Abstract: A friction clutch between an engine and a transmission in a motor vehicle has a diaphragm spring with prongs which are moved axially by a bearing in order to disengage the clutch. The bearing is mounted on an actuating device including a driven part carried by a support on the transmission case and a driving part which can be rotated by a clutch pedal. The actuating device can be moved axially by a first ramp assembly having complementary ramps on the support and the driven part. A second ramp assembly forms part of a wear compensating unit which automatically changes the axial position and/or the orientation of the diaphragm spring to compensate for wear at least upon the friction linings of the clutch disc forming part of the clutch. The second ramp assembly can include mating internal and external threads. A third ramp assembly is defined or carried by the driving and driven parts of the actuating device.

Abstract: A friction clutch having a tiltable clutch spring can be disengaged by tilting the spring with a bearing which can be moved axially to engage the tips of radially inwardly extending prongs of the spring. The bearing is movable axially by an actuator which, in turn, is movable axially and away from a support by a system of ramps and rolling elements. The ramps or the rolling elements are caused to move radially of the axis of the bearing in order to move the rolling elements or the ramps axially in a direction to cause a tilting of the spring and hence a disengagement of the clutch.

Abstract: A friction clutch assembly, especially for a motor vehicle, of the pull to release type comprising a clutch casing (10), within which there is arranged a device (20) for controlling declutching, which comprises a clutch release bearing and a hydraulic actuating device (26, 34) comprising at least one actuating piston (34), which is arranged to urge the clutch release bearing axially in a first direction (F1) so as to cause the clutch to be disengaged when the hydraulic actuating device is supplied with fluid under pressure. The casing (10) has a window (54) to enable a removable tool (58) to be introduced for mechanical actuation of the release bearing (20), so as to urge the latter axially in a second direction (F2) opposite to the first direction (F1). The end portion (60) of the removable tool (58) lying within the casing (10) cooperates with a complementary portion (62) of the actuating piston (26, 34).

Abstract: A clutch release bearing assembly with an internal bearing assembly. An internal bearing assembly is positioned on the transmission shaft of a vehicle. The internal bearing assembly is a tubular sleeve and has perforations in it for holding ball bearings. A tubular collar rides over the internal bearing assembly. A conventional clutch release bearing assembly rides over the inner collar. The conventional clutch release bearing and the inner collar slide up and down the transmission shaft on the internal bearing assembly. The internal bearing keeps the conventional bearing assembly centered on the transmission shaft and provides free movement with only minimal clearance therebetween.

Abstract: In an annular clutch release cylinder assembly comprising an annular piston and a cylinder housing formed by nesting a pair of cylinder members, each comprising a tubular portion and a radial flange, with each other. The annular piston is guided and reinforced by the cylindrical extension of one of the cylinder members so that the annular piston is made highly rigid against bending deformation. Therefore, the annular piston can be made of plastic material so that the weight and the fabrication cost of the release cylinder assembly may be reduced. By placing the flanges of the cylinder members directly one over the other, and forming at least a part of the passage leading to the annular slot by forming a recess in one of the flanges of the cylinder members, it is possible to reduce the axial dimension of the clutch release cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated clutch release system for a motor vehicle friction clutch, including a piston-cylinder unit oriented concentrically to a transmission input shaft, whereby the cylinder is fastened to the transmission housing, and has the cylinder chamber for the piston between an inner and an outer cylinder shell. The piston itself is guided inside a guide element surrounded by the outer cylinder shell. The outer cylinder shell, next to the guide element, has at least one retaining member which can be brought into contact with the guide element, and through which retaining member the guide element can be secured against participation in the movement of the piston during the engagement and release of the clutch. In this case, when there is a change in the axial position of the piston caused by wear in the friction clutch, the action of the retaining member can be suppressed for a displacement of the guide element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to enhancing workability in attachment and detachment of a clutch release bearing from a clutch release mechanism. A release coupling device is provided on an outer circumference of a transmission input shaft extending toward a clutch for coupling a clutch release bearing and a bearing drive mechanism. The device includes an inner cover 19 and an inner cylinder 30. The inner cover 19 is provided in the outer circumference of the shaft so as to be fixed thereto close to a diaphragm spring and has first convex portions 19b in its inner circumferential surface. The inner cylinder 30 is inserted in the inner cover 19 and has second convex portions 30c in its outer circumferential surface so that they come in contact with the first convex portion s 19b in close proximity to the clutch.

Abstract: A declutching mechanism having firstly, a hydraulic actuator comprising at least one fixed member and a movable member defining a first control chamber, and secondly, a clutch release bearing attached to the movable member and manoeuvrable by the latter in a first axial direction, referred to as the declutching direction, in order to transmit a declutching force to a connecting piece. The actuator includes a second control chamber which is independent of the first control chamber, and which is delimited at least partly by the fixed member and the movable member for the manoeuvre of the movable member in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuatable device (1) for disengaging a gearshift clutch of an automotive vehicle, having an annular piston (4) arranged for sliding displacement with its inner peripheral surface (9) on a guide sleeve (6) and its outer peripheral surface (13) in a clutch output cylinder (2), a release bearing (5) positionally fixed by a disc spring (20) being lodged in an end of the annular piston (4) away from a pressure chamber (8), characterized in that, there is arranged on end of the annular piston (4) a fixing ring (12) comprising a cylindrical portion (14) which engages around a part of the outer peripheral surface (13) of the annular piston (4) to which it is fixed by positive engagement, and a radially inwards oriented arm (17) of an inner ring (16) of the release bearing (5) engages into a portion (15,45) of the fixing ring (12) having a U- or L-shaped cross-section and extending beyond end of the annular piston (4), arm (17) of the inner ring (16) being urged by the disc spring (20) supported on a

Abstract: In a clutch release cylinder device, comprising an annular cylinder defining an annular recess, an annular piston slidably received in the annular recess; and an annular clutch release bearing assembly including a release bearing, the annular cylinder is constructed by a pair of cylinder members each formed by drawing sheet metal, and provided with a flange and a tubular portion, the tubular portion of one of the cylinder members being larger than that of the tubular portion of the other cylinder member, the annular recess being defined between the tubular portions which are coaxially nested with each other. Because the cylinder members may be made of metallic material, such as steel and other materials of high rigidity and mechanical strength, a sufficient rigidity and mechanical strength can be ensured with a substantially smaller wall thickness as compared to a cylinder formed by a molded plastic member, and substantially more economically as compared with a cylinder formed by machining a metallic block.

Abstract: A declutching device, especially for a motor vehicle clutch of the pull-off type, comprises an hydraulic actuator. The latter comprises a fixed member and a movable member in piston and cylinder relationship, defining a control chamber between them, together with preloading force for biassing the movable member of the hydraulic actuator permanently towards one of its end positions with respect to the fixed member of the actuator. The supply of hydraulic fluid to the control chamber is under the control of a valve, which is for example incorporated in a boss which is part of the fixed member of the hydraulic actuator. The valve has a movable valve member which is in communication with the control chamber on one side, and which is biassed by a spring on the opposite side of the valve member.

Abstract: Construction in order to improve wear-resistance of a hydraulic fluid chamber in which a clutch release-actuating tubular piston is operative within a cylindrical housing made of a resin-based material reinforced with glass fiber, the piston axially driving a clutch release bearing to force a clutch diaphragm spring to release the clutch of a motor vehicle power train. A sealing member is provided on tile piston for sealing piston-driving hydraulic fluid within the fluid chamber. The cylindrical housing is double-walled, defining the axially extending tubular fluid chamber. A layer of nickel is electroless-plated at least along the fluid chamber bore where the sealing member slides; alternatively stainless steel linings are installed along the corresponding portions of the chamber bore.

Abstract: A declutching device comprises an hydraulic actuator, a preloading spring for permanently biassing the movable member of the actuator towards its retracted position with respect to the fixed member of the actuator, and a retaining ball which is adapted to retain the movable member in a withdrawn position with respect to the fixed member during and prior to assembly. A feeler projects outwardly from the hydraulic actuator, so as to be displaced by the clutch while relative axial movement of the clutch and declutching device towards each other is taking place during assembly. The feeler is mounted for movement between a fitting position in which it allows the retaining ball to carry out its above mentioned function, and an operating position in which the retaining ball is no longer effective. The invention is applicable to clutches of the pull-off type, especially for motor vehicles.

Abstract: A hydraulic annular slave cylinder (16) for a motor vehicle clutch having an annular body (21) with inner and outer cylindrical sidewalls (22, 23) having a fluid chamber (55) formed therebetween. The inner sidewalll (22) extends axially beyond the outer sidewall (23) and a piston member (41) is sealingly slideable on the radially outer surfaces of the two walls (22, 23). A clutch release bearing (60) is mounted concentrically of the piston member (41) and fluid chamber (55).

Abstract: A clutch release bearing device includes a first member for being connected to a clutch release fork, a second member slidably disposed on the first member for retaining a clutch spring, a sleeve member which is mounted on the first member, and a detent member which engages the first member and the second member. The first member includes a bearing mechanism and a groove portion while the sleeve member includes a restrict portion. The detent member engages the groove portion and contacts the restrict portion to maintain the first and second members in engagement with one another.

Abstract: A hydraulic clutch slave cylinder (16) for a motor vehicle clutch comprising an annular body (21) having inner and outer cylindrical walls (22,23) defining a annular bore (40) therebetween, and a piston (31) having annular portion (32) sealingly slideable in the annular bore (40), an outer portion (34) concentric with the inner portion and telescopically co-extensive with the outer cylindrical wall (23). The radially outer portion (34) of the piston has a radially outwardly extending flange (37) at its end away from the mouth of the bore, which in use engages a clutch release bearing assembly (20) which surrounds the piston and annular bore (40) in the retracted condition of the cylinder.

Abstract: A declutching device comprises an hydraulic actuator, a preloading spring which permanently bias the movable member of the hydraulic actuator towards its retracted position with respect to the fixed member of the actuator, and a retaining element for retaining the movable member in its extended position with respect to the fixed member. The retaining element comprises a locking ring which is held under precompression in a groove formed in the movable member of the actuator, while another groove, with a stepped base, is formed in the fixed member of the actuator. The base of this latter groove comprises at least two steps, offset axially from each other and having different diameters, namely a first step for holding the locking ring at least partially engaged in the groove of the movable member, and a step which is adapted to enable it to escape automatically from this groove.

Abstract: A declutching device for a clutch of the pull-off type, especially for a motor vehicle, comprises an hydraulic actuator, a preloading coil spring which permanently biasses the movable member of the hydraulic actuator towards its retracted position into the fixed member of the actuator with which the movable member is in piston and cylinder relationship, and a retaining element for holding the movable member in its extended position with respect to the fixed member until the declutching device has been properly snap-fitted on to the clutch. The preloading spring is indexed angularly on the fixed member and on the movable member, and the retaining element comprise a lug, which is fixed to one of the two actuator members and engages with an angle element fixed to the other actuator element, so as to provide axial and circumferential abutment between the two actuator members in a predetermined relative angular position of these latter, and such as to put the spring into torsional prestress.

Abstract: A clutch engaging assembly includes a sleeve member positioned circumferentially about a drive shaft, wherein the sleeve member includes a radially outwardly extending circumferential flange. A spring collector is positioned circumferentially about the sleeve member by a plurality of radially extending and angled coil springs positioned between the spring collector and the clutch cover. The angled springs, along with a plurality of axially extending spring members, urge the spring collector towards the flange of the sleeve member. A clearance is maintained between the sleeve member and the spring collector. The spring collector is not fixed to any member of the clutch, and is permitted limited radial movement about the sleeve member.

Abstract: A guide bushing having an integrated seal for the clutch-release bearing of a gear unit, comprising a connecting sleeve [pipe socket] circumferentially surrounding an input shaft of the gear unit with radial clearance and a mounting flange affixed to the connecting sleeve, whereby, on the side facing the outer wall of the gear unit, the connecting sleeve has an essentially Z-shaped cross-section, whereby the Z-shaped cross-section is comprised of a first axial side piece situated radially to the inside and of a second axial side piece situated radially to the outside, and whereby the first and the second axial side piece are joined by a radial side piece.

