IP Library Granted Patent US 8,646,587
Granted Patent B2
US 8,646,587 · App. 13/370,509 · Granted Feb 11, 2014

Strut for a controllable one-way clutch

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,646,587
App. No.
13/370,509
Granted
Feb 11, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A strut for a controllable one-way clutch wherein a projecting leg portion on the strut provides an attachment location for a free end of a rod which reciprocates. The strut includes a member-engaging first end surface. The strut further includes a member-engaging second end surface diametrically opposite the first end surface. The strut still further includes a main body portion between the end surfaces. The projecting leg portion extends from the main body portion.

Claims (30)

1. A strut for a controllable one-way clutch, the strut comprising:

a member-engaging first end surface;

a member-engaging second end surface diametrically opposite the first end surface;

a main body portion between the end surfaces; and

a projecting leg portion which extends from the main body portion to provide an attachment location for a free end of a rod which reciprocates wherein the leg portion has an aperture adapted to receive a pivot pin to allow rotational movement of the strut in response to reciprocating movement of the rod which is adapted to be coupled to the strut via the pivot pin.

2. A strut as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the aperture is an oblong aperture to receive the pivot pin to allow both rotational and translational movement of the strut in response to reciprocating movement of the rod.

3. The strut as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a projecting second leg portion which extends from the main body portion to provide a second attachment location for the free end of the rod.

4. The strut as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the second leg portion has a second aperture adapted to receive the pivot pin to allow rotational movement of the strut in response to reciprocating movement of the rod which is adapted to be coupled to the strut via the pivot pin and wherein the strut is a clevis-shaped strut.

5. The strut as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the second aperture is an oblong aperture to allow both rotational and translational movement of the strut in response to reciprocating movement of the rod.

6. The strut as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a pair of oppositely projecting ears which extend laterally from the main body portion proximate the first end surface.

7. The strut as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the strut is an injection molded strut.

8. The strut as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the end surfaces are canted.

9. An injection molded strut for a controllable one-way clutch, the strut comprising:

a member-engaging first end surface;

a member-engaging second end surface diametrically opposite the first end surface;

a main body portion between the end surfaces, the main body portion including a pair of spaced-apart side surfaces; and

a pair of spaced-apart leg portions, each of the leg portions extending from the main body portion proximate one of the side surfaces to provide attachment locations for a free end of a rod which reciprocates wherein each of the leg portions has an aperture adapted to receive a pivot pin to allow rotational movement of the strut in response to reciprocating movement of the rod which is adapted to be coupled to the strut via the pivot pin and wherein the strut is a clevis-shaped strut.

10. A strut as claimed in claim 9 , wherein each of the apertures is an oblong aperture to receive the pivot pin to allow both rotational and translational movement of the strut in response to reciprocating movement of the rod.

11. The strut as claimed in claim 9 , further comprising a pair of oppositely projecting ears which extend laterally from the main body portion proximate the first end surface.

12. The strut as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the strut is a metal injection molded strut.

13. The strut as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the end surfaces are canted.

14. A clevis-shaped strut for a controllable one-way clutch, the strut comprising:

a member-engaging first end surface;

a member-engaging second end surface diametrically opposite the first end surface;

a main body portion between the end surfaces, the main body portion including a pair of spaced-apart side surfaces; and

a pair of spaced-apart, projecting leg portions, each of the leg portions extending from the main body portion proximate one of the side surfaces and having an aperture adapted to receive a pivot pin between the leg portions to allow rotational movement of the strut in response to reciprocating movement of a rod, a free end of the rod being adapted to be coupled to the strut via the pivot pin.

15. A strut as claimed in claim 14 , wherein each of the apertures is an oblong aperture to receive the pivot pin to allow both rotational and translational movement of the strut in response to reciprocating movement of the rod.

16. The strut as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising a pair of oppositely projecting ears which extend laterally from the main body portion proximate the first end surface.

17. The strut as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the strut is an injection molded strut.

18. The strut as claimed in claim 17 , where the injection molded strut is a metal injection molded strut.

Assignments (4)
NOTICE OF SUCCESSOR AGENT AND ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 032493/0850 Recorded Feb 10, 2025
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS THE RESIGNING AGENT
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR AGENT
Reel/Frame 070157/0532 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 24, 2015
From: HENDRICK, TERRY O.
To: MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 036169/0980 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Mar 21, 2014
From: MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 032493/0850 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2012
From: KIMES, JOHN W.
To: MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 027687/0070 →