Adjustable clutch assembly

Claim 2

A clutch assembly having opposed clutch elements relatively rotatably about a common axis, one of said clutch elements supported on a shaft for axial movement on a bearing, spring means normally spacing said clutch elements and clutch means urging said one clutch element into frictional engagement with the opposed clutch element, against the force of said spring means, upon actuation of said clutch, the improvement comprising: said shaft having an axially threaded end, an adjustment nut threadably received on said shaft having a polygonal exterior portion, a cup-shaped slide member having a polygonal opening receiving said nut polygonal exterior portion in rotationally interlocking relation, said slide member having an end portion operably engaging said one clutch element and said nut having a stop means limiting axial movement of said slide toward said clutch element and a spring means normally biasing said slide means toward said clutch element, whereby the gap between said clutch elements may be adjusted by threading said adjustment nut on said shaft.

Claim 3

The clutch assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said clutch means includes camming rings supported on said shaft between said one clutch element and said slide member, said clutch means spreading said camming rings, biasing said one clutch element into frictional engagement with said opposed clutch element, said nut having a radial polygonal flange providing said stop means and said slide opening toward and engaging one of said camming rings, whereby the gap between said clutch elements may be adjusted by threading said adjustment nut toward said opposed clutch element, displacing said slide member, said camming rings and said one clutch element toward said opposed clutch element.

Claim 4

The clutch assembly defined in claim 2, wherein said assembly includes a spring element located between the end of said shaft and said slide member, normally baising said slide member into engagement with said adjustment nut flange, said spring element also biasing said slide member, said camming rings and said one clutch element into frictional engagement with said opposed clutch element, upon actuation of said clutch means.

Claim 5

The clutch assembly defined in claim 3, wherein said assembly includes a jam nut threadably received on the end of said shaft, compressing said spring element against said slide member.

Claim 6

A clutch assembly, including opposed clutch elements relatively rotatable about a common axis, one of said clutch elements having a bore receiving a shaft, said one clutch element rotationally supported on said shaft by an axially movable cylindrical bearing, opposed camming rings located on said shaft adjacent said one clutch element and clutch means spreading said camming means upon actuation of said clutch to bias said one clutch element into frictional engagement with the opposed clutch element, the improvement comprising: said shaft having an axially threaded end portion, an adjustment nut threadably received on said shaft, a slide received on said nut having anti-rotation means preventing relative rotation between said nut and said slide, while permitting said slide to move axially relatively to said shaft, said slide having an end portion engaging one of said camming rings, spring means resiliently biasing said slide toward said one clutch element and one of said camming rings toward the opposed camming ring, whereby the gap between said clutch elements may be adjusted by threading said adjustment nut on said shaft by rotating said slide.

Claim 7

A clutch assembly, including opposed clutch elements relatively rotatable about a common axis, one of said clutch elements having a bore receiving a shaft, said one clutch element rotationally supported on said shaft by an axially movable cylindrical bearing, opposed camming rings located on said shaft adjacent said one clutch element and clutch means spreading said camming means upon actuation of said clutch to bias said one clutch element into frictional engagement with the opposed clutch element, the improvement comprising: said shaft having an axially threaded end portion, an adjustment nut threadably received on said shaft, a slide received on said nut having anti-rotation means preventing relative rotation between said nut and said slide, while permitting said slide to move axially relatively to said shaft, said slide having an end portion engaging one of said camming rings, spring means resiliently biasing said slide toward said one clutch element and one of said camming rings toward the opposed camming ring, whereby the gap between said clutch elements may be adjusted by threading said adjustment nut on said shaft by rotating said slide.

Claim 8

The clutch assembly defined in claim 5, wherein said ajustment nut includes a radial flange and said slide is generally cup-shaped, opening toward said clutch elements and receiving said adjustment nut flange, said flange thereby limiting movement of said slide toward said clutch elements.

Claim 9

The clutch assembly defined in claim 6, wherein said assembly includes a nut compressing said spring against said slide member.

Claim 10

The clutch assembly defined in claim 6, wherein said adjustment nut flange is polygonal and the internal wall of said cup-shaped slide is polygonal and interlocking with said flange, providing said anti-rotation and stop means.