LIGHT-WEIGHT CLUTCH SUITABLE FOR MANUAL AND/OR ECONOMICAL ELECTRIC OPERATION

摘要

The present invention provides a clutch. The clutch of the invention includes a coupler, that is a ring or hollow structure surrounding a lumen. The lumen of the coupler has an engaging section and a non-engaging section. In an engaged configuration of the clutch, a driving member and a driven member are located in the engaging section of the coupler and rotation of the driving member in the engaging section generates rotation of the coupler and rotation of the coupler generates rotation of the driven member. In a disengaged configuration of the clutch, one or both of the driving member and the driven member is not located in the engaging section of the coupler and either rotation of the driving member does not generate rotation of the coupler or rotation of the coupler does not generate rotation of the driven member.

主权项

1. A clutch comprising:
(a) a driving member; (b) a driven member; the driving member and the driven member having a first non-circular cross-sectional shape; and (c) a coupler, the coupler being a ring or hollow structure surrounding a lumen, the lumen having an engaging section and a non-engaging section, wherein in an engaged configuration of the clutch, the driving member and the driven member are located in the engaging section of the coupler and rotation of the driving member in the engaging section generates rotation of the coupler and rotation of the coupler generates rotation of the driven member and wherein in a disengaged configuration of the clutch, one or both of the driving member and the driven member is not located in the engaging section of the coupler and either rotation of the driving member does not generate rotation of the coupler or rotation of the coupler does not generate rotation of the driven member; (d) a lever configured to move from a first position in which the clutch is in the engaged configuration and a second osition in which the clutch is in the disengaged configuration; (e) a spring configured to move the lever from the second position of the lever to the first position of the lever; and (f) a locking device configured to lock the lever in the second position of the lever.