US3733918A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Centrifugal clutch
Assignee: First National Bank of Minneapolis
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Filing: 1972-03-09
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1992-03-09
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure is directed to a variable ratio centrifugal clutch having driving and driven assemblies connected by an endless belt. The driving assembly consists of a pair of sheaves affixed to a drive shaft, one being axially stationary and the other being axially movable with respect thereto. The movable sheave forms part of an enclosed housing in which a plurality of flyweights are pivotally mounted. The flyweights operate in conjunction with a stationary member which is also disposed inside the enclosure. Guide members formed integrally with the rotatable enclosure operate in conjunction with guiding portions of the axially stationary member to insure proper relative axial movement therebetween. In response to increases in drive shaft speed, the flyweights swing outward and engage the stationary member to move the housing in its entirety along the shaft to bring the sheaves together.
Inventors
- 👤 P Domaas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:52
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H55/00; F16H55/32; F16H55/52; F16H55/56; F16H55/563
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
A centrifugal clutch comprising: a. rotatable shaft means; b. first rotatable means mounted on the shaft means and axially stationary thereon, the first rotatable means defining a first clutching surface; c. second rotatable means mounted on the shaft means and axially movable thereon, the second rotatable means comprising 1. a clutching member defining a second clutching surface cooperable with the first clutching surface; 2. and a cover member constructed for cooperable engagement with the clutching member to define a rotatable enclosure; d. third rotatable means mounted on the shaft means and disposed within said rotatable enclosure; e. one of said clutching and cover members having a plurality of pairs of spaced members projecting toward the other of said clutching and cover members, the opposed faces of each pair forming guiding surfaces; f. the third rotatable means further comprising a guiding member for each pair of spaced members, each guiding member constructed and arranged for cooperable, guiding engagement with the opposed guiding surfaces; g. a plurality of flyweights mounted on one of said second and third rotatable means and arranged to move radially outward with increasing rotational velOcity of the shaft means, the flyweights engageable with the other of said second and third rotatable means to effect axial movement of the rotatable enclosure with respect to the first rotatable means; h. and means for interlockably connecting each of said projecting spaced members with the other of said clutching and cover members to resist centrifugal forces exerted on said projecting spaced members as a result of clutch rotation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
256 words
A centrifugal clutch comprising: a. rotatable shaft means; b. first rotatable means mounted on the shaft means and axially stationary thereon, the first rotatable means defining a first clutching surface; c. second rotatable means mounted on the shaft means and axially movable thereon, the second rotatable means comprising 1. a clutching member defining a second clutching surface cooperable with the first clutching surface; 2. and a cover member constructed for cooperable engagement with the clutching member to define a rotatable enclosure; d. third rotatable means mounted on the shaft means and disposed within said rotatable enclosure; e. one of said clutching and cover members having a plurality of pairs of spaced members projecting toward the other of said clutching and cover members, the opposed faces of each pair forming guiding surfaces; f. the third rotatable means further comprising a guiding member for each pair of spaced members, each guiding member constructed and arranged for cooperable, guiding engagement with the opposed guiding surfaces; g. a plurality of flyweights mounted on one of said second and third rotatable means and arranged to move radially outward with increasing rotational velOcity of the shaft means, the flyweights engageable with the other of said second and third rotatable means to effect axial movement of the rotatable enclosure with respect to the first rotatable means; h. and means for interlockably connecting each of said projecting spaced members with the other of said clutching and cover members to resist centrifugal forces exerted on said projecting spaced members as a result of clutch rotation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
192 words
and a cover member constructed for cooperable engagement with the clutching member to define a rotatable enclosure; d. third rotatable means mounted on the shaft means and disposed within said rotatable enclosure; e. one of said clutching and cover members having a plurality of pairs of spaced members projecting toward the other of said clutching and cover members, the opposed faces of each pair forming guiding surfaces; f. the third rotatable means further comprising a guiding member for each pair of spaced members, each guiding member constructed and arranged for cooperable, guiding engagement with the opposed guiding surfaces; g. a plurality of flyweights mounted on one of said second and third rotatable means and arranged to move radially outward with increasing rotational velOcity of the shaft means, the flyweights engageable with the other of said second and third rotatable means to effect axial movement of the rotatable enclosure with respect to the first rotatable means; h. and means for interlockably connecting each of said projecting spaced members with the other of said clutching and cover members to resist centrifugal forces exerted on said projecting spaced members as a result of clutch rotation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
192 words
and a cover member constructed for cooperable engagement with the clutching member to define a rotatable enclosure; d. third rotatable means mounted on the shaft means and disposed within said rotatable enclosure; e. one of said clutching and cover members having a plurality of pairs of spaced members projecting toward the other of said clutching and cover members, the opposed faces of each pair forming guiding surfaces; f. the third rotatable means further comprising a guiding member for each pair of spaced members, each guiding member constructed and arranged for cooperable, guiding engagement with the opposed guiding surfaces; g. a plurality of flyweights mounted on one of said second and third rotatable means and arranged to move radially outward with increasing rotational velOcity of the shaft means, the flyweights engageable with the other of said second and third rotatable means to effect axial movement of the rotatable enclosure with respect to the first rotatable means; h. and means for interlockably connecting each of said projecting spaced members with the other of said clutching and cover members to resist centrifugal forces exerted on said projecting spaced members as a result of clutch rotation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The centrifugal clutch defined by claim 1, wherein the interlockable connecting means comprises a first structural portion associated with each of the projecting spaced members and a second structural portion for each first structural portion disposed on the other of said clutching and cover members, the first and second structural portions constructed and arranged to mateably engage when the clutching and cover members are in cooperable engagement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The centrifugal clutch defined by claim 1, wherein said pairs of spaced members are disposed on the clutching member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The centrifugal clutch defined by claim 3, wherein the interlockable connecting means comprises: a. a pin projecting from the extreme end of each of said spaced members; b. and a plurality of bores disposed on the inner surface of said cover member in respective alignment with said pins.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The centrifugal clutch defined by claim 4, wherein each of said bores is formed in a boss integrally formed on the inner face of said cover member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The centrifugal clutch defined by claim 4, wherein each of said pins is integrally formed with its associated spaced member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
231 words
A centrifugal clutch comprising: a. rotatable shaft means; b. first rotatable means mounted on the shaft means and axially stationary thereon, the first rotatable means defining a first clutching surface; c. second rotatable means mounted on the shaft means and axially movable thereon, the second rotatable means defining a second clutching surface cooperable with the first clutching surface; d. third rotatable means mounted on the shaft means and axially movable thereon, the third rotatable means constructed and arranged to cooperably engage with the second rotatable means to define a rotatable enclosure therewith; e. one of said second and third rotatable means having a plurality of pairs of spaced members projecting toward the other of said second and third rotatable means, the opposed faces of each pair forming guiding surfaces; f. actuating means disposed within said rotatable enclosure for effecting axial movement thereof with respect to the first rotatable means as a function of rotational velocity of the shaft means; g. guiding means disposed within said rotatable enclosure and comprising a guiding member for each pair of spaced members, each guiding member constructed and arranged for cooperating, guiding engagement with the opposed guiding surfaces; h. and means for interlockably connecting each of said projecting spaced members with the other of said second and third rotatable members to resist centrifugal forces exerted on said projecting spaced members as a result of clutch rotation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
231 words
A centrifugal clutch comprising: a. rotatable shaft means; b. first rotatable means mounted on the shaft means and axially stationary thereon, the first rotatable means defining a first clutching surface; c. second rotatable means mounted on the shaft means and axially movable thereon, the second rotatable means defining a second clutching surface cooperable with the first clutching surface; d. third rotatable means mounted on the shaft means and axially movable thereon, the third rotatable means constructed and arranged to cooperably engage with the second rotatable means to define a rotatable enclosure therewith; e. one of said second and third rotatable means having a plurality of pairs of spaced members projecting toward the other of said second and third rotatable means, the opposed faces of each pair forming guiding surfaces; f. actuating means disposed within said rotatable enclosure for effecting axial movement thereof with respect to the first rotatable means as a function of rotational velocity of the shaft means; g. guiding means disposed within said rotatable enclosure and comprising a guiding member for each pair of spaced members, each guiding member constructed and arranged for cooperating, guiding engagement with the opposed guiding surfaces; h. and means for interlockably connecting each of said projecting spaced members with the other of said second and third rotatable members to resist centrifugal forces exerted on said projecting spaced members as a result of clutch rotation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
The centrifugal clutch defined by claim 7, wherein the actuating means comprises: a. a fourth rotatable means mounted on the shaft means and axially stationary thereon; b. and a plurality of flyweights pivotally mounted on one of said second and fourth rotatable means and arranged to move radially outward with increasing rotational velocity of the shaft means, the flyweights being engageable with the other of said second and fourth rotatable means to effect said axial movement of the rotatable enclosure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The centrifugal clutch defined by claim 7, wherein the first and second rotatable means comprise first and second sheaves, respectively, and the third rotatable means comprises a bell-shaped cover.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
75 words
The centrifugal clutch defined by claim 9, wherein the pairs of spaced members are disposed on the second sheave, and the interlockable Connection means comprises a first structural portion associated with each of the spaced members and a second structural portion for each first structural portion disposed on the inner surface of said cover, the first and second structural portions constructed and arranged to mateably engage with the second sheave and cover in cooperable engagement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The centrifugal clutch defined by claim 10, wherein the first structural portions each comprise a pin, and the second structural portions each comprises a boss having a bore formed in alignment with the associated pin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |