US 11,719,292 B2
Strut clutch assembly torque locking mechanism, and clutch strut
Todd Andrzejewski, Saginaw, MI (US); David Hacker, Bad Axe, MI (US); and Kelly J. Campfield, Pinconning, MI (US)
Assigned to MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC., Saginaw, MI (US)
Filed by Means Industries, Inc., Saginaw, MI (US)
Filed on Jan. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/576,148.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/140,332, filed on Jan. 22, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0235831 A1, Jul. 28, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16D 41/12 (2006.01); F16D 27/108 (2006.01)
CPC F16D 41/125 (2013.01) [F16D 27/108 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A clutch assembly comprising:
a pocket plate having a pocket;
a teeter-totter strut retained in the pocket, the teeter-totter strut being pivotable to an engaged position in which and engagement face of the teeter-totter strut extends out from the pocket, the teeter-totter strut being pivotable from the engaged position to a disengaged position in which the engagement face of the teeter-totter strut extends within the pocket; and
wherein the clutch assembly is configured so that when a shock load force acts on the teeter-totter strut, the teeter-totter strut is prevented from moving into the engaged position,
wherein the clutch assembly includes a first pivot point acting on a first face of the teeter-totter strut and a second pivot point acting on a second face of the teeter-totter strut, wherein a center of mass of the teeter-totter strut is positioned between the first pivot point and the second pivot point.