Abstract: A clutch brake is formed from a pair of identically shaped semi-annular halves. One end of each of the halves is formed with a first circumferentially extending protrusion located near the outer circumferential edge thereof. Each of the opposite ends of the halves is formed with a second circumferentially extending protrusion located near the inner circumferential edge thereof. The outer protrusions are disposed adjacent to the inner protrusions in circumferentially overlapping fashion. A pair of radially extending threaded fasteners are used to secure the two clutch brake halves together. The threaded fasteners extend radially through aligned apertures formed in the overlapping outer and inner protrusions. The radially innermost ends of the threaded fasteners extend a sufficient distance so as to engage splines formed on a transmission input shaft upon which the clutch brake is mounted.

Abstract: A clutch driven disc assembly includes a hub, a support plate and at least one reinforcing plate mounted on and rotatable relative to the hub, a plurality of circumferentially spaced fasteners connecting together the support plate and the reinforcing plate, and a coaxial spring damper. In an alternate embodiment, the support plate is attached to one of a pair of outer covers positioned on opposite sides of a flange radially extending from the hub and rotatable relative to the hub. An apparatus for adjusting hysteresis in the damper includes a backing plate mounted on the hub with facing material abutting either the fasteners or the other cover for applying an axial load to the support plate. The load is selectively adjustable through a threaded locking nut and wave washer mounted on the hub.

Abstract: A clutch driven disc assembly includes a hub, a support plate and at least one reinforcing plate mounted on and rotatable relative to the hub, a plurality of circumferentially spaced fasteners connecting together said support plate and said reinforcing plate, and a coaxial spring damper. An apparatus for adjusting hysteresis in the damper includes a backing plate mounted on the hub with facing material abutting the fasteners for applying an axial load to the support plate. The load is selectively adjustable through a threaded locking nut and wave washer mounted on the hub. Segment facing material on the backing plate can be used to delay the application of the load. Camming surfaces on the facing material or on the fasteners can be used to gradually increase the load.

Abstract: A clutch adjuster adapted to compensate for clutch disc wear incorporates a spring lock which in a first position secures the adjuster against rotation. On application of a disengagement force, the lock is deflected to a second position, wherein the adjuster is free for rotation. In one preferred form, the lock has an aperture which engages a bolt head on the adjuster, and upon application of the force the lock is axially displaced from the bolt head. In a second preferred form, a disc spring is adapted to normally retain the bolt head axially away from a clutch over in a first, secured, position. Upon application of force, the bolt head is depressed against the disc spring to shift the adjuster to a second position wherein the bolt head is free for rotation.

Abstract: An angled release clutch system provides a low bearing load at a relative constant pressure plate load throughout the life of either a pull-type or a push-type clutch. In a preferred form, the angled release clutch system includes an inverse Belleville spring compressed between a clutch cover and a plurality of levers for biasing the levers against the pressure plate for engagement of a friction disc secured to an input shaft. The spring includes an inner annular edge portion engageable with the levers, in an outer annular edge portion engageable with the cover, which is inverse to the normal Belleville spring clutch arrangement. The pressure plate in the preferred form includes an annular inclined surface portion for the cooperating with the levers, each lever having a pressure plate contacting portion for engaging the inclined surface portion of the pressure plate.

Abstract: An intermediate plate positioner device for a multiple disk friction clutch assembly is disclosed. A plurality of apertures are formed about the periphery of the intermediate plate. A positioner pin is inserted in each of the apertures extending between the flywheel and the cover of the clutch assembly. Each positioner pin is sized relative to its respective aperture so as to provide an interference fit therebetween. The force required to axially slide each positioner pin through its respective aperture is predetermined to be less than the force generated by clutch springs, which urge the clutch assembly toward an engaged position, but greater than the force exerted by the drive straps of the clutch assembly, which urge the intermediate plate toward a disengaged position.

Abstract: An improved diaphragm spring clutch is disclosed. The clutch includes a generally annular cover having a shoulder formed thereabout on a forwardly facing surface. A flat, angled bearing surface is formed throughout an inner radial portion of the shoulder. A plurality of forwardly facing slots are also formed about the shoulder. The slots are spaced equidistantly and extend radially outwardly from the bearing surface through the shoulder. The clutch further includes a generally hollow cylindrical release retainer. The retainer terminates in a generally flat end surface which faces rearwardly. A plurality of rearwardly facing recessed areas are formed in the end surface of the retainer. An annular diaphragm spring is provided within the clutch. The diaphragm spring includes an outer peripheral surface, which engages the forwardly facing bearing surface of the cover, and an inner peripheral surface, which engages the rearwardly facing end surface of the retainer.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly includes a cover which is formed as a one piece casting. A plurality of engagement spring seats and a plurality of assister spring seats are provided on the cover. The engagement and assister spring seats are all formed integrally with the cover and includes portions having generally V-shaped cross sections. The assembly further includes a release sleeve which is also formed as a one piece casting. A plurality of engagement spring seats and a plurality of assister spring seats are also provided on the release sleeve. The engagement and assister spring seats are all formed integrally with the release sleeve and includes portions having generally V-shaped cross sections. The engagement spring seats on the cover and the release sleeve are provided to pivotably pilot engagement springs for the clutch, while the assister spring seats on the cover and the release sleeve are provided to pivotably pilot assister springs.

Abstract: An improved structure for a clutch brake is disclosed. Powdered metal, such as powdered steel, is initially pressed into a preform having a desired configuration for each of a pair of opposed covers for the clutch brake. The configuration of the outer surface of each of the preforms includes a plurality of embossed segments, which alternate with non-raised areas, arranged in an annular array. The embossed segments of the covers are the portions thereof which are frictionally engaged during use. Each of the segments is defined by inner and outer circumferentially extending sides connected by a pair of generally radially extending ends. The intermediate portions of both of the ends can be curved circumferentially inwardly toward one another to form a concave region. The covers together form an internal cavity in which inner and outer brake washers are disposed.

Abstract: A release mechanism for a clutch having an axially movable release sleeve is disclosed. A pressure ring is mounted about the release sleeve by a bearing. When the pressure ring is moved toward a disengaged position, it moves the release sleeve in the same direction. A piston housing is mounted about an inner flange formed on a cover of the clutch by a bearing. The piston housing is disposed adjacent to the pressure ring and includes an annular groove formed therein which extends away from the pressure ring. An annular piston is disposed within the groove, defining a chamber within the piston housing. An external port provides communication between the chamber and a source of pressurized fluid for selectively moving the piston axially outwardly into engagement with the pressure ring. When so actuated, the pressure ring is moved axially outwardly, causing the release sleeve to be moved to the disengaged position.

Abstract: A clutch assembly having an annular cover member attached to an engine flywheel, an annular pressure plate which is floatingly attached to the cover member by a plurality of drive straps, a friction drive assembly which is splined to a transmission shaft for rotation therewith and sliding movement therealong, and which is positioned between the pressure plate and the engine flywheel, a plurality of radially extending release levers, each of which is pivotably attached to the cover member at a location between the ends of such release lever, and a belleville spring trapped between the cover member and the release levers to normally bias the release levers so that the outer end of each of them imposes a load on the pressure plate which tends to urge the pressure plate against the friction drive assembly and the friction drive assembly against the flywheel, each of the drive straps having an outwardly projecting extension which is positioned between the pressure plate and the outer end of an adjacent release lev

Abstract: A friction disc assembly includes a plurality of one piece or unitary friction elements each containing a pair of opposed planar friction surfaces. Each element is adapted for being supported within an opening of a clutch driven disc, wherein a pair of backing plates virtually supports each disc by trapping same within pairs of aligned openings. In a preferred form, the backing plates comprise an interference fit with the axially aligned boundaries of associated friction surfaces, and rivets which hold the backing plates rigidly to the driven disc are spaced from and hence out of contact with the friction elements. In a preferred form, each friction element includes a radially extending tongue which has a thickness equal to the thickness of the driven disc.

Abstract: An adjuster ring for use in either a manually adjustable or automatically adjustable friction clutch is disclosed. The adjuster ring is generally annular in shape and is provided with a threaded outer circumferential surface. The outer circumferential surface cooperates with a corresponding threaded inner circumferential surface formed on a cover attached to a flywheel of the clutch. Gear teeth are formed about an inner peripheral surface of the adjuster, which are adapted to cooperate with an automatic wear compensating device. A plurality of spaced lugs are formed about the adjuster ring on one face. The lugs are adapted to cooperate with a manual lock strap. Either the automatic wear compensating device or the manual lock strap may be utilized with the adjuster ring, depending upon whether automatic or manual wear compensation is desired.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for varying the effective length of the levers which actute a collector ring in a clutch. Each of the levers includes a pair of noses which are angled toward the inner end of the levers and toward the collector ring to provide a point contact which moves along the surface of the nose as the levers are rotated by a throw-out bearing. Thus, the force required to actuate the throw-out bearing and/or the force applied to a pressure plate can be varied in accordance with the geometry selected for the noses and the collector ring.

Abstract: A torque limiting clutch brake 50 has an inner brake assembly 55 and an outer cover assembly 60 mounted for relative rotation on the brake assembly. The brake assembly 55 includes a brake washer 52 adapted to be driven by a shaft, and an intermediate plate 51 connected to the brake washer by a lost motion coupling. The cover assembly includes wave washers 62 frictionally engaged with the intermediate plate 51 for torque limiting characteristics.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly including a clutch cover and pressure plate axially moveable relative thereto and unitarily rotatable therewith. A release collar within the cover actuates a plurality of levers which move the pressure plate toward and away from its engaged position. A plurality of engagement springs act between the cover and the collar to spring load the clutch. Three assister springs are disposed equidistantly about the collar and engage the latter and an inwardly facing surface carried by the cover. When the pressure plate is in its engaged position, the assister springs are disposed perpendicular to the clutch axis. When the collar is moved toward the clutch disengaged position, the assister springs are tilted away from their engaged position and begin to generate a force axially in the direction of movement of the release collar and assist in the axial movement thereof.

Abstract: A positioning device for positioning the intermediate plate of a multiple plate friction clutch as wear occurs. The device includes a base plate and facing assembly disposed adjacent the outer surface of each intermediate plate drive lug. The assembly includes a layer of friction material which frictionally engages the outer surface of the lug. A lock plate is disposed outwardly of each assembly. Each lock plate and assembly is secured to the lug by a spring loading bolt passing through apertures therein. The friction force is adjusted with the bolt. The lock plate includes a first pair of tabs which engage the head of the bolt to prevent rotation and a second pair of tabs to fit in a slot in the clutch cover and prevent rotation of the lock plate. The positioning device abuts the flywheel and the clutch cover alternately during use and is moved relative to the lug as the friction surfaces wear.

Abstract: An adjustable clutch brake apparatus is provided in a friction clutch release bearing assembly. An annular adjusting ring accommodates a clutch brake ring via an externally threaded surface which engages an internally threaded surface on the clutch brake ring. The adjusting ring is secured by means of its internal circumference to the outer race of therelease bearing assembly, and is thereby free to rotate about the inner race fixed to a release bearing sleeve. In a preferred form, the adjusting ring and the clutch brake ring are selectively locked together to prevent relative rotation during clutch operation. For this purpose, a lockstrap having an elongated aperature is adapted to accommodate a bolt member engageable with a threaded bore formed in a groove formed in the clutch brake ring. The bolt member passes through the slot and rigidly holds the lockstrap in the groove.

Abstract: A friction clutch system includes a constant running release bearing member designed to accommodate axial misalignment. In a preferred form, a wave washer is interposed between a flange of a bearing carrier and the outer race of the release bearing member to provide for axial flexibility. In addition, a mechanical stop is provided to limit axial travel of a thrust ring affixed to the axially moveable bearing member in a direction of clutch disengagement. In a preferred form the stop is formed of an elongated shaft having a radially extending projection for arresting the carrier movement beyond a predetermined limit. A sleeve positioned over the shaft includes markings to permit visual indication of amount of clutch wear to aid in the servicing of the clutch system. Also in a preferred form, the carrier is formed of two resilient non-metallic parts and incorporates a snap fit flange-detent connection system which preloads the wave washer upon assembly of the two carrier parts.

Abstract: A clutch brake for use with non-synchronized vehicle transmissions includes noise suppression components. The clutch brake comprises a pair of housing members secured together which receive components of a torque limiting assembly. The assembly includes an inner ring member adapted to rotationally engage the transmission drive shaft and which is coupled to a concentric, outer ring member through a lost motion coupling. The outer ring, in turn, is frictionally coupled to the housing by an adjacent wave spring which includes inwardly directed tabs. The tabs exert a biasing force against the inner ring member, inhibiting wholly unrestricted motion which might generate undesirable vibration and noise.