Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for use in a vehicle transmission including a clutch comprising an input shaft to a gearbox, a clutch release lever including a pair of shank ends on one end thereof, a pulling throwout bearing including a pair of engagement surfaces cooperating with the shank ends of the clutch release lever, the clutch release lever being rotatably mounted so that it can rotate between an assembly position during mounting of the gearbox onto the clutch wherein the pair of shank ends are displaced from the pulling throwout bearing during axial displacement of the gearbox towards the clutch, a rest position in which the pair of shank ends cooperatively engage the pulling throwout bearing, and a clutch release position.

Abstract: An articulation head for a clutch-release rocker arm of a friction clutch of a motor vehicle is sealed with respect to dust and abraded material by means of an elastic sleeve. The sleeve is clamped between flanges of a ball shaft and a bearing shell. Consequently, the articulation head is particularly unsusceptible to wear and can be moved virtually without noise.

Abstract: A device for engaging and disengaging the driving mechanism of an automatic slide gate. The device uses a series of two levers to develop a substantial mechanical advantage in the operation of a dog clutch. An actuating lever is positioned so that it may be operated by the user's foot, eliminating the need for any auxilliary levers or tools.

Abstract: A clutch release mechanism includes a clutch release sleeve, a clutch release bearing and a clutch release fork. The clutch release sleeve has a lever engagement feature at a first end. The clutch release bearing engages a second end of the clutch release sleeve and has an inner race rotatably fixed to the second end of the clutch release sleeve. The clutch release fork has rollers disposed on each of two arms for engagement with an outer race of the clutch release bearing. The rollers each including a dowel pin with a first end received by a respective fork arm, the dowel pin having a second end encircled by a rotatively mounted tire. The tire has a through bore and a bushing fixedly mounted therein. A retainer is provided for preventing axial displacement of the tire from the second end of the dowel pin.

Abstract: A pushrod assembly for use in association with a vehicle clutch control system of the type including a slave cylinder having an output member adapted for control of the clutch mechanism of the vehicle, a master cylinder for supplying hydraulic fluid to the slave cylinder, and a clutch control pedal assembly for actuating the master cylinder via the pushrod assembly. The pushrod assembly is connected at a forward end thereof to the master cylinder piston and is adapted for connection at a rearward end thereof to the clutch pedal arm and includes an isolator member of resilient material carried by the pushrod and interposed between the rearward pushrod end and the clutch pedal in a position to be resiliently distorted in response to movement of the control pedal in a release direction relative to the pushrod.

Abstract: A disengaging mechanism for a friction clutch which is arranged in a motor vehicle between an internal combustion engine and a transmission flanged to the internal combustion engine by a casing. The disengaging mechanism includes a guide pipe which is fastenable in the casing. A release bearing element is guided radially at the outer circumference of the guide pipe so as to be axially movable. The disengaging mechanism also includes a clutch lever which is to be articulated at the casing for transmitting clutch actuating forces. At least the guide pipe and the clutch lever are held together to form a constructional unit prior to installation in the motor vehicle. In the operation-ready state, the movement limiting components influence the movability of the disengaging mechanism. Assembly is facilitated by constructing the disengaging mechanism as a constructional unit, which can also contain the release bearing element.

Abstract: A sliding sleeve for a disengagement mechanism for clutch actuation in motor vehicles has at least two pairs of cams with convexities of different heights from an actuation level on the sliding sleeve that is connectable to the clutch. Each of the pairs of cams selectively fits into a window of an oscillating link or clutch release fork, whereby the oscillating window and sliding sleeve have contours that fix the sliding sleeve at one position. By selecting which of the pair of cams engages the oscillating link or clutch release lever, different mounting heights of the actuation level on the sliding sleeve from the oscillating link or the clutch release fork may be realized.

Abstract: A starting assembly for an automotive vehicle is connected to the clutch pedal thereof. The pivoting of the clutch pedal (in a clockwise direction in FIG. 1) pulls a clutch connector. The clutch connector pivots a clutch lever (in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1) which, in turn, actuates a translator. The translator transforms and translates the pivoting movement of the clutch lever into a linear movement of a starter pinion gear to engage the starter ring gear. The hyper-pivoting of the clutch pedal forces the closure of a contact switch which provides power for an electric motor (not shown) to rotate the starter pinion gear and, therefore, start the internal combustion engine of the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A master cylinder for a motor vehicle clutch is coupled to the clutch pedal by means of a fastening and articulating device comprising a ball which is mounted pivotally in a ball housing. The ball housing is in the form of a tulip, the base of which has a thrust seating surface configured as a hollow spherical bowl; the petals of the tulip consist of fingers deformable axially to enable the ball to be introduced into the housing along the general axis of the housing, so as to be resiliently gripped within the housing by the fingers.

Abstract: A heavy duty clutch release mechanism includes a clutch release sleeve, a clutch release bearing and a clutch release fork. The clutch release sleeve has a lever engagement feature at a first end. The clutch release bearing engages a second end of the clutch release sleeve and has an inner race rotatably fixed to the second end of the clutch release sleeve. The clutch release fork has rollers disposed on each of two arms for engagement with an outer race of the clutch release bearing.

Abstract: A clutch device connected by a cable to an actuating pedal. A bulging portion is formed in the lower part of the one piece clutch housing. The bottom end of the clutch release fork and the inner cable of the clutch actuating cable are joined within the bulging area of the clutch housing. The bottom of the bulging area has an opening covered by a removable cap. The cap has a groove for engaging a portion of the edge of the opening and an edge abutting a cable attaching device defining a part of the edge of the opening.

Abstract: A clutch release device comprises a clutch release bearing which slides axially along a tubular guide member fixed to a fixed structure and defining an axis, and a declutching fork pivoted on the fixed structure about pivot arrangement which define at least one pivot point spaced away from the axis. The fork acts on the clutch release bearing through a thrust zone of a manoeuvring element of the latter, so as to displace the release bearing axially along the guide member. The declutching fork acts on the thrust zone in a line of contact which intersects the axis regardless of the angular position of the declutching fork.

Abstract: An automatic opener for a sectional door includes a drive unit mounted adjacent to a door drive shaft and having a reversible motor, a gear linkage for translating rotation of the motor drive shaft into rotation of the sectional door drive shaft, and a clutch which permits the gear linkage to be manually temporarily disengaged from the motor drive shaft. The drive unit is supported within a housing that is connected to an adjustable wall bracket mounting base which itself is fixed to a wall adjacent to the sectional door. A spring-biased lever attached near a lower end of the sectional door pivots in response to slack in a door cable to automatically lock the door when it is completely shut. The locking mechanism automatically unlocks the door either when the drive unit is actuated to open the sectional door or when the clutch is utilized to disengage the gear linkage from the motor drive shaft.

Abstract: A steering clutch assembly attached between an axle and a wheel of a rear-tined rotary tiller allows the implement to be steered. The clutch assembly comprises three coaxial tubular elements, the inboard-most of which is affixed to one of the driven shafts and the outboard-most of which is affixed to a stub axle projecting from a wheel. The inboard and outboard tubular members are connected at a joint that allows the outboard member to freely rotate about the axis of the shaft. An intermediate tubular member rotates with the inboard tubular member and is translated between and engaged and a disengaged position. In the engaged limiting position a portion of the intermediate tubular member bears on a portion of the outboard tubular member and rotationally locks those two tubular members together so that the outboard tubular member is prohibited from rotating with respect to the inboard tubular member.

Abstract: A rocker pin attached to a removable support member for a clutch assembly which includes a clutch arm. The plate is removably attached behind the point in the clutch housing where the rocker pin is positioned. A conventional clutch housing can be modified in accordance with the present invention by cutting a window in that portion of the wall of the clutch housing which supports the rocker pin and attaching a support member over the window. Clutch housings and vehicles may be manufactured originally in accordance with the invention by providing a clutch housing wherein the rocker pin is supported by a removable member which mounts to the clutch housing.

Abstract: An actuator for effecting engagement and disengagement of a friction clutch includes a bi-directional electric motor which is mounted on a bracket secured to a housing. The motor includes an output shaft which is connected through a flexible coupling to a ball screw shaft. A nut is mounted on the ball screw shaft such that rotational movement of the ball screw shaft causes axial movement of the nut. An enlarged collar is mounted on the nut for movement therewith. The collar is pivotably connected to a yoke secured to the upper end of a shift arm of the clutch. This pivotable connection is accomplished by a pair of posts connected to the collar which extend through respective slots formed in the legs of the yoke. The lower end of the shift arm is connected through a shift shaft to cause movement of the release bearing of the clutch in a known manner. Consequently, pivoting movement of the shift arm by operation of the motor causes engagement and disengagement of the clutch.

Abstract: A clutch actuation system for use in engaging and disengaging the clutch of a manual transmission motor vehicle. The system includes a sensor sensing the rotary movement of the clutch pedal, an electric motor having a screw output shaft driving a ball nut mechanism engaging a clutch release member, a further sensor sensing the position of the ball nut mechanism and thereby of the clutch release member, and an electronic control module. The module compares the magnitude of the position signal received from the clutch pedal position sensor to the magnitude of the position signal received from the ball nut position sensor and operates in a closed-loop servo manner to move the clutch release member via the electric motor through a distance proportioned to the extent of pivotal movement of the clutch pedal so that the operator, by precise control of the extent of pivotal movement of the clutch pedal, can precisely control the extent of engagement or disengagement of the clutch.

Abstract: In a machine such as a vehicle mounted earth drill, in which a rotating element is driven by an internal combustion engine, a clutch operating lever arm or handle is hingedly mounted on a plate, the plate is mounted on a fixed frame, the lever arm is spring biased in a direction away from the plate, and a keeper is provided having a receiving channel with a lip past which the arm moves in response to the bias of the spring when the arm is rotated with the plate about the pivot of the plate to a point beyond the lip, whereby when the arm is released at a point beyond the lip it is engaged in the channel until the arm is moved manually against the bias of the spring to a place clear of the lip.

Abstract: A device for operating a clutch, especially an automotive clutch, has a clutch lever with two end positions, a past-dead-center spring that acts on the clutch lever, which spring exerts a force on the clutch lever when the clutch lever is positioned between the dead-center position and an end position, such that the force is directed towards this end position, and finally, additional spring mechanisms, which act on the clutch lever to reduce the pedal force that must be applied to it between the end position corresponding to the engaged state of the clutch and the dead-center position. The additional spring mechanisms are designed and mounted in such a way that they are in actual working contact with the clutch lever only from the end position of the clutch lever corresponding to the engaged state of the clutch to the dead-center position of the clutch lever.

Abstract: A control mechanism for the selective engagement and disengagement of a motor drive includes an elongated handle which is connected to the control arm of the motor drive wherein the position of the control arm determines whether the motor drive is engaged or disengaged. The handle is selectively movable to two positions corresponding to the engaging and disengaging positions of the control arm. The handle is resiliently urged to its positions. Locking structure is provided to selectively hold the handle in each of the positions.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool is described which includes a motor for moving the tool vertically into a surface to be cut. The motor is connected to the tool by a clutch which is most preferably a ball clutch selectively engageable to transmit drive. The clutch further moves out of engagement should a force between two clutch members exceed a predetermined slip force. This predetermined slip force is adjustable by adjusting a spring force which is applied to maintain the clutch members in the engaged position.

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: An operating boosting device for a clutch of a motor vehicle having a pedal under the influence of a prestressed boosting tension spring, which has one end pivotably connected to a fixed point on the vehicle and another end pivotally connected to a pressure rod, which is connected to a lever arm of the pedal at a bearing point. The tension rod exercises a restoring force which holds the pedal in a clutch engaged position and when the clutch is operated and after a dead-center position of the pressure rod is exceeded, applies a force which assists a force of the driver's foot in disengaging the clutch. The pressure rod is pivotably held at the bearing point of the lever arm during each pedal position. The force of the boosting tension spring, in each pedal position, is applied along an action line that extends through the fixed point of the tension spring on the vehicle and through the bearing point of the pressure rod.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a gear housing adapted to be mounted on the transom of a boat, a lever mounted on the gear housing for pivotal movement relative thereto about a first axis, a clutch mechanism supported by the gear housing, a mechanism for actuating the clutch mechanism in response to pivotal movement of the lever, a link, a mechanism connecting the link to the lever for pivotal movement relative thereto about an axis spaced from the first axis, a guide member adapted to be connected to a control mechanism, a mechanism for guiding movement of the guide member relative to the gear housing, and a mechanism for connecting the guide member to the link.

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.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing apparatus comprises a clutch release bearing and a holding mechanism therefor. At a location of the holding mechanism where a driving member applies a driving force for clutch releasing, a shift member shiftable in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the bearing is disposed.

Abstract: The actuator includes a power-assisted main mechanical linkage connecting the clutch pedal lever to the clutch plate lever. The power-assisting assembly is supplied high pressure air and is actuatable by pedal-driven movement of the main linkage. A manually operable piston and cylinder device operates to vary the movement of the linkage and therefore alter the action of the applied force to the main linkage for a reduced pedal stroke mode of operation. The actuator is operable in one of two modes: a power-assisted mechanical mode wherein mechanical force applied to the linkage is dominant; and a selectable power-assisted/mechanical mode with a reduced pedal stroke length wherein the power-assist is the dominant operating force. In either mode, the main mechanical linkage is always operatively connected between the pedal lever and plate lever to provide for purely mechanical operation in the event of air pressure failure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a release system in which a release bearing is prefitted in a release fork in order to ensure mutual fixing together with the gear during transport.

Abstract: A shift assisting mechanism for a marine transmission including a pair of wire actuators that are connected by means of a pair of levers which are, in turn, connected by a motion transmitting mechanism that provides a lost motion so that excess movement of one of the wire transmitters will not place bending forces on the other of the levers.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a machine element of the type including a fixed part and a movable part movable between two limit positions, e.g. an automotive vehicle clutch. A spring biasses the movable part to one of its limit positions. The control mechanism comprises a linkage for controlling the displacement of the movable part between its limit positions. A motor drives the linkage, and a resilient device is coupled to the linkage for reducing the force applied by the motor for displacing the movable part between its limit positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively coupling a ring gear to the drive train of a race car to effectuate engine start; generally comprising a geared flywheel retaining hub slidably mounted along a slideway between an adapter assembly bolted to the transmission and a geared drive hub bolted to the crankshaft. An intermediate shift actuator pivotally coupled to the adapter assembly and flywheel retaining hub selectively engages/disengages the flywheel from the starter drive and drive train.

Abstract: A clutch control mechanism has a fork member that is mounted for rolling action during pivoting at a fulcrum on transaxle transmissions. The mounting structure on the case includes a T-shaped member that is rotatably mounted on a stud member secured to the transmission case. The fork has a longitudinal mounting slot prependicular to the transverse pivot axis to facilitate assembly with an engine.

Abstract: A clutch release sleeve for motor vehicles comprising a housing having at two opposite points of its circumference radially extending lugs against which two parallel arms of a clutch fork abut to embrace the housing within reach of two flat faces, characterized in that the lugs (2) have a radial extension (a) of at least 10% of the housing diameter (D) and a tangential extension (b) of at least 25% of the housing diameter (D) and are offset laterally in opposite directions in relation to a straight line running through the sleeve axis (9), on one hand, and through the points of contact (10) of the clutch fork (4) and the lugs (2) on the other hand so that they project over the straight line further in one direction than in the other direction wherein the flat faces are perpendicular to the straight line.

Abstract: A friction clutch for a motor vehicle with a release bearing which is engaged by a clutch lever with an axially displaceable thrust ring connected in an axially locked manner with regard to pulling by locking elements spaced about its periphery with a rotatable inner ring of the release bearing, and with unlocking lugs corresponding with the locking elements and disengage the locking elements from the inner ring, characterized in that an unlocking slide (15) is guided for radial displacement between an idle position and an unlocking position on the clutch lever (3) and corresponds with the unlocking lugs (22) and the unlocking lugs (22) disengage the locking elements (12) from the inner ring (7) by the unlocking slide (15) which is shifted into the unlocking position.

Abstract: A clutch lever engageable with a release bearing includes a portion supported by a first stationary fulcrum and an extension (3a) extending beyond the first fulcrum. The extension (3a) includes an end remote from the release bearing for contact with a second stationary fulcrum. The end of the extension is spaced from the second fulcrum before the clutch reaches a predetermined released condition in a releasing operation and engages the second fulcrum after the clutch reaches the predetermined condition for increasing the released spacing between the clutch facing and the flywheel and pressure plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a simple method for reducing the amount of force required to actuate a motorcycle clutch. A miniature, lightweight housing means provides a pivot for a lever means to which is attached a short cable from the clutch actuation handle and also the original cable from the clutch. Because the two cable attachment points on the lever means are staggered, the lever means provides mechanical advantage and thereby reduces the manual force required to move the clutch actuation handle.The invention is designed to allow fast installation by providing cable slots in all parts and using cable sleeve tension to permit simple hook-on attachment of cable terminal hardware to the lever means. The housing means cover is used to exclude the environment and also to assure mechanical strength. The pivot pin and attachment hardware for anchoring the cables is locked into place by the covers.

Abstract: This is a "pull" type clutch release bearing. There are provided, on the one hand, abutment means adapted for circumferential bearing engagement, in a first direction, of the clutch release bearing on a member external thereto, on rotation of the clutch release bearing about its axis, and, on the other hand, a bracing member adapted to oppose any retrograde rotation of the clutch release bearing after such circumferential bearing engagement.

Abstract: A support element for a clutch lever for motor vehicles wherein the clutch lever is supported at a pivotal point on one hand and is engaged by an actuator on the other hand and acts on a clutch release bearing longitudinally moveable on a guide tube which extends coaxially to the axis of a friction clutch, characterized in that a dampening element (16,21,24,26,29) made of polymeric material is provided at the pivotal point (6) which is designed and cooperates with the clutch lever (5) in such a manner that vibrations of the clutch lever (5) about a longitudinal axis extending through pivotal point (6) on the one hand and the point of contact (15) of the an actuator (12) on the other hand are prevented or absorbed.

Abstract: A control linkage for a coupling device such as a clutch is designed to be coupled to an operating device. It comprises an output lever and, associated with and generally aligned with the output lever, a wear compensator. This comprises an actuator lever pivoted to the output lever and adapted to be constrained to pivot with the output lever by disengagable detent device. The detent device is operative through a demultiplier lever pivoted to the actuator lever and coupled to the output lever by a lost motion connection.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a clutch release bearing in contact with a clutch cover assembly at all times comprises a clutch release bearing operating shaft, a motorized actuator and coupling devices coupling the actuator to the shaft. These coupling devices incorporate a gear unit driven by the actuator and a toothed sector meshing with the gear unit and rotating freely on the shaft. The toothed sector cooperates with a lever fastened to the operating shaft through the intermediary of a thrust device which is implemented with play. An elastic device for presetting the force with which the clutch release bearing bears on the clutch cover assembly when the clutch is engaged, is disposed between the toothed sector and the lever and operates to increase the play of the thrust device.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing and bearing carrier assembly comprising a bearing support flange at one end of a carrier member, the bearing support flange having elastically outwardly spreadable fingers or lugs with a retaining ledge or shoulder at their end for holding a clutch throw-out bearing against the flange by snap fit. The carrier member has a peripheral groove, preferably in the form of a pair of parallel flanges disposed at the other end of the carrier member, the opposite ends of the pins of a clutch control fork being engageable in the groove for abutment against a longitudinal wall in the groove and for snap fit between that longitudinal wall and at least one deflectable projection on an inner wall of the groove.

Abstract: The compensator comprises at least an element coupled to a clutch mechanism and an element coupled to a declutching control lever. According to the invention, one of the elements is formed by a cylindrical body (17) filled with a hydraulic fluid, in which is axially slidable a sleeve (20), and the other of the elements is constituted by a piston (21) axially slidable inside the sleeve (20).

Abstract: A linear control latch assembly controls the clutching operation of a power take-off system. A driving means produces kinetic mechanical energy which is taken off by a power take-off means. Clutch means effects a union between the driving means and the power take-off means. A linear actuator operates the clutch means. The linear actuator is controlled by a crank arm cranked into operation by a control lever. The control lever is rotated before the crank arm rotates as a result of lost motion in the control system. The initial motion of the control lever is translated into a camming action that unlatches a latch plate prior to the rotation of the crank arm. When the latch plate is unlatched, it unlatches the crank arm to allow release of the clutch that effects the union between the driving means and the power take-off means.

Abstract: A vibration isolator for an automobile clutch operating system having a clutch pedal in the automobile, a clutch release arm on the transmission, and an interconnecting mechanism therebetween, such as a cable, wherein a dynamic damper is mounted on one of clutch system moving components. The dynamic damper includes a damper weight and a resilient material, such as rubber, connecting the weight to the clutch system moving component.

Abstract: In a clutch having a housing and a release fork with a clutch release bearing on one end of the fork in the housing and with its outer end projecting out of the clutch housing and connected to a clutch operating mechanism; a clutch cooling system in which the release fork is hollow and an air outlet opening and an air inlet opening are provided on the release fork at the inside and the outside of the clutch housing, respectively, for feeding cooling air from the outside of the housing to the clutch in the housing for cooling the clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle of the type having a manual transmission is disclosed herein. The manual transmission includes a clutch, a clutch pedal and a linkage assembly interconnecting the clutch with the pedal and requires that the driver of the vehicle depress the clutch pedal in order to disengage the clutch. There is also disclosed herein an arrangement for assisting the driver in disengaging the clutch when the clutch pedal is depressed. This arrangement includes a power assist device, a source of power for driving the device, and a valve assembly including a valve and mounting components interconnecting the valve with the transmission's linkage assembly such that the manual depression of the pedal by the driver automatically acts on the valve to cause the latter to connect the power assist device to its source of power in order to drive the device and therefore aid the driver in disengaging the clutch.

Abstract: The assembly includes a first sleeve connected to a releasing mechanism of a clutch and having a screw threaded surface. A second sleeve is movable relative to the first sleeve and is operatively connectable to a release member. A collar is in threaded engagement with the first sleeve and clutch release forces are transmitted through the collar from the second sleeve to the first sleeve. The collar is prevented from rotating relative to the first sleeve during clutch release. An abutment is provided on the clutch for releasing the collar when the second sleeve reaches a predetermined position to allow the collar to rotate and allow the first sleeve to move axially relative to the second sleeve. A spring for urging the second sleeve towards the clutch acts between the second sleeve and part of the abutment on the clutch. A locking ring may be provided for locking the collar to the second sleeve during clutch release.

Abstract: An interlinking control device in a tractor-mounted working machine having an engine with a governor, a braking mechanism for braking wheels, and a clutch operatively coupled between the engine and the wheels. The braking mechanism and the clutch are operated respectively by first and second control systems, which have ends coupled to a single human-operated swingable member. The clutch starts being disengaged when the swingable member starts swinging and is completely disengaged when the swingable member is positioned intermediately on a path of swingng movement thereof. The braking mechanism produces a maximum braking force when the swingable member reaches a terminal end of the path of swinging movement thereof.

Abstract: A master cylinder employed in connection with a fluid actuated motor vehicle clutch system. The master cylinder includes an internal reservoir formed by a portion of the same cylindrical housing which makes up the clutch actuating working chamber. A plug is provided within the cylindrical housing to divide the housing into two sections, a working chamber and a reservoir chamber. The plug further includes a check valve system which permits fluid to flow into and out of the working chamber from the reservoir as the fluid capacity of the associated hydraulic circuit changes. Flow into and out of the reservoir is permitted to occur only when an externally applied load to the master cylinder is released. The reservoir chamber includes a slidable piston and a low spring constant helical spring which biases the reservoir plunger to provide a slight hydrostatic pressure for the fluid contained by the reservoir, thereby preventing the ingestion of air or contaminants.