Abstract: A friction facing material and carrier assembly (2) for inclusion in a clutch driven plate. The assembly (2) comprises a metal carrier plate (4) having resiliently pliable spokes or paddles (14) at its outer periphery. Two annuli (20, 22) of friction material forming facings are bonded to opposite sides of the paddles (14) by a respective layer of an elastomeric material, for example a silicone rubber. Each elastomeric layer is in the form of a spiral stripe extending substantially continuously from the outer to the inner periphery of the respective friction facing. For example, the facing (22) is bonded by an elastomeric spiral having three turns (24A, 24B) and 24C. Preferably in a complete assembly (2), both spirals of elastomeric material are of the same hand with turns of one spiral opposite gaps between adjacent turns of the other spiral.

Abstract: The clutch is of the pull type having a detent ring between a first member and a second member, and having a detent release sleeve. On release of the detent ring, the members can be separated with the detent ring and sleeve carried on respective members. The sleeve has a peripheral surface engageable within the ring, the surface having a formation thereon whereby during separation of the members following release of the detent ring, relative movement will take place between the detent release sleeve and the member on which it is carried.

Abstract: A friction material and carrier assembly (which is to be used in the construction of a driven plate of a dry friction clutch) comprises a circular carrier plate having at its periphery radially extending spokes or paddles which are elastically pliable axially of the carrier plate. Two annular friction facings which are resilient and capable of flexing are bonded by respective layers of silicone rubber to opposite sides of the paddles. Each rubber layer can be formed by a plurality of strips or beads of rubber. The paddles arrangement is capable of sinuous flexing circumferentially of the assembly, and when the assembly is in a driven plate in a clutch applying the clamp load specified for the clutch, the overall axial thickness of the combination formed by the paddles and rubber layers and the friction facings is reduced by between 0.05 mm and 2.00 mm.

Abstract: In a diaphragm spring clutch, a clutch driven plate is clampable against a rotatably driven counter - pressure plate by a pressure plate urged by a diaphragm spring. To cushion clutch re-engagements the pressure plate has an annular array of spaced lands facing the diaphragm spring and supporting a resilient fulcrum ring having spanning portions spanning the spaces between the lands, the spanning portions of the fulcrum ring being in contact with respective radial ribs on a face of the diaphragm spring. As the diaphragm spring increasingly urges the pressure plate during a clutch re-engagement, the spanning portions of the fulcrum ring are resiliently deformed by the ribs into the spaces between lands to axially cushion the re-engagement.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly includes a diaphragm spring acting on a pressure plate through a fulcrum ring which encircles the clutch axis and is disposed in a groove in the pressure plate. The fulcrum ring is a resilient tube. During clutch re-engagements, the cross-section of the tube is resiliently deformed by the load of the diaphragm spring to provide cushioning. The resilient tube can have a slot in its outer periphery. In a first stage of cushioning the tube is deformed so as to close the slot. Thereafter, further deformation of the tube is harder and creates a second stage of harder cushioning.

Abstract: A friction clutch driven plate has an internally splined hub, and externally a circular radial flange to rotate with the hub about the hub axis. The flange has teeth in its outer periphery which are in driving meshed engagement with teeth in the inner periphery of an annulus of friction material. That annulus is formed by separate successive arcuate sections or sectors of friction material. The sections of friction material can, axially of the hub, each move relatively to one another by a limited amount to improve the axial compliance of the friction annulus when in a clutch and clamped between a drive plate and a pressure plate. A holding strap extends around the outer periphery of the annulus to hold the sections thereof on the flange against centrifugal force.

Abstract: The clutch comprises a clutch plate which can be retracted by a release mechanism to release a driven plate. The release mechanism includes first and second members and an intermediate detent. The detent is located between the members by urging the first member in one direction relative to the second member. To separate the first and second members, the first member is initially urged further in said one direction to release the detent.

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: The clutch comprises a clutch plate which can be retracted by a release mechanism to release a driven plate. The release mechanism includes first and second members and an intermediate detent. The detent is located between the members by urging the first member in one direction relative to the second member. To separate the first and second members, the first member is initially urged further in said one direction to release the detent.

Abstract: A friction clutch driven plate comprises a hub with a small integral flange and an outer flange portion coupled to the hub through a lost motion connection associated with interengaging teeth. In addition to main torsional damping springing associated with springs in windows in the outer flange portion and side plates of a friction facing carrier, auxiliary circumferentially acting springing acts between the hub and the outer flange portion. The auxiliary springing comprises two springs, one to each side of the hub flange. The springs are circumferentially extending spring arms engaged in the hub and outer flange portion and together are much weaker than the main springs taken together and provide damping to prevent idle rattle while the main springs provide friction damping during transmission of torque through the driven plate.

Abstract: A diaphragm spring clutch of the kind in which the diaphragm spring is retained by a plurality of tabs extending through windows in the spring and embracing a pair of wire fulcrum rings. Each tab is deformed radially outwards midway between the fulcrum rings to provide location for the spring and to allow for the outer radius of the windows to be made coincident with the fulcrum ring radii.

Abstract: A motor vehicle clutch driven plate having a flanged hub comprising a pressed annular metal plate having a central cylindrical neck and a central insert. The insert has inner splines for mating with a shaft and outer teeth for engagement in the neck. The insert is a force fit into the neck so that engagement of the teeth with the internal surface of the neck holds the insert in its operative position relative to the plate which then constitutes the hub flange.Such a construction allows a large number of inserts having different internal splines to be used with a single metal plate.

Abstract: A twin plate friction clutch includes a one-way clutch device which allows only relative movement of the intermediate pressure plate towards the flywheel to compensate for wear of the primary driven plate. The clutch device comprises an abutment member supported in a relatively tapered aperture of the pressure plate by ball bearings. Coil springs ensure positive separation of the pressure plate on clutch disengagement until the abutment member contacts the clutch cover.Several such devices are provided at equi-spaced intervals around the periphery of the intermediate pressure plate.