Patent ID: 7021442

Claim:
A torque-to-thrust apparatus including a one-way friction torque-transmitting mechanism comprising: a rotary input member operable in a forward and reverse direction; a linear output member; torque-to-thrust means disposed between said rotary input member and said linear output member for transmitting rotary motion of said input member to linear motion of said output member; a stationary component; a one-way torque-transmitting mechanism disposed adjacent said stationary component and being responsive to said rotary input member to permit free rotation in a first direction; a friction means disposed between said stationary component and a member of said one-way torque-transmitting mechanism to hold said one-way torque-transmitting mechanism member stationary to inhibit the reverse rotation of said rotary input member in a second direction until a predetermined rotary force is present at said rotary input member in said second direction.