Abstract: A release apparatus for a pull-type friction clutch wherein the coupling between the parts on the engine and the parts on the power train of a motor vehicle is automatically deactivated in response to separation of the engine from the power train, and is automatically reestablished during reassembly of the engine with the power train. The coupling employs a detent in the form of a resilient split wire ring which is carried by the parts on the engine or by the parts on the power train, and a complementary undercut member which is carried by the parts on the power train or by the parts on the engine and form-lockingly engages the detent when the two sets of parts assume predetermined axial positions relative to each other. A releasing device is provided on one set of parts to depress the detent into a socket in response to movement of the engine and the power train away from each other to thus deactivate the coupling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid-actuable releaser in which an annular piston (6) is guided in a casing (3) which is provided with a sleeve (10) for guiding the annular piston (6) radially internally and for sealing purposes, the sleeve (10) being axially fixed by partial plastic deformation after insertion into the casing (3) with its external diameter in a bore (16) in the casing (3).

Abstract: A clutch unit in which a facing (9) of a clutch disc (5) is disposed between a flywheel (1) and a pressure plate (6) so as to engage and disengage the clutch unit by moving the pressure plate (6) in its axial direction; a projection (6a) extending to an axis side is formed integrally on the pressure plate (6), a release bearing (20) is made directly engage with the projection (6a), and a release sleeve (24) supporting the release bearing (20) is made movable in the axial direction by a hydraulic cylinder (23).

Abstract: The invention relates to a guide-tube with integral sealing for motor vehicle gearbox clutch release bearing, comprising a tubular sleeve able to be engaged axially around the input shaft of the gearbox and having a radial bearing surface made from one part, forming a plate for fixing the guide-tube to the outer face of the wall of the casing of the gearbox, and a sealing ring with a lip engaged inside the sleeve.The sealing ring with a lip comprises a reinforcing member (5) comprising a tubular bearing surface (6) able to be engaged by force in the tubular sleeve (1) of the guide-tube, the said tubular bearing surface (6) being extended at each of its ends by a radial bearing surface, one (7) directed towards the inside and at the end of which a sealing gasket with a lip (9) is made and the other (8) directed towards the outside and on which an annular sealing bead (13) is made, able to come into contact with the external face of the wall of the casing.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing assembly comprises a clutch release bearing having an actuating element which defines an actuating nose, a coupling member carried by a connecting piece which is prefitted to the diaphragm or other declutching member of the clutch, and at least one resilient retaining ring for holding the coupling member permanently between a drive surface of the connecting piece and an actuating flank or thrust shoulder of a groove formed around the actuating nose. This groove is elongated away from the thrust shoulder, so that at least one axially acting resilient ring can be fitted into the groove in advance, with the thrust shoulder acting as an abutment for this ring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulically actuable releaser with an annular piston. The supporting ring co-operating with the annular piston and the groove sealing ring co-operating with the supporting ring have, at least in their radially outer region facing one another, an encircling supporting shoulder on the supporting ring and an encircling recess on the groove sealing ring. This measure prevents the groove sealing ring from being pressed into a possible gap between supporting ring and the external wall of the housing under pressure loading.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a primary unit and a secondary unit, i.e. the engine and gearbox respectively. The clutch release bearing includes a sliding manoeuvring element carried by the secondary unit and carrying a ball bearing, the outer ring of which carries a housing which is so conformed as to define the actuating element of the clutch release bearing that engages with the clutch diaphragm, typically through a standard main coupling member carried by the diaphragm. The actuating element is formed with an engagement recess in which is fitted an intermediate coupling member coupling the actuating element to the main coupling member, while the manoeuvring element of the clutch release bearing is of generally tubular shape.

Abstract: A bearing unit for a clutch release comprising a sleeve, a support plate, a ring, a bearing and a cover. The sleeve surrounds a motive power shaft and is movable along the shaft. The support plate extends from the sleeve outward in the radial direction of the shaft. The ring has a cylindrically-shaped holding portion fitted with a clutch release bearing and has an axis extending in the axial direction of the shaft and engagement portions with which a clutch releasing fork is engaged as the fork is swung toward the shaft. The bearing, at least the outer race of which is housed in the holding portion so as to have an axis in the axial direction of the shaft, is fitted on the inner circumferential surface of the holding portion so as to be movable in the radial direction of the shaft inside the holding portion. The outer race is pinched at both the end faces thereof between the holding portion and one side of the support plate along the axis of the shaft so that the ring, the bearing and the plate are assembled.

Abstract: A two-speed drive utilizing an electromagnetically operated control system wired with respective drive motors, automatically braked in the event of a loss of power, provided with pre-assembled clutch and brake disc stacks, and provided with a manual over-ride. A primary drive motor is connected at one end to an external drive shaft and at an opposite end to a primary clutch drive shaft. The primary clutch drive shaft is connected with a first set of discs of an oil shear clutch disk stack. A secondary clutch drive shaft is connected with a second set of discs of the clutch disk stack. The clutch disc stack is biased by springs to be in a normally clamped mode which is released by a clutch electromagnetic coil assembly. The secondary clutch drive shaft is connected by a gear reducer to a shaft which is connected at one end to a secondary drive motor, and at the other end to a first set of discs of an oil shear brake disk stack. A second set of discs of the brake disk stack is connected to a housing component.

Abstract: A pull-type clutch having an inner peripheral part of a diaphragm spring sandwiched between a lever plate and a retainer plate both being installed at an outer periphery of a release bearing. The lever plate has a cylindrical body and a radial outer flange at an axial forward side of the cylindrical body and the retainer plate has a disc-like annular body and a plurality of claws extending in radial inward direction and a plurality of projections extending in radial inward and axial forward directions, at an inner periphery of the disc-like annular body with spaces left therebetween. A groove is formed on an outer periphery of the cylindrical body of the lever plate and the tip ends of the claws fit in the grooves so as to secure the retainer plate to the outer periphery of the cylindrical body. The inner peripheral part of the diaphragm spring is sandwiched between the flange and the disc-like annular body radially outside of the projections.

Abstract: A release assembly to a pull-type clutch releases the clutch by extracting the radially inward portion of a diaphragm spring in the direction toward an associated transmission. The release assembly comprises a release bearing and its retainer. The release bearing includes an outer race fixed onto the radially inward margin of the diaphragm spring and an inner race grooved by a concavity along its radially inward portion the focus of which coincides with the pivotal deviation center of the release assembly. A complementarily convex surface along the retainer slidably mates with the concavity of the inner race, allowing the retainer in this release assembly to be slidable along inner race of the release bearing. Accordingly, if the clutch and the transmission come into misalignment, the resultant slide of the retainer on the inner race of the release bearing compensates.

Abstract: A release assembly releases a pull-type clutch by extracting the radially inward portion of its diaphragm spring in the direction of an associated transmission. It comprises a support member fixed onto the radially inward margin of the diaphragm spring; a wire ring retained in the interior of the support member; and a release bearing which includes an inner race member having an axial sleeve extension which fastens to the support member through the wire ring, and a retaining part for holding the wire ring securely and coaxially when the release bearing is connected or disconnected to the support member. The wire ring thus cannot impede smooth installation of the release bearing into the support member.

Abstract: A single lever control for operating a throttle and a clutch, the control including a housing, a shaft pivotably supported by the housing, a shift mechanism operably connected to the shaft and adapted to be operably connected to the clutch, a throttle mechanism operably connected to the shaft and adapted to be operably connected to the throttle, and a hand-operable warm-up mechanism movable transversely of the shaft for permitting operation of the throttle mechanism without operation of the shift mechanism.

Abstract: A release mechanism for a pull-type clutch which is disengaged by pulling an inner peripheral part of a diaphragm spring (6) to an axial backside of the clutch. A release bearing assembly (10) is connected to the inner peripheral part of the diaphragm spring (6). A cylinder assembly (11) is mounted to a housing (12) of the clutch at an axial backside of the release bearing assembly (10). The release bearing assembly (10) is connected to the cylinder assembly (11) through means of a connecting ring (60) and a stopper (70).

