Patent attributes
A torque limiting clutch includes a drive shaft having central rotational axis, a disk-shaped spring member secured to the drive shaft for rotation therewith, and a plate adjacent the spring member and having a plurality of grooves receiving bosses of the spring member. The spring member has a plurality bosses formed at an outer edge of the spring member that each form a generally V-shaped engagement surface. The grooves each form a generally V-shaped engagement surface engaging the bosses. A retaining clip retains the plate relative to the spring member to obtain a predetermined spring pretension. Engagement of the bosses with the grooves causes rotation of the plate upon rotation of the drive shaft when below a predetermined torque limit and deflection of the bosses out of the grooves prevents rotation of the plate upon rotation of the drive shaft when above the predetermine torque.
