Patent ID: 8591367

Claim:
A self-locking non-backdrivable gear system, comprising: a) an input spur gear adapted to be mounted to a drive shaft for rotation of said input spur gear about an axis of the drive shaft; b) a ring gear positioned in meshing engagement with said input spur gear about an axis extending in parallel, spaced relation to said drive shaft axis; c) a first planet locking gear rotatably mounted on said ring gear, whereby said first planet locking gear rotates with said ring gear and also rotates about its own mounting axis; d) a fixed spur gear having N number of gear teeth and fixedly mounted in meshing engagement with said first planet locking gear and in adjacent, coaxial relation with said ring gear; e) an output spur gear having N+/−X number of gear teeth and rotatably mounted in meshing engagement with said first planet locking gear and in coaxial relation with said fixed spur gear and said ring gear, said output spur gear positioned adjacent said fixed spur gear on a side of said fixed spur gear opposite said ring gear, said output spur gear further including an output shaft adapted for mounting to a bi-rotational load-bearing part, whereby rotation of said input spur gear causes rotation of said ring gear which causes rotation of said first planet locking gear which causes rotation of said output spur gear which causes rotation of the bi-rotational load-bearing part, and whereby in the absence of rotation of said input spur gear a rotational force applied to said output spur gear causes said gear teeth on said fixed and output spur gears to lock in place with said first planet locking gear.