Resiliently aligned and centered clutch release bearing

Claim 2

In a resiliently centered and aligned clutch release bearing assembly including an antifriction bearing having inner and outer races with rolling elements disposed therebetween and a resilient centering sleeve supporting said bearing, said sleeve being integrally formed from a flexible material adapted to be injection or compression molded, the improvement wherein said sleeve comprises radially inner and outer portions joined by a circular part in the form of a bellows deformable both axially and radially to permit both centering and aligning movement of said bearing during actuation of the clutch.

Claim 3

A clutch release bearing according to claim 1 wherein said inner portion of said resilient centering sleeve comprises an inner circular sleeve portion having an axial bore extending therethrough, said axial bore being slidably mounted on a bearing guide tube for guiding and centering the clutch release bearing on said guide tube.

Claim 4

The clutch release bearinG according to claim 2 further comprising means reinforcing said circular sleeve portion.

Claim 5

The clutch release bearing according to claim 2 further comprising an annular recess formed in said axial bore of said circular sleeve portion at a location spaced from the ends thereof to facilitate its sliding on said guide tube and to form a lubricant reserve.

Claim 6

A clutch release bearing according to claim 2 further comprising a metal casing supporting and centering said outer portion of said bearing, and wherein said resilient centering sleeve comprises an outer circular part, said metal casing enclosing and supporting said outer circular part.

Claim 7

A clutch release bearing according to claim 5 further comprising means reinforcing said outer circular part.

Claim 8

A clutch release bearing according to claim 2 wherein said resilient centering sleeve further comprises an axially extending annular sleeve portion defining a housing for said bearing.

Claim 9

A clutch release bearing according to claim 2 further comprising a clutch actuating element mounted on said outer portion of said resilient centering sleeve.

Claim 10

A clutch release bearing according to claim 8 wherein said actuating element is mounted on said centering sleeve by molding said centering sleeve in interlocking contact with said actuating element.

Claim 11

A resiliently centered and aligned clutch release bearing assembly comprising an antifriction bearing having inner and outer races with rolling elements disposed therebetween and a resilient centering sleeve supporting said bearing, said sleeve being integrally formed from a flexible material adapted to be injection or compression molded and having a circular part in the form of a bellows which is deformable both axially and radially to permit centering and aligning movement of said bearing during actuation of the clutch, said centering sleeve further including an inner circular sleeve portion having an axial bore extending therethrough and slidably mounted on a bearing guide tube for guiding and centering the clutch release bearing on said guide tube and an axially extending annular shoulder having an annular groove formed in its outer periphery, an actuating element mounted on said centering sleeve, and an annular wear washer mounted in said groove and retaining said actuating element on said centering sleeve.

Claim 12

A resiliently centered and aligned clutch release bearing assembly comprising an antifriction bearing having inner and outer races with rolling elements disposed therebetween and a resilient centering sleeve supporting said bearing, said sleeve being integrally formed from a flexible material adapted to be injection or compression molded and having a circular part in the form of a bellows which is deformable both axially and radially to permit centering and aligning movement of said bearing during actuation of the clutch, said centering sleeve further including an inner circular sleeve portion having an axial bore extending therethrough and slidably mounted on a bearing guide tube for guiding and centering the clutch release bearing on said guide tube and an axially extending annular shoulder having an annular groove formed in its outer periphery, an actuating element mounted on said centering sleeve, and an annular wear washer mounted in said groove and retaining said actuating element on said centering sleeve.