The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 07, 2005
Filed:
Apr. 14, 2000
Applicant:
Caleb Chung, Boise, ID (US);
Inventor:
Caleb Chung, Boise, ID (US);
Assignee:
Other;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F16D027/02 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
The present invention provides various clutch/gear assemblies that can be driven by a single motor. The clutch/gear assemblies comprise a smart material which changes shape when supplied with energy, e.g., current or heat. The smart material achieves one of a first or a second shape when supplied with energy, and achieves the other shape when it is not supplied with energy. When the smart material achieves a first shape it causes a clutch surface of the clutch/gear to engage and be driven by a shaft coupled to the motor and when the smart material achieves a second shape it allows the clutch surface to disengage from the shaft.