Non-Friction Coupling and Control Assembly, Engageable Coupling Assembly and Locking Member for Use in the Assemblies

Abstract

An assembly includes first and second coupling members, an actuator, and a biasing member. The first and second coupling members, such as a pocket plate and a notch plate, are supported for rotation relative to one another. The first coupling member has a pocket and a locking member received in the pocket. The locking member is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position with respect to the coupling members. The actuator exerts an actuation force on the locking member to move the locking member. The biasing member exerts a biasing force on the locking member in opposition to the actuation force.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly comprising:
 first and second coupling members supported for rotation relative to one another;   the first coupling member having a pocket and a locking member received in the pocket, the locking member being movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position with respect to the coupling members;   an actuator to exert an actuation force on the locking member to move the locking member; and   a biasing member to exert a biasing force on the locking member in opposition to the actuation force.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the actuator exerts the actuation force on the locking member by pushing on the locking member. 
 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the biasing member exerts the biasing force on the locking member by pushing on the locking member. 
 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the actuator exerts the actuation force on the locking member by pushing on the locking member; and 
 the biasing member exerts the biasing force on the locking member by pushing on the locking member. 
 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the actuation force causes the locking member to move to the engaged position with respect to the coupling members. 
 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5  wherein:
 the actuator exerts the actuation force on the locking member causing the locking member to move to the engaged position by pushing on the locking member. 
 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 during an absence of the actuation force, the biasing force causes the locking member to move to the disengaged position with respect to the coupling members. 
 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7  wherein:
 the biasing member exerts the biasing force causing the locking member to move to the disengaged position by pushing on the locking member. 
 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the actuation force causes the locking member to move to the engaged position with respect to the coupling members; and 
 during an absence of the actuation force, the biasing force causes the locking member to move to the disengaged position with respect to the coupling members. 
 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein:
 the actuator exerts the actuation force on the locking member causing the locking member to move to the engaged position by pushing on the locking member; and 
 the biasing member exerts the biasing force causing the locking member to move to the disengaged position by pushing on the locking member. 
 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first coupling member further has a passage in communication with the pocket; and 
 the actuator is received within the passage. 
 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first coupling member further has a recess in communication with the pocket; and 
 the biasing member is disposed in the recess. 
 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first coupling member further has a passage in communication with the pocket and a recess in communication with the pocket; 
 the actuator is received within the passage; and 
 the biasing member is disposed in the recess. 
 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first coupling member is a pocket plate and the second coupling member is a notch plate. 
 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the locking member is a radial locking member. 
 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the locking member is a strut. 
 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the biasing member is a spring and the biasing force is a spring force. 
 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the actuator is a linear actuator. 
 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 18  wherein:
 the linear actuator includes a plunger which is movable between an extended position in which the actuation force is present and a retracted position in which the actuation force is absent.