Importance

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Abstract

A clutching mechanism for pivotably mounting a first member relative to a second member includes an axis of rotation, a first member, a second member, a shaft, a coil spring clutching member, a cam plate, and a clutch engagement member. The axis of rotation passes through the first member. The second member is pivotably mounted relative to the first member for relative rotation therebetween about the axis of rotation. The shaft is fixed to the first member and is centered on the axis of rotation. The coil spring clutching member has a helically wound body wrapped around the shaft. A first end of the spring clutching member extends radially outwardly from the body to engage the second member. A second end of the spring clutching member extends radially outwardly from the body as well. The cam plate is fixed relative to the shaft and is disposed adjacent the second member. The clutch engagement member is slideably disposed relative to the second member and receives the second end of the spring clutching member. The clutch engagement member is biased relative to the second member in a first rotative direction to a clutch engaged position by the coil spring clutching member. The clutch engagement member is selectively displaceable in a second rotative direction to a clutch released position responsive to engagement of the clutch engagement member with the cam plate. When the clutch engagement member is in the clutch engaged position, the coil spring clutching member acts as a one-way clutch preventing relative rotation in a first direction in any one of an infinite number of in-use positions while enabling rotation of the second member relative to the first in a second direction. When the clutch engagement member is in the clutch released position, the coil spring clutching member enables rotation in both directions.

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First Claim