Abstract: A clutch release, in particular for an automobile clutch, comprising a sliding sleeve, a clutch release bearing, and a spring ring for enabling self-centering of the bearing. The thrust plate of the sliding sleeve is provided with a plurality of circumferentially distributed flexible projections of L-shaped profile which engage the contact flange of the nonrotating bearing ring such that the nonrotating bearing ring radially slidably abuts the thrust plate. The thrust plate is provided with throughholes arranged underneath the respective projections in order to facilitate the elastic yielding of the projections during the operation of snapping them on the contact flange. The flexible projections fix the axially position of the nonrotating bearing ring while allowing radial play.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing and bearing carrier assembly comprising a support flange proximate an end of the carrier member, and a pair of resiliently flexible lugs on the bearing housing face in engagement with the carrier flange disposed each in a pocket formed in the peripheral surface of the carrier proximate the flange such as to retain the bearing in assembly with the carrier while permitting limited radial motion of the bearing relative to the carrier for self-alignment, and preventing rotational motion of the bearing housing relative to the carrier. An elastomeric cushion is preferably disposed on the surface of the carrier flange for permitting limited angular axial alignment of the bearing with the axis of rotation of the clutch.

Abstract: A self-aligning type clutch release apparatus includes a clutch release bearing, bearing holding means for holding and guiding the clutch release bearing and a self-aligning coupling intermediate the bearing and bearing holding means. The coupling includes an aligning auxiliary member interposed between the clutch release bearing and the bearing holding means, first means for rendering the aligning auxiliary member rockable in all directions about a first point relative to the bearing holding means, second means for rendering the clutch release bearing rockable in all directions about a different point relative to the aligning auxiliary member, and third means for damping the rocking movement of the aligning auxiliary member relative to the bearing holding means and the rocking movement of the clutch release bearing relative to the aligning auxiliary member. Following alignment of the apparatus, the auxiliary member and the clutch release bearing are maintained in dynamically stable positions.

Abstract: In an arrangement embracing an internal combustion engine and transmission, intended in particular for use in motor vehicles, the crankshaft is split on the side of the flywheel (6) facing the engine and the crankshaft sections are interconnected via a torsionally elastic intermediate member (9). The crankshaft section (5) carrying the flywheel (6) may be seated in a bearing (4) disposed in an intermediate flange rigidly connected with the transmission housing (1). Further, the housings (1, 2) of the engine and the transmission may also be connected via elastic elements (31).

Abstract: A clutch release bearing device including a clutch release bearing and bearing retainer comprising a cylindrical portion made of synthetic resin fitted to the fixed guide of a clutch, and a radially extending portion made of a metal extending radially outwardly from the cylindrical portion and having the inner side edge thereof embedded in the cylindrical portion and retaining the clutch release bearing for self-aligning and engageable with a clutch operating fork member.

Abstract: An hydraulically actuated clutch release, in particular for automobile clutches, comprising a housing having a cylindrical portion and a flange in which a port for the intake of a pressure medium is incorporated, a cylindrical sleeve, an annular piston having a flange and slidably arranged between the cylindrical sleeve and the cylindrical portion of the housing, thereby forming a pressure medium-admitting chamber, a clutch release bearing having a non-rotating bearing ring, an outer cylindrical sleeve, and a compression ring. The outer cylindrical sleeve comprises two portions of different inner diameter and a bead connecting the portions. One portion fixedly contacts the non-rotating bearing ring and the end face of the annular piston flange, and the other portion covers a portion of the outer sliding surface of the annular piston. The compression spring is arranged between the bead of the outer cylindrical sleeve and the flange of the housing.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing mounting assembly attaches a release bearing to the diaphragm spring of a pull-type clutch. An actuating component has a radial engagement flange which coacts with a disengaging member such as a diaphragm spring on the side of the diaphragm spring remote from the release bearing. A resilient coupling member axially connects the actuating member to the release bearing in the clutch release direction, that is, away from the clutch. Retaining fingers are arranged on the other side of the diaphragm spring, adjacent the release bearing, and cooperate with the engagement flange for axially maintaining the actuating component on the diaphragm spring. An annular biasing spring is also located on the other side of the diaphragm spring for urging the engagement flange against the diaphragm spring. The annular biasing spring is separate from the retaining fingers and bears against the clutch release bearing and against the diaphragm spring radially outwardly of the retaining fingers.

Abstract: An improved self-centering bearing assembly for clutch release mechanism includes a radial bearing with a rotatable inner and non-rotatable outer race. The outer race is resiliently held for radial self-centering movement by an attachment member which mounts the bearing assembly to a plastic carrier of the clutch release mechanism. The resilient element that allows self-centering is compressed between a radial flange of the attachment and a face of the outer race. When removed from the carrier, the resilient element expands sufficiently to bias the radial flange into a radially extending portion of a declutching finger contacting member rigid to the inner race. This retains the attachment member to the bearing as a separately handled, rattle-free unit.

Abstract: There is discussed a bearing assembly adapted for engagement by a plurality of clutch fingers rotating about a clutch finger axis of rotation. The bearing assembly comprises a rotational thrust face member with a cone raceway member affixed thereto, a cup raceway member rotatable relative to the cone raceway member, with a plurality of bearing elements disposed between the raceway members. A shell housing member for the bearing assembly is provided, which is located adjacent the cup raceway member, and is adapted to be engaged upon a cylindrical carrier sleeve. The carrier sleeve defines a second axis which is not necessarily coincident with the clutch finger axis of rotation. The respective bearing components are sized such that only the shell housing is engaged upon the carrier sleeve, with the remaining rotatable components, viz.

Abstract: A clutch drive (10) includes a spindle (16) mounting a driving member (94) and a driven member (118) for rotation about the spindle (16). The driving member (94) includes a pressure plate (96) which moves axially along the spindle to engage and disengage from the driven member (118). The pressure plate (96) is mounted on circumferentially spaced pins (102) which are slidably received in apertures (106) in the pressure plate (96). Springs (112) circumscribe the pins (102) and yieldably urge the pressure plate (96) into driving engagement with the driven member (118). A fluid pressure responsive piston (52) is connected to the pressure plate (96) by a bearing (68) and urges the pressure plate (96) away from the driven member (118).

Abstract: A clutch release bearing is disclosed comprising an operating member controlled by an actuating member, e.g., a release fork, a drive member attached axially to the operating member and responsive to the operating member for coacting with a clutch release mechanism, e.g., a clutch diaphragm spring. The operating member has a metal axial sleeve which is received on a guide member and a metal transverse flange bearing on one side against the actuating member and on the other side against the drive member. A spacer member of synthetic material is interposed axially between the flange and the drive member and detents or elastically deformable pawls are operably disposed between the spacer member and the sleeve for fixing the spacer member in axial position thereon. The detents or pawls may be formed between axial slots in the inner wall of the spacer member. The outer wall has an annular transverse land against which the drive member, for example, the outer race of a ball bearing, may bear.

Abstract: A self-aligning clutch release bearing assembly is described which is particularly well suited for use in a rotatable friction clutch of the type where the clutch release levers constantly engage the rotatable race member of the bearing. The bearing is formed to provide a predetermined radial clearance between the bearing and the bearing carrier for permitting the bearing to shift radially with respect to the bearing carrier, so that the bearing may coaxially align itself with the clutch input shaft axis under a force imparted to the bearing by the rotating clutch release levers.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing comprises an actuator member whereby it is adapted to act on a clutch release device of a clutch mechanism and an operating member whereby it is adapted to be acted on by a control member. The actuator member is axially coupled to the operating member by a cover. Snap-action engagement means between the cover and the operating member comprise at least one elastically deformable lug on the operating member and at least one retaining shoulder on the cover adapted to cooperate with the elastically deformable lug on the operating member. The clutch release bearing is suitable for "traction" type applications, in particular in automotive vehicles.

Abstract: A pull-type clutch release bearing comprises a drive member acting in traction on an associated clutch release mechanism and an operating member having a sleeve with a transverse flange against which the drive member is adapted to bear. A so-called bearing member has a tubular portion and a radially inwardly directed collar at the end thereof remote from the flange for cooperation with the actuating member. The tubular portion may also have the usual radially outwardly directed collar at the end adjacent the flange for cooperation therewith. In an embodiment an extension on the bearing member for attaching the drive member to the operating member protrudes axially beyond the flange and a detent cooperates with a retaining notch between the flange and the bearing member to define a unitary subassembly between the bearing member and the operating member and/or relieve pressure on an axially acting spring in a self-centering arrangement during clutch disengagement.

Abstract: In a clutch release bearing, on the surface of a bearing flange (14) of an operating member (10) is a wear-resistant plate (30) linked axially to the bearing flange (14) by at least one snap-fastener lug (34). The length of the snap-fastener lug (34) is greater than the thickness of the wear-resistant plate (30). Associated with the latter are indexing means (42) which are separate from the snap-fastener lug (34) and which project axially from the same side as the latter. They extend axially beyond at least that part of the snap-fastener lug (34) on which the wear-resistant plate (30) first bears during its engagement with the latter.

Abstract: A self-aligning clutch release bearing assembly is described, which is particularly well suited for use in a rotatable friction clutch of the type where the clutch release levers constantly engage the rotatable race member of the bearing. A resilient retainer sleeve is interposed between a bearing and a tubular bearing carrier, and the bearing is constructed to provide a predetermined radial clearance between an inner race member of the bearing and the retainer sleeve. The retainer sleeve serves to hold the bearing in an assembled relationship with the bearing carrier, as well as to prevent the rotation of the inner race member with respect to the bearing carrier. The predetermined radial clearance permits the bearing to shift radially with respect to the bearing carrier, such that the bearing axis can be aligned with a clutch input axis under a dynamic force exerted by the rotating clutch release levers on the bearing.

Abstract: In a clutch throwout, particularly for automotive clutches, a self-centering clutch bearing is arranged on or in a sliding sleeve. The stationary bearing ring of the clutch bearing is connected with the sliding sleeve via an intermediate element, which features guides for the radial sliding, in two mutually crossing radial directions, of the clutch bearing in relation to the sliding sleeve.To enable the clutch bearing to slide in any radial direction and to position itself precisely centered in relation to the tongue ends of the clutch diaphragm spring, without great constraining forces, while, regardless of position, damping the relative movements of clutch bearing in relation to sliding sleeve, intermediate element is radially interlocked with the stationary bearing ring and with the sliding sleeve, in two mutually crossing directions.

Abstract: A drive unit comprises a motor with a motor casing, a gear box with a gear box casing, and a pulled-type clutch for torque transmission between the motor and the gear box. The gear box casing is to be fixed to the motor casing. The clutch comprises a clutch release system for transmitting a clutch release force from an actuating pedal to a diaphragm spring of the clutch. In this clutch release system there is provided a snap connection which is closed by approaching the motor casing and the gear box casing towards the relative operative position.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing of the type comprising an actuator fork 13, acting on an operating member 10, two axial guide flats 32A, 32B formed in diametrically opposite positions, and two radial arms 34A, 34B.With respect to the axial plane P of the assembly which is substantially perpendicular to the guide flats the axial guide flats 32A, 32B are entirely positioned, one on the first side of this median axial plane P, the other on the other side of this median axial plane P, so that a bayonet or quarter-turn type assembly procedure on the actuator fork 13 is possible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch release bearing assembly having an operating element which is acted upon by a control member such as a disengaging fork, a tubular actuator forming an extension-piece, which, under the action of the operating element is adapted to act on the disengagement mechanism of the clutch and a bearing element located between the operating element and the actuator and which is movable transversely in every direction relative to the operating element. According to the invention, the assembly is designed such that the bearing element is also movable transversely in every direction relative to the actuator.

Abstract: A clutch drive (10) includes a spindle (16) mounting a driving member (94) and a driven member (118) for rotation about the spindle (16). The driving member (94) includes a pressure plate (96) which moves axially along the spindle to engage and disengage from the driven member (118). The pressure plate (96) is mounted on circumferentially spaced pins (102) which are slidably received in apertures (106) in the pressure plate (96). Circumferentially spaced springs (112) yieldably urge the pressure plate (96) into driving engagement with the driven member (118). A fluid pressure responsive piston (52) is connected to the pressure plate (96) by a bearing (68) and urges the pressure plate (96) away from the driven member (118).

Abstract: A clutch release bearing assembly is described in which a lubrication reservoir is provided between the bearing and the bearing carrier. The lubricant in this reservoir is communicable through a plurality of passageways in the bearing carrier to lubricate the reciprocable movement of the bearing carrier with respect to a guide member connected with the transmission. The bearing assembly is formed to provide a predetermined radial clearance between the bearing and bearing carrier which permits the bearing to shift radially with respect to the bearing carrier, so that the bearing may coaxially align itself with a clutch input shaft axis, said shifting being operative to transfer lubricant from the reservoir to the area between the bearing carrier and guide member.

