Patent ID: 7780386

Claim:
A coupling mechanism, comprising: a bushing assembly adapted to establish a coupling when rotated; a housing being rotatable by an application of torque thereto; a torque-limit member having a positive-lock state positioned between said housing and said bushing assembly, said housing and bushing assembly rotating jointly upon the application of torque until a predefined torque level is attained; a compressible member engaging said torque-limit member to define said predefined torque level, said torque-limit member switching from said positive-lock state to a ratchet state when said predefined torque level is attained such that said housing rotates relative to said bushing assembly; and a compression bushing provided between said compressible member and said torque-limit member and a bearing assembly engaging at least one of said torque limit member and said compressible member, said compression bushing being mounted to said housing and movable in an axial direction relative to said housing along a limited range of motion, said compression bushing preventing said compressible member from inducing pressure upon said bearing assembly in said axial direction.