155 so as to provide circumferential 
alignment. 
The backing piece 155 is formed with bores 157 so as to permit access to 
the heads of the screws 144 for their tightening. In addition, threaded 
fasteners 158 secure the backing plate 155 to the wedging element pieces 
152, 153 and 154 so as to form a subassembly of them. In other regards, 
this embodiment is the same as those previously described and it is 
believed that its operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in 
the art. 
Referring now to FIGS. 19 through 21, a one-way clutch constructed in 
accordance with a still further embodiment of this invention is identified 
generally by the reference numeral 171. As with the preceding embodiments, 
the one-way clutch 171 is designed so as to permit a driving connection 
between an inner member 172 and a shaft 173 while permitting overrunning 
of the shaft 173 relative to the inner member 172. 
The one-way clutch 171 includes an outer member, indicated generally by the 
reference numeral 174 which is made up of caging element pieces 175, 176, 
and 177. The caging element pieces 175, 176 and 177 are formed from a 
light weight, low tensile strength material such as a molded plastic or a 
sintered metal and define respective caging recesses 178. It will be noted 
that the element pieces 175, 176 and 177 all have identical configurations 
and, therefore, may be formed as identical pieces so as to reduce the 
number of molds or dies which are required to form them. 
Caging members 179 are received within the recesses 178 and are engaged 
with a cylindrical outer surface of the inner member 172. Wedging 
elements, indicated generally by the reference numeral 181, are affixed, 
in a manner to be described, relative to the pieces of the caging element 
174 and have inwardly extending projections 182 that define wedging 
surfaces 183 that are engaged with the outer surfaces of the wedging 
members 179. The wedging element pieces 181 are formed from a higher 
tensile strength material than the caging member pieces 175, 176 and 177, 
such as sheet steel. 
Plungers 184 are received in recesses 185 of the caging member pieces 175, 
176 and 177 which intersect the recesses 178. Coil compression springs 186 
supported at the base of the recesses 185 urge the plungers 184 into 
engagement with the wedging members 179 so as to hold the wedging members 
in engagement with the wedging surfaces 183 and the outer surface of the 
inner member 172. 
The outer member 174 is completed by an annular backing plate 187 to which 
the wedging pieces 181 and caging pieces 175, 176 and 177 are affixed. The 
caging pieces 175, 176 and 177 are circumferentiallylocated by means of 
locating pins 188 that extend through bores 189 formed in the caging 
pieces 175, 176 and 177 and bores 191 formed in the backing piece 187. 
Screws 192 hold the caging pieces 175, 176 and 177 axially relative to the 
backing piece 187. 
In a similar manner, the wedging pieces 181 are affixed to the backing 
plate 187 by means of locating pins 193 that are received within 
respective bores and are held axially in place by screws 194. 
The backing plate 187 has an internally splined opening 195 that provides 
the non-rotatable connection to the shaft 173. 
From the foregoing description and from that of the plurality described 
embodiments, it is believed that the operation of this embodiment should 
be well understood by those skilled in this art. 
A one-way clutch constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of 
this invention is identified generally by the reference numeral 201 and is 
shown in FIGS. 22 through 26. As with the previously described 
embodiments, the one-way clutch 201 is designed so as to provide a driving 
relationship between an inner member 202 and a shaft 203. The inner member 
202 has, as in the previously described embodiment, a generally 
cylindrical outer surface. 
In addition to the inner member 202, the one-way clutch 201 includes an 
outer member, indicated generally by the reference numeral 204. The outer 
member 204 is comprised of a caging element 205 which may have a 
construction of the type as described in connection with any of the 
previously mentioned embodiments. That is, the caging element 205 is 
formed from a light weight, low tensile strength material and may be of 
one or several pieces. In accordance with this embodiment, however, the 
caging element 205 is provided with a first series of caging recesses 206 
that face in one axial direction. In addition, there is provided a second 
series of caging recesses 207 which face in the opposite axial direction. 
It should be noted that the caging recesses 206 and 207 extend through the 
outer face of the respective surface of the caging element 205. It should 
also be noted from the figures that the caging recesses 206 and 207 are 
offset slightly from each other in a circumferential direction. That is, 
there are adjacent but circumferentially offset pairs of caging recesses 
206 and 207, for a reason to become apparent. 
Wedging members 208 are received within the caging recesses 206 and wedging 
members 209 are received within the caging recesses 207. The wedging 
members 208 and 209 of each pair are engaged with the outer surface of the 
inner member 202. 
The outer member 205 further includes a wedging element 211 which is 
formed, as in the preceding embodiments, from a higher tensile strength 
material than the caging member 204 from one or several pieces. The 
wedging element 211 has a generally planar surface from which axially 
extending projections 212 extend. Each projection 212 extends into and 
registers with reach recess 206 and 207 of a respective pair thereof. The 
projections 211 have inner wedging surfaces 213 with which the wedging 
members 208 and 209 coact, as in the preceding embodiment. There are 
formed fillets 214 at the intersection of the projections 212 with the 
main body portion of the wedging element 211 so as to afford clearance for 
the wedging members 208. 
There are provided a first series of recesses 215 that cooperate with the 
caging recesses 206 and which open through the same side of the wedging 
element 204 and a second series of recesses 216 that cooperate with the 
recesses 207 and which open through the opposite side of the caging 
element 204. Plungers 217 are received within each of the recesses 215 and 
216 and are urged by coil compression springs 218 into engagement with the 
respective wedging members 208 or 209. 
