Patent US3788437A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3788437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clutch release bearing
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1972-01-21
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A clutch release mechanism having a self-centering clutch release bearing assembly. The bearing assembly has one portion engaging the clutch release fingers of a clutch pressure plate assembly and another portion engaging a bearing carrier. A split spring ring is interposed between the bearing and the carrier. The bearing is supported for limited radial movement and the spring urges the bearing into engagement with the bearing carrier.
Inventors
- 👤 J Camp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:53
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D23/00; F16D23/12; F16D23/14; F16D23/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A clutch release mechanism comprising a clutch pressure plate assembly, having inwardly directed clutch release fingers, a release bearing having an outer race engaging said fingers, an axially displaceable bearing carrier with a radial surface, said bearing having an inner race engaging said radial surface of said bearing carrier, an annular split spring interposed between said carrier and said inner race, said spring being radially resilient and constructed to exert a radial force on said inner race urging said inner race in an axial direction into engagement with said radial surface of said carrier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A clutch release mechanism comprising a clutch pressure plate assembly, having inwardly directed clutch release fingers, a release bearing having an outer race engaging said fingers, an axially displaceable bearing carrier with a radial surface, said bearing having an inner race engaging said radial surface of said bearing carrier, an annular split spring interposed between said carrier and said inner race, said spring being radially resilient and constructed to exert a radial force on said inner race urging said inner race in an axial direction into engagement with said radial surface of said carrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
A clutch release mechanism comprising a clutch pressure plate assembly having inwardly directed clutch release fingers, a release bearing having an outer portion engaging said fingers, an axially displaceable bearing carrier with a radial surface, said bearing having an inner portion engaging said radial surface of said bearing carrier, said bearing being radially displaceable with respect to said carrier, an annular split spring interposed between said carrier and said inner portion, said spring being radially resilient and constructed to exert a radial force on said inner portion urging said inner portion in an axial direction into engagement with said carrier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
A clutch release mechanism comprising a clutch pressure plate assembly having inwardly directed clutch release fingers, a release bearing having an outer portion engaging said fingers, an axially displaceable bearing carrier with a radial surface, said bearing having an inner portion engaging said radial surface of said bearing carrier, said bearing being radially displaceable with respect to said carrier, an annular split spring interposed between said carrier and said inner portion, said spring being radially resilient and constructed to exert a radial force on said inner portion urging said inner portion in an axial direction into engagement with said carrier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A clutch release mechanism according to claim 2 and further comprising: said spring comprising a split spring metal ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
167 words
A clutch release mechanism comprising a clutch pressure plate assembly having inwardly directed clutch release fingers, a release bearing having an outer portion engaging said fingers, an axially displaceable bearing carrier with a radial surface, said bearing having an inner portion engaging said radial surface of said bearing carrier, said bearing being radially displaceable with respect to said carrier, an annular spring interposed between said carrier and said inner portion, said carrier having an annular portion disposed within said inner portion of said bearing, said annular portion having a shoulder formed at one end spaced from said radial surface of said carrier, said inner portion having a shoulder, said spring having one portion engaging the shoulder of said bearing carrier and a second portion engaging the shoulder of said inner portion of said bearing, said spring being radially resilient and constructed to exert a radial force on said inner portion urging said inner portion in an axial direction into engagement with said radial surface of said carrier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
167 words
A clutch release mechanism comprising a clutch pressure plate assembly having inwardly directed clutch release fingers, a release bearing having an outer portion engaging said fingers, an axially displaceable bearing carrier with a radial surface, said bearing having an inner portion engaging said radial surface of said bearing carrier, said bearing being radially displaceable with respect to said carrier, an annular spring interposed between said carrier and said inner portion, said carrier having an annular portion disposed within said inner portion of said bearing, said annular portion having a shoulder formed at one end spaced from said radial surface of said carrier, said inner portion having a shoulder, said spring having one portion engaging the shoulder of said bearing carrier and a second portion engaging the shoulder of said inner portion of said bearing, said spring being radially resilient and constructed to exert a radial force on said inner portion urging said inner portion in an axial direction into engagement with said radial surface of said carrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
170 words
A clutch release mechanism comprising a clutch pressure plate assembly having inwardly directed clutch release fingers, a release bearing having an outer portion engaging said fingers, an axially displaceable bearing carrier with a radial surface, said bearing having an inner portion engaging said radial surface of said bearing carrier, said bearing being radially displaceable with respect to said carrier, an annular spring interposed between said carrier and said inner portion, said spring comprising a split spring metal ring, said carrier having a shoulder at one end spaced from said radial surface of said carrier, said inner portion of said bearing having a shoulder spaced from said shoulder of said carrier, said spring having one portion engaging the shoulder of said bearing carrier and a sloping incline surface engaging the shoulder of said inner portion of said bearing, said spring being radially resilient and constructed to exert a radial force on said inner portion urging said inner portion in an axial direction into engagement with said radial surface of said carrier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
170 words
A clutch release mechanism comprising a clutch pressure plate assembly having inwardly directed clutch release fingers, a release bearing having an outer portion engaging said fingers, an axially displaceable bearing carrier with a radial surface, said bearing having an inner portion engaging said radial surface of said bearing carrier, said bearing being radially displaceable with respect to said carrier, an annular spring interposed between said carrier and said inner portion, said spring comprising a split spring metal ring, said carrier having a shoulder at one end spaced from said radial surface of said carrier, said inner portion of said bearing having a shoulder spaced from said shoulder of said carrier, said spring having one portion engaging the shoulder of said bearing carrier and a sloping incline surface engaging the shoulder of said inner portion of said bearing, said spring being radially resilient and constructed to exert a radial force on said inner portion urging said inner portion in an axial direction into engagement with said radial surface of said carrier.
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) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |