US Patent 7362066 Overload protection system

An overload protection system and method of protecting a drive unit includes a torque arm assembly mounted to a fixture and a gear reducer. The reducer includes a bracket mounted to an axle of the reducer which is positioned adjacent to a measuring device. The torque arm assembly includes a switch mounted to sense a location of the reducer bracket relative to the switch thereby causing a condition of the drive unit to be adjusted. In the preferred embodiment, the switch is a proximity switch positioned adjacent to the bracket of the reducer after a desired preset torque of the torque arm is obtained through the use of a simple fastener and spring arranged in a housing.