Abstract: A self-aligning clutch release bearing and carrier sleeve assembly includes a carrier sleeve which defines a first axis and a bearing adapted to be brought into engagement with rotating clutch fingers or the like of a clutch mechanism, which clutch fingers rotate about a second axis which may not be exactly coincidental with the first axis. The bearing and carrier sleeve assembly is adapted to adjust the rotation orientation of the bearing to coincide with the second axis of rotation of the clutch fingers. This bearing and carrier sleeve assembly comprises: a bearing including a generally annular thrust face for engagement with the clutch fingers and first and second annular raceways having a plurality of bearing elements disposed therebetween, one of the raceways rotating in unison with the thrust face and the other of the raceways being coupled with the carrier sleeve. A mounting arrangement is provided for grippingly engaging the second raceway for mounting the same to the carrier sleeve.

Abstract: A self-aligning clutch release bearing and carrier sleeve assembly includes a carrier sleeve which defines a first axis and a bearing adapted to be brought into engagement with rotating clutch fingers or the like of a clutch mechanism, which clutch fingers rotate about a second axis which may not be exactly coincidental with the first axis. The bearing and carrier sleeve assembly is adapted to adjust the rotation orientation of the bearing to coincide with the second axis of rotation of the clutch fingers. This bearing and carrier sleeve assembly comprises: a bearing including a generally annular thrust face for engagement with the clutch fingers and first and second annular raceways having a plurality of bearing elements disposed therebetween, one of the raceways rotating in unison with the thrust face and the other of the raceways being coupled with the carrier sleeve. A mounting arrangement is provided for grippingly engaging the second raceway for mounting the same to the carrier sleeve.

Abstract: A self-aligning clutch release bearing and carrier sleeve assembly includes a carrier sleeve which defines a first axis and a bearing having a generally annular thrust face adapted to be brought in engagement with rotating clutch fingers or the like of a clutch mechanism, which clutch fingers are rotating about a second axis which may or may not be coincidental with said first axis. The bearing and carrier sleeve assembly is adapted to adjust the rotational orientation of the bearing to coincide with the second axis of rotation, and comprises a bearing including a radially inwardly extending shoulder portion which terminates at a position radially spaced apart from the carrier sleeve.

Abstract: A self-aligning clutch release bearing and carrier sleeve assembly includes a carrier sleeve which defines a first axis and a bearing adapted to be brought into engagement with rotating clutch fingers or the like of a clutch mechanism, which clutch fingers rotate about a second axis which may not be exactly coincidental with the first axis. The bearing and carrier sleeve assembly is adapted to adjust the rotation orientation of the bearing to coincide with the second axis of rotation of the clutch fingers. This bearing and carrier sleeve assembly comprises: a bearing including a generally annular thrust face for engagement with the clutch fingers and first and second annular raceways having a plurality of bearing elements disposed therebetween, one of the raceways rotating in unison with the thrust face and the other of the raceways being coupled with the carrier sleeve. A mounting arrangement is provided for grippingly engaging the second raceway for mounting the same to the carrier sleeve.

Abstract: There is discussed a bearing assembly adapted for engagement by a plurality of clutch fingers rotating about a clutch finger axis of rotation. The bearing assembly comprises a rotational thrust face member with a cone raceway member affixed thereto, a cup raceway member rotatable relative to the cone raceway member, with a plurality of bearing elements disposed between the raceway members. A shell housing member for the bearing assembly is provided, which is located adjacent the cup raceway member, and is adapted to be engaged upon a cylindrical carrier sleeve. The carrier sleeve defines a second axis which is not necessarily coincident with the clutch finger axis of rotation. The respective bearing components are sized such that only the shell housing is engaged upon the carrier sleeve, with the remaining rotatable components, viz.

Abstract: A clutch throwout bearing assembly comprises a bearing, a carrier plate, and a carrier sleeve upon which the carrier plate and bearing are mounted. The mounting arrangement permits the bearing to be radially shifted, axially shifted, or tilted to adapt the plane of the bearing to the plane of the clutch fingers in situations involving misalignment of the bearing and clutch fingers due to tolerance build up between the clutch fingers and the bearing.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is made up of an annular, ball-bearing retainer or cage and a pair of metal races which are held in operative position by an assembly member. The assembly member includes an annular shoulder which confronts one of the races in load-bearing relationship and a cylindrical sleeve which extends through the races and the carrier, the free end of the sleeve being fashioned with resilient fingers for promoting snap-fit assembly.

Abstract: A sealed thrust bearing assembly includes a bearing member comprising spaced apart annular thrust rings with a plurality of bearing elements retained therebetween. An annular shell holds the spaced apart thrust rings in a fixed axial spaced relation with one another permitting relative rotation therebetween and about a common axis. A flat carrier plate extends transversely of this axis and has a generally circular through opening which receives a cylindrical carrier member adapted to engage both the opening and the inner diameter of the bearing member. An annular, elastomeric sealing member is interposed between the carrier plate and the facing surface of the bearing member. The cooperating structure of the carrier member positions the sealing member so as to form and maintain a seal about the surface of the bearing member facing the carrier plate, substantially without regard for variations in the axial spacing between the facing surfaces of the bearing member and the carrier plate.

Abstract: A clutch throw-out bearing assembly includes a thrust bearing member having first and second spaced apart annular thrust rings and a plurality of bearing elements rotatably retained therebetween. An annular shell holds the spaced apart thrust rings in a fixed axial spaced relation to one another while permitting relative rotation therebetween. A carrier member mounts the thrust bearing assembly, one annular thrust ring being non-rotatably affixed to the carrier member. The shell is non-rotatably affixed to this one annular thrust ring, while the other annular thrust ring is rotatable relative to the shell. This other annular thrust ring also includes a bearing surface exposed outwardly on the shell for selective engagement and rotation in unison with portions of a clutch throw-out bearing assembly. An annular sealing ring or shim is interposed between the facing surfaces of the other thrust ring and of the shell.

Abstract: There is disclosed a thrust bearing assembly for use as a clutch throw-out bearing which assembly includes novel spring clip means for maintaining attachment of the bearing assembly with the clutch release arms or forks. The bearing assembly includes a bearing arrangement or unit and a carrier member having a pair of generally co-planar, radially directed flanges which extend transversely of the axis of the bearing arrangement. A pair of spring clips is provided for attaching the bearing assembly to the two arms of a clutch release fork, one of the spring clips being attached to each of the flanges of the carrier member. Each spring clip comprises an eye portion for pivotal attachment of the clip by a rivet or other suitable holding member to one of the flanges; a loop portion joined to the eye portion for providing spring tension; and a transverse portion for overlying the fork arms to maintain attachment.

Abstract: An articulated thrust bearing is disclosed. Two oppositely disposed bearing races are permitted to rotate relative to one another in a relatively frictionless manner by bearing elements disposed therebetween. Against one of these races, a rocker ring pivots to provide an articulating motion to an associated clutch fork-engaging carrier plate. Several embodiments of the rocker ring-second race fulcrum are described.