US3712435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clutch assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-16
•
Granted: 1973-01-23
•
Expires: 1991-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A clutch assembly for use in a friction clutch for a heavy truck has an annular pressure plate of approximately U-shaped axial cross section, a web of the plate carrying a contact face for engagement with a driven clutch disc, and two annular, radially spaced flanges extending in a rearward axial direction from the web. The radially inner flange has a greater axial height than the outer flange and engages a diaphragm spring whose outer circumference abuts against the clutch housing, while the radially slotted innermost portion may be engaged by a clutch release bearing. The pressure plate is suspended coaxially in the housing by means of leaf springs tangential relative to a circle about the clutch axis, and excessive axial stresses in the several springs are avoided by abutments on the housing engaging lugs on the pressure plate.
Inventors
- 👤 H Kraus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:59
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D13/00; F16D13/58; F16D13/70; F16D13/71; F16D2013/706
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
264 words
In a clutch assembly including a housing having an axis and bounding a cavity open in one axial direction, fastening means for fastening said housing to a face of a drive member in a position in which said face is transverse to said axis and substantially closes the axially open side of said cavity, an annular pressure plate in said cavity, a plurality of elongated spring members, respective longitudinal end portions of each spring member being secured to said housing and to said pressure plate while the spring member is elongated substantially tangentially relative to a circle about said axis, and a diaphragm spring in said cavity having an outer circumference abuttingly engaging said housing and an engagement portion extending about said axis, said engagement portion being offset radially inward from said circumference and engaging said pressure plate, the improvement in said pressure plate which comprises: a. a web portion of said pressure plate having an annular radial contact face directed toward said open side; b. a first annular flange portion and a second annular flange portion of said pressure plate radially bounding said web portion and extending therefrom axially away from said open side, 1. said first flange portion being radially offset from the second flange portion in a radially outward direction, 2. said web portion and said flange portions jointly constituting an annular channel of U-shaped cross section open in an axial direction away from said open side; and c. a plurality of ribs extending in said channel in angularly offset relationship relative to said axis and radially connecting said flange portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
264 words
In a clutch assembly including a housing having an axis and bounding a cavity open in one axial direction, fastening means for fastening said housing to a face of a drive member in a position in which said face is transverse to said axis and substantially closes the axially open side of said cavity, an annular pressure plate in said cavity, a plurality of elongated spring members, respective longitudinal end portions of each spring member being secured to said housing and to said pressure plate while the spring member is elongated substantially tangentially relative to a circle about said axis, and a diaphragm spring in said cavity having an outer circumference abuttingly engaging said housing and an engagement portion extending about said axis, said engagement portion being offset radially inward from said circumference and engaging said pressure plate, the improvement in said pressure plate which comprises: a. a web portion of said pressure plate having an annular radial contact face directed toward said open side; b. a first annular flange portion and a second annular flange portion of said pressure plate radially bounding said web portion and extending therefrom axially away from said open side, 1. said first flange portion being radially offset from the second flange portion in a radially outward direction, 2. said web portion and said flange portions jointly constituting an annular channel of U-shaped cross section open in an axial direction away from said open side; and c. a plurality of ribs extending in said channel in angularly offset relationship relative to said axis and radially connecting said flange portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
In an assembly as set forth in claim 1, said second flange portion having a free edge part remote from said web portion and engaging said engagement portion of the diaphragm spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
said web portion and said flange portions jointly constituting an annular channel of U-shaped cross section open in an axial direction away from said open side; and c. a plurality of ribs extending in said channel in angularly offset relationship relative to said axis and radially connecting said flange portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
said web portion and said flange portions jointly constituting an annular channel of U-shaped cross section open in an axial direction away from said open side; and c. a plurality of ribs extending in said channel in angularly offset relationship relative to said axis and radially connecting said flange portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
said second flange portion having an axial height greater than the axial height of said first flange portion,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
said second flange portion having an axial height greater than the axial height of said first flange portion,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
said web portion and said flange portions jointly constituting an annular channel of U-shaped cross section open in an axial direction away from said contact face; and C. a plurality of plate-shaped ribs extending in said channel in angularly offset relationship relative to said axis and radially connecting said flange portions,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
said web portion and said flange portions jointly constituting an annular channel of U-shaped cross section open in an axial direction away from said contact face; and C. a plurality of plate-shaped ribs extending in said channel in angularly offset relationship relative to said axis and radially connecting said flange portions,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
In an assembly as set forth in claim 2, said edge part being formed with axial notches therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
In an assembly as set forth in claim 1, said pressure plate including a plurality of apertured fastening lugs projecting radially outward beyond said first flange portion in circumferentially spaced relationship, and securing means securing longitudinal end portions of respective spring members to said lugs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
In an assembly as set forth in claim 1, limiting means on said housing for limiting axial movement of said pressure plate toward said open side.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
In an assembly as set forth in claim 5, said limiting means including a plurality of lugs projecting radially outward from said first flange portion, and abutment means fastened to said housing for abutting engagement with said lugs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
In an assembly as set forth in claim 1, said flange portions, said web portion, and said ribs jointly constituting a unitary body of metal having high thermal conductivity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
In an assembly as set forth in claim 1, said second flange portion having a free edge part remote from said web portion, said edge part axially projecting beyond said first flange portion and engaging said engagement portion of the diaphragm spring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
In an assembly as set forth in claim 8, said edge part being formed with axial notches therein for radial flow of air between said edge part and said diaphragm spring, and said diaphragm spring being formed with apertures, respective portions of said edge part being exposed in an axial direction away from said open side through said apertures in the diaphragm spring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
A pressure plate for use in a friction clutch, said pressure plate having an axis, and comprising; A. a web portion having an annular, radial, contact face exposed in an axial direction; B. two annular flange portions coaxially extending From said web portion in a direction opposite to said axial direction,
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
A pressure plate for use in a friction clutch, said pressure plate having an axis, and comprising; A. a web portion having an annular, radial, contact face exposed in an axial direction; B. two annular flange portions coaxially extending From said web portion in a direction opposite to said axial direction,
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |