Patent ID: 8387765

Claim:
A radial ratchet one-way clutch, comprising: at least one inner race having a first plurality of indentations on an outer circumferential surface; at least one outer race having a second plurality of indentations on an inner circumferential surface; and, a first plurality of engagement elements having respective first segments, wherein the first plurality of engagement elements is assembled with a bias so that the respective first segments are urged against the at least one inner race, wherein for rotation of the at least one outer race in a locking direction, respective first segments for at least a portion of the first plurality of engagement elements are engageable with respective indentations from the first and second pluralities of indentations to rotationally lock the at least one inner and outer races, and wherein: for rotation of the at least one outer race in a free-wheel direction, opposite the locking direction, the respective first segments are slidable across the outer circumferential surface to enable independent rotation of the at least one outer race with respect to the at least one inner race; the first plurality of engagement elements includes mutually exclusive second and third pluralities of engagement elements; for rotation of the at least one outer race in the locking direction, respective first segments for only one of the second or third pluralities of engagement elements engage respective indentations from the first and second pluralities of indentations to rotationally lock the at least one inner and outer races; the at least one inner race includes first and second inner races; the at least one outer race includes a middle race and first and second outside races axially disposed on opposite sides of the middle race, respectively; each engagement element in the first plurality of engagement elements includes a first end at which the respective first segments are disposed; said each engagement element includes a respective second segment at a second end opposite the first end; the middle race includes a plurality of openings; the respective second segments are at least partially disposed in respective openings in the plurality of openings and are circumferentially restrained by the middle race; and the second plurality of indentations is disposed on the first and second outside races.