Abstract: A friction disc clutch includes a radially extending Belleville diaphragm spring having its outer peripheral portion rigidly secured to a flywheel. In one preferred form, the diaphragm spring reacts against a fulcrum on the rear side of a pressure plate to effect engagement and release of a pull type friction clutch. A mounting portion integrally joined with the radially extending Belleville diaphragm spring, includes an annular rim for affixation to the flywheel. The result is a "cantilevered" Belleville spring action, wherein the forces obtainable are greater than those normally achieved by a Belleville having its outer portion unconstrained and hence free for axial deflection.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for adjusting a plurality of release levers in a friction disc clutch. The method ensures that the inner or nose ends of the release levers lie in a common plane upon final clutch assembly. In a preferred form, rivets of varying head thicknesses are affixed to the nose ends of the release levers, one rivet per each lever, each selected according to an actually measured amount of axial deviation in the nose end to which it is to be affixed. Each rivet is preferably visually identifiable by color or other marking to indicate its specific head thickness, which corresponds to an expected deviation range. The invention therefore provides a mass production technique which ensures adjustment of inner nose ends of release levers during the assembly of a friction disc clutch, whereby the inner nose ends of the release levers thereof will lie in a common radially extending plane.

Abstract: A friction clutch assembly includes a noise suppression device for a constant running bearing fixed to the transmission input shaft of the clutch assembly. The friction clutch system includes a plurality of rotatable clutch release levers, and in a preferred form the noise suppression device is defined by cylindrical members affixed to drive pins extending axially of the release bearing for engagement with the inner end of the levers. The resilient nature of the cylindrical members operates to suppress the noise which otherwise normally occurs by virtue of direct contact of the metallic lever ends with the metallic drive pins.

Abstract: A multiple disc clutch has a multiple component clutch housing which is adapted for oil lubricating and cooling of the clutch discs and plates during operation. Concentric driven shafts extend into the clutch housing from the rearward end thereof with the inner shaft extending into a driving relation with a counter bore in the forward component of the clutch housing. The outer shaft has a splined outer end on which is drivingly mounted the driven disc hub. The forward end of the hub is piloted in a recess in the forward component of the clutch housing, and a wave washer reacting against another portion of the clutch housing biases the driven disc hub into piloting engagement within the recess. On the driven disc hub are drivingly mounted the driven discs; the latter being interleaved with the driving plates of the clutch. Both the discs and the plates are disposed within the clutch housing.

Abstract: Liquid cooling system for a multiple plate friction clutch. The cooling system provides cooling liquid completely around the contact surfaces of the friction discs and driving members of the clutch at the time the clutch is disengaged or during engagement of the clutch and the driven members of the clutch are stationary or rotating only slowly.

Abstract: A self adjusting device interposed in the lever system of a friction clutch is disclosed. The device operatively connects a threaded adjusting ring and an axially shiftable actuating collar such that wear occurring in the friction surfaces of the clutch is automatically taken up during operation of the clutch. The self adjusting device includes a mounting bracket secured to the clutch cover. The mounting bracket includes a central U-shaped portion and a pair of flange portions, each extending outwardly from an end of the opposing sides of the U-shaped portion. A pin is retained in the opposing sides of the U-shaped portion of the mounting bracket. The pin rotatably carries a pair of hub members which effect the self adjustment of the clutch to compensate for wear of the friction surfaces. The U-shaped portion of the mounting bracket permits visual confirmation of correct installation and function of the self adjusting device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for constructing and adjusting a plurality of release levers of a friction disc clutch. The method ensures that the inner or nose ends of the release levers lie in a common plane upon final clutch assembly. In a preferred embodiment, a rivet is secured to the nose end of each release lever. The resulting lever unit is heat treated in a manner wherein the attached rivet is hardened throughout its entirety, while the lever per se is case hardened to a specified depth.Next, a clutch cover, pressure plate, pressure means for urging the plate, and the plurality of heat treated lever units are installed together to form a clutch cover sub-assembly. Relative movement between the clutch cover and pressure plate is effected against the bias of the pressure means until the levers are in an extreme position relative to the clutch cover.

