Abstract: A clutch unit is disclosed for rotatably connecting two coaxial parts mounted for relative rotation. The clutch unit comprises a circular track on one part and at least one self-clamping cam on the other part bearing on a second track carried by the other part. The self-clamping cam comprises a roller having a roller surface and mounted for eccentric rotation about a pin having an outer periphery defining the second track. The roller surface is clampingly engageable with the first track to define an engaged position of the clutch unit. The pin is carried by a radially elastically deformable arm.

Abstract: A clutch comprises a flywheel which rotates with a first shaft, a friction disk which rotates with a second shaft, a clutch cover which rotates with the flywheel and a pressure plate which rotates with the cover. The flywheel is movable axially relative to the cover. An axially acting spring device bears on the cover and urges the pressure plate towards the flywheel to clamp the friction disk against the flywheel. The cover comprises a bearing surface, first and second parts rotatable relative to each other and a circumferentially acting spring device which resists any such relative rotation. The first part rotates with the first shaft and comprises a flange constituting a support flange for the clutch. The second part, against which the friction disk bears axially, comprises a plate constituting the reaction plate proper. Within this plate is a torque limiter comprising friction facings and an axially acting spring device for clamping up these friction facings.

Abstract: The circumferentially acting elastic cushion disposed between two coaxial parts of a torsional damper comprises at least one elastically deformable arm. This is attached at one end to the annular flange of one of the coaxial parts. Its other end is unsupported and has a shoulder adapted to engage another shoulder provided for this purpose on the other of the two coaxial parts.

Abstract: A torsion damping assembly for a friction clutch plate comprises two coaxial parts mounted for relative rotation within a predetermined range of angular displacement. Circumferentially acting springs including a resiliently deformable arm are circumferentially disposed between the coaxial parts. The resiliently deformable arm circumferentially extends from a support member fixed for rotation with one coaxial part and the free end of the arm is attached to the other coaxial part. A pair of axially spaced transverse surfaces are provided on each coaxial part. The support member is disposed axially between the respective pairs of transverse surfaces for maintaining the axial position of the coaxial parts relative to each other.

Abstract: In a centrifugal actuator device, comprising in the known manner at least one actuator member (50) of generally curved shape so that it may be positioned along a circumferential track (39) on a rotary member (11), being coupled thereto by the engagement of a slot (51) over a radial lug (40) of the track (39) extended by a retaining tab (41) which is at least partially cantilevered, said actuator member (50) is, in accordance with the invention, substantially rigid, and it permits radial play between the track (39) and the retaining tab (41), being elastically urged into contact with the track (39) by a spring (60) confined between it and said tab.Application: rotational coupling of coaxial parts, in particular in clutch disk assemblies.

Abstract: The friction means acting between the two rotary parts constituting a torsion-damping device comprises at least one annular component which is engaged by means of an axial bearing surface with an axial bearing surface of one of the rotary parts and which, by engagement means, is capable of being connected in rotation to the one rotary part over at least one range of the angular movement between the rotary parts. According to the invention, the annular component is opened circularly by means of at least one slit, and elastic means are associated with it which permanently stress it radially in the direction of the axial bearing surface of the one rotary part.

Abstract: A torsional damper comprises at least two coaxial parts rotatable relative to one another within predetermined limits. A plurality of circumferentially acting elastic means are disposed between them in the circumferential direction. These elastic means comprise at least one block of elastic material extending in a substantially tangential direction. The or each elastic material block is partially housed, without circumferential clearance in a rest configuration of the damper, in an opening formed for this purpose in a first of the coaxial parts. It is further partially housed, with circumferential clearance in this rest configuration and for at least one circumferential direction, in an opening formed for this purpose in a second of the coaxial parts. The elastic material block carries at least one elastic material peg projecting from it in at least this circumferential direction. Its corresponding circumferential end is at least partly covered by a distribution and retaining plate.

Abstract: A torsion-damping device of the kind comprising two rotary parts capable of limited relative angular displacement with elastic means interposed circumferentially between the two rotary parts, incorporates an elastically deformable arm extending between two bearing elements one of which is fixed in rotation to one of the rotary parts. This bearing element incorporates at least two radially projecting barbs which are forceable engaged axially in a bearing surface of the respective rotary part and between which it is elastically deformable radially and circumferentially. The invention is especially applicable to damping hubs for clutch plate assemblies in motor vehicles.

Abstract: A torsional damper comprises at least two coaxial parts (A, B) mounted to rotate relative to one another. A plurality of elastic members are disposed between these parts (A, B) in the circumferential direction. At least one of these members is formed by a block (10') of elastic material, partially housed without circumferential clearance in an opening (27') in one of the coaxial parts (A, B). It is also partially housed, with circumferential clearance (J'T, J'R), in an opening (28') in the other of the coaxial parts (A, B). The elastic material block (10') has a peg (32T, 32R) of elastic material projecting from it in at least one circumferential direction. The invention is applicable in particular to friction clutch mechanisms for automotive vehicles.

Abstract: A torsional damper comprises at least two coaxial parts rotatable relative to one another within predetermined limits. A plurality of circumferentially acting elastic means are disposed between them in the circumferential direction. These elastic means comprise at least one block of elastic material extending in a substantially tangential direction. The or each elastic material block is partially housed, without circumferential clearance in a rest configuration of the damper, in an opening formed for this purpose in a first of the coaxial parts. It is further partially housed, with circumferential clearance in this rest configuration and for at least one circumferential direction, in an opening formed for this purpose in a second of the coaxial parts. The elastic material block carries at least one elastic material peg projecting from it in at least this circumferential direction.

Abstract: A torsional damper device suitable for friction clutches, especially those for automotive vehicles, comprises two parts disposed to rotate relative to one another within defined limits of relative angular movement. Such relative angular movement is resisted by elastic members each of which is disposed in a housing formed by holes in said parts. Associated with at least one of the elastic members is a respective bearing member disposed in the axial direction between at least one circumferential end of the elastic member and one of the coaxial parts. The bearing member has, perpendicular to the axis of the assembly, at least one arm through the intermediary of which it bears axially on the coaxial part concerned.

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.

Abstract: A torsional damper comprises two parts (A, B) mounted to rotate relative to one another. Disposed between them in the circumferential sense are springs (10', 10") each partially housed with circumferential clearance in an opening (27', 27") in one part (A) and partially housed without circumferential clearance in an opening (28', 28") in the other part (B). With each of the springs (10') with which is associated the lower or lowest circumferential clearance there is associated an elastic material peg (30T, 30R) projecting from the spring and mounted slidably in a bush (32). Between it and this bush (32) are constricting means. The torsional damper finds particular application in clutch mechanisms for automotive vehicles.

Abstract: The torsional damper comprises at least two coaxial parts mounted to rotate relative to one another. Circumferentially acting elastic means resist such relative angular movement and incorporate an elastically deformable arm. This arm extends between two support members with at least one of which it is integral via a respective root area. These support members are engaged with respective rotating parts so as to rotate therewith over at least part of a defined range of relative angular movement. The torsional damper is particularly suited to applications in friction clutches incorporating a damper hub, for use in particular in automotive vehicles.

Abstract: A torsional damper suitable for use in a friction clutch plate for an automotive vehicle comprises at least two coaxial parts mounted to rotate relative to one another, within a defined range of relative angular movement. Friction means operative between the rotating parts comprise two friction pads constrained to rotate with one part, in rubbing engagement with an axial surface constrained to rotate with the other part. This surface is non-circular in transverse cross-section. Its radius of curvature varies between at least one minimum and at least one maximum. Thus it may be generally oval in shape, for example.

Abstract: A torsional damper comprises two parts mounted to rotate relative to one another against circumferentially acting elastic means disposed between them. These elastic means include at least one elastically deformable arm fastened at one end to one rotating part so as to rotate therewith. Its other end is unrestricted, and is formed with a shoulder whereby it can engage with a shoulder provided for this purpose on the other rotating part. The or each elastically deformable arm and its support are integral parts of an appropriately shaped flange. An application of the torsional damper is to friction clutches for automotive vehicles, for damping torsional vibration.

Abstract: A torsion-damping device comprises two coaxial parts which are mounted to rotate relative to one another within predetermined limits of relative angular displacement and which are free axially relative to one another within the predetermined limits of axial spacing, elastic means which are interposed circumferentially between said coaxial parts and which comprise at least one block of elastically deformable material located in a housing which is fast partly with one of said coaxial parts and partly with the other of these, and friction means which act axially between said coaxial parts and which generate between them a frictional torque during their relative angular displacement each of these blocks confined circumferentially in the housing in which it is located, so that when there is a relative angular displacement between the coaxial parts, the or each block generates between the parts an axial force urging them apart, with the result that the frictional torque caused by the friction means is modulated.

Abstract: A torsion damper which comprises two coaxial parts mounted for rotation relative to one another within the limits of a determined angular movement, and against the action of springs. There is also at least one intervening device which is sensitive to the angular movement between the parts and which is movable reversibly between a waiting position, in which it is inoperative, and, beyond a determined value of the movement, an operating position, in which the intervening device causes a modification of the operation characteristics of the torsion damper. The torsion damper is particularly usable in clutch plate assemblies for motor vehicles.

Abstract: A bearing radially interposable between two relative rotatable parts such as the hub and friction disc or annular guide of a clutch plate for an automotive clutch. The bearing has inner and outer bearing surfaces each divided into at least two separate bearing zones. The inner bearing zones are angularly offset relative to the outer bearing zones. Relative radial clearance is defined by radial recesses between the bearing zones of the respective bearing surfaces which prevents additional friction developing between the bearing surface and the associated part and permits radial bending between bearing zones to compensate for limited axial misalignment between the parts. Cutouts in the rim of the bearing provide elastic deformation.

Abstract: A torsional damper suitable for use in a friction clutch plate for an automotive vehicle comprises a hub and a disk mounted so as to rotate relative to one another against the action of springs. An intermediate member responsive to centrifugal force moves reversibly between a standby position and an operative position, in order to modify the operating characteristics of the damper. The intermediate member modifies these characteristics in its standby position, and can occupy either of two operative positions, in one of which it has no effect on and in the other of which it also modifies the aforementioned operating characteristics.