Abstract: A friction type one-way clutch includes friction elements held by a retainer between an input side member and an output side member. The friction elements are released from frictional engagement with the input side and output side members to interrupt power transmission from the input side member to the output side member by rotating the retainer. For rotating the retainer, a rotor is formed on the retainer, and a stator having coils for generating a rotational magnetic field is disposed around the rotor. An electric current is fed to the coils of the stator to generate a rotational magnetic field, and the rotation of the rotor by this rotational magnetic field rotates the retainer.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wrap spring clutch having a field assembly made from a single L-shaped bracket is disclosed. This L-shaped bracket design improves upon previously known round body or bracket and yoke designs.

Abstract: A motor-operated actuator has a clutch members are set in slide recesses formed in a drive member which are regulated in movement with a clutch base. A protrusion is formed on each of the clutch members, and a groove is formed around the protrusion. Both end portions of a return spring are placed in the grooves of the clutch members, and fixed there by thermal caulking. Thereby, the clutch member is prevented from being damaged by unsatisfactory disengagement. The clutch members are prevented from being disconnected from the return spring, and the former can be positively connected to the latter with high efficiency.

Abstract: A multi-directional planetary transmission mechanism adapted to establish plural torque flow paths between a driving member and a driven member including a one-way torque delivery clutch located in the torque flow path from the torque input element of the planetary gear system and a torque output shaft, and a friction brake means for anchoring the torque input element of the planetary gearing to establish a change in torque ratio wherein provision is made for disengaging the one-way clutch to interrupt torque delivery therethrough in either a driving direction or a coast direction and simultaneously anchoring said torque input element of said gearing to provide a torque reaction point.

Abstract: A torque transmission device coaxially arranged between a pair of rotary shafts transmits rotational torque in response to relative rotation therebetween. This device includes an outer cylindrical housing coupled to one of the rotary shafts for rotation therewith, wherein the outer cylindrical housing receives an inner sleeve shaft coupled to the other of the rotary shafts for rotation therewith, and multiple friction disc clutch which transmits rotational torque between the inner sleeve shaft and the outer cylindrical housing. In the torque transmission device, there are also an actuation piston making the multiple friction disc clutch be in engagement and a pressure generating mechanism generating a pressure according to the relative rotation between the outer cylindrical housing and the inner sleeve shaft to make the actuation piston move toward the clutch.

Abstract: A rotary coupling for torque transmission is arranged between two relatively rotatable shafts to transmit a rotational torque in response to a rotational speed difference therebetween. The device includes a housing connected to the first shaft for rotation therewith, a clutch means for transmitting rotational torque between two shafts, and a piston which thrusts the clutch means in the axial direction. The rotary coupling also includes a rotor received in a cylindrical space, in which a high viscous fluid is filled to be compulsorily moved by the rotor. Each side surface of the rotor is provided with plural depressions at regular interval in the circumferential direction. The depressions have inclining surfaces inclining in the rotational direction of the rotor. When a rotational speed difference occurs between the two shafts, wedge effects occur between the inclined surfaces and the housing and between the inclined surface and the piston so that a high pressure is generated in the space section quickly.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a four wheel drive vehicle, which drive assembly, during forward driving, automatically assumes a freewheeling position if the speed of the dependent wheel axle is higher than that of the permanently driven axle, with the four wheel drive function otherwise being maintained with a reduced driving torque, even during reversing, the drive assembly providing the freewheeling unit with a second viscous coupling which is connected in parallel and whose torque transmitting capacity is smaller than, or equal to, that of the first viscous coupling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switchable freewheeling ratchet unit 1a having a coupling sleeve 2 and a coupling hub 5 as well as radially resilient locking ratchets 13 and 38 per direction of rotation, which engage recesses 11 and 39 of the coupling hub 5 and which, depending on the direction of rotation, may be disengagable from the coupling hub 5 by a control ring 23 with control elements 21. The control elements 21 have first control faces 19, 19a and the locking ratchets 13 and 38 have second control faces 18, 18a facing the first control faces 19 and 19a for freewheeling purposes. The locking ratchets 13 or 38 not serving torque transmitting purposes are completely disengaged from the recesses 11 and 39, respectively, and are out of contact with the coupling hub.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated spring clutch permits transference of rotational motion from an input hub to a coaxially-disposed rotatable shaft. A selectively actuable source of magnetic flux, such as an electromagnetic coil, is disposed around at least a portion of the shaft with a space therebetween. A housing, at least a portion of which is conductive of magnetic flux, substantially envelops the outer surface of the source. A shaft flange, also conductive of magnetic flux, is disposed around a portion of the shaft. A helical spring, having a first end attached to the input hub and a free end disposed adjacent the shaft flange, is loosely engageably coiled around the shaft, in the space between the shaft and the source. magnetic flux flowing through the shaft flange attracts the free end of the helical spring and thereby causes the helical spring to contact about and engage the shaft.

Abstract: A skinning machines having a gripping roll, a skinning blade, a power unit for rotating the gripping roll, and a safety circuit responsive to manual contact of the machine operator with danger zone of the skinning machine. A clutch is provided to the skinning machine is operatively connected to the gripping roll and the power source for the gripping roll. A brake is connected to the safety circuit and the gripping roll. The clutch is normally operative, and the brake is normally inoperative, whereby the brake will stop the rotation of the gripping roll when the safety circuit is activated to overcome the operative condition of the clutch. The brake includes a coiled spring that tightens on a hub connected to the gripping roll when the safety circuit is actuated. The safety circuit includes a solenoid device that releases the spring to tighten on the hub when the safety circuit is actuated.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch assembly (40) especially suitable for use in motor vehicle four wheel drive systems selectively provides power to the front drive components (26, 28, 30). The clutch assembly (40) includes a through drive shaft (42) about which a clutch armature (100), clutch rotor (110), output drive sprocket (76) and other components are coaxially disposed. The drive shaft (42) receives a plurality of spring biased fingers (56) which selectively couple the shaft (42) to the drive sprocket (76). The fingers are translated axially by a like plurality of cam lobes (122) on the rotor (110). A torsion spring (154) maintains the cam lobes (122) in alignment with the fingers (56).

Abstract: In a two-way clutch comprising an outer race having a plurality of roller receiving portions each formed by a pair of bisymmetrical arch-shaped cam surfaces, rollers disposed in the roller receiving portions, and a cage having support portions for the rollers and disposed on the inner periphery side of the outer race, the cage has a portion extending in the direction of a rotary shaft and clutch shoe receiving portions radially provided on the extending portion, and clutch shoes slidably fitted in the clutch shoe receiving portions have a sliding surface displaced by a centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of the clutch and sliding relative to a member outside the clutch.

Abstract: Magnetic flux produced by an electrically energized coil threads radially between a housing and a flange on a rotatable shaft, threads axially between the flange and a control collar for the clutch, threads radially between the control collar and an input hub via a helical spring contracted around the hub, and threads axially between a flange on the hub and the housing to complete the flux circuit. Flux cutting axially between the flange on the shaft and the control collar causes the control collar to shift axially into engagement with the flange so as to effect turning of the collar relative to the input hub and contraction of the spring around an output hub.

Abstract: To stably control clutch engagement torque of a multidisk friction plate clutch provided between two rotary members, without being directly subjected to the influence of friction plate wear or of fluctuations in friction coefficient between two clutch plates, the coupling apparatus comprises a pilot clutch, a main clutch and dual cam ring members disposed between the two clutches. When the pilot clutch is engaged by an actuator in a first direction, since a first slidable cam ring rotation is limited by the pilot clutch relative to a second fixed cam ring, the first slidable cam ring is shifted in a second opposite direction by a cam thrust force to engage the main clutch. The coupling apparatus is suitably incorporated in a differential gear assembly mounted on automotive vehicles in order to controllably and stably limit the differential motion between two shafts.

Abstract: A viscous clutch assembly includes a viscous coupling arranged for generating a viscous resistance force in response to relative rotation between a pair of coaxially arranged rotary members, a cam mechanism cooperable with the viscous coupling for converting the viscous resistance force into a thrust force, a friction clutch mechanism cooperable with the cam mechanism to be brought into engagement when applied with the thrust force from the cam mechanism for establishing the drive connection between the rotary members. One of the rotary member is in the form of a cylindrical outer casing and the other rotary member is in the form of an internal rotary member coaxially surrounded by the outer casing.

Abstract: This clutch comprises centrifugal weights (11) which are arranged radially in a hub (12) fastened to the output shaft (2) of an electric motor (1), returned to the position of rest by means of springs (21), and which, when the centrifugal force is sufficient, can come into engagement with the axial ends (26a) of an elastic ring (26) capable of transmitting the torque of the shaft (2) frictionally to a part (28) carrying an input pinion toothing (4) of a gear train for controlling the part to be driven. This arrangement simplifies the structure of the clutch in comparison with that of known clutches.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a freewheel clutch which transmits torque in two directions of rotation and controls the blocking pawls by control rings which are held back by friction rings ounter to the rotary motion and by guide extensions and pivot journals of blocking pawls guided in radial slots in guide extensions which move the blocking pawls out of or into engagement with the assigned support recesses of the inner part into a disengaged or engaged position. While, for instance, the one blocking pawl is moved into the torque transmitting position, simultaneously, the other blocking pawl is moved out of the position permitting torque transmittal. This assures a short response travel and with it a rapid switchover from the one driving direction to the other without interfering with the freewheeling motion.

Abstract: A viscous clutch assembly adapted for installation in a torque transmission system for effecting a drive connection between a pair of rotary members coaxially arranged for relative rotation. The viscous clutch assembly includes a viscous coupling arranged for generating a viscous resistance force in response to relative rotation between the rotary members, a first cam mechanism cooperable with the viscous coupling for converting the viscous resistance force into a thrust force, a friction disc clutch arranged to be brought into engagement when applied the thrust force from the first cam mechanism for establishing the drive connection between the rotary members, and a second cam mechanism cooperable with the viscous coupling for increasing and decreasing the viscous resistance force in response to a difference in torque between the rotary members.

Abstract: A driving assembly includes a viscous shear coupling (15), a clutch (17) and a hysteresis or eddy current brake (19). The clutch comprises inner and outer parts (20 and 21) between which are received torque-transmitting balls (18) received in a cage (16) to which is connected a disc (30) forming part of the brake. The outer part (21) can overrun the inner part whether or not the brake is actuated. The inner part (20) can overrun the outer part (21) if the brake (19) is not actuated but drives the outer part (21) if the brake is actuated. The outer part (21) is connected to one part of the viscous shear coupling (15). A drive member (34) is connected to the inner clutch part (20) and a driven member (38) forms the other part of the viscous shear coupling.

Abstract: In a variable inertial mass flywheel having a main flywheel member coupled to an engine crankshaft and a subflywheel member rotatably arranged relative to the main flywheel member, an electrorheological fluid whose viscosity changes according to intensity of electric field at high response speed is enclosed between electrodes formed on the main flywheel member and the subflywheel member. At engine idling, a higher voltage is applied to the electrodes to increase the viscosity of the fluid, that is, to increase inertial mass of the flywheel so that engine torque ripple can effectively be absorbed. At engine acceleration, a lower (or zero) voltages is applied to the electrodes to decrease the viscosity of the fluid, that is to decrease inertial mass of the flywheel so that high engine torque response characteristics can stably be obtained.

Abstract: A clutch (1) including an inner part (3) and an outer part (4) having races (6 and 5) respectively between which are arranged rollers (4). The rollers are arranged in a cage (7) which is in two parts (8 and 9) which are connected by leaf springs (10). One part (8) of the cage may be operated upon by a brake (11) to retard it relative to the other part of the cage thus to cause the rollers to skew and jam between the races and thus transmit torque between the inner and outer member. The clutch may be associated with a viscous shear coupling (18) and the combination may be used in the driveline of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A bidirectional freewheeling clutch assembly (50) and a self-propelled walk-behind lawn mower (10) including same are disclosed. Lawn mower (10) preferably includes a prime mover (18) which can be selectively coupled to a gear box (34). The output shaft (44) of gear box (34) extends to a pair of clutch assemblies (50) which selectively apply torque to a pair of gear driven wheels (16). Each clutch assembly (50) includes as its basic components a key (68) and a friction disk (66). Key (68) has a wedge portion (74) which rocks within an axial first keyway (62), and a tang portion (76) which is received within a tang relief (84) in friction disk (66). When shaft (44) is rotated friction disk (66) frictionally engages the housing (12) of mower (10) and applies a drag force to the tang portion (76) of key (74) to cause it to cock and positively engage a pinion (46) which engages a gear (48) attached to drive wheel (16).

Abstract: A thrust spacer having resilient, upwardly angled tabs is provided to act as a variable spacer within a two-piece agitator, between an upper agitator portion and a lower agitator portion to prevent relative vertical movement between the two portions while permitting relative rotational movement therebetween. Each of the tabs is positioned adjacent to an opening larger than the tab to permit the tab to be compressed into the opening to provide a large degree of variability in the height of the tabs. The spacer also includes angled arms which engage with slots in the lower agitator portion to cause the spacer to rotate with the lower agitator portion.

Abstract: A hub clutch is operable as an automatic hub clutch and as a manual hub clutch, and includes a hollow housing secured to a wheel hub, the inner circumference of which is provided with a spline, and on the outside end surface of which an opening is defined; a manually operable knob rotatably mounted in the opening of the housing and provided with a boss section having an inclined cam surface; a drive gear fixed to a drive shaft at the extreme end thereof, and provided with a spline and a gear section; a ring clutch supported in an axially transferable manual on the spline and which is engaged with the gear section on the circumference of the drive gear when displaced outwardly in the axial direction; a retainer rotating integrally with the housing and engageable with the cam surface of the knob; a return spring extending between either the retainer and the drive gear or the retainer and the housing for urging the retainer and the ring clutch inwardly in the axial direction; a shift spring extending between the

Abstract: An electromagnetically controlled spring clutch mechanism comprising a first boss member rotatable as a unit with an input rotating element, a second boss member rotatable as a unit with an output rotating element, a coil spring fitted over and across the first and second boss members, a rotation control member for hampering contraction of the coil spring, a movable member, a magnet for biasing the movable member magnetically toward the rotation control member, and an electromagnet for magnetically attracting the movable member away from the rotation control member. When the electromagnet is energized, the movable member moves away from the rotation control member to permit contraction of the coil spring member, and the contraction of the coil spring effects a driving connection between the first and second boss members.

Abstract: In order to simplify the structure of the armature of an electromagnetic spring clutch and to lower the raw material cost, the armature is cylindrical and the field core is composed of a core section with a U-shaped bracket section having open sides and an open end and a yoke section fixed to the open end of the bracket section and having a through-hole in its middle in which the armature is inserted.

Abstract: A drive system for motor vehicles having driven front and rear axles comprises a liquid friction coupling, which is incorporated in the rear axle drive train, and a clutch, particularly an overrunning clutch, which is connected in series with said liquid friction coupling and arranged to be released in response to a front axle speed exceeding the rear axle speed. In order to avoid a requirement for stronger steering forces during a reverse travel and to avoid an operation of the liquid friction coupling with mixed friction, that second clutch is arranged to be automatically engaged in dependence on the liquid temperature in the liquid friction coupling or of other variables.

Abstract: An electromagnetic spring-wound clutch is disclosed. An armature plate member to which one end of a coil wound spring is connected is flexibly connected to a guide member rotatably supported on a cover plate by a plurality of leaf springs. The cover plate has a bent portion at its axial terminal end and the guide member is closely fitted against the bent portion to maintained its axial position thereon. Thus, the armature plate is fitted against an axial end of the bent portion due to the recoil strength of the coil wound spring.

Abstract: A hub clutch used for a four-wheel driving free-wheel device in which, when a knob for manual operation and mounted on a casing is set to an automatic position, a pawl portion of a retainer becomes disengaged with a cam surface defined by a boss portion of the knob so that the device operates in the automatic condition, while when the knob is rotated in a manual lock direction, the pawl portion is engaged by the cam surface of the knob and is cammed to a lock position. When the pawl portion is in the lock position, the device assumes a manually locked state so that a drive gear and a clutch ring are maintained in an engaged condition with each other and stationary system members are separated from rotating system members. Accordingly, no contact force is applied to stationary system members when in the manually locked state.

Abstract: A mechanical clutch which is selectively engageable and disengageable. Interposed between an input member and an output member are a plurality of clutch rollers. In disengaged mode they rotate freely, relative to the members. In engaged mode they bunch together, thereby locking together and to the members, all of which then move together as a unit. A control member is applied to the clutch rollers to either engage or disengage the clutch. The movement of the members may be rotary or linear.

Abstract: There is provided a power transmission unit comprising an input member for receiving a torque input from a ring gear connected to a drive pinion which is connected to a propeller shaft, first and second output members supported by the input member in a freely rotatable manner and engaged with right and left rear wheels, and first and second clutches arranged between the input member and the first and second output members respectively to release the connections between the input member and the first and second output members respectively with the help of the actions of cam devices for releasing clutches when the angular speed of the input member becomes smaller than those of the first and second output members.

Abstract: A clutch having a starter clutch mechanism and a manual clutch mechanism combined on a driven shaft. The starter clutch mechanism is positioned within a clutch outer of the manual clutch and operates through a cam to transmit relative rotational motion into axial motion for actuating the main clutch. The relative rotational motion is experienced when the starter clutch mechanism reaches the appropriate speed for engagement. A throw-out linkage is provided outwardly of the main clutch and actuates the thrust plate through the center of the main clutch inner. Thus, the starter clutch mechanism, the cam shaft and the thrust plate may be located inwardly of the main clutch mechanism within a cylindrical clutch outer closed at one end.

Abstract: A hub drive assembly includes three pairs of pivoted arms, each supporting a friction pad, which may be clamped against the inner cylindrical surface of a tape supply reel. The assembly also includes a central sleeve, rotatably driven by a motor, and a second sleeve concentric with the central sleeve. The second sleeve is provided with gear teeth, which couple with gear teeth of one arm, which in turn couple with gear teeth of the other arm of each pair. Means are also provided to rotate the two sleeves relative to each other, thereby causing rotation of the arms about their pivot points via the gear couplings, so as to bring the frictional pads into, and out of, frictional engagement with the reel.

Abstract: A dual action agitator for use in a washing machine utilizes a one-way dog clutch having a plurality of dogs made of elastomeric material and pivotally mounted in a cam. The dogs pivot outward to engage an inner surface of an upper agitator barrel to drive the agitator barrel in a first direction during a first oscillatory stroke of a lower agitator skirt, and the dogs pivot away from the inner surface as the lower agitator skirt oscillates in a second opposite direction resulting in unidirectional movement of the agitator barrel to impart additional mechanical motion to a wash load and promote rollover.

Abstract: A hub clutch in which when an axle shaft commences to be driven, protruding cam portions of a first cam which is axially movably splined to the outside circumference of a driving gear formed integrally with the axle shaft is displaced from the inside of respective grooved cam portions of a second cam and a cam ring to the outside along an axial direction. Thereafter, the first cam is further displaced to the outside in the axial direction along a second cam portion of the cam ring, and a clutch ring is displaced in the direction of clutched engagement through a shift spring, at which a casing is engaged integrally with the driving gear.

Abstract: An electromagnetic spring-wound clutch for a refrigerant compressor includes a coil-wound spring disposed around a pulley and having one end connected to an armature plate and cover plate. The cover plate is connected to a hub which is fixed on the outer end of the drive shaft of the refrigerant compressor through an elastic member. The elastic member is closely fitted in a polygonal-shaped air gap defined between the cover plate and hub. As a result, the impact force generated when the coil-wound spring is wound around the pulley during transmission of rotating motion is absorbed by the elastic member instead of the hub and drive shaft of the refrigerant compressor to thereby increase the life and durability of both the electromagnetic clutch and the refrigerant compressor.

Abstract: An electromagnetically controlled spring clutch mechanism comprising an input rotating element, a rotor, an armature, a biasing spring for biasing the armature in a direction away from the rotor, an electromagnetic driver for magnetically attracting the armature to the rotor against the biasing action of the biasing spring, and a coil spring. The clutch mechanism transmits the driving force of the input rotating element by the contraction of the coil spring. According to a first aspect, the biasing spring is fixed to a supporting member by a plate-like spring fixing member to form a unit assembly. According to a second aspect, the clutch mechanism can be used in any one of two arrangements by changing the assembling sequence of various constituent elements. According to a third aspect, projections which contact or approach the rotor beyond the armature are provided in the supporting member, to which one end of the coil spring is connected.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle assembly T is disclosed including a pump (11), a manifold portion (13), and right and left motor axle assemblies (15 and 17). Each of the motor axle assemblies includes a radial ball motor (41), the output of which is the input to a gear reduction section (53). Each gear reduction section (53) includes primary and secondary planetary gear sets (55) and (57) including a planet carrier (79) driving the respective axle shaft. The transaxle assembly T includes a locking differential and parking brake mechanism (87) which comprises an engagement mechanism (89) and an actuation mechanism (91). When the engagement mechanism (89) is disengaged, the motor assemblies (15) and (17) are free to operate at different speeds for normal differentiation. The actuation mechanism (91) can be actuated to either a locking differential mode (FIG. 8) or a parking brake mode (FIG. 9).

Abstract: Conversion of a vehicle between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive is effected by means of a camming assembly and a shift mechanism to temporarily lock the camming assembly against rotation in advancing a drive gear into driving engagement with a receiving gear in converting to four-wheel drive, or to re-engage the camming assembly under the control of the shift mechanism as a preliminary to disengaging the drive gear from the receiving gear in converting to two-wheel drive.

Abstract: A freewheel device with freewheeling and locking effect in both directions of rotation can be produced easily and inexpensively by the use of conventional sprags designed for use in uni-directional freewheel devices. Two sets of sprags are provided between the inner and the outer raceway of the device, one for each direction of rotation. The sprags are spring loaded for taking positions in which they do not contact one raceway, and a cage which is braked during rotation is provided to be brought in rotation by the sprags and thereby influence the sprags against the spring force to taking a position in which they contact both raceways, the two sets of sprags being alternately engaged or disengaged depending on the direction or rotation of the device.

Abstract: A fluid friction clutch for use in differential gears of motor vehicles having a sliding member which has a adjusting disc which changes the spacing of the clutch plates, which adjusting causes the clutch plates to approach closer to one another and increases the clutch torque provided by a viscuous fluid of the fluid of the clutch. Adjustment takes place via starting slopes which are assigned to a cam driving connection employing a special development of the starting slopes with the torque characteristics being changed in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A two speed transmission including a direct drive and a reduced speed ratio. The transmission is directly coupled to a variable speed engine crankshaft and includes pulleys thereon for the driving of auxiliary engine equipment. A first drive train includes planetary gearing and a one-way clutch while direct drive is provided by a wrap spring coupling cylindrical surfaces on the transmission input and transmission output axially adjacent and coterminous. The wrap spring includes an element having a flat side for engagement of the cylindrical surfaces. Two actuator mechanisms are illustrated employing centrifugal weights to result in advancement of one end of the wrap spring to tighten same into coupling engagements at low engine speeds. At higher engine speeds, the actuator mechanism releases the wrap spring from the cylindrical surfaces for drive through the planetary gearing.

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: An electrically controlled, progressive, frictional, torque transmitting device comprises a rotary element 1, 2, a proportion of the rotary power available from the rotary element 1, 2, being used, under the control of a direct electrical signal, to determine the degree of engagement of a frictional device 3, and hence the torque transmitted or absorbed by the torque transmitting device, thereby avoiding the requirement for an additional power source to activate the frictional device whole.

Abstract: A clutch for a power door lock includes an input gear wheel which is formed as a hollow cylindrical input gear wheel, a cam arranged in the input gear wheel and connected thereto, an output gear wheel with coupling drum, and a resilient coupling element controlled by the cam and adapted to be spread. The coupling element is provided with actuating projections. When the clutch is engaged, the actuating projections operatively contact the interior wall surface of the coupling drum. The input gear wheel is journaled on a driving sleeve at which is connected on the one hand a driving disc with driving pins adapted to engage in the coupling element and also a brake disc with an annular spring mounted thereon, to which annular spring is coordinated a stop. The coupling element is a unitary component having a substantially rectangular, elastically deformable frame which inherently is formed as a reset spring, and at two opposite sides of which are provided the actuating projections.

Abstract: A clutch system comprising a clutch input member, a clutch output member, a primary friction clutch connected to said input member, a secondary friction clutch placed between said input and output members and operatively associated with said output member, a mechanism for disengaging said primary friction clutch, and thrust generating mechanism interconnecting said primary friction clutch and said secondary friction clutch for generating thrust to couple said secondary friction clutch when torque is transmitted by coupling of said primary friction clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle engine throttle and brake hand control mechanism having a hand operated input lever movable in one plane to drive a push-pull cable output member axially to control movements of the engine throttle while permitting unemcumbered actuation of the engine throttle by the accelerator pedal, and movable in another plane perpendicular to the first plane to independently drive a brake actuating push rod to control the vehicle brakes, the input lever also being movable to concurrently control the engine throttle and the vehicle brakes.

Abstract: An engagement device for an electromagnetic spring-wound clutch is disclosed. An armature plate member to which one end of a coil wound spring is connected is flexibly connected to a guide member rotatably supported on a cover plate by a plurality of elastic members. The cover plate has a bent portion at its axial terminal end and the guide member is closely fitted against the bent portion to maintained its axial position thereon. Thus, when the electromagnetic coil is not energized, the armature plate is fitted against an axial end of the bent portion due to the recoil strength of the elastic members. Therefore, a predetermined axial air gap between the armature plate and the end plate of the prime mover can be readily maintained.

Abstract: An automotive accessory clutch driven by a pulley engaged by a rubber belt driven from the engine includes an electrical coil which when energized causes a friction plate to be drawn into engagement with the pulley and to rotate lever arms about pivots which produce tangentially directed forces on brake assemblies that pivot an additional friction surface into engagement with other surfaces of the driven pulley. The connection between the pulley and the accessory driven from the engine is selectively connected and disconnected as the coil is electrically energized and deenergized.

Abstract: An electromagnetically controlled spring clutch mechanism for selectively connecting drivingly a first rotating element and a second rotating element. The spring clutch mechanism comprises a rotating shaft, a rotor adapted to be rotated as a unit with the rotating shaft, an armature assembly including an armature member, a supporting member and a biasing spring member disposed between the armature member and the supporting member, an electromagnetic device for magnetically attracting the armature member to the rotor, a first boss member adapted to rotate as a unit with the rotating shaft, a second boss member adapted to rotate as a unit with the second rotating element, and a coil spring wound in a predetermined direction and received about, and spanning, the first and second boss members.