One-way clutch

A one-way clutch wherein a plurality of sprags disposed in an annular array are positioned in an annular space between concentric inner and outer rings. Each sprag has a groove formed therein substantially midway between the ends thereof. A garter spring is fitted within the grooves. An annular retainer is disposed within the annular space. The retainer has axially extending parts which are circularly joined together, whereby the axially extending parts positionally hold the sprags. A ringlike side member of generally channel-shaped cross section is confined between and has inner and outer walls which respectively slidably engage the inner and outer rings. These inner and outer walls are joined by a radial side wall which closely confines the sides of the sprags, which side wall has recesses for accommodating the axially extending parts of the retainer. This radial side wall also has radial wall portions which project between the sides of the sprags and the circularly extending parts of the retainer.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a one-way clutch having a plurality of annular sprags inserted between an inner and an outer ring, a radially opening groove formed in each sprag between the sides thereof, a spring fitted in said groove to urge the sprag toward the engaging direction, an annular retainer comprising a wire rod bent into alternately U-shaped sections each having an axially extending part and a circumferentially extending part, the axially extending part of the retainer holding the sprag in conjunction with the spring, a pair of annular side plates disposed between said circumferentially extending parts and both sides of the sprags, the side plate having a recess in the peripheral edge thereof into which said axially extending part fits to prevent the retainer from moving, and the sprag having an external shape for permitting rotational contact with the axially extending part of the retainer as the sprag moves into and out of engagement with the inner and outer rings, comprising the improvement wherein the side plates have outer and inner circumferences in sliding contact respectively with the inner surface of the outer ring and the outer surface of the inner ring.

2. In a one-way clutch having concentric inner and outer rings which respectively define thereon radially spaced inner and outer annular surfaces which define an annular space therebetween, a plurality of circumferentially spaced sprags disposed in an annular array and positioned within said annular space for clutching engagement with said inner and outer annular surfaces, each sprag having a radial groove formed therein in sidewardly spaced relationship from the end surfaces of the respective sprag, and a spring fitted within the groove defined by said sprag for urging the sprag in an engaging direction, an annular sprag retainer positioned within said space and having alternate U-shaped sections which open axially in opposite directions, each U-shaped section having an axially upstanding part which extends axially through the space in close proximity to one of the sprags and a circumferentially extending part which extends circumferentially of said space and fixedly joins adjacent axially extending parts, said circumferentially extending part being positioned axially adjacent but spaced axially outwardly from the end surface of the sprag, and a pair of annular platelike side members disposed within said space adjacent the opposite axial ends of said plurality of sprags, comprising the improvement wherein each side member includes radially inner and outer rimlike peripheral walls which are radially spaced apart and are rigidly joined together by a radially extending side wall, said side wall being disposed directly adjacent and engageable with the exposed end surfaces of said sprags, the radially inner and outer walls projecting axially outwardly of said side wall and being disposed in slidable engagement with the respective inner and outer annular surfaces formed on said inner and outer rings, said side member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses formed therein and extending radially inwardly into the side wall from one of the peripheral boundaries thereof, said recesses accommodating and closely confining therein the axially extending parts of said retainer, and said side wall of said side member also having portions thereof interposed axially between the circumferentially extending parts of said retainer and the adjacent end surfaces of the sprags.

3. A clutch according to claim 2, wherein the radial side wall of said side member includes a plurality of said portions spaced circumferentially and projecting radially so as to terminate in a free edge, said radially projecting portions being disposed between alternate pairs of said recesses so as to be positionable axially between the circumferentially extending parts and the adjacent end surfaces of the sprags.

4. A clutch according to claim 3, wherein said recesses project radially into the side wall from the inner peripheral edge thereof, wherein said inner rimlike wall is joined to said radial side wall between the remaining adjacent pairs of recesses, and wherein said spring comprises a garter spring fitted within the grooves defined by the plurality of sprags.

5. A clutch according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the side member is constructed of or coated with a suitable bearing material so that the side member functions as a bearing for permitting relative rotation between the inner and outer rings when the clutch is disengaged, said clutch being free of additional bearings between the inner and outer rings.