GB791504A - Improvements in free-wheel clutch devices - Google Patents

Abstract

791,504. Ratchet clutches. BAYLISS, WILEY & CO., Ltd. Feb. 14, 1956, No. 20084/55. Class 80 (2). A freewheel clutch for bicycles comprises an outer ring 6 formed as a sprocket and an inner part 2 for attachment to the wheel hub, and is provided at each side with cover plates 10, 11 made by pressing or stamping sheet metal blanks to the shape shown, thus providing outer peripheral flanges 10a which constitute raceways 10b for balls 14 and inner flanges 10c by which the cover plates are securedto the inner clutch part 2. The ring 10 is so shaped that a groove 13 is formed between it and the inner clutch part 2, this groove receiving the tail ends of U-shaped wire springs 5, biasing pawls 4 pivoting on the inner clutch part to engage ratchet teeth 7 on the inside of the sprocket 6. The cover plates 10, 11 have oppositely handed threads on the inner sides of their flanges 10c so that they can be screwed on to corresponding external threads on the inner clutch part 2, the cover plate 11 having three pressed-up projections (not shown) to which a special tool can be applied. In a modification, Fig. 9 (not shown) the cover plate 10 has an unthreaded inner flange 10c press fitted over a correspondingly unthreaded part of the tuner clutch member, the end of which is spun or turned over in the form of a lip. The pawls may be replaced by rollers, or if pawls are used, the springs 5 may be of any suitable type.