Patents by Inventor Andre Caray

Andre Caray has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4580672
    Abstract: This torsional damper is of the type incorporating two coaxial parts mounted to rotate relative to one another within a defined range of relative angular movement, and circumferentially acting means resisting such angular movement, determined by pins disposed around the periphery of the hub disk of the coaxial part, each of said pins being engaged with clearance between two axial shoulders formed for this purpose on the ring presented by the coaxial part around said hub disk. According to the invention the axial shoulders thus associated with said pin are formed by the edges of indentations formed circumferentially in the ring by local deformation thereof.Application suitable for friction clutches for industrial vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Andre Caray
  • Patent number: 4570775
    Abstract: A clutch plate assembly is disclosed comprising two coaxial parts mounted for relative rotation within a predetermined range of angular displacement against the action of springs. One coaxial part comprises a hub flange and the other coaxial part comprises two annular guide members. An axial ring is fixed to the first annular guide member and circumferentially spaced tenons secure the second annular guide member to the axial ring through notches in the latter. The hub flange has circumferentially spaced radial lugs received with clearance in recesses in the axial ring. The recesses and notches in the axial ring are circumferentially offset relative to one another. The free edge of the axial ring axially closes off the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Andre Caray, Pierre Renaud
  • Patent number: 4545468
    Abstract: A torsion damping assembly, e.g. for a clutch disc, comprises two coaxial parts mounted for relative angular displacement within a predetermined range against the action of circumferentially acting resilient means. One of the coaxial parts comprises a transverse hub flange and the other of the coaxial parts comprises two transverse annular guide members or washers disposed on the respective sides of and spaced axially from the hub flange. The guide members are connected to each other by spaced axial connecting members. At least one strap member also interconnects the annular guide members, a first end of the strap member being fixed at one of the guide members, and a second end of the strap member circumferentially spaced from the first end being fixed to the other of the guide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Andre Caray
  • Patent number: 4545472
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing suitable for an automotive vehicle comprises a drive member adapted to operate a clutch release device in a clutch and an operating member adapted to be operated by a control member, coupled together in the axial direction but free to rotate relative to one another. The operating member comprises at least one radial arm and axial and radial supports for the control member. These supports are respectively constituted by a pad attached to the arm by a peg and a tangential flange of a plate. The plate further comprises a transverse flange perpendicular to the tangential flange and adapted to be clamped between the pad and the arm. It has a hole in it through which the peg can pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Andre Caray
  • Patent number: 4537580
    Abstract: A torsional damper device comprises two parts disposed to rotate relative to one another within defined limits of relative angualr movement. Such relative angular movement is resisted by elastic members each of which is disposed in a housing formed by holes in said parts. At least one bears in the circumferential direction and through the intermediary of a chock on the edge of the corresponding hole in one part. Opposite the other part, the chock has a recess such that on relative angular movement between the parts, this other part may become displaced in the circumferential direction beyond the point of contact of the chock on the corresponding edge of the hole in the first mentioned part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Pierre Loizeau, Andre Caray
  • Patent number: 4516672
    Abstract: A progressive engagement friction disc, particularly for a clutch, comprises a hub, an annular washer coupled to the hub, and a circular series of blades fixed to the hub carrying friction linings on both surfaces. The blades comprise plane areas extending at two slightly different levels connected by ramps. One of the ramps is divided in the direction of its level lines into at least two parts which are inclined in the same direction and which are offset relative to one another in a transverse direction relative to their extension, thus making it possible to increase the useful surface of the area to which the corresponding lining is riveted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Andre Caray
  • Patent number: 4450945
    Abstract: A diaphragm clutch cover assembly comprising a cover, a diaphragm spring, a fulcrum ring on the side of the diaphragm spring remote from the cover and connecting members interconnecting the cover and the fulcrum ring. The connecting members each comprise an integral boss on one or both of the cover and the fulcrum ring extending axially toward the other of the cover and the fulcrum ring. The bosses may comprise dimples with a front wall bonded or riveted to a flat wall portion of the other of the cover and the fulcrum ring. Alternatively, the bosses may be tubular with internal apertures which are force-fitted or bonded to studs or complementary tubular bosses on the other of the cover and the fulcrum ring. Preferably, the connecting members are arranged axially within mean transverse planes through planar portions of the cover and fulcrum ring respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: VALEO
    Inventor: Andre Caray
  • Patent number: 4441600
    Abstract: A cover assembly for a diaphragm clutch is disclosed of the type comprising a plurality of stacked annular components: a cover, a diaphragm spring, a fulcrum ring and a reaction plate. The fulcrum ring is assembled on the cover by axial retaining tabs which extend through openings in the diaphragm spring and, for example, apertures in the fulcrum ring or in the cover. Resilient tongues or strikes are formed around the apertures or in the retaining tabs for transversely clamping the fulcrum ring relative to the cover. The arrangement permits assembly of the cover assembly by simple axial sliding engagement without having to bend over the ends of the retaining tabs after stacking the components. Alternatively, the retaining tabs and/or the resilient tongues may be formed in additional components fixed axially relative to the cover or the fulcrum ring, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Andre Caray
  • Patent number: 4433771
    Abstract: The invention provides a two-stage torsion-damping hub for a clutch plate. The elastic members of the first damping stage are located between two guide elements which are rotatably integral with one of the coaxial parts forming the second damping stage. According to the invention, each guide element of the first damping stage comprises a plurality of individual guide plates, each of which is associated with an elastic member, and each guide plate extends circumferentially on both sides of the respective elastic member and at least partially covers said elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: Valeo S.A.
    Inventor: Andre Caray
  • Patent number: 4427103
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism is concerned in which the retaining lugs (28) which link to the cover (10) the retaining ring (26) which ensures that the diaphragm (11) is secured to the cover (10) have come in one piece with this retaining ring (26).According to the invention, each retaining lug (28) of the retaining ring (26) is fixed on the cover (10) between, for example, one or two transverse shoulders (36) which said retaining lug possesses for this purpose on a first side of the cover (10) and an end (34) which is folded back to bear against the cover (10) on the other side of the latter.Application, in particular, to diaphragm clutch mechanisms for motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Chatelin, Andre Caray
  • Patent number: 4410075
    Abstract: A torsional damper comprising two coaxial parts with respective disks mounted for relative rotation, at least one guide ring and springs interposed circumferentially between the coaxial parts. The springs are divided into groups of at least two springs, with each spring individually housed in windows in the disks and guide rings. The springs are all engaged without circumferential play in the windows in the guide rings and each is engaged with circumferential play in the corresponding window in the disk of at least one of the coaxial parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: Valeo SA
    Inventors: Andre Caray, Dominique Despres
  • Patent number: 4366888
    Abstract: This relates to a diaphragm clutch mechanism comprising a cover, and a diaphragm spring connected to the cover for rocking movement with respect thereto. A pivot ring is provided as a support for the diaphragm spring, and this ring is anchored, at its internal periphery, between a bent-back part of the lugs fixing the diaphragm spring in a pivoting manner to the clutch cover, and a shoulder formed on the axial part of these lugs. This shoulder is in contact with only one of the axial edges of the axial part of the respective lug, so that the other axial edge of the axial part is substantially rectilinear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1983
    Assignee: Valeo Societe Anonyme
    Inventor: Andre Caray