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically sensing when the friction elements of a clutch are excessively worn and for generating a signal in response thereto is disclosed. The clutch includes a bearing housing which is adapted to be moved between engaged and disengaged positions. A shift assembly is provided for moving the bearing housing to the disengaged position. The shift assembly includes a pair of fingers which are normally spaced apart from the bearing housing when the clutch is engaged and the friction elements are not worn. However, when the friction elements become worn, the bearing housing engages the fingers of the shift assembly when the clutch is in the engaged position. A sensor is mounted in the bearing housing for generating a signal when the fingers are in contact therewith. The signal may be an electrical signal which is fed to a control circuit.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine, a transmission on the output side of the engine and at least one drive axle, and an arrangement for shutting off and restarting the engine depending upon the driving condition. The transmission is a continuously variable automatic transmission and a disconnect coupling is arranged on the output side of the transmission to prevent transmission losses when the engine is turned off. An electromechanical converter capable of operation as a motor or a generator may be provided in place of a flywheel.

Abstract: A clutch thrust bearing includes a rolling bearing (1) equipped with an inner and an outer ring, one of the rings (6) being in permanent contact with a clutch member; and a guide sleeve (12) with a radial flange (13) relative to which the rolling bearing (1) can be displaced radially. The guide sleeve is axially slidable with respect to a guide tube under the action of a control member (17) having end fingers (18) for moving a metal support plate (15) integral with the radial flange (13) of the guide sleeve. The improvement includes contact shoes (19) which receive the end fingers (18) of the control member and are located between the fingers and the metal support plate of the radial flange.

Abstract: A self-aligning clutch release apparatus includes an axially slidable carrier sleeve, a thrust plate floatably carried on the sleeve, and an anti-friction bearing shiftably supported on the sleeve independently of the thrust plate. The thrust plate can reorient itself in accordance with forces imposed by a clutch actuating yoke. The anti-friction bearing can shift relative to the carrier sleeve so as to be in a centered position relative to an array of clutch release levers.

Abstract: A clutch control mechanism, for manoeuvring an actuating member such as a clutch release bearing, comprises a support member, a tubular driving member, a tubular driven member having a mounting means and, between the driving member and the driven member, camming means of the helical ramp type.The said mounting means comprises a first sleeve adapted to penetrate into the interior of the actuating member and to carry internally one of the cams, while the driving member penetrates into the interior of the sleeve and carries the other cam, the sleeve having an external radial flange, which acts as an abutment for the clutch release bearing and which is coupled in rotation to the support member.

Abstract: A fluid pressure operated friction clutch actuating system for releasing the clutch includes a pressure operator, an actuator mechanism, which mechanism is shown as including a housing having a pair of telescopic pistons acting on a force transmission member and reacting through the actuator housing on an end wall of the clutch housing. The force transmission member has a U-shaped recess through which the clutch output shaft and the bearing retainer pass so that the force transmission member is in force transmitting engagement with the clutch throw out bearing while the system is in its operative position in the clutch housing. The actuator pistons act on the force transmission member when pressurized to move the throw out bearing to release the friction clutch through its belleville spring.

Abstract: Clutch thrust bearing comprising a rolling bearing mounted on a guide bush equipped with a tubular part and with a radial flange which is engaged by the operating member which operates the thrust bearing. Snap-fastening members connect the operating member and the guide bush axially. The snap-fastening members include two metal retaining elements which are capable of being inserted and held by snap-fastening in a housing provided in the guide bush, each retaining element having a hook interacting with the operating member.

Abstract: An actuating assembly, for coupling a clutch release bearing in traction to the diaphragm of a clutch of an automotive vehicle, includes an actuating member carrying a coupling piece and including a flange having two distinct openings separated by a bridge portion. The coupling piece has two arms which are arranged to hook one over the other, and which extend through the openings in the flange.Each arm of the couplings has at least one local deformation which increases its length in a resilient manner.

Abstract: A release device for a clutch including a cylinder aligned coaxially with a release bearing, a cylindrical piston adapted to fit in a cylindrical operation chamber of the cylinder, and an annular packing mounted adjacent an annular end of the piston within the operation chamber, the operation chamber being connected to an external operating pressure control device through a liquid pressure control passage, the piston being axially connected, at its one end positioned outside the operation chamber, to the release bearing, wherein an annular slide member is fixed to an end of the packing which adjoins the piston, the slide member being greater in hardness than the packing and lower in friction coefficient against the piston than the packing.

Abstract: A coupling device comprises a coupling member and a connecting piece extending within a sleeve portion of the coupling member. The connecting piece includes at least two toe portions, each of which extends individually and locally through the sleeve portion of the coupling member, via openings which are formed in the latter. A retaining member, carried on the coupling member, is provided for the retention of the connecting piece. The retaining member carries at least two centering and retaining fingers, each of which cooperates with one of the toe portions of the connecting piece.

Abstract: An improved release mechanism for a hydraulically operated clutch. A tubular cylinder is formed between stationary inner and outer housings. A tubular piston has an inner end extending into the cylinder and has an outer end mounting a thrust bearing. Rotating clutch release levers engage the thrust bearing. One or more radial holes extend through the piston adjacent the inner end. Pins positioned in the holes extend into inner housing grooves which extend parallel to an axis of the release mechanism. The pins and grooves prevent rotation of the piston relative to the stationary housings, while allowing axial piston movement. A retainer ring is positioned in an annular groove in the exterior of the piston. The retainer ring both retains the pins in the piston holes and retains the piston in the cylinder.

Abstract: An automotive clutch has a diaphragm coupled to a clutch actuating member through a locating member and a coupling clip, the latter being arranged to join the clutch actuating member to the locating member by means of a snap fit. A "cage" is defined axially between the locating member and a retaining plate which is disposed on the side of the locating member opposite to the diaphragm. The assembly further includes a resilient member having a plurality of tongues extending axially through the diaphragm, and is hooked on the retaining plate by means of these tongues. The resilient member is arranged on the side of the diaphragm opposite to the locating member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a release bearing of clutch which comprises a case unit supported on a quill fixed on a housing, a bearing main body incorporated into the case unit, and a sleeve having the case unit slidably supported on the outer circumference of the quill, wherein a bush made of a softer material than the sleeve is interdisposed between the inside of the sleeve and the outside of the quill being fixed detachably on the sleeve.

Abstract: A release bearing mechanism of a clutch comprises release bearing including an inner race provided with axial extension, a lever plate fitted to the extension and fixed to a diaphragm spring, the lever plate provided with a ring escape groove, a tapered guide portion and a ring fitting portion, the extension being provided with a ring escape groove and a second ring fitting portion, an elastic connecting ring interposed between the lever plate and the extension, a ring pushing means for pushing the connecting ring from ring fitting portion to the other ring escape groove. The ring escape grooves have depth which permits axially relative movement between the lever plate and the extension when the connecting ring is accommodated therein. The fitting portions are adapted to fit to the connecting ring at radially opposite directions and axially opposite directions.

Abstract: A pull type clutch having a clutch disc (16) and a pressure plate (18) in a clutch cover (20) mounted on a flywheel (10), an approximately annular diaphragm spring (22) so installed as to connect its outer peripheral part to said clutch cover (20) and to connect its inner peripheral part to a release bearing (24) which is slidden in an axial direction by a lever-like release fork (26) supported by a pivot (36) fixed to a transmission housing (34), and a fulcrum hole (42) of said release fork (26) for penetrating said pivot (36), characterized by said fulcrum hole (42) extends toward a center (0) of said release bearing (24) so that said release fork (26) can be moved outwardly in a radial direction of a clutch in order to remove a transmission (12).

Abstract: An anti-rotation device for the clutch release mechanism in a pull-type manually operated clutch system. The device has a substantially planar body portion with first and second side flanges each having proximal end portions that are joined to the lateral edges of the body portion. A reaction cavity is defined between the laterally spaced, first and second side flanges so that at least one of the fingers presented from a throw fork may be cooperatively received within the reaction cavity when the throw fork is operatively positioned with respect to the clutch release bearing. A fastening clip is presented from the distal end portion of the second side flange embracingly to secure the first leg of a flange on the clutch release bearing--and the hook portion of the retainer which embraces the leg--between the second side flange and the engaging arm of the fastening clip.