초록 ▼

A drive mechanism for relatively rotatable components such as a salad spinner comprising a bowl, a colander adapted to rest within the bowl, a lid for the bowl and colander, and a drive mechanism associated with the lid and operatively connected to the colander for rotating the colander relative to

A drive mechanism for relatively rotatable components such as a salad spinner comprising a bowl, a colander adapted to rest within the bowl, a lid for the bowl and colander, and a drive mechanism associated with the lid and operatively connected to the colander for rotating the colander relative to the bowl. The drive mechanism includes a handle and a drive gear associated with the handle rotatably attaching the turret to the lid, a pinion gear in driving engagement with the turret, and a clutch interposed between the pinion gear and the turret. The pinion gear meshes with the drive gear whereby movement of the handle in one direction engages the clutch to transmit movement to the turret for spinning of the colander in one direction. Movement of the handle in the opposite direction disengages the clutch. The clutch comprises a clutch housing and a clutch assembly receivable within the clutch housing. The clutch assembly includes a central hub, a plurality of drive pins, flexible arms connecting the drive pins to the central hub, and tensioning petals attached to the central hub for engagement with the turret. Recesses defined by the clutch housing receive the drive pins and these recesses slope inwardly toward the central hub. An engagement surface defined by the turret is received within the clutch housing and the petals operate to move the pins inwardly along the recesses and into driving engagement with the engagement surface when the handle is moved in one direction and outwardly along the recesses and out of driving engagement when the handle is moved in the opposite direction.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The invention claimed is:] [1.] A salad spinner comprising a bowl, a colander adapted to rest within the bowl, a lid for said bowl and colander, and drive means associated with said lid and operatively connected to said colander for rotating the colander relative to the bowl, the drive means inclu

[ The invention claimed is:] [1.] A salad spinner comprising a bowl, a colander adapted to rest within the bowl, a lid for said bowl and colander, and drive means associated with said lid and operatively connected to said colander for rotating the colander relative to the bowl, the drive means including a handle having one end for manual engagement and an opposite end pivotally attached to the lid, a drive gear associated with said handle, a turret positioned on the underside of said lid, means rotatably attaching said turret to said lid, means carried by said turret for engaging said colander to impart spinning movement thereto, a pinion gear in driving engagement with said turret, said pinion gear meshing with said drive gear, and clutch means interposed between said pinion gear and said turret, whereby movement of said handle in one direction engages the clutch means to transmit movement to the turret for spinning of the colander in one direction, and movement of the handle in the opposite direction disengages the clutch means, said clutch means comprising a clutch housing, a clutch assembly receivable within the clutch housing, said clutch assembly including, a central hub, a plurality of drive pins, flexible arms connecting the drive pins to the central hub, and tensioning petals attached to the central hub for engagement with said turret, recesses defined by said clutch housing for receiving said drive pins, said recesses sloping radially inwardly toward said central hub, an engagement surface defined by said turret for receipt within said clutch housing, said petals operating to urge said pins inwardly along said recesses and into driving engagement with said engagement surface when said handle is moved in said one direction, and outwardly along said recesses and out of driving engagement when said handle is moved in said opposite direction.