The wedging element 211 is affixed to the caging element 205 by means of a 
plurality of threaded fasteners 219. In addition, the wedging element 211 
serves to close the recesses 206 and the recesses 215 so as to hold the 
components in assembled relationship. However, it should be noted that the 
wedging members 208 may be inserted axially into the recesses 206 and 
hence an easier assembly is provided. In a similar manner, a closure plate 
221 is affixed to the oppsoite face of the caging element 205 by means of 
screws 222 so as to close the recesses 207 and 216 and hold the elements 
in position. 
The wedging element 211 is formed with an internally splined opening 223 
that cooperates with the shaft 203 so as to form the driving connection 
therebetween. 
It should be readily apparent that this embodiment works in a similar 
manner to the previously described embodiments. However, it should be 
noted that the fact that there are pair of cooperating wedging members 
will increase the amount of power that can be transmitted through the 
clutch 201 while, at the same time, maintaining a compact overall 
construction. It should also be understood that the wedging element and/or 
caging elements of this embodiment may be formed from multiple pieces as 
in certain of the previously described embodiments. 
A one-way clutch constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of 
the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 27 through 29 and is identified 
generally by the reference numeral 241. As with each of the preceding 
embodiments, the one-way clutch 241 is designed so as to transmit rotation 
between an inner member 242 having a cylindrical outer surface and a shaft 
243 which has a splined connection to a component of an outer member, 
indicated generally by the reference numeral 244. 
As with each of the preceding embodiments, the outer member 244 includes a 
caging element 245 which is formed from a light weight, relatively low 
tensile strength material such as a molded plastic or a sintered metal. 
The caging element 245 is formed with respective caging recesses 246. 
Wedging members 247 are received within the recesses 246 and cooperate 
with the cylindrical outer surface of the inner member 242. It should be 
noted that the configuration of the recesses 246 is such that there 
radially inner opening has a dimension L which s less than the diameter 
(2B) of the wedging members 247. However, the recesses 246 open through an 
axial face of the caging element 245 so that the wedging members 247 may 
be inserted into the recesses 246 in an axial direction. 
The outer face of the recesses 246 is closed by a planar section of a 
wedging element 248. The wedging element 248 has an inturned flange 249, 
portions of which extend across the recesses 246 to form wedging surfaces 
251 that the wedging members 247 engage. Because the flange 249 is 
continuous rather than comprising individual projections as in the 
preceding embodiments, it will be more rigid and better suited to take the 
tensile forces so as to transmit higher loads than witht he preceding 
embodiment. As with the preceding embodiments, however, the wedging 
element 248 is formed from a high tensile material such as a steel 
stamping. 
The area where the flange 249 meets the planar section is formed with a 
fillet 252 so as to afford clearance for the edges of the wedging members 
247. The wedging element 248 is affixed to the caging element 245 by a 
plurality of circumferentially spaced machien screws 253. As such, the 
wedging element 248 will also hold the wding members 247 axially in 
position. 
The caging element 245 is provided with recesses 254 in which plungers 255 
are slidably supported. The plungers 255 are urged into engagement with 
the wedging members 247 by coil compression springs 256 so as to urge the 
wedging members 247 into engagement with the wedging surfaces 251 and 
other surfaces of the inner member 242. 
The wedging element 248 is formed with an internally splined opening 257 
for providing the rotating connection between the outer member 244 and the 
shaft 243. It is believed that the operation of this embodiment will be 
readily apparent from the foregoing descriptions of the other embodiments 
since the principle of operation is the same. 
Yet another embodiment of the invention is identified generally by the 
reference numeral 271 and is shown in FIG. 30. This embodiment is 
substantially the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 27 through 29 and, for 
that reason, components which are the same have been identified by the 
same reference numerals and will not be described again in detail. In 
essence, the only difference between this embodiment and the embodiment of 
FIGS. 27 through 29 is that the wedging element 248 of the outer member 
244 has its inturned flange 249 reinforced by a peripheral radially 
outwardly extending flange 272. This adds further to the rigidity of the 
construction and permits a lighter weight material to be used without 
sacrifice of strength. 
Yet still another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 31 
and 32 wherein a one-way clutch constructed in accordance with this 
embodiment is identified generally by the reference numeral 281. Like the 
embodiment of FIG. 30, this embodiment differs from the embodiment of 
FIGS. 27 through 29 only in the way that the flange 249 of the wedging 
element 248 is reinforced and, for that reason, only these components will 
be described in detail. The remaining elements, where they have been 
illustrated, are identified by the same reference numerals as utilized in 
FIGS. 27 through 28. 
In this embodiment, the peripheral flange 249 of the wedging element 248 is 
reinforced by an inner flange 282 and an outer flange 283. Hence, further 
reinforcing is provided by both of these flanges and this further permits 
a lightening in the overall weight of the clutch. 
It should be readily apparent from the foregoing description that a number 
of embodiments of one-way clutches have been illustrated and described, 
each of which permits a light weight construction and the transmissions of 
relatively high powers. In addition, the construction of the embodiments 
is such that they may be convenientlyformed and easily assembled. Although 
a number of embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and 
described, various changes and modifications may be made without departing 
from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended 
claims.