Abstract: A clutch throwout bearing assembly comprises a bearing, a carrier plate, and a carrier sleeve upon which the carrier plate and bearing are mounted. The mounting arrangement permits the bearing to be radially shifted, axially shifted, or tilted to adapt the plane of the bearing to the plane of the clutch fingers in situations involving misalignment of the bearing and clutch fingers due to tolerance build up between the clutch fingers and the bearing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch release bearing assembly using an operating element which, in order to be acted upon by a control member such as a disengaging fork, is carried by a support member mounted for axial movement. A tubular actuator forms an extension-piece, which, under the effect of the operating element is adapted to act on the disengagement mechanism of the clutch, and a bearing element is located between the operating element and the actuator. This bearing element comprises two coaxial rings mounted so as to be rotatable relative to each other. According to the invention the actuator is mounted to slide axially on a support guide, and swivel means are provided between this actuator and the support guide. This compensates for any defect in parallelism between the operating element support means and the support guide and prevents the actuator becoming jammed on the guide.

Abstract: There is disclosed a clutch release bearing comprising a plastic operating member having an axial sleeve and a transverse flange, and a drive or thrust member comprising a ball bearing. One of the races, here the outer, is adapted to bear against a washer bearing member through an annular holding member disposed on one side of the transverse flange. Passageways are formed in the flange to provide access for an associated actuating member to the bearing member from the other side of the flange. The holding member for the bearing member preferably comprises a washer portion, a slotted annular rim divided into segments with radially outwardly extending annular lip on the free end of the rim bearing against a transverse shoulder formed on a radially inwardly extending bead at the free end of an axial rim on the operating member. Alternatively, the annular holding member may consist of a washer, or an axially extending rim.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing is disclosed comprising a plastic operating member with an axial sleeve and a transverse flange, and a ball bearing defining a drive or thrust member. One of the races of the ball bearing is applied directly or indirectly against a bearing member which comprises a simple flat metal washer. The arms of the associated actuating fork bear against the other side of the bearing member through passages therein. For guiding the arms of the actuating member there are raised edges or projections bordered the passages, possibly with a right angle portion parallel to the flange for engaging each arm of the fork. An axial rim is provided at the outer periphery of the flange extending to the drive or thrust member side and has hooks engageable with a resilient clip for coupling the drive or thrust member to the operating member and if desired self-centering operation. Various arrangements are disclosed to positively hold the bearing member against axial movement in either direction.

Abstract: A load-splitting transmission has its drive shaft journaled with respect to the housing in an axial bearing and supported only by a radial bearing forming part of the clutch connecting said drive shaft to the output shaft of an engine so that the axis of the drive shaft is swingable relative to the housing. The drive shaft carries a drive gear which meshes with a pair of load-splitting gears so that the swinging movement allows torque compensation between the two drive trains of which the load-splitting gears are a part.

Abstract: A clutch has a bearing adapted to be axially movable by means of an actuating member, so that the bearing can move into and out of engagement with a clutch lever, such as a diaphragm spring or cup-spring. A ring of vibration damping material is mounted on either the bearing ring or clutch lever to damp the passage of vibration therebetween, and a layer of wear resistant material may be provided on the ring of damping material.

Abstract: In a throw-out bearing for a clutch, a movable element, which may be comprised of a sliding sleeve, is slidably supported on a guide element by flexible conical projections extending inwardly from the movable part to the guide element. The projections may be on the end of and the unitary part of the sliding sleeve, or they may be a part of a sleeve inserted within the sliding sleeve, or they may form a part of the fixed ring of the bearing.

Abstract: A winding system includes a frame with a power driven shaft mounted on the frame and a work fluid source for providing work fluid at a selected variable pressure. A carrier block is mounted on the shaft with mandrel means being removably mounted on the carrier block for rotation therewith and including wound material support means for receiving material being wound. An annular piston and cylinder encircles the driven shaft and engages a drive disc rotation by the driven shaft having friction means on a surface engaging the carrier block so that the drive block is urged toward the carrier block with a force in proportion to the pressure of the work fluid to vary the winding tension provided by the mandrel.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing has a sliding sleeve of a vibration damping and noise insulating material. The sliding sleeve has a flange axially engaging a bearing outer ring, the outer ring being separated from a bearing inner ring by rolling elements. The sliding sleeve has a radially inner sliding surface with axially extending recesses, the recesses extending radially through the end faces of the sliding sleeve.

Abstract: A clutch throw-out having a damping ring in the bore for centering and wherein motions of the clutch thrust bearing are softly dampened in a circumferential and radial direction.

Abstract: A sliding sleeve for a clutch throw-out wherein the clutch lever pressure plate is axially and circumferentially fixed on the hub element on one side by a plurality of protrusions formed on that side of the plate and engageable on the hub element, and on the other side by a shoulder machined in the hub element.

