sprag

adj

1. (alt-of, alternative)Alternative form of sprack.

   “a good sprag memory”

noun

1. A billet of wood; a piece of timber, a similar solid object or constructed unit used as a prop.

   “1956, United States Department of the Army, United States Department of the Air Force, Principles of Automotive Vehicles, Technical Manual 9-8000, page 325, A sprag (fig. 349) is a steel block so shaped as to act as a wedge in the complete assembly. In the sprag unit under discussion, there are 42 sprags assembled into an outer race and held in place by two energizing springs (fig. 350).”

   “1981, (US) Departments of the Army and Air Force, Maintenance: Direct Support, and General Support Level, Technical Manual 9-2520-246-34-1, page 2-201, When checking sprags, anvil and spindle ends of micrometer and flat back of sprag must all rest on a flat surface as shown in view A. Since wear on all sprags in any one sprag unit will be the same, it is only necessary to check 5 sprags in each assembly.”

   “The sprag should still be taken apart for visual inspection of the components. I have seen sprags that still functioned correctly, but when taken apart, the spring cage that holds the sprag elements was completely destroyed.”

   “A one-way sprag clutch (figure 40-36) consists of a hub and a drum separated by figure-eight-shaped metal pieces called sprags. The sprags are shaped this way so they can lock between the races when a race is turned in one direction only.”

verb

1. (transitive)To check the motion of, as a carriage on a steep slope, by putting a sprag between the spokes of the wheel.

   “Accidents happen to the driver while running alongside his trip, spragging wheels or applying brakes”

2. (transitive)To prop or sustain with a sprag.