Abstract: A damper assembly has circumferentially arranged coil springs between drive plates, and secured by retainer formations on the drive plates, and by edges of retainer plates adjacent to respective drive plates to substantially prevent relative movement between drive plates and springs to prevent springs abrasion and breakage.

Abstract: A progressive engagement clutch having a compressible clutch plate assembly mounted between the clutch flywheel and pressure plate. The clutch plate assembly has a pair of outer clutch plates, a center wave spring plate coaxially mounted on a hub for axial movement relative to one another and to the hub, and clutch facings on the outer sides of the outer plates engagable with clutch facings on the flywheel and pressure plate. During clutch engagement, the clutch plate assembly and its spring are progressively compressed between the flywheel and pressure plate until the clutch plates are finally firmly gripped between the flywheel and pressure plate to permit torque transmission through the clutch without chattering, excessive stress on the clutch or transmission coupled to the clutch, and other problems associated with conventional clutches.