Vacuum actuated clutch

Claim 2

A vacuum actuated clutch effective to form a driving engagement in response to the application of vacuum from a source, said clutch comprising: driving means; a shaft; means defining a closed space adjacent said shaft; said means having flexible wall portions effective to collapse upon application of vacuum providing movement of a wall portion axially relative to said shaft; a driven member mounted for rotation with said shaft; a one-way clutch assembly having an expandable race ring; and means actuated by the axial movement of said wall portion in response to vacuum in said closed space expanding said one-way clutch race ring engaging the one-way clutch to drivingly connect said driving means with said driven member for rotation with said shaft.

Claim 3

A vacuum actuated clutch effective to form a driving engagement in response to the application of vacuum from a source, said clutch comprising: driving means; a shaft; means defining a closed space adjacent said shaft; said means having flexible wall portions effective to collapse upon application of vacuum providing movement of a wall portion axially relative to said shaft; a driven member mounted for rotation with said shaft; a one-way clutch assembly having an expandable race ring; said shaft containing an axial bore, a clutch actuating pin slidably received in the shaft bore and having one end connected to said flexible wall portions for axial movement therewith, and means actuated by axial movement of said pin expanding said expandable race ring of said one-way clutch assembly initially engaging the same drivingly connecting said driving means with said driven member.

Claim 4

A vacuum actuated clutch effective to form a driving engagement in response to the application of vacuum from a source, said clutch comprising: driving means; a shaft; means defining a closed space adjacent said shaft; said means having flexible wall portions effective to collapse upon application of vacuum providing movement of a wall portion axially relative to said shaft; a driven member mounted for rotation with said shaft; a one-way clutch assembly having an expandable race ring; said shaft containing an axial bore, a clutch actuating pin slidably received in the shaft bore and having one end connected to said flexible wall portions for axial movement therewith, and means actuated by axial movement of said pin expanding said expandable race ring of said one-way clutch assembly initially engaging the same drivingly connecting said driving means with said driven member.

Claim 5

A vacuum actuated clutch effective to form a driving engagement in response to the application of vacuum from a source, said clutch comprising: a driving pulley having an exterior end wall; a shaft secured to said pulley for rotation therewith and extending therethrough, a cup-shaped metal wall conforming to said pulley exterior wall and said shaft extension but being spaced therefrom; an annular flexible member sealingly connecting the outer peripheral edges of said pulley wall and said cup-shaped metal wall defining a closed space; said cup-shaped metal wall moving axially relative to said shaFt and flexing said annular member in response to the application of vacuum to said closed space; a one-way clutch assembly concentrically positioned on said shaft; the inner race ring of said one-way clutch being expandable; a driven member; the outer race ring of said one-way clutch connected to said driven member for rotation therewith; said shaft containing a diametrical aperture in axial alignment with said expandable clutch ring; said shaft also containing an axially extending bore therethrough; a clutch actuating pin slidably received in the shaft bore and having one end attached to said cup-shaped metal wall; said pin further having a tapered surface in its other end adjacent the diametrical aperture in said shaft; and expanding pins slidably received in the diametrical aperture on either side of said actuating pin tapered surface whereby axial movement of said metal wall axially moves said actuating pin engaging its tapered surfaces with said expanding pins forcing them radially outwardly expanding said inner ring of said one-way clutch assembly thereby engaging the clutch and connecting said driven member with said shaft.

Claim 6

A vacuum actuated clutch effective to form a driving engagement in response to the application of vacuum from a source, said clutch comprising: a driving pulley having an exterior end wall; a shaft secured to said pulley for rotation therewith and extending therethrough, a cup-shaped metal wall conforming to said pulley exterior wall and said shaft extension but being spaced therefrom; an annular flexible member sealingly connecting the outer peripheral edges of said pulley wall and said cup-shaped metal wall defining a closed space; said cup-shaped metal wall moving axially relative to said shaFt and flexing said annular member in response to the application of vacuum to said closed space; a one-way clutch assembly concentrically positioned on said shaft; the inner race ring of said one-way clutch being expandable; a driven member; the outer race ring of said one-way clutch connected to said driven member for rotation therewith; said shaft containing a diametrical aperture in axial alignment with said expandable clutch ring; said shaft also containing an axially extending bore therethrough; a clutch actuating pin slidably received in the shaft bore and having one end attached to said cup-shaped metal wall; said pin further having a tapered surface in its other end adjacent the diametrical aperture in said shaft; and expanding pins slidably received in the diametrical aperture on either side of said actuating pin tapered surface whereby axial movement of said metal wall axially moves said actuating pin engaging its tapered surfaces with said expanding pins forcing them radially outwardly expanding said inner ring of said one-way clutch assembly thereby engaging the clutch and connecting said driven member with said shaft.