Abstract:
A speed responsive clutch interposed between two drive means for transmitting torque without slippage from a first drive means operated in an intermittently reversing direction or disengaging to permit a second high speed drive to transmit torque to a common driven member without also driving the first drive means. The clutch includes two mutually engageable members which when engaged transmit torque in either direction without slipping. Each member is drivingly associated with one of the drive means, with the members being engaged generally whenever the first drive means is energized and disengaged by centrifugal force whenever the second drive means is energized and the first drive means deenergized. The clutch members, subsequent to being disengaged, will reengage only when the second drive means is deenergized and the clutch member associated with that drive means slows to less than the disengaging speed and is substantially at synchronous speed with the clutch member associated with the reenergized first drive means.