Abstract: An improved method of making a collector ring enhances the cyclic engagement and disengagement of a spring clutch of the type having an annular spring compressed between a clutch cover and plurality of externally located release levers. The preferred method is applicable to a collector ring which defines a radially extending annular base member having an integral axially extending rim on its outer perimeter. The rim abuts and encircles the outer circumference of the annular spring, while the base member is positioned interjacent the spring and levers for transfering reaction loads therebetween.

Abstract: A friction clutch assembly is disclosed having an annular spring compressed between a clutch cover and a plurality of externally located release levers. The spring has tongues cooperating with indentations on the outside of the cover to centrally locate the spring and prevent it from rotating relative to the cover. An abutment may be formed on the cover for engagement by the spring to indicate when the clutch is in a fully worn position.

Abstract: An adjusting device for a spring loaded friction type clutch is incorporated, as a sub-assembly, in the lever system of the clutch between an actuating collar and an axially movable adjusting ring so as to be operable to permit the manual advance of the adjusting ring as the friction surfaces of the clutch wear, lock the adjusting ring to compensate for the clutch wear. The improvement being a locking device having support means secured to the clutch cover and means to engage radially extending teeth of the adjusting ring to suitably lock the same against rotation after adjustment thereof to compensate for clutch wear.

Abstract: A clutch driven disc assembly is disclosed having coaxial damper springs between rotary elements of the disc assembly. Each element has spring receiving openings with the end walls which permit the springs to operate in two stages, thereby varying the deflection rate between the rotary elements.

Abstract: A mechanically operated disk brake assembly is disclosed which incorporates an axially and rotationally moveable disk concentrically mounted to the axle of the vehicle. The disk is positioned between a fixed and a moveable brake plate. The moveable brake plate and the disk are pressed toward the fixed brake plate by a sliding cam when a braking lever is applied and are returned to the non-braking positioned when the braking lever is released.

Abstract: A mechanical caliper type disc brake is disclosed for vehicles such as trucks and trailers where high torque ratings are required. The brake structure of the invention is employed for applying frictional braking forces to opposite braking surfaces of a rotatable rotor.

Abstract: A friction clutch is provided with an improved connection for the release levers including an opening in the lever provided with a longitudinally extending sharp knife-edge for cooperating with a longitudinally extending pivot axis formed on an integral support means associated with one of the elements of the clutch. The integral support means and lever openings are constructed in such a manner as to positively constrain the levers in both a radial and circumferential direction with respect to the associate clutch element.

Abstract: An adapter ring attached to a clutch cover to extend the axial length of the clutch cover to accommodate a clutch assembly of increased length. The ring is of stamped construction and has a generally "U"-shaped cross-section with inner and outer legs and a central portion. Slots are formed in the ring for cooperating with lugs on a driven plate. Each slot is defined by an opening in the central portion of the ring, an adjacent portion of the outer leg as one side and a pair of tabs bent outwardly from the inner leg and welded to the outer leg.

Abstract: A friction clutch is provided with an improved connection for the release levers including an opening in the lever provided with a longitudinally extending sharp knife-edge for cooperating with a longitudinally extending pivot axis formed on an integral support means associated with one of the elements of the clutch. The integral support means and lever openings are constructed in such a manner as to positively constrain the levers in both a radial and circumferential direction with respect to the associate clutch element.

Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle clutch including a cooling fluid distribution means and a heat exchange means. A bell housing encloses the clutch assembly and provides a sump for containing cooling fluid. A clutch pressure plate has a plurality of pickup tubes formed on its periphery which are passed through the cooling fluid as the pressure plate rotates with the engine flywheel. The cooling fluid is forced through the pickup tubes into the interior of the clutch assembly where the cooling fluid draws heat from the clutch elements and then drains back into the sump. The inlet openings of adjacent pickup tubes are offset with respect to one another to increase the flow of cooling fluid. The rotation of the flywheel and the pressure plate generates a flow of the cooling fluid in the pool. A sump pan is connected to the bell housing and includes a baffle for diverting the flow of cooling fluid into the sump pan which is formed with a corrugated bottom and finned sides to function as a heat exchange means.