(19)

(11)

EP 1 159 547 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 05.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/49 (21) Application number: 99907047.7 (22) Date of filing: 16.02.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F16D 41/18 (86) International application number: PCT/US9903/242 (87) International publication number: WO 0049/305 (24.08.2000 Gazette 2000/34)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (71) Applicant: Means Industries, Inc. Saginaw, MI 48301 (US)	(72) Inventor: SINK, Danny, R. Chester, VA 23831 (US) (74) Representative: W.P. Thompson & Co.  Coopers Building,Church Street Liverpool L1 3AB Liverpool L1 3AB (GB)