US3788438A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clutch actuating mechanism with automatically determined free play
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-12-06
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-12-06
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a clutch actuating mechanism having a Bowden wire assembly interconnecting a clutch pedal and a clutch release lever. The mechanism is constructed to automatically establish an appropriate amount of free play in the system upon actuation of the clutch pedal for the first time. The Bowden wire assembly includes a tubular sheath that has one end secured to body structure adjacent to the pedal and its other end secured to chassis structure adjacent to the clutch release lever. A flexible cable is slidably supported in the sheath and has one end connected to the clutch pedal. The other end of the cable has spaced apart balls which form stop members secured to it. The outer ball is rigidly affixed to the cable and the inner ball is slidable on the cable when subjected to a force that exceeds a predetermined minimum value. The inner ball engages the clutch release lever. Upon installation, the sheath is attached to the body and the chassis in a manner to eliminate any slack or free play in the system. When the clutch pedal is depressed, the force will be transmitted to the inner ball causing it to slide into engagement with the outer ball. Free play will be automatically established in the mechanism by the displacement of the inner ball.
Inventors
- 👤 F Reno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:22
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D23/00; F16D23/12; F16C; F16C1/00; F16C1/10; F16C1/12; F16C2361/00; F16C2361/43; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/20408; Y10T74/20528
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An actuating mechanism having a first movable member, a second movable member and connecting means operatively interconnecting said first and second movable members; said actuating mechanism including adjustment means constructed to automatically adjust the relative position of said first and second movable members; said connecting means having a linearly displaceable portion; saId portion having first and second spaced apart stop members; said first stop member being rigidly affixed to said portion; said second stop member being normally immovable with respect to said portion; said second stop member being displaceable relative to said portion when subjected to a force that exceeds a predetermined minimum value; said second stop member engaging said first movable member; said actuating mechanism being constructed to transmit a force from said second movable member through said connecting means to said second stop member, to cause said second stop member to move into engagement with said first stop member and thereby automatically adjust the relative position of said first and second movable members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
An actuating mechanism having a first movable member, a second movable member and connecting means operatively interconnecting said first and second movable members; said actuating mechanism including adjustment means constructed to automatically adjust the relative position of said first and second movable members; said connecting means having a linearly displaceable portion; saId portion having first and second spaced apart stop members; said first stop member being rigidly affixed to said portion; said second stop member being normally immovable with respect to said portion; said second stop member being displaceable relative to said portion when subjected to a force that exceeds a predetermined minimum value; said second stop member engaging said first movable member; said actuating mechanism being constructed to transmit a force from said second movable member through said connecting means to said second stop member, to cause said second stop member to move into engagement with said first stop member and thereby automatically adjust the relative position of said first and second movable members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
An actuating mechanism according to claim 1 and including: spring means constructed to exert a force on said first movable member urging it into engagement with said second stop member, said force exerted by said spring means being less than said predetermined minimum force required to displace said second stop member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An actuating mechanism according to claim 1 and including: said first and second movable members comprising pivotally supported first and second levers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
An actuating mechanism according to claim 1 and including: said first and second movable members comprising pivotally supported first and second levers, said connecting means comprising a guide means and a flexible cable supported by said guide means, said cable having one end connected to said second lever, said adjustment means connecting the other end of said cable to said first lever.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
An actuating mechanism according to claim 1 and including: said first and second movable members comprising pivotally supported first and second levers, said connecting means comprising a guide means and a flexible cable supported by said guide means, said cable having one end connected to said second lever, said adjustment means connecting the other end of said cable to said first lever, spring means constructed to exert a force on said first lever urging it into engagement with said second stop member, said force exerted by said spring means being less than said predetermined minimum force required to displace said second stop member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
195 words
An actuating mechanism having a clutch free play establishing means for a motor vehicle clutch, said actuating mechanism including a clutch pedal, a clutch release lever and a Bowden wire assembly interconnecting said pedal and said lever; said clutch pedal being displaceable from a clutch engaged position to a clutch disengaged position, said Bowden wire assembly comprising a tubular flexible sheath having its ends rigidly supported on vehicle structure; a flexible cable slidably supported in said sheath; said cable having one end connected to said pedal; a first stop member rigidly affixed to the other end of said cable; a second stop member spaced apart from said first stop member and normally immovably connected to said cable; said second stop member being slidably displaceable on said cable when subjected to a force that exceeds a predetermined minimum value; said clutch actuating mechanism being constructed to transmit a force from said clutch pedal to said second stop member that exceeds said predetermined minimum to cause said second stop member to be displaced into engagement with said first stop member and thereby automatically establish clutch free play when said pedal is in its said clutch engaged position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
195 words
An actuating mechanism having a clutch free play establishing means for a motor vehicle clutch, said actuating mechanism including a clutch pedal, a clutch release lever and a Bowden wire assembly interconnecting said pedal and said lever; said clutch pedal being displaceable from a clutch engaged position to a clutch disengaged position, said Bowden wire assembly comprising a tubular flexible sheath having its ends rigidly supported on vehicle structure; a flexible cable slidably supported in said sheath; said cable having one end connected to said pedal; a first stop member rigidly affixed to the other end of said cable; a second stop member spaced apart from said first stop member and normally immovably connected to said cable; said second stop member being slidably displaceable on said cable when subjected to a force that exceeds a predetermined minimum value; said clutch actuating mechanism being constructed to transmit a force from said clutch pedal to said second stop member that exceeds said predetermined minimum to cause said second stop member to be displaced into engagement with said first stop member and thereby automatically establish clutch free play when said pedal is in its said clutch engaged position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
An actuating mechanism according to claim 6 and including: biasing means constructed to exert a force urging said clutch release lever into engagement with said second stop member; said force exerted by said biasing means being less than said predetermined minimum force required to slidably displace said second stop member.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for establishing free play in A clutch system having a clutch pedal, a clutch and a Bowden wire assembly interconnecting said pedal and said clutch; said clutch including a clutch release bearing, clutch release fingers engageable with said bearing and a clutch release lever engageable with said clutch release bearing; said Bowden wire assembly including a flexible sheath supported on vehicle structure, a flexible cable slidably supported in said sheath and having one end secured to said clutch pedal; said method comprising the steps of rigidly affixing a first stop member to said cable; slidably supporting a second stop member on said cable in engagement with said clutch release lever and spaced from said first stop member; adjusting the position of said flexible sheath to remove all free play between said clutch release bearing and said clutch release fingers; applying a predetermined force to said clutch pedal causing said flexible cable to be tensioned and said second stop member to be displaced into contact with said first stop member whereby a predetermined amount of free play proportional to the displacement of said second stop member is established between said clutch release fingers and said clutch release bearing when said force is removed from said pedal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for establishing free play in A clutch system having a clutch pedal, a clutch and a Bowden wire assembly interconnecting said pedal and said clutch; said clutch including a clutch release bearing, clutch release fingers engageable with said bearing and a clutch release lever engageable with said clutch release bearing; said Bowden wire assembly including a flexible sheath supported on vehicle structure, a flexible cable slidably supported in said sheath and having one end secured to said clutch pedal; said method comprising the steps of rigidly affixing a first stop member to said cable; slidably supporting a second stop member on said cable in engagement with said clutch release lever and spaced from said first stop member; adjusting the position of said flexible sheath to remove all free play between said clutch release bearing and said clutch release fingers; applying a predetermined force to said clutch pedal causing said flexible cable to be tensioned and said second stop member to be displaced into contact with said first stop member whereby a predetermined amount of free play proportional to the displacement of said second stop member is established between said clutch release fingers and said clutch release bearing when said force is removed from said pedal.
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 |