US3795295A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for predetermining initial free play in clutch actuating mechanisms
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1972-12-06
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1992-12-06
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure relates to clutches for motor vehicles, and more particularly to a clutch actuating system having means for establishing initial free play without using external gauges. A clutch in accordance with this invention may have a clutch pedal, a clutch release lever and a Bowden wire interconnecting the pedal and the lever. The tubular housing or sheath portion of the Bowden wire has one of its ends secured by a pair of jam nuts to the vehicle body adjacent to the clutch pedal. The other end of the sheath is secured to a stationary member adjacent the clutch release lever by a jan nut and a unique frangible jam nut. The frangible nut has a threaded nut portion and a frangible collar that extends axially from the threaded portion. During initial installation of the clutch actuating mechanism, the jam nuts are tightened to remove all slack in the system and to bring the release fingers of the pressure plate assembly into firm contact with the clutch release bearing. The jam nut that is paired with the frangible nut is tightened until pressure on the collar causes it to fracture and separate from the threaded portion. The gap between the two nuts left by the separated collar is closed by additional tightening of the regular nut. The collar of the special jam nut is dimensioned so that upon its fracture and tightening of the nut paired with it, a proper predetermined amount of initial free play is established in the system.
Inventors
- 👤 F Reno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:52
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G1/00; G05G1/30; G05G1/46; F; F16; F16C; F16C1/00; F16C1/10; F16C1/22; F16C1/226; F16D; F16D23/00; F16D23/12; F16C2361/00; F16C2361/43; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20528
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An actuating mechanism having a first movable member, a second movable member and connecting means operatively interconnecting said first and second movable members; support means supporting said connecting means; a franGible means and a securing means connecting said support means to a support structure; said frangible means and said securing means being adjustable to alter the position of said support means and said connecting means; said frangible means having a frangible spacer portion engaging said support structure; frangible portion being constructed to be fractured to alter the position of said connecting means relative to said support structure by a predetermined dimension.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
An actuating mechanism having a first movable member, a second movable member and connecting means operatively interconnecting said first and second movable members; support means supporting said connecting means; a franGible means and a securing means connecting said support means to a support structure; said frangible means and said securing means being adjustable to alter the position of said support means and said connecting means; said frangible means having a frangible spacer portion engaging said support structure; frangible portion being constructed to be fractured to alter the position of said connecting means relative to said support structure by a predetermined dimension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
170 words
An actuating mechanism having free play establishing means; said actuating mechanism including a first movable member, a second movable member and connecting means operatively interconnecting said first and second members; supporting means supporting said connecting means; said supporting means having a threaded portion; a support bracket; a first nut and a second nut situated on either side of said support bracket and threadedly engaging said threaded portion of said supporting means; said first nut having a threaded portion and a flangible extension; said frangible portion engaging said bracket; said first nut being constructed to be tightened to remove slack in said actuating mechanism; said second nut being constructed to be tightened to exert a force on said first nut of sufficient magnitude to fracture said frangible extension whereby said threaded portion of said first nut and said second nut are engageable with said support bracket; said frangible extension being of a length to establish the desired level of free play in said actuating mechanism when said second nut is tightened.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
170 words
An actuating mechanism having free play establishing means; said actuating mechanism including a first movable member, a second movable member and connecting means operatively interconnecting said first and second members; supporting means supporting said connecting means; said supporting means having a threaded portion; a support bracket; a first nut and a second nut situated on either side of said support bracket and threadedly engaging said threaded portion of said supporting means; said first nut having a threaded portion and a flangible extension; said frangible portion engaging said bracket; said first nut being constructed to be tightened to remove slack in said actuating mechanism; said second nut being constructed to be tightened to exert a force on said first nut of sufficient magnitude to fracture said frangible extension whereby said threaded portion of said first nut and said second nut are engageable with said support bracket; said frangible extension being of a length to establish the desired level of free play in said actuating mechanism when said second nut is tightened.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
184 words
A motor vehicle clutch actuating mechanism having a clutch free play establishing means, said clutch actuating mechanism including a clutch pedal, a clutch release lever and a flexible cable operatively interconnecting said pedal and said lever; supporting means supporting said flexible cable; said supporting means having a support portion, a support bracket; a first fastening means and a second fastening means engaging said support bracket and said support portion of said supporting means; said first fastening means having a body portion engaging said support portion and a frangible extension engaging said support bracket; said first fastening means being constructed to be adjusted to remove slack in said clutch actuating mechanism; said second fastening means being constructed to be adjusted to exert a force on said first fastening means of sufficient magnitude to fracture said frangible extension whereby said body portion of said first fastening means and said second fastening means are engageable with said support bracket; said frangible extension being of a length to establish the desired level of free play in said clutch actuating mechanism when said second fastening means is full adjusted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
184 words
A motor vehicle clutch actuating mechanism having a clutch free play establishing means, said clutch actuating mechanism including a clutch pedal, a clutch release lever and a flexible cable operatively interconnecting said pedal and said lever; supporting means supporting said flexible cable; said supporting means having a support portion, a support bracket; a first fastening means and a second fastening means engaging said support bracket and said support portion of said supporting means; said first fastening means having a body portion engaging said support portion and a frangible extension engaging said support bracket; said first fastening means being constructed to be adjusted to remove slack in said clutch actuating mechanism; said second fastening means being constructed to be adjusted to exert a force on said first fastening means of sufficient magnitude to fracture said frangible extension whereby said body portion of said first fastening means and said second fastening means are engageable with said support bracket; said frangible extension being of a length to establish the desired level of free play in said clutch actuating mechanism when said second fastening means is full adjusted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A motor vehicle clutch actuating mechanism according to claim 3 and including: said supporting means comprising a flexible sheath having one of its ends rigidly supported on vehicle structure; said flexible cable being slidably supported in said sheath.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
258 words
A motor vehicle clutch actuating mechanism having a clutch free play establishing means; said clutch actuating mechanism including a clutch pedal, a clutch release lever and a Bowden wire assembly operatively interconnecting said pedal and said lever; a flexible Bowden wire sheath having one of its ends rigidly supported on vehicle structure; a flexible Bowden cable slidably supported in said sheath and having one end connected to said pedal and its other end connected to said release lever: the other end of said sheath having a threaded portion; a support bracket; a first jam nut and a second jam nut situated on either side of said support bracket and threadedly engaging said threaded portion of said sheath, said first jam nut and a second jam nut situated on either side of said support bracket and threadedly engaging said threaded portion of said sheath, said first jam nut having a threaded body portion engaging said threaded portion of said sheath and a frangible extension engaging said support bracket; said first jam nut being constructed to be tightened to remove slack in said clutch actuating mechanism; said second jam nut being constructed to be tightened to exert a force on said first jam nut of sufficient magnitude to fracture said frangible extension whereby said threaded body portion of said first jam nut and said second jam nut are engageable with said support bracket; said annular extension being of a length to establish the desired level of free play in said clutch actuating mechanism when said second jam nut is tightened.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
258 words
A motor vehicle clutch actuating mechanism having a clutch free play establishing means; said clutch actuating mechanism including a clutch pedal, a clutch release lever and a Bowden wire assembly operatively interconnecting said pedal and said lever; a flexible Bowden wire sheath having one of its ends rigidly supported on vehicle structure; a flexible Bowden cable slidably supported in said sheath and having one end connected to said pedal and its other end connected to said release lever: the other end of said sheath having a threaded portion; a support bracket; a first jam nut and a second jam nut situated on either side of said support bracket and threadedly engaging said threaded portion of said sheath, said first jam nut and a second jam nut situated on either side of said support bracket and threadedly engaging said threaded portion of said sheath, said first jam nut having a threaded body portion engaging said threaded portion of said sheath and a frangible extension engaging said support bracket; said first jam nut being constructed to be tightened to remove slack in said clutch actuating mechanism; said second jam nut being constructed to be tightened to exert a force on said first jam nut of sufficient magnitude to fracture said frangible extension whereby said threaded body portion of said first jam nut and said second jam nut are engageable with said support bracket; said annular extension being of a length to establish the desired level of free play in said clutch actuating mechanism when said second jam nut is tightened.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A motor vehicle clutch actuating mechanism according to claim 5 and including: said frangible extension of said first jam nut comprising an axially extending annular portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A motor vehicle clutch actuating mechanism according to claim 5 and including: said first jam jut including said threaded body portion, an annular extension, and a frangible connection between said threaded portion and said extension; said annular extension being engageable with said support bracket.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
A motor vehicle clutch actuating mechanism according to claim 5 and including: said first jam nut including said threaded body portion, an annular extension and a frangible connection between said threaded body portion and said annular extension, said annular extension having a greater interior dimension than the exterior dimension of said threaded body portion whereby said annular extension can fit over said threaded body portion when said frangible connection is fractured.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3587802A
Cited
US3730318A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |