Abstract: A transfer case having a mechanically parallel overrunning clutch and centrifugal, speed proportional clutch provides improved handling characteristics especially in off-throttle driving conditions. The transfer case includes a one-way or overrunning clutch which provides drive from the rear driveline to the front driveline to rotate the front driveline and wheels at least as fast as the rear driveline and wheels. For example, the one-way clutch will be engaged when the rear drive wheels lose traction and attempt to overspeed the front drive wheels. The clutch overruns, however, if the front driveline and wheels are urged to overrun the rear driveline. The mechanically parallel speed responsive, i.e., centrifugal, clutch provides speed proportional engagement or coupling between the two drivelines and is particularly effective to reduce speed differences therebetween as its clutching and torque transfer effects are in direct proportion to the speed difference between the two drivelines.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch has a clutch boss including a hub fixed to a drive shaft, several guides that extend radially from the hub, and clutch shoe retaining flanges that extend radially outward from each of the guides. The centrifugal clutch also has a clutch drum disposed coaxially with the clutch boss and is rotatable about the driving shaft independently from the clutch boss. Clutch shoes are slidably fitted to the guides in a radial direction of the clutch boss, and a spring biases each clutch shoe radially inward. Resilient snaps hold each of the clutch shoes with respect to the clutch boss so that each of the clutch shoes is biased toward each of the flanges in an axial direction of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch is provided having a drive member having a rotor and at least one shoe which is radially displaceable as a result of centrifugal force. A clutch drum is oriented coaxially with the drive member having a circular or cylindrical portion for engaging the shoe. The clutch drum is provided with a central hub and an end wall extending between the central hub and the circular or cylindrical portion. The end wall is integrally formed of a sheet metal stamping provided with a plurality of fan blades circumferentially spaced about the central axis and integrally formed in the end wall by showing a radially extending slit into the end wall and bending the adjacent sheet metal axially outward to define a fan blade and an adjacent vent opening.

Abstract: A centrifugal friction clutch which can transmit torque and rotation has an input shaft, which is rotatable about an axis, and an output member. A plurality of shoes are constrained to rotate with the input shaft and arranged to move in a radial plane perpendicular to the input shaft axis. The shoes have a tapered profile with a narrower portion and a wider portion, with the narrower portion located further away from the axis of the input shaft. The output member of the clutch has an annular drum surrounding the shoes, and the drum includes surfaces which define a tapered cavity adapted to receive the shoes. The frictional engagement of the clutch is improved by the tapered geometry of the shoes and drum. A restraining spring is coupled to the shoes and adapted to urge the shoes radially inwardly.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch for a power-drive working tool, such as a chain saw, includes a hub (10) adapted to be operatively connected to a drive shaft of an engine, and at least two clutch shoes (13) operatively connected to the hub and radially movable in order to, when actuated by centrifugal force, engage a clutch drum radially surrounding the shoes against the action of a resilient member (16) striving to disengage the shoes from the drum. Each of the clutch shoes is slidably connected to a spoke (12) made integral with the hub. Each of the spokes has a cross-section including two integral, laterally-displaced rectangular portions (12a, 12b). Each spoke is slidably received in a complementary recess formed in a clutch shoe, whereby mutual lateral guiding of the spoke and the clutch shoe is insured.

Abstract: To prevent overloading of a clutch interposed between a driving, or input shaft (2, 112) and a driven, or output shaft (4, 115) upon blockage of the output shaft while continuous rotary power is being transmitted to the input shaft, a plurality of centrifugal weights (16, 117) are located on an output clutch member (14, 116) so that, in case of blockage of the output shaft, centrifugal force will immediately cease and power transmitting engagement between the input and output shafts will be disconnected. In order to permit starting of the clutch, a predetermined small frictional force between an input clutch member (6, 114) coupled to the driving or input shaft (2, 112) and the output clutch member (14, 116) is established, essentially independent of speed, for example under control of springs (22).

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch apparatus for use with small motorized carts (or karts) that are powered with an internal combustion engine having a horizontal drive shaft includes a clutch hub having a central sleeve with a bore for mounting the sleeve on the drive shaft of an internal combustion engine. A backing plate extends radially and circumferentially from the sleeve. Wear pads are mounted on the backing plate at the periphery thereof on radial struts of the backing plate. The backing plate of the wear pads are positioned to travel radially when subjected to sufficient centrifugal force. Springs normally retain the backing plate of the wear pads in an inner starting, non-engaging position. Springs extend between a circular "floating" ring that is spaced about the clutch hub sleeve. The floating ring provides openings for attaching springs thereto. Hangers on the backing plate to the wear pads provide an attachment for an opposing end of each of the springs.

Abstract: The invention provides an overspeed protection system for a vehicle such as a mine skip travelling along a vertical set of rails 60. In use an idler wheel 62 in contact with a rail 60 rotates a shaft 12 forming part of a clutch 10 at speeds which are directly proportional to the linear travelling speed of the vehicle. When the rotational speed of the shaft 12 exceeds a predetermined limit the clutch 10 frictionally transfers torque from the shaft 12 to a shaft 14, which in turn drives an hydraulic pump 64. The pump 64 pressurises hydraulic fluid in a supply line 67 until it opens a valve 68, which admits a pressurised fluid from a reservoir 74 into a braking means 80, which performs a clamping action on an associated rail 60 to restrain the motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch includes a rotatable drum having a circularly cylindrical inside surface; a plurality of shoes, each shoe having an external engagement surface for frictionally contacting the inside surface of the drum, each shoe being coupled to a rotatable hub for rotation therewith when the hub rotates concentrically with the drum, movement being permitted of each shoe radially inwardly and outwardly relative to the drum; a rigid shoe member of each shoe having a radially inwardly projecting first lock portion and a radially outwardly projecting second lock portion circumferentially spaced from the first lock portion; and a plurality of compression springs, at least one of the compression springs being positioned for compression between the first and second lock portions of adjacent ones of the shoes for biasing the shoes in a direction radially inwardly from the inside surface of the drum, the combination of the springs and the lock portions locking the shoes from moving radially outwardly more than

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch includes a pair of clutch shoes, a rotor, and a housing around the clutch shoe and rotor. Each clutch shoe is formed to include pockets that receive drive arms on the rotors. The shape of the pocket on the top side of the clutch shoe is different than the shape of the pocket on the bottom side so that the clutch has one torque capacity if the rotor drive arm extends into the "top side" pocket and a different torque capacity if the rotor drive arm extends into the "bottom side" pocket. The side walls of each pocket and the side walls on each rotor drive arm are shaped and configured so that a user can change the torque capacity of the clutch by changing the orientation of the clutch shoes relative to the rotor drive arms inside the housing.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch includes a pair of clutch shoes and a rotor. The rotor includes rotor arms extending into pockets formed in the clutch shoes. Sound-deadening buffer members are positioned in the pockets to lie between each rotor arm and clutch shoe to deaden sound produced by movement of a rotor arm in its clutch shoe pocket.

Abstract: A vibratory compactor includes a frame which carries a soil compacting plate, and a drive mechanism such as a gasoline engine, is mounted on the frame and has a rotatable drive shaft. A pair of eccentricly weighted shafts are mounted for rotation on the frame and the weights are in the same phase relation on the shafts. The drive shaft carries a pair of pulleys and single belt connects the pair of pulleys on the drive shaft to pulleys on the eccentric shafts. The drive shaft is connected to the drive shaft pulleys through a centrifugal clutch, which acts to selectively connect the drive shaft to one or the other of the drive shaft pulleys to thereby effect forward and reverse travel of the compactor plate of the compactor over the terrain.

Abstract: A baitcasting reel comprising a reel body including right and left side frames disposed across a spool, a side case for covering an opening defined in one side face of one of the side frames, and a centrifugal brake mechanism including a brake shoe fixed to either one of the side frames and brake blocks mounted on a rotational drive line of the spool to act upon the brake shoe with rotation of the spool. The brake blocks are opposed to the brake shoe and movable between an operative position to contact the brake shoe and a rest position retracted from the brake shoe.

Abstract: A coolant pump system driven initially by an electric motor in-line with the pump shaft to the pump housing incorporates a ram air-assisted cooling system. The ram air-assisted cooling system includes an electric motor whose rotating shaft drives the primary fan member. A second fan member is located about and connected to the periphery of the primary fan member and is rotated by high velocity air streams purposefully directed at the secondary fan blades. The air which drives the secondary fan member is preferably gathered by one or more air inlet funnels. Typically, two air inlet funnels are equiangularly disposed adjacent the periphery of the secondary fan blade members so that a balanced current of air is swept across the secondary fan blades. A shroud extends over the secondary fan blade members to force the inlet air over the fan blade members.

Abstract: The invention concerns an electromechanical control having a centrifugal structure comprising a shaft (22) driven in rotation by an electric motor (20) and defining an axis, at least two flyweights (38) capable of moving under the effect of a centrifugal force between a plate (34) and a disk (32), the plate (34) being able to be driven in rotation by the shaft, and a wedge device (12). According to the invention, the shaft (22) is mounted movably in axial translation to drive in translation the wedge device (12), and the plate (34) is axially fixed whereas the disk (32), which solidly fixed to an axial sleeve (30) forming, with the end (24) of the shaft (22), a lockable screw-nut assembly, is capable of axial translation and can be driven in rotation by the shaft (22), the radial position of the flyweights (38) determining the separation of the disk (32) and the plate (34). Application to the braking of vehicles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal clutch with coupling jaws and pressure spring. Usually tension springs are used for the type of couplings which have three jaws. Tension springs have a weak point in their attachment lugs that are in most cases exposed to harder stress than the rest of the spring body. Likewise, the lugs get often indication of fracture during the manufacture of owing to wear. The present proposal aims at getting a higher security against spring breaks by using pressure springs. It is characterized by hole spaces (18,19,29) in jaws (13) and spoke plates (14,15) and by supporting bridges (23) between the spoke plates.

Abstract: A speed responsive centrifugal clutch having a one-way clutch function and suitable for use as a lock-up clutch of a torque converter is provided. The one-way clutch is provided not as a separate component but as structurally integrated in the clutch. The speed responsive centrifugal clutch includes a clutch plate fixedly mounted on a rotating shaft, a damper plate supported to be rotatable relative to the clutch plate and carrying damper elements, a reaction ring supported to be rotatable over a predetermined angle range relative to the damper plate, a plurality of shoe assemblies supported by the reaction ring to be displasable radially outwardly due to centrifugal forces, and a one-way clutch mechanism incorporated between the clutch plate and the damper plate. Because of the provision of such a one-way clutch mechanism in this particular manner, the overall size of the clutch can be minimized and transmission of rotating force can be carried out extremely smoothly.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch, and a method of producing same, include driving inner runner on whose circumference a plurality of resilient clutch elements are arranged to move radially outwards with increasing speed and, at clutch speed, to bear against an inner surface of a drum-shaped outer runner for driving the outer runner. In order to assure low-wear operation even at high clutch speeds, the clutch elements are constructed integral with a rotating ring and form, together with the ring, an intermediate runner. Segments of the elements extend from the ring in the axial direction of the clutch.

Abstract: In a stepless speed-change power transmission for vehicle having an acceleration clutch comprising a fluid coupling, a forward/backward change-over mechanism coupled to a rear stage of the acceleration clutch, and a stepless speed changer coupled to a rear stage of the forward/backward change-over mechanism; a centrifugal lock-up clutch for the stepless speed-change power transmission for vehicle characterized by that an approximately disc-like output hub is connected to a turbine hub coupled to a turbine wheel of a fluid coupling fixed to an output shaft of said acceleration clutch, two side plates are so provided as to sandwich both side faces of the output hub, a damper mechanism is interposed between the side plate and the output hub, and a clutch shoe is provided at an outer peripheral portion of the side plate, which is movable in a radial direction of the side plate by means of a centrifugal force and can be freely engaged with or disengaged from an input member inputting a power from an engine.

Abstract: A torsion damping device in a clutch plate is fitted with an interposing element comprising two movable centrifugal plates. According to the invention, the two movable plates are connected to one another by at least one transmission element which is rotatable relative to the plates in such a way that a radial displacement of one of the movable plates causes rotation of the transmission element and a radial displacement in the opposite direction of the other movable plate.

Abstract: An anti-overload centrifugal clutch including a centrifugal clutch having a clutch drum secured to a driving shaft thereof and a group of centrifugal clutch shoes engaged with a driven shaft for contact with and movement away from the clutch drum. A group of centrifugal members are engaged with the driving shaft which are respectively forced to embrace the driven shaft by the action of an associated spring. The centrifugal members release this embrace when the rotation of the driving shaft reaches a predetermined rotational speed.

Abstract: A power door lock actuator includes a one piece molded and centrifugally expandable brake ring that is held on a drive ring to a motor shaft within a lock lift arm driving cup that is freely pivoted to the shaft. A camming member on the drive ring fits within the brake ring so as to retain it to the shaft, to maintain it in a ready position spaced from the cup when stationary, and so as to jam it into the wall of the cup when turning.

Abstract: A clutch brake having a hub flange with a brake assembly installed between two cover elements forming a cover assembly, external friction surfaces on the cover elements, recessions formed on an outer peripheral part of the hub flange, centrifugal segments urged by a centrifugal force toward radial outsides of the hub flange installed in the recessions and spring members in the recessions urging the centrifugal segments radially outwardly of the recessions for generating an initial torque between the centrifugal segments and the hub flange.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch for use especially in a motor-driven chain saw. The clutch includes a carrier which is provided for attachment to a drive shaft and on which radially moveable centrifugal weights are mounted. The weights can move radially outwardly under centrifugal force and counter to spring force and come into contact engagement with the drum which is the output end of the clutch. A restraining device is provided between each centrifugal weight 2 and carrier 1 so that the engagement of the clutch does not occur until after an elevated speed has been reached. Disengagement of the clutch occurs as in known clutches somewhat above the idling speed. The restraining device is configured so that it does not clear the outward path of the centrifugal weight until a certain minimum centrifugal force has been exceeded. This has the effect that the clutch engages suddenly at mid range speeds and can transmit a very high initial torque to the output tool driven through the clutch.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch has a clutch drum and a strip therein elastically secured to a clutch center and transfers a driving torque by servo action. During normal torque transfer the strip drives in a pushing manner with servo action. Upon overload its driving point changes onto a shoulder provided with a pressure spring and the torque transfer becomes a pulling action with no servo action.

Abstract: A clutch unit is disclosed for rotatably connecting two coaxial parts mounted for relative rotation. The clutch unit comprises a circular track on one part and at least one self-clamping cam on the other part bearing on a second track carried by the other part. The self-clamping cam comprises a roller having a roller surface and mounted for eccentric rotation about a pin having an outer periphery defining the second track. The roller surface is clampingly engageable with the first track to define an engaged position of the clutch unit. The pin is carried by a radially elastically deformable arm.

Abstract: A progressing cavity well pump has an overspeed brake to protect the gear box during reverse rotation. A power source rotates an input shaft of the gear box, which through a right angle drive, drives a string of rods extending into the well to the progressing cavity pump. A centrifugal brake is mounted to the input shaft. If the pump locks up, the power source will impart energy to the rods by twisting them until the power source reaches its limit. When the rods start to unwind, the centrifugal brake will engage to dissipate energy and slow the speed of the reverse rotation.

Abstract: A stepless speed-change power transmission for a vehicle having a fluid coupling, a forward/backward change-over mechanism coupled to a rear stage of the fluid coupling and a stepless speed changer coupled to a rear stage of the forward/backward change-over mechanism. The fluid coupling has a clutch for selectively coupling an engine driven drive plate with the pump wheel of the fluid coupling, when a vehicle is operated to drive, between the drive plate transmitting power from the engine to the fluid coupling. A turbine wheel facing the pump wheel is interconnected through a turbine hub to an output shaft for transmitting power to the forward/backward change-over mechanism.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch including a drive member, a plurality of intermediate members, a driven member and closing plates each having shape and weight conforming to a side wall of each intermediate member to provide dynamic balance for the clutch. When the drive member rotates sufficiently fast, the intermediate members move radially outward along respective parts of the drive member, against the bias of a peripherally extending spring held in place as to each intermediate member by the respective closing plate.

Abstract: The apparatus relates to a device for absorbing torque and includes a first flywheel connected to the output shaft of an engine. A second flywheel, concentric with the first flywheel, is supported by a bearing on the first flywheel. A spring mechanism, a hysteretic mechanism and a slip mechanism are provided between the first and second flywheels. A centrifugal clutch is provided between the first and second flywheels for engaging the first flywheel with the second flywheel when the rotating speed of the engine has increased to a predetermined level.

Abstract: A torsional damper device comprises an intermediate member responsive to centrifugal force. At low values of torque, beyond a predetermined critical rotation speed, it causes to become operative an elastic intermediate member which is normally inoperative at such low values of torque. This intermediate member comprises at least one flange which, by way of a toothed portion, is selectively interlocked with the hub. By way of a bearing lug, it is adapted to act on the elastic member concerned.

Abstract: A speed responsive clutch assembly includes a generally disc-shaped clutch plate fixedly mounted on a rotating shaft on the driven side of the clutch assembly and a reaction ring supported by the clutch plate so as to be rotatable relative to the clutch plate over a predetermined angle. The clutch assembly also includes a plurality of shoe assemblies which are mounted on the reaction ring so as to be movable radially outward until they come into frictional contact with a casing, which is connected to a driving source, thereby establishing a coupled condition as the centrifugal force acting on the shoe assemblies increases. The assembly also includes a plurality of damper members interposed between the clutch plate and the reaction ring so that the rotational force can be transmitted between the clutch plate and the reaction ring through the damper members. Those shoe assemblies and damper members are arranged substantially along the same circumference.

Abstract: A normally engaged wrap spring clutch includes a helical spring which normally is wrapped down on the outer surfaces of aligned input and output hubs to couple the latter. One end of the spring is anchored on the input hub and the other end is secured to a control collar which is telescoped over the spring so that, by turning the control collar relative to the input hub, the spring is unwrapped from the surfaces of the hubs to disengage the clutch. Pins project longitudinally into radial slots in the input hub and spiral slots in the control collar and have substantial mass so that, when the input hub reaches a preselected speed, the pins move radially outward under centrifugal force and, through a camming action in the spiral grooves, turn the control collar relative to the input hub thereby unwrapping the spring. In an alternative embodiment, the outwardly moving pins turn the control collar to cause the spring to wrap down and cause engagement of a normally disengaged clutch.

Abstract: A blade-brake clutch device of a lawn mower in which a brake drum of an internal expanding type brake and a clutch drum of a centrifugal type clutch are combined together with back to back relation and fixedly secured to a rotating shaft of a mower blade, there being provided a clutch boss member for holding clutch shoes of the centrifugal clutch and fixedly secured to an output rotating shaft of an engine of the lawn mower.

Abstract: A centrifugal type friction clutch for motor vehicles, which include: a disk serving as an output member and provided with a number of frictional coupling element support means in outer peripheral portions thereof; a drum serving as an input member and provided with a frictional coupling surface on the inner periphery thereof in coaxial relation with the circumference of the disk; and frictional coupling elements respectively supported by the frictional coupling element support means and displaceable radially outward according to the rotational speed of the disk for engagement with frictional coupling surface on the drum.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a centrifugal clutch provided in particular for use in a motor-driven chain saw. The centrifugal weights are axially secured on the carrier by respective holders. The holders are slid onto the centrifugal weights and have each two legs which straddle the carrier and at least partially straddle the centrifugal weights. The holders are of light weight, of simple configuration and prevent the centrifugal weights from moving axially relative to the holders thereby avoiding possible damage to the holders.

Abstract: A centrifugally-actuated roller clutch or overrunning clutch acting to engage two shafts rotating independently at different speeds to bring them into engagement in one or both directions at a predetermined rpm. The clutch assembly includes an outer race, a wave hub or inner race, clutch rollers, a spacer ring or spacer blocks to separate the rollers and a garter spring encompassing the rollers. If a freewheeling mode is required in one direction, the spacer ring or blocks are not required, and the wave form of the inner hub controls the overrunning action.

Abstract: A clutch is provided in which the friction shoes 40a, b and c are attached to a hub 38 through leaf springs 48a, 48b, 48c with the leading end of the leaf springs, relative to hub rotation, being connected to the leading end portions of the hub surfaces 38a, b and c, and the trailing end portions of the springs being connected to the trailing end portions of the shoes, the originally flat leaf springs assuming a shallow S-shape by being connected to the parts, this S-shape of the springs absorbing torque peaks from the internal combustion engine driving the clutch.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch which can transmit rotation of a primary shaft on the input side to a secondary shaft on the output side joining them by utilizing a centrifugal force which increases with the increase of the rotation of the primary shaft. A shoe divided into plural segments is arranged around a rotor which is fixed to the primary shaft; arcuate dents are made on the inside of the shoe and the outside of the rotor in such a way that each of the dents on both sides is placed face-to-face in pairs and pillars can be put between their couples. The pillars are made of an elastic material and around the shoe is a spring, so that the shoe always clamped together to the rotor with the pillars being put between them. A cylinder to which the secondary shaft is fixed encloses the shoe.

Abstract: A multiple speed ratio hydrokinetic transmission for a wheeled vehicle comprising a planetary gear set having two input torque flow paths and a hydrokinetic torque converter having an impeller element connected to one flow path and a turbine element connected to the other flow path; a friction lockup clutch which, under relatively high peed driving conditions, establishes a mechanical torque bypass path for engine torque in parallel with a torque flow path established by the hydrokinetic unit; and an overrunning coupling located between the friction clutch and the turbine element to adapt the transmission for a direct mechanical torque transfer from the vehicle engine to a driven member or a split torque path that is partly mechanical and partly hydrokinetic; provision being made during high speed ratio operation for a regenerative torque distribution between the input elements through the friction clutch and the overrunning coupling thereby providing improved driveline efficiency and improved driveability fo

Abstract: A frictional lining (2) for a wet clutch or brake includes a resin-free wood with an average raw density in the dried condition (.delta. o) of at least about 550 kilograms per cubic meter, the fibers of the wood running substantially parallel to the frictional direction of the clutch or brake. Elm wood is particularly suitable.

Abstract: An actuator with a positive centrifugal clutch has a clutch drum loosely rotated relative to a rotary drive shaft and is provided with large inner diameter portions and engaging protuberances inwardly projecting from the large inner diameter portions; a clutch body loosely fitted within the clutch drum and driven by the rotary drive shaft, and provided with a retaining hole opening radially from the center thereof toward the inner wall of the clutch drum; and an engaging permanent magnet loosely movably retained in the retaining hole of the clutch body. When the clutch body is in a standstill state, the engaging permanent magnet provides a magnetic attraction between itself and the rotary drive shaft and thereby is accommodated within the retaining hole. When the clutch body continues its rotation, centrifugal force is generated.

Abstract: A clutch/brake assembly for coupling and decoupling (and simultaneously braking the rotation of) a rotary implement to a drive shaft. The clutch portion of the assembly operates in one mode during low rotational speeds of the implement and at higher rotational speeds changes modes to become a centrifugal clutch. The clutch is also torque sensitive such that when the implement is subjected to high loads and low rotational speeds, the clutch is more tightly engaged to avoid clutch slippage. The brake portion of the assembly has some components common to the clutch assembly. The brake portion is self-energized and constructed to obtain braking assistance from centrifugal force such as at high rotational speeds of the implement and is torque sensitive so that at low rotational speeds and high braking force, the braking surfaces are maintained in tight engagement.

Abstract: A centrifugal-force friction clutch with a torque transmission dependent on the speed of rotation has a hub-shaped input part, a drum-shaped part to be driven, a clutch output centrifugal weights acting upon the drum-shaped part. In a first speed stage the weights are held back to prevent torque transmission, in a second speed stage, the torque increases at least substantially proportionally to the increase in centrifugal force and friction, and in a third speed stage, less torque is transmitted than is proportional to the centrifugal force and friction. Radially displaceable friction shoes are fixed with respect to the output and are movable radially outwardly by the weights to transmit torque, and means are provided for resiliently holding back radially outward movement of the friction shoes. The weights are tiltable relative to the friction shoes and are radially displaceable by centrifugal force with the friction shoes.

Abstract: A friction shoe assembly for a speed responsive centrifugal clutch assembly especially adapted for use as a lock-up clutch in connection with a torque converter, which shoe assembly includes a centrifugally-actuated follower, load limit spring and stop, and a retractor spring in combination with a centrifugally engageable friction shoe, providing for low speed lock-up while limiting the torque capacity of the lock-up clutch at higher speeds.

Abstract: The drive transmission includes rotatable coaxial drive and driven members with a hub member disposed therebetween. A first clutch is provided between the hub member and the drive member to drivingly clutch those members together with a relatively high energizing force. A second clutch is provided between the hub member and the driven member to drivingly clutch those members together with a generally lower energizing force. The transmission provides for clutch slippage due to excessive loading at the second clutch connection and thereby generally precludes slippage at the first clutch connection.

Abstract: Segmental clutch shoes are operatively deployed between coaxial drive and driven members and are movable radially and circumferentially therebetween into and out of clutching engagement with a drum on the drive member. Equiangularly spaced projections are provided on the driven member corresponding to the number of clutch shoes and extend into recesses provided in the shoes. The trailing side of the projections are each provided with a cam ramp engageable by the shoe. The shoes are normally biased outwardly toward engagement with the rotating drum, and upon initial contact with the drum, are forced circumferentially into contact with the cam ramp. The load imposed on and by the driven member gives rise to a reactive energizing force to effect movement of the shoes outwardly on the cam ramp and into clutching engagement with the rotating drum to rotationally pick up the driven member.

Abstract: A clutch assembly connectable to an electric motor and to another rotating unit includes a housing securable at one end to the housing of the electric motor and securable at the opposite end to the housing of the other rotating unit. A driven body within the clutch housing is rotatably mounted in a bearing supported in the clutch housing and is connectable in a driving manner to the other rotating unit. A drive body is connectable to the electric motor so as to be driven thereby and has radially movable centrifugal weights which engage and drive the driven body when the rotational speed of the drive body exceeds a predetermined value and which are disengaged from the driven body when the rotational speed is below the predetermined value.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch assembly having a resilient restraining means for providing a radially inwardly directed restraining bias to each of a plurality of clutch shoe members is disclosed. The restraining means comprises a coiled spring member circumferentially surrounding and in contact with each clutch shoe member and a rod spring member extending substantially a complete extent of and enclosed within the coil spring member. A coil spring member and the rod spring member each contribute to the radially inwardly directed bias whereby the idle range of the clutch mechanism is increased over the use of either spring member by itself. In this way, overstressing of a spring member is eliminated.

Abstract: A clutch having weights which centrifugally expand and selectable resilient sleeves of different external diameters but of the same internal diameter for axially positioning over the centrifugal expandable weights to vary the size of the bobbins or the like to be rotated.