Importance

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Abstract

An overload apparatus is shown as an overload single position clutch having a drive ring which is reciprocated by springs and by a cylinder slideable on a piston by fluid pressure. The drive ring includes a multiplicity of ball receiving cavities. A sheave mount is further provided including an integral interface disc having a multiplicity of ball carrying cavities. Balls are captured within the ball carrying cavities by a ball cage secured to the mount. The ball cavities have diameters less than the balls and a shape and size such that the balls do not touch the closed ends or sidewalls of the cavities but rather the open ends form seats for the balls. The ball carrying cavities have diameters greater than the diameters of the ball receiving cavities to predispose the balls to cam out of the ball receiving cavities in the event of reaching a torque overload level. In another embodiment the balls are captured in the ball carrying cavities by constant diameter apertures formed in a carrier ring and a retaining plate, with the aperture diameters of the carrier ring being generally equal to that of the balls and with the aperture diameters of the retaining ring being less than that of the balls.

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First Claim