Patent US3789965A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3789965A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum clutch actuator
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1972-06-21
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1992-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A vacuum clutch actuating mechanism including a member responsive to vacuum encircling a driven shaft and defining a closed space. One wall of the member is flexible and moves in response to vacuum supplied to the closed space. A leaf spring is attached to the moving wall and extends radially outwardly to engage a driven member mounted for radially outward movement and engage a driving member when the vacuum is supplied to the closed space moving the flexible wall. A two way overrunning clutch can be provided between the outer periphery of the driven member and an inwardly facing peripheral surface of the driving member. The radially outward movement of the spring is sufficient to initially lock up the overrunning clutch when the flexible wall moves in response to vacuum.
Inventors
- 👤 J Heidorn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:56
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D25/00; F16D25/06; F16D25/062; F16D25/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A vacuum actuated clutch effective to form a driving engagement in response to the application of vacuum from a source, said clutch comprising; an output shaft; a driving member rotatably mounted upon said shaft; a driven member secured to said shaft for rotation therewith; means defining a closed space adjacent said shaft; said means having axially flexible wall portions effective to collapse upon application of vacuum and move axially relative to said shaft; a friction member positioned between said driving member and said driven member; a lever member attached to said flexible wall portions of said means defining said closed space and extending to and supporting said friction member, said lever member moving axially with said flexible wall portions when they collapse in response to vacuum, said lever expanding said friction member outwardly into engagement with said driving member for rotation therewith; and overrunning clutch means engaged by rotation of said friction member relative to said driven member thereby coupling said driven member with said driving member as said overrunning clutch locks up due to the relative rotation between said driving member and said friction member relative to said driven member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A vacuum actuated clutch effective to form a driving engagement in response to the application of vacuum from a source, said clutch comprising; an output shaft; a driving member rotatably mounted upon said shaft; a driven member secured to said shaft for rotation therewith; means defining a closed space adjacent said shaft; said means having axially flexible wall portions effective to collapse upon application of vacuum and move axially relative to said shaft; a friction member positioned between said driving member and said driven member; a lever member attached to said flexible wall portions of said means defining said closed space and extending to and supporting said friction member, said lever member moving axially with said flexible wall portions when they collapse in response to vacuum, said lever expanding said friction member outwardly into engagement with said driving member for rotation therewith; and overrunning clutch means engaged by rotation of said friction member relative to said driven member thereby coupling said driven member with said driving member as said overrunning clutch locks up due to the relative rotation between said driving member and said friction member relative to said driven member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
214 words
A vacuum actuated clutch effective to form a driving engagement in response to the application of vacuum from a source, said clutch comprising; an output shaft; a driving member mounted on said shaft for rotation relative thereto; a driven member secured to said shaft for rotation therewith; means defining a closed space encircling said shaft; said means having axially flexible wall portions effective to collapse upon application of vacuum and move axially relative to said shaft; an inwardly facing surface on said driving member; a cylindRical friction member positioned between said driving and driven members; a lever member attached to said flexible wall portions of said means defining said closed space, said lever member extending outwardly into engagement with said friction member, said lever moving axially with said flexible wall portions when they collapse in response to vacuum; a two-way clutch assembly positioned peripherally between said driven member and said driving member, said lever being operative to expand said friction member into frictional engagement with said driving member inwardly facing surface initially causing rotation of said driving member and said friction member relative to said driven member whereby said two-way clutch assembly locks up and connects the driven member with the driving member for continual rotation therewith while the vacuum clutch assembly is energized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
214 words
A vacuum actuated clutch effective to form a driving engagement in response to the application of vacuum from a source, said clutch comprising; an output shaft; a driving member mounted on said shaft for rotation relative thereto; a driven member secured to said shaft for rotation therewith; means defining a closed space encircling said shaft; said means having axially flexible wall portions effective to collapse upon application of vacuum and move axially relative to said shaft; an inwardly facing surface on said driving member; a cylindRical friction member positioned between said driving and driven members; a lever member attached to said flexible wall portions of said means defining said closed space, said lever member extending outwardly into engagement with said friction member, said lever moving axially with said flexible wall portions when they collapse in response to vacuum; a two-way clutch assembly positioned peripherally between said driven member and said driving member, said lever being operative to expand said friction member into frictional engagement with said driving member inwardly facing surface initially causing rotation of said driving member and said friction member relative to said driven member whereby said two-way clutch assembly locks up and connects the driven member with the driving member for continual rotation therewith while the vacuum clutch assembly is energized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
186 words
A vacuum actuated clutch effective to form a driving engagement in response to the application of vacuum from a source, said clutch comprising; an output shaft; a driving member including a cylindrical flange and rotatably mounted upon said shaft; a friction member secured to the inner circumferential surface of said flange; a driven member mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith; said driven member being in the form of a cylindrical cap including an axially extending peripheral flange and being diametrically split into divided portions for radial expansion thereof; a flanged bushing secured to said flexible wall portions; a spring lever member attached to said flanged bushing and extending to and being attached to the divided portions of said diametrically split cap at said peripheral flange; said bushing and said spring lever member moving axially with said flexible wall portions when they collapse in response to vacuum, the axial movement of said spring lever expanding it radially moving the divided portions of said diametrically split cap radially outwardly engaging said cap peripheral flange with said friction member drivingly connecting said driving member with said driven member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
186 words
A vacuum actuated clutch effective to form a driving engagement in response to the application of vacuum from a source, said clutch comprising; an output shaft; a driving member including a cylindrical flange and rotatably mounted upon said shaft; a friction member secured to the inner circumferential surface of said flange; a driven member mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith; said driven member being in the form of a cylindrical cap including an axially extending peripheral flange and being diametrically split into divided portions for radial expansion thereof; a flanged bushing secured to said flexible wall portions; a spring lever member attached to said flanged bushing and extending to and being attached to the divided portions of said diametrically split cap at said peripheral flange; said bushing and said spring lever member moving axially with said flexible wall portions when they collapse in response to vacuum, the axial movement of said spring lever expanding it radially moving the divided portions of said diametrically split cap radially outwardly engaging said cap peripheral flange with said friction member drivingly connecting said driving member with said driven member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |