Abstract: A bearing carrier for a pull-type clutch, and which forms part of the clutch mechanism assembly, has a crenellated rim provided with longitudinally projecting tooth-like portions, cut-out portions being provided between consecutive projecting portions. A separate tubular member, forming part of the clutch control mechanism, has a correspondingly crenellated rim provided with longitudinally projecting portions and cut-out portions between consecutive projecting portions. One of the crenellated rims has a peripheral groove in which is disposed an expandable resilient ring, and the other crenellated rim has a corresponding peripheral groove and is provided at the leading edge of its projecting portion with a ramp for expanding the ring when the one of the crenellated rims is pushed into the other crenellated rim for coupling the bearing carrier with the tubular member during assembly of the bearing carrier with the tubular member.

Abstract: A slave cylinder disposed concentric to a shaft connecting a motor vehicle friction clutch to the input of the motor vehicle gearbox. The slave cylinder is annular and is formed by a pair of tubular members spaced apart and disposed concentric to each other, the innermost tubular member being disposed concentric to the shaft. The slave cylinder is cast integral as a single piece with the clutch bell housing or as a single piece with the gearbox housing end plate through which the shaft projects. Alternatively, one of the cylinder wall tubular members is cast integral with the bell housing or the gearbox housing end plate, and the other tubular member in the form of a separate casting or molding bolted thereon.

Abstract: A friction clutch driven plate comprises first and second disk-like carrier plates rivetted together and having first and second flat spokes respectively on their peripheries. A single integral annulus of friction material is held in place by the first spokes in a first recess in a first face of the annulus and by the second spokes in second recesses in an opposite second face of the annulus. The carrier plates are also connected together by stop rivets passing through arcute slots in a third disc between the carrier plates. In known fashion torsional vibration damping springs are disposed in windows in the carrier plates and the third disc. The third disc has a central hole lined by splines to engage similar splines on a shaft. First and second bearing bushes are disposed in the central openings of the carrier plates.

Abstract: A friction clutch for a vehicle utilizes a snap connection and self indexing to insure accurate presentation during installation. The release mechanism of the clutch includes a first member for applying release forces to a second member which releases the clutch.

Abstract: A diaphragm spring clutch cover assembly having a cover to be secured to a driven plate or flywheel and a pressure plate attached to the cover and urged by a diaphragm spring to press a driven plate against the driving plate in an assembled clutch. The diaphragm spring acts between a first fulcrum arrangement on the pressure plate and a second fulcrum arrangement on the cover. The first fulcrum arrangement comprises arcuate spaced lands in a circle on the pressure plate, a resilient wire fulcrum ring engaged by the lands and spanning the spaces between the lands, and U-shaped saddles straddling the ring at those spaces. The saddles are pressed axially of the clutch by the diaphragm spring so that during clutch re-engagement the axial deformation of the spanning portions of the ring in a first axial direction creates a first stage of cushioning.

Abstract: A diaphragm spring clutch cover assembly having a cover to be secured to a driven plate or flywheel and a pressure plate attached to the cover and urged by a diaphragm spring to press a driven plate against the driving plate in an assembled clutch. The diaphragm spring acts between a first fulcrum arrangement on the pressure plate and a second fulcrum arrangement on the cover. The first fulcrum arrangement comprises arcuate spaced lands in a circle on the pressure plate, a resilient wire ring engaged by the lands and spanning the spaces between the lands, and sleeves on the ring at those spaces. The sleeves are pressed axially of the clutch by the diaphragm spring so that during clutch reengagement the axial deformation of the spanning portions of the ring creates cushioning.

Abstract: A transmission comprises first and second input shafts which are drivable respectively from independently operable first and second clutches. Gearing is provided which enables drive to be transmitted from the input shafts to an output via a layshaft. Further gearing is provided on a further layshaft for selection of reverse ratio. In reverse ratio the further gearing is in a drive path which includes the first and second input shafts. The further gearing includes synchronizer means to facilitate selection of reverse ratio.

Abstract: A friction clutch for a vehicle utilizes a snap connection and self indexing to insure accurate presentation during installation. The release mechanism of the clutch includes a first member for applying release forces to a second member which releases the clutch. A guide member is provided to constrain a projection on one of the members to follow a first path into a recess when assembling the first and second members and to follow a second path out of the recess when separating the first and second members.

Abstract: Improvement in a hydraulic control apparatus for actuating a remotely located mechanism having a shipping and installation restraining strap for an actuator having a housing and a linearly moveable output member projecting from the front end of the housing, the strap being non-elastic and rupturable and having a part thereof engageable with the free end of the output member and another part projecting rearwardly toward the rear end of the housing, the improvement comprising an elastic anchor arrangement for the restraining strap to allow full extension thereof without rupture thereof, a stop and positioning arrangement for the elastic anchor arrangement which predetermines the retracted position in which the output member is yieldably held, and an override arrangement to selectively debar functioning of the elastic anchor arrangement whenever it is intended to rupture the restraining strap.

Abstract: A friction clutch comprises a driving member incorporating first and second cover members joined together and forming an enclosure therebetween. Within the enclosure are a first driven plate, an intermediate pressure plate, a second driven plate and a main pressure plate. In the engaged condition these components are all clamped together by a belville spring. A release rod acts on the main pressure plate to move it against the spring and release the clutch. The main pressure plate is driven by straps from the second cover member while the intermediate pressure plate is similarly driven by straps from the first cover member. This arrangement allows the clutch to be handled in two major sub-assemblies. The first of these includes the second cover member, the spring and the main pressure plate. The second incorporates the intermediate pressure plate and the first cover member.