Abstract: A disc clutch arrangement is disclosed within a gear drive. One of the clutch halves is formed on the end of a quill shaft which mounts a driven gear and a hydraulic cylinder. A piston operating within the cylinder is connected to a rod extending through the quill shaft and secured at its opposite end of a pinion shaft which mounts the other half of the disc clutch. The pinion shaft is mounted in bearings, such as straight roller bearings or sleeve bearings, which permit sliding of the pinion shaft axially within the bearings. The clutch is engaged by actuating the hydraulic cylinder thereby causing the rod to draw the pinion shaft and its clutch half towards the quill shaft and its clutch half.

Abstract: A clutch release mechanism for a pull type friction clutch for automobiles having a gearbox with a sleeve surrounding its input shaft. The mechanism comprises a release bearing assembly, a release fork and an automatically connectable and disconnectable coupling operably connecting the release fork to the bearing assembly. The coupling is caused to engage or disengage a shoulder on the bearing assembly depending upon the axial position of the gearbox sleeve relative to the coupling so that the coupling is automatically engaged or disengaged as the gearbox is respectively located in its operable position, or is withdrawn.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing is disclosed comprising an operating element having a transverse annular flange, a bearing plate lining one side of the annular flange and clips being provided for a relative elastic snap-fit engagement on the associated clutch fork. The clips are independent, generally U-shaped parts having a bight portion which is interposed between the bearing plate and the transverse annular flange of the operating element under a radial lug of the bearing plate. Alternatively, the bight portion extends on the side of the transverse annular flange remote from the bearing plate.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for securing a shaft or the like in a hub, wherein an annular groove is provided on the shaft or in the hub to accommodate an elastic securing ring of round cross-section. A shoulder is provided on the hub or shaft radially facing the annular groove and the hub or shaft has an adjusting member displaceable in axial direction with a conical face axially facing the shoulder. This face together with the shoulder forms an annular recess widening towards the opening of the groove. The floor of the annular groove on the side of the adjusting member is at a radial distance from the shaft or hub at least as great as the thickness of the securing ring.

Abstract: A release bearing assembly for a pull type clutch and which includes a stem attached to the stationary race of its bearing and which is accommodated between two arms of a release fork. The stem has a flange against which the arms abut during release of the clutch. The stem has a polygonal cross section, preferably hexagonal, providing pairs of diametrically opposed flats engagable with the fork arms, and the flange is also polygonal in shape, preferably hexagonal, and is angularly offset relative to the stem so that engagement of the arms with any pair of flats on the stem causes the stem to rotate on the bearing and thereby align the corners of the polygonal flange with the fork arms.

Abstract: In a clutch release bearing assembly for a motor vehicle, the outer ring of a clutch thrust bearing has a flange engaging a radially extending flange of a housing part affixed to a sliding sleeve. This engagement permits play. An elastic ring is held fixed with respect to the outer bearing ring, and has projections extending axially from its internal circumference to engage circular surfaces of recesses of the housing. The circular surfaces of the recesses are joined by straight sections on the housing, whereby the tendency of the sliding sleeve to rotate with respect to the bearing ring effects the radial bending of the tongues, to damp such movement.

Abstract: A drive mechanism comprises a rotatable member, such as a shaft, having an axially elongated cylindrical outer surface, a second member or shaft having an axially elongated cylindrical inner surface loosely telescoped over the outer surface so as to provide an axially elongated annular space within which is contained a wrapped-spring clutch so arranged as to serve as radial load-bearing means when the clutch is disengaged whereby to journal one member on the other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch release bearing, particularly for motor vehicles, of the kind comprising an operating element, which is acted on by a clutch fork, a drive element, which, under the action of the operating element, acts on the disengaging mechanism of the clutch, and axially acting elastic means, which are supported by the operating element and bear on the drive element in order to hold the latter against a bearing plate which is axially fast with the operating element. According to the invention, the circumference along which these axially acting elastic means bear on the drive element has a diameter which is approximately equal to the diameter of the circumference along which the drive element is capable of bearing on the disengaging mechanism of the clutch. As a result, the axially acting elastic means are not able to cause a rocking torque on the drive element, which is thus maintained in axial alignment with the operating element.

Abstract: A self-centering thrust bearing assembly, in which the bearing comprises one ring intended to cooperate with a driving unit of the clutch assembly, whereas its other ring is mounted on an axial movable support driven for the clutching operation, said mounting being provided with a certain radial clearance and a resilient pinching action in axial sliding rest on said support. The pinching action is substantially carried out by first fastening means exerting a pinching stress localized from the ring to the support so that it constitutes for the ring the center of a pivoting movement which is superposed to the radial sliding clearance for the self-centering process.

Abstract: A self centering clutch thrust bearing has a damping ring between one bearing ring and the sliding sleeve of a housing. The damping ring has resilient projections positioned to engage recesses in the housing with play, to damp small turning motions, and larger projections positioned to engage other recesses in the housing with play, to damp larger turning forces. The resilient projections are mounted to be operative in damping the forces prior to the larger projections.This invention relates to self centering clutch thrust bearings, and more in particular to the provision of damping means in such bearings.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing assembly provided with a self-centering mechanism has a clutch releasing bearing device and bearing device holding means movable axially of a clutch by clutch operating means and holding the bearing device for self-centering. The bearing device holding means has a metallic portion and a synthetic resin portion formed integrally with the metallic portion. The metallic portion constitutes a drum-like base.

Abstract: A clutch release device comprises, in addition to a known clutch mechanism, a clutch release mechanism and holding means for the clutch release mechanism, a self-aligning mechanism capable of self-aligning the clutch mechanism and the clutch release mechanism during clutch release in a case where the clutch mechanism and the clutch release mechanism are eccentric with each other.

Abstract: A clutch release device has a pressure plate mounted on a sliding sleeve, and a stationary ring of a bearing abut one side of the pressure plate. A clutch lever abuts the other side of the pressure plate, and is held from axial removal by a ring having a flexible outer rim. The holding ring is held to the pressure plate by a flange on the sliding sleeve. The clutch lever has a central aperture fitted over a central conical portion of the pressure plate, the aperture having a pair of inwardly directed projections. The outer diameter of the holding ring is greater than the distance between the facing ends of the projections.

Abstract: A brake support assembly to be mounted on a vehicle axle housing for supporting a brake shoe assembly and an actuator therefor comprising a backing plate adapted to be fixedly mounted on a vehicle axle housing and two anchoring plates removably attached to the backing plate for pivotally supporting the brake assembly. Each anchoring plate includes projections which correspond to bores in the backing plate for positioning the anchoring plate at a predetermined position on the backing plate whereby the anchoring plate may be removed and replaced while maintaining a constant positioning of the brake assembly. In a first embodiment, the anchoring plate includes integral projections extending therefrom. In a second embodiment, the anchoring plate includes a tapered bore extending therethrough for supporting a pin. The pin extends from the plate defining the projection which corresponds with the bore in the backing plate.

Abstract: In a clutch release bearing, wherein a pressure plate is affixed to a sliding sleeve, the pressure plate has a cylindrical portion affixed to the sleeve, a radial flange adapted to abut the bearing of the device, and an intermediate conical section. The conical section has four recesses distributed thereabout, two of which are adapted to engage projections of a clutch lever. A holding ring is held on the cylindrical portion of the pressure plate, and has projections entering the other two recesses of the pressure plate. Recesses in the holding ring aligned with the first mentioned recesses have tongues adapted to resiliently hold the projections of the clutch lever in the respective recesses.

Abstract: This invention relates to a self-aligning clutch release bearing assembly comprising a rolling element bearing having a rotary race which in use engages with a clutch member, and a non-rotary race mounted on a support for transmission of a clutch release load. The non-rotary race is relatively movable on the support transversely to the rotary axis of the bearing assembly to permit in use self-alignment of the rotary axis of the bearing with rotary axis of the clutch member. This movement is controlled by a layer of viscous material interposed between the support and the non-rotary race. The viscous material exhibits some resilience and up to a given value resistance to plastic flow so that the material locates the non-rotary race but allows it to move to achieve self-alignment on operation of the clutch in use.

Abstract: A clutch throw-out bearing assembly includes a thrust bearing member having first and second spaced apart annular thrust rings and a plurality of bearing elements rotatably retained therebetween. An annular shell holds the spaced apart thrust rings in a fixed axial spaced relation to one another while permitting relative rotation therebetween. A carrier member mounts the thrust bearing assembly, one annular thrust ring being non-rotatably affixed to the carrier member. The shell is non-rotatably affixed to this one annular thrust ring, while the other annular thrust ring is rotatable relative to the shell. This other annular thrust ring also includes a bearing surface exposed outwardly on the shell for selective engagement and rotation in unison with portions of a clutch throw-out bearing assembly. An annular sealing ring or shim is interposed between the facing surfaces of the other thrust ring and of the shell.