Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rotary cutter for cutting gears, couplings and the like. The rotary cutter comprises a cutter head having an axis of rotation, a centering disc located adjacent to a side of the cutter head and concentric with the axis and a cutter ring, centered by the centering disc, on the cutter head. The centering disc has a tapered outer edge surface that abuts against and is complementary with the tapered surface of the bore of the cutter ring. The cutter ring is centered once the surfaces are complementary. Once centered, the cutter ring is secured to the cutter head. The rotary cutter of the present invention enables the cutter ring to rotate true about the axis of a machine tool.

Abstract: A rotary disc cutter for cutting workpieces, especially gears and the like. The rotary cutter comprises a plurality of cutting blades arranged about the periphery of a rotary disc cutting body with at least a portion of the blades being roughing blades comprising a tip and two sides with each side having first and second side portions. The first side portion along with the tip defining a cutting surface of the blades while the second side portion is relieved such that a clearance is formed between the second side portion and the surface of the workpiece. The clearance being of a dimension to allow the flow of coolant therethrough thereby improving the cooling of the cutting surface and enhancing the flow of chips away form the vicinity of the blades. The invention further includes a substantially reduced number of blade segments. Alternative blade tip configurations are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rotary cutter for cutting gears, couplings and the like. The rotary cutter comprises a cutter head having an axis of rotation, a centering disc located adjacent to a side of the cutter head and concentric with the axis and a cutter ring, centered by the centering disc, on the cutter head. The centering disc has a tapered outer edge surface that abuts against and is complementary with the tapered surface of the bore of the cutter ring. The cutter ring is centered once the surfaces are complementary. Once centered, the cutter ring is secured to the cutter head. The rotary cutter of the present invention enables the cutter ring to rotate true about the axis of a machine tool.

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 clutch assembly for independently controlling transmission of drive to a pair of concentric output shafts, comprises a first driven plate mounted on the inner shaft and arranged to be clamped between a first pressure plate and a driven fly wheel; and a second driven plate mounted on the outer shaft and arranged to be clamped between a second pressure plate and a reaction plate. Spring elements, are arranged to act against a pair of coaxial cover members, to urge the pressure plate into clamping engagement with driven plate and pressure plate into clamping engagement with driven plate; and release bearings are provided to selectively remove the clamping load applied to the driven plates. The cover members and reaction plate are drivingly interconnected and adapted to be connected in axially fixed realtionship to the fly wheel, and pressure plates are drivingly connected to the cover members and reaction plate while being moveable axially thereof.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for the driven plate of a friction clutch comprises a hub, a flange extending radially out from the hub and an outer member comprising an annular side plate arranged to one side of the flange and having a central aperture such that the side plate surrounds the hub with a clearance. The side plate is capable of limited angular movement relative to the flange with circumferentially directed resilient means acting between the flange and the side plate to control the angular movement. A friction damper is provided between the hub and the side plate and comprises a resilient friction element supported in the central aperture of the side plate and bearing against the outer surface of the hub.

Abstract: A friction clutch for a vehicle includes a clutch release mechanism comprising a first member, a second member, a detent arranged to locate the first member relative to the second member on assembly by moving the first member in one direction relative to the second member whereby a clutch release force subsequently applied to said first member in an opposite direction will be transmitted to said second member to release the clutch, and a detent release sleeve which enables the detent to be released by urging said first member further in said one direction relative to said second member so that the first and second members can thereafter be separated. The detent is carried by one of the members and the detent release sleeve is carried by the other of the members whereby on separation of the members following release of the detent the detent and detent release sleeve disengage and remain on their respective members.

Abstract: A friction clutch for a vehicle utilizes a snap connection and self indexing to insure accurate presentation during installation. The release mechanism of the clutch includes a first member for applying release forces to a second member which releases the clutch.

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 friction clutch for a vehicle utilizes a snap connection and self indexing to insure accurate presentation during installation. The release mechanism of the clutch includes a first member for applying release forces to a second member which releases the clutch. A guide member is provided to constrain a projection on one of the members to follow a first path into a recess when assembling the first and second members and to follow a second path out of the recess when separating the first and second members.

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 friction clutch driven plate comprises an inner hub and a sleeve mounted on the inner hub for limited relative angular movement thereto by means of splines having clearance therebetween. Side plates secured to the hub are coupled through main torsion damping springs to a friction facing carrier having friction facings. The relative angular movement between hub and sleeve is controlled by two circumferentially extending springs which are arranged to be loaded in bending during this movement. To this end seats on the hub and on the sleeve engage against abutments on the springs. The springs are located in grooves of the hub and bear against end faces of the sleeve and so act as circlips to provide axial location between the hub and the sleeve.