Patent ID: 7296668

Claim:
An overrunning clutch comprising: first and second annular clutch members that are supported with respect to each other for relative rotation about a common rotational axis, and the first and second clutch members having annular coupling faces that oppose each other; the coupling face of the first clutch member having pockets spaced about the rotational axis, each pocket having a pivotal strut received thereby, and each pocket including a spring that pivotal biases its strut outwardly therefrom for locking; the coupling face of the second clutch member having locking formations that are engaged by the struts upon projecting outwardly from the pockets of the first clutch member to prevent relative rotation of the clutch members with respect to each other in one direction while permitting relative rotation of the clutch members with respect to each other in the opposite direction by pivoting of the struts into the pockets of the first clutch member; one of the clutch members having an annular groove; a generally round snap ring that is received by the annular groove in the one clutch member; and an annular thrust plate located axially along the rotational axis between the other clutch member and the snap ring, the thrust plate having a first axial face that contacts the snap ring and having a second axial face oriented in the opposite axial direction as the first axial face and contacting only the other clutch member without contacting the one clutch member, and the thrust plate having a retainer projecting therefrom to prevent rotation of the thrust plate.