Abstract: A friction clutch constructed so that it can operate as either a push or a pull type clutch with only a minimal change in parts. The parts for the two types of clutches are interchangeable except for the release levers and release bearings. This simplifies the tooling and greatly reduces parts inventories.

Abstract: A self adjusting release mechanism for disengaging a heavy duty friction clutch that is equipped with a clutch brake. As wear occurs on the facing of the clutch disc, portions of the clutch release mechanism are repositioned to compensate for wear without adversely affecting the operation of either the clutch or the clutch brake. The mechanism includes a sleeve that slidably supports a release bearing housing upon the drive shaft and a spider threaded onto the sleeve which is operatively connected to the pressure plate of the clutch via a plurality of release arms. Rearward movement of the bearing housing first disengages the clutch and then causes the housing to physically contact the clutch brake to retard the motion of the shaft. An adjusting mechanism senses wear on the clutch disc and automatically repositions the spider on the sleeve to compensate therefor without affecting the axial alignment between the release bearing housing and the clutch brake.

Abstract: A friction clutch having a known type of self-adjusting release mechanism is provided with means for preventing adjustments caused by extraneous forces rather than disc wear. In the known mechanism, adjustment is effected by a pair of ring members carried by the release mechanism, one of the ring members being rotatable relative to the other in response to disc wear to effect the compensating adjustment. The invention provides coacting means on the two ring members operable by centrifugal force to lock the members together at engine idle speed whereby adjustments induced by extraneous forces rather than actual disc wear are prevented.

Abstract: A clutch brake unit suitable for use in conjunction with a heavy duty clutch assembly for retarding the motion of the driven clutch shaft. The unit is actuated by the clutch release mechanism which causes the unit to be compressed between a movable member and a stationary member as the clutch is being released. A pair of discs, adapted to positively engage the shaft in sliding relationship therewith, are initially engaged by the members in friction driving contact and forced together against the biasing pressure of a wave washer mounted therebetween. The discs are independently mounted for compression within a relatively rigid housing. When the discs are compressed to a predetermined depth, the two members engage the housing thereby preventing further loading of the shaft.

Abstract: An adjustable support liner for securely holding a workpiece centered in a machine tool that includes an elongated sleeve having a plurality of clamping units mounted therein capable of holding the work centered in the machine in an undistorted posture. Each clamping unit contains a ring-like body for encompassing the work that is formed of two hinged sections. Each section, in turn, has an axially extended jaw member depending outwardly therefrom and means to rotate the jaws between a fully opened and a fully closed position whereby a symmetrical centering pressure can be continually applied by the jaws over the entire working range of the apparatus.

Abstract: A vibratory outfeed conveyor has a base, a feed strip resiliently mounted on the base, and a vibrator connected to the feed strip for feeding objects. A mounting bracket extends downward generally perpendicularly from the base, and an upper region of the mounting bracket is secured to a vertical surface of a support element so that the base extends horizontally over the upper surface of the support element. Spacers support the base above the upper surface of the support element so that a midregion of the base between the spacers is bendable downward. Screws engage the vertical surface and the lower region of the mounting bracket for moving the lower region of the mounting bracket away from the vertical surface while the upper region of the mounting bracket is secured to the vertical surface to apply leverage force to the base bending the midregion of the base toward the upper surface and pressing the free end of the base downward to hold the free end securely in place.

Abstract: The inventive orienter is used in the output path of a vibratory feeder for axially orienting uniform cylinders. It includes a tube having a side opening spaced from the input end and extending axially along a portion of the tube so cylinders that are not axially oriented fall through the side opening and down to a lower region of the feeder. The tube is rotationally oriented for positioning the lower edge of the side opening relative to a vertical plane through the axis of the tube so that the axially oriented cylinders move along the tube while overhanging the lower edge, and cylinders not axially oriented slide toward the bottom of the tube and fall over the lower edge and through the side opening. The tube preferably has a top opening at the input end, and the top opening preferably overlaps with the side opening so that relatively tall cylinders can enter the input end of the tube standing up and be rejected when they enter the side opening region.

Abstract: Resilient element material for a vibratory feeder is molded of a resilient plastic resin to have a base and generally upright elements molded integrally with the base and having upper ends that cooperate to support objects being fed vibrationally. The upright elements are configured so they bend in the feed direction and brace against bending in a direction opposite to the feed direction. This can be done by providing abutments or buttresses adjacent the elements, or configuring the elements so that the weight of the objects places a load on their upper ends spaced toward the direction of feed from respective lines perpendicular to the base through the centers of the bottoms of the elements. The upright elements then bend consistently in the feed direction under the weight of the objects during vibration to convey the objects along. The elements can also be molded to be tapered and to incline from a perpendicular to the base toward the direction of feed to bend reliably in the feed direction.

Abstract: An object accumulator and feeder uses a relatively long path divided into a series of independently operable sections. The upper surface of the path is covered with a pile material having bristles with tips supporting the objects and inclined toward a direction of feed, and sections of the path are vibrated to vibrate the bristles against the objects to feed the objects through the sections. A sensor is arranged along the path in each section, and the sensors have one output when an object is present in the sensing region and another output when no object is present in the sensing region. Timers respond to the two-state outputs from the sensors and are in circuit with vibrators for switching vibrators on and off to accumulate the objects by successively filling up the sections from the output end toward the input end of the device, to feed the objects out on demand, and to shut off selected vibrators for intervals during which the vibrators are not needed for advancing the objects.

Abstract: A torque limiting brake for a heavy duty automotive clutch. The brake, which is keyed to the driven shaft, is engaged by the release mechanism when the clutch is disengaged and moved into engagement with an adjacent stationary surface. This operates to stop the rotation of the driven shaft which tends to continue rotating due to inertia. To prevent damage to the brake when excessive braking pressure is applied, a yieldable connection is provided between the brake inner portion that is keyed to the driven shaft and its outer portion that engages the stationary surface whereby the former can have limited rotation relative to the latter if the braking pressure exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A torque limiting brake for a heavy duty automotive clutch. The brake, which is keyed to the driven shaft, is engaged by the release mechanism when the clutch is disengaged and moved into engagement with an adjacent stationary surface. This operates to stop the rotation of the driven shaft which tends to continue rotating due to inertia. To prevent damage to the brake when excessive braking pressure is applied, a yieldable connection is provided between the brake inner portion that is keyed to the driven shaft and its outer portion that engages the stationary surface whereby the former can have limited rotation relative to the latter if the braking pressure exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An accumulator is formed alongside the main feed portion of a vibratory object feeder having a vibrated base covered with inclined pile material, and the accumulator is formed by arranging the pile in different bristle inclination directions. A removal portion of the accumulator receives objects crowded out of the feed portion, and a re-entry portion of the accumulator moves the crowded-out objects back into the feeder portion. The bristle inclination directions of the pile material in the accumulator cooperate to move the crowded-out objects in a generally arcuate swirl that re-enters the objects into the feed path as soon as space is available. A small number of crowded-out objects form a small diameter swirl, and the swirl diameter increases with increase in the number of crowded-out objects to accumulate as many objects as desired.

Abstract: A sealed oil-contaning clutch having a novel release mechanism. Instead of having the usual externally located bearing, the release mechanism employs a thrust bearing located inside the sealed clutch enclosure. This results in a saving in space and cost, and since the bearing is exposed to the oil, its life expectancy is increased. The clutch also has but a single cover member which serves as both a structural and a sealing member.

Abstract: A trough-shaped element is vibrated in a motion that includes a rise and fall of the trough, and the inside of the trough is lined with a pile material of flexible filaments uniformly inclined from the vertical toward the direction of feed along the trough. The filaments have a size, density and resilience so the tips of the filaments flexibly support and feed objects along the trough.

Abstract: A positive flow vibratory feeder uses a support element extending along a feed path and vibrated in a plane perpendicular to the support element and extending along the feed path. The support element is covered with a feed pile material having resilient bristles of uniform length uniformly inclined toward the direction of feed from a plane generally perpendicular to the support element and transverse to the support element. A fixed holder generally parallel with the support element and spaced from the feed pile material is covered with pile material having resilient bristles of uniform length extending toward the feed pile bristles.

Abstract: A self-propelled pipe cleaner uses a body shaped to conform to the inside of a pipe with the axial extent of the body covered with a bristle pile material extending outward from the body to engage the inside of the pipe. The pile has resilient bristles uniformly inclined rearwardly relative to a forward direction of motion of the body. A vibrator is mounted within the body and energized for vibrating the body reciprocally and axially so the bristles engaging the inside of the pipe move the cleaner forward through the pipe for cleaning the pipe.

Abstract: An adjustable orienter mounts along the output path of a vibratory feeder for axially orienting uniform cylinders having a length-to-diameter ratio of approximately 1. The orienter includes a guide plate having a bottom edge in close proximity to the output path and extending upward with an upper surface inclined away from the inside edge of the output path with distance above the output path. A wiper plate is mounted above the inclined surface of the guide plate, and both the guide plate and wiper plate are adjustable and cooperate with each other to allow the cylinders with their axes aligned with the inside edge to move along the output path between the inside edge and the guide plate with a cylindrical side portion overhanging the inclined surface of the guide plate, while the cylinders having axes transverse to the inside edge are tipped over the inside edge by the guide plate or, if they reach the wiper plate, are knocked over the inside edge by the wiper plate.

Abstract: A self-adjusting cover assembly for a friction clutch. The cover assembly includes three disc shaped members: a clutch cover, a secondary pressure plate and a primary pressure plate. Locking means, including jamming balls that releasably grip link pins, connect the primary pressure plate to the secondary pressure plate. Release lever actuated retractor means, associated with the secondary pressure plate, effect engagement and disengagement. During both the engagement and disengagement cycles the jamming balls release their hold on the link pins, thereby permitting relative axial movement between the two pressure plates. As wear occurs on the friction facings, the primary pressure plate will move axially relative to the secondary plate thereby compensating for the wear. A modification applies the principles of the invention to a cover assembly which does not include a secondary pressure plate.