A spiral type one way clutching assembly and mechanism is provided herein which is insensitive to transverse forces; substantially eliminates overrunning frictional wear on the critically shaped surfaces of its members; and substantially eliminates the role of chance in establishing the clutching load distribution between its members. The clutching mode may be active or passive. The clutching mechanism utilizes monolithic annular outer and concentrically positioned annular inner body members which have mutually opposed tangentially congruent spiral surfaces defining a spiral race therebetween. The spiral race is provided with inner and outer abutments. At least one of the inner and the outer body members have a radially directed slit extending therethrough. The outer body member and the inner body member are relatively rotatably oscillatable with respect to each other. A plurality of axially oriented abutting roller members is positioned in, an almost fills, the spiral race, each such member being in contact with the inner and the outer spiral surfaces. Limit springs act between the body members for limiting the relative oscillatory movement therebetween.
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