Abstract: A brake disc assembly with fasteners for securing the disc to a wheel, together with spacers associated with the fasteners for allowing the disc limited axial play relative to the wheel, there being a holder on the disc having surfaces between which the spacers are gripped.

Abstract: Improvement in a hydraulic control apparatus for assembly on structure to actuate a remotely located mechanism, the apparatus including an actuator having an annular body providing an annular piston chamber therein and an annular piston slidably reciprocable on the body, the actuator being pre-filled with hydraulic fluid and pre-tested prior to being installed on the structure, an annular elastomeric seal axially reciprocable within the piston chamber which liquid-tight seals the hydraulic fluid behind it, the improvement comprising constructing the actuator so that it can be separated into two subassemblies, one being a body subassembly which includes the body and the other being a piston subassembly which includes the piston, the construction of the body being such that its piston chamber is formed at the rear end thereof and the construction of the piston being such that the rear end thereof reaches into the piston chamber and abuts against the seal during functioning of the actuator, the improvement furth

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control system is intended for the kind of automatic power transmission which comprises at least three forward gear ratios and in which ratio changes are effected under power by releasing one clutch interconnecting the transmission input and output through one engaged gearset simultaneously with engaging another clutch interconnecting the input and output through another engaged gearset. The control system comprises hydraulic gear actuators each for engaging and disengaging a separate gearset. Electro-hydraulic valves control the supply of hydraulic fluid to the actuators in response to ratio selection signals derived in an electronic control. One set of electro-hydraulic valve states is arranged to engage first and second gearsets while a second set of electro-hydraulic valve states is arranged to engage both second and third gearsets.

Abstract: A release mechanism for use with a clutch release bearing of a pull type clutch comprises an element on which there is a transverse circular groove, and locking members comprising a flexible ring coaxial with a diaphragm and bearing on the circumference of a central aperture therein, and a washer with flexible lugs applied against the face of the diaphragm and coaxial with this latter so that the flexible lugs engage around the ring to render it rigid with the diaphragm. The ring is adapted to snap into the groove in the actuating element at the moment of engagement.

Abstract: The transmission includes a rotary shaft for transmitting drive to driving wheels of the vehicle, a fixed gearbox casing and a hill holder between the shaft and the gearbox casing. The hill holder, when operative, inhibits reverse movement of the vehicle and includes in series a sprag clutch and a multiplate brake. Fluid is supplied from a fluid operable control system for operating the brake and controls the rate of engagement of the brake.

Abstract: The clutch comprises a clutch plate 10 which can be retracted by a release mechanism 20 to release a driven plate 12. The release mechanism comprises first and second members 24, 26 and an intermediate detent 25. The detent is rotatably mounted on member 24. The detent is located between the members in an operative position by urging the first member in one direction relative to the second member. To separate the members, the first member is urged further in the one direction to enable a detent release ring 37 to rotate the detent 25 into a release position.

Abstract: A friction material and carrier plate assembly which may be used in the construction of a driven plate of a friction clutch has a flat, metal, disc-shaped, carrier plate integral with spokes co-planar with the carrier plate and radiating from the outer periphery of the plate. The spokes are adhesively bonded and/or riveted to the bases of recesses in one of the radial friction faces of a one-piece annulus of friction material, that face being proud of the spokes. The assembly is centered on an axis relative to which the annulus and spokes can flex axially.

Abstract: The mechanism includes a release member including a driving element in which is formed a circular groove. A washer which in use is coaxial with a diaphragm of the clutch is provided with clips which pass through a release ring. A flexible retaining ring is gripped resiliently between the release ring and the washer for location in the groove during coupling of the driving element to the clutch. The load derived from the resilient engagement of the retaining ring against the washer and release ring is insufficient to overcome a resilient grip between the clips and the release ring.

Abstract: A brake disc comprises an inner mounting member and outer annular braking member and a driving connection between the two members. The braking member has the usual flat annular braking surfaces. The driving connection comprises a square shaped drive dog which engages in corresponding notches in the outer periphery of the mounting member and the inner periphery of the braking member. The notches have flat driving faces in engagement with corresponding flat faces on the drive dog. Axial location is by stop flanges secured together through an aperture in the drive dog. The axial length of the dog is greater than the thickness of the disc members so the flanges, in engagement with the axial end faces, allow some axial movement. A crinkle washer controls the relative axial positions. There are a plurality of drive dogs spaced equally around the disc.

Abstract: A structure for mounting a housing, such as the housing of a hydraulic cylinder, on a support plate or panel by a simple manual push-and-twist motion exerted on the housing and by the insertion of a spring clip between the housing and support plate. The support plate is provided, for example, with an opening defining a plurality of spaced-apart slots. The housing has a generally cylindrical mounting portion provided on one side with a circular flange of an outer diameter larger than the largest dimension of the plate opening. The other side of the cylindrical housing mounting portion is provided, for example, with a plurality of radially projecting lugs dimensioned such as to pass freely through the slots of the plate opening. A plurality of spaced-apart, locking portions, extends between consecutive slots. Each locking portion has a notch and each notch has sidewall abutment surfaces.