A clutch mechanism for hybrid cars; or power tools. The U.S. patent examiner said he never saw such an interesting design:

  • Patent 8,627,937 Power-transmission Clutch
  • 3D-PDF Rendering of Clutch (right-click to download and open in 3D)

  • The clutch requires few parts and may be easily and inexpensively machined, cast or molded. It may be activated by axial pressure exerted on the shafts themselves. The clutch comprises flexible members that resiliently deform for engagement and disengagement and which are arranged to exert leverage beneficially upon their respective opposed mating surfaces to provide positive contact when desired, while allowing speedy disengagement with only small displacement.