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: 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: 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: A clutch cover for a motor vehicle friction clutch with typical construction having a driven plate gripped between a pressure plate and a flywheel. The clutch cover is secured to the flywheel and has a plurality of spacers spacing the cover from the flywheel, wherein the spacers incorporate wear resistant pieces through which torque is transmissible between the spacers and the pressure plate and against which the pressure plate can slide during operation of the clutch.

Abstract: The invention relates to diaphragm spring friction clutches in which the diaphragm spring is supported on a cover by tabs which extend through slots between the fingers of the diaphragm spring and are bent radially outwards on assembly over an adjacent arc of a fulcrum ring which is on the opposite side of the spring to the cover. To achieve firm clenching of the diaphragm spring and the fulcrum ring by the tabs, during the bending operation each tab is supported against radially inward movement where it extends through the spring slot while the fulcrum ring is supported against radially outward movement over those arcs which are gripped by the tabs.