Abstract: A friction clutch assembly connects driving and driven shafts and has a pressure plate axially moveable between an engaged position transmitting torque from the driving shaft to the driven shaft and a disengaged position. A cover is mounted on the flywheel and a spring is mounted on the cover. The spring urges the pressure plate into the engaged position and compression of the spring allows for movement of the pressure plate to the disengaged position. At least one lever assembly includes a housing mounted on the cover and a lever pivotable in the housing to apply an axial force urging the pressure plate to the engaged position.

Abstract: A friction clutch assembly connects driving and driven shafts and has a pressure plate axially moveable between an engaged position transmitting torque from the driving shaft to the driven shaft and a disengaged position. A cover is mounted on the flywheel and a spring is mounted on the cover. The spring urges the pressure plate into the engaged position and compression of the spring allows for movement of the pressure plate to the disengaged position. At least one lever assembly has a housing mounted on the cover, a lever pivotable in the housing to apply an axial force urging the pressure plate to the engaged position. A lever assembly spring is associated with the cartridge to bias against the pivoting movement of the lever and delay the pivoting movement of the lever until the clutch assembly reaches a predetermined rotational speed.

Abstract: A friction clutch assembly connects driving and driven shafts and has a pressure plate axially moveable between an engaged position transmitting torque from the driving shaft to the driven shaft and a disengaged position. A cover is mounted on the flywheel and a spring is mounted on the cover. The spring urges the pressure plate into the engaged position and compression of the spring allows for movement of the pressure plate to the disengaged position. At least one lever assembly has a housing mounted on the cover, a lever pivotable in the housing to apply an axial force urging the pressure plate to the engaged position. A lever assembly spring is associated with the cartridge to bias against the pivoting movement of the lever and delay the pivoting movement of the lever until the clutch assembly reaches a predetermined rotational speed.

Abstract: A friction clutch for connecting driving and driven shafts. The clutch includes a pressure plate adapted for operative attachment to the driven shaft for rotation therewith and for selectively clamping a friction disk in engagement against a flywheel of the driving shaft. An axially moveable retainer is operatively connected to a foot pedal and to the pressure plate by levers. At least one spring urges the retainer to move the pressure plate to the engaged position. Each lever has a pivot fulcrum, a first bearing surface engaging the retainer and a second bearing surface engaging a face on the pressure plate. The pivot fulcrum, first bearing surface, and second bearing surface are formed into the lever and arranged relative to each other such that a lever ratio of a first distance from the pivot fulcrum to the first bearing surface to a second distance from the pivot fulcrum to the second bearing surface is at least about 7.

Abstract: A clutch brake having at least a first section and a second section, a central opening and a generally annular friction surface facing a braking mechanism and to selectively engage the braking mechanism for braking rotation of the shaft. Tabs and recesses selectively interconnect the first and second sections together. The first and second sections are selectively positionable in a disconnected configuration in which the annular friction surface is discontinuous and the sections are movable in a generally radial direction relative to the shaft, and an interconnected position in which the friction surface is substantially continuous and the first and second sections enclose the shaft in the central opening and are held from substantial radial motion relative to the shaft. Whereby, the clutch brake may be installed on the shaft without disconnecting the shaft from the transmission or the engine. A method of attaching the clutch brake to the shaft is further disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of converting from a first clutch of the type comprising a relatively wide-profile cover having an integral circular rim attached to one face of a flat rimless flywheel, to a second clutch of the type comprising a relatively thin-profile cover. The method comprises detaching the first clutch with the wide-profile cover from the flywheel, applying the second clutch including the thin-profile cover and an adaptor ring to one face of the flywheel with the adaptor ring disposed between the cover and the flywheel, and removably attaching the cover and adaptor ring to the flywheel.