US3777584A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Centrifugal clutch
Assignee: First National Bank of Minneapolis
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Filing: 1972-09-20
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1992-09-20
Abstract
Abstract 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 on one side of the rotatable enclosure and projecting axially toward the stationary member operate in conjunction with guiding portions on the stationary member to insure proper relative axial movement therebetween. The extreme ends of the projecting guide members are secured to the opposite side of the rotatable enclosure to resist centrifugal forces and prevent wear and fatigue on the guide members due to strain. In response to increased 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
2026-10-31 17:19
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/66; F16H61/662; F16H61/66231; F16H61/66245; F16H55/00; F16H55/32; F16H55/52; F16H55/56; F16H55/563
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 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. the clutching member having a plurality of pairs of spaced members projecting axially in cantilever fashion toward the cover member, 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 screw means projecting through the cover member into the end of each of said projecting members to interlock the clutching and cover members and resist centrifugal forces exerted on the projecting spaced members as a result of clutch rotation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
255 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. the clutching member having a plurality of pairs of spaced members projecting axially in cantilever fashion toward the cover member, 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 screw means projecting through the cover member into the end of each of said projecting members to interlock the clutching and cover members and resist centrifugal forces exerted on the projecting spaced members as a result of clutch rotation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
191 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. the clutching member having a plurality of pairs of spaced members projecting axially in cantilever fashion toward the cover member, 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 screw means projecting through the cover member into the end of each of said projecting members to interlock the clutching and cover members and resist centrifugal forces exerted on the projecting spaced members as a result of clutch rotation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
191 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. the clutching member having a plurality of pairs of spaced members projecting axially in cantilever fashion toward the cover member, 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 screw means projecting through the cover member into the end of each of said projecting members to interlock the clutching and cover members and resist centrifugal forces exerted on the projecting spaced members as a result of clutch rotation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The centrifugal clutch defined in claim 1, wherein the extreme end of each projecting member has an axially disposed threaded bore formed therein, and the cover member has a plurality of bores formed therein in respective registration with the threaded bores of the projecting members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The centrifugal clutch defined by claim 2, wherein each of the bores in the cover member is formed through a boss integrally formed on its inner surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The centrifugal clutch defined by claim 3, wherein the screw means comprises a threaded screw having a head, and each bore of the cover member is countersunk to receive the screw head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The centrifugal clutch defined by claim 1, wherein the flyweights are disposed on the second rotatable means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The centrifugal clutch defined by claim 1, wherein the first rotatable means and the clutching member of the second rotatable means comprise first and second cooperating sheaves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The centrifugal clutch defined by claim 1 which includes three of said pair of spaced projecting members.
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) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |