US3866733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-adjusting release mechanism for friction clutches
Assignee: Lipe Rollway Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-28
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1993-11-28
Abstract
Abstract A self-adjusting release mechanism for disengaging a friction clutch. As wear occurs on the clutch disc facings, repositioning of part of the release mechanism is required for proper operation. The mechanism includes inner and outer sleeves with the outer sleeve engaging the release levers and the inner sleeve carrying the release bearing. In normal operation, the teeth of a plurality of jaws operably connected to the inner sleeve mesh with teeth on the outer sleeve, thereby locking the sleeves together. When the wear on the disc facing reaches a critical point, the jaws are forced to pivot thereby unlocking the jaw teeth from the outer sleeve teeth. The outer sleeve slides forward to a new position and thereby compensates for the wear. The jaws then reestablish their grip on the outer sleeve at the new position preventing further relative axial movement.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald F Linn
- 👤 George L Wishart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:30
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D13/00; F16D13/58; F16D13/75; F16D13/755
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
In a friction clutch for connecting driving and driven shafts, the clutch having means for normally effecting a driving connection between the shafts and release levers actuatable to disengage said driving connection, the improvement comprising an inner sleeve member axially slidable on the driven shaft, an outer sleeve member axially slidable on the inner sleeve, means on one of said sleeve members engageable with the release levers for actuation of same, a jaw having a gripping surface, means to pivotally connect said jaw to one of the sleeves, a gripping surface on the other sleeve which is normally gripped by the jaw whereby axial movement of the one sleeve member in one direction operates to correspondingly move the other sleeve and actuate the release levers, and means for releasing said jaw from said gripping surface, the release means being operable when the wear on the clutch driving connection reaches a particular point to permit relative axial movement between sleeve members to compensate for the wear.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a friction clutch for connecting driving and driven shafts, the clutch having means for normally effecting a driving connection between the shafts and release levers actuatable to disengage said driving connection, the improvement comprising an inner sleeve member axially slidable on the driven shaft, an outer sleeve member axially slidable on the inner sleeve, means on one of said sleeve members engageable with the release levers for actuation of same, a jaw having a gripping surface, means to pivotally connect said jaw to one of the sleeves, a gripping surface on the other sleeve which is normally gripped by the jaw whereby axial movement of the one sleeve member in one direction operates to correspondingly move the other sleeve and actuate the release levers, and means for releasing said jaw from said gripping surface, the release means being operable when the wear on the clutch driving connection reaches a particular point to permit relative axial movement between sleeve members to compensate for the wear.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A friction clutch as defined in claim 1 wherein the means operable to release the jaw include a member having a ramp surface and normally moveable with the jawed sleeve, said ramp surface member including means to positively limit the extent of its axial movement in one direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A friction clutch as defined in claim 2 wherein the jaw has a cam surface in engagement with said ramp surface, the ramp member being operable when the driving connection wears to disengage the jaw from the gripping surface of said other sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a friction clutch for connecting driving and driven shafts, the clutch having means for normally effecting a driving connection between the shafts and release levers actuatable to disengage said driving connection, the improvement comprising an inner sleeve member axially slidable on the driven shaft and an outer sleeve member axially slidable on the inner sleeve, means on the outer sleeve member engageable with the release levers for actuating same, an annular member mounted on said inner sleeve, a jaw pivotally connected to said annular member, said jaw having a gripping surface and a camming surface, a gripping surface on the outer sleeve normally engaged by the gripping surface whereby axial movement of the inner sleeve in one direction operates to correspondingly move the outer sleeve and actuate the release levers, an unlocing ring normally encircling said outer sleeve adjacent said annular member, said unlocking ring having a ramp surface over which the cam surface of the jaw is forced when the wear on the clutch driving connection has reached a particular point whereby the jaw is disengaged from the gripping surface of the outer sleeve to permit relative axial movement between sleeve members to compensate for the wear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a friction clutch for connecting driving and driven shafts, the clutch having means for normally effecting a driving connection between the shafts and release levers actuatable to disengage said driving connection, the improvement comprising an inner sleeve member axially slidable on the driven shaft and an outer sleeve member axially slidable on the inner sleeve, means on the outer sleeve member engageable with the release levers for actuating same, an annular member mounted on said inner sleeve, a jaw pivotally connected to said annular member, said jaw having a gripping surface and a camming surface, a gripping surface on the outer sleeve normally engaged by the gripping surface whereby axial movement of the inner sleeve in one direction operates to correspondingly move the outer sleeve and actuate the release levers, an unlocing ring normally encircling said outer sleeve adjacent said annular member, said unlocking ring having a ramp surface over which the cam surface of the jaw is forced when the wear on the clutch driving connection has reached a particular point whereby the jaw is disengaged from the gripping surface of the outer sleeve to permit relative axial movement between sleeve members to compensate for the wear.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A friction clutch defined in claim 4 including a clutch cover and wherein the unlocking ring is limited in its axial movement by members outwardly projecting from said ring and arranged to abut the clutch cover.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2002841A
Cited
US2885049A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |