Control means for hydraulic clutches

Claim 2

For use with a hydraulic clutch, and a valve means operatively connected to said hydraulic clutch for controlling the flow of fluid pressure to said clutch for effecting the operation of said clutch between an operative engaged position and an inoperative disengaged position wherein said valve means is remotely disposed from said clutch the improvement of control means for uniformally activating said clutch in a positive manner so as to prohibit any delay in the transition interval of shifting said clutch between an operative and inoperative position comprising a shift lever and a control lever, pivot means for pivotally mounting said shift lever relative to said control lever, whereby said pivot means defines a fulcrum about which said levers are relatively pivoted; an actuating means connected to one of said levers to pivot therewith about said pivot means, and a spring means interconnected between said levers whereby said spring is disposed to one side of said pivot means in the engaged position of said clutch and to the other side of said pivot means in the disengaged position of said clutch and means interconnecting said valve means to said shift lever whereby the actuation of said valve means is rendered immediately responsive.

Claim 3

The invention as defined in claim 1 and including a valve lever connected to said valve means for actuating said valve means; and means interconnecting said valve lever with said shift lever whereby said valve lever and connected valve means is rendered responsive to the displacement of said shift lever.

Claim 4

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuating means is connected to said control lever and pivoted about said pivot means.

Claim 5

The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said means interconnecting said shift lever to said valve lever comprises a connecting rod whereby the actuation of said valve lever is directly responsive to the movement of said shift lever.

Claim 6

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a control handle, said control handle being connected to said control lever whereby said control lever is rendered responsive to the displacement of said control handle.

Claim 7

A hydraulic clutch, a valve means connected to said clutch for controlling the flow of fluid pressure to said clutch for effecting the operation of said clutch between an operative engaged position and an inoperative disengaged position wherein said valve means is remotely disposed from said clutch and a control means for uniformally activating said clutch in a positive responsive manner so as to prohibit any delay in the transition interval of shifting said clutch between an operative and inoperative position to minimize wear, said control means comprising a shift lever and a control lever, pivot means pivotally connecting said levers whereby said shift lever can pivot relative to said control lever, a control handle connected to said control lever for effecting the displacement of said control lever between a first and second position, a spring drive interconnected between said shift lever and control lever whereby said spring drive effects the positive drive of said shift lever in response to said control lever whereby said spring means is disposed to one side of said pivot means in the first position of said control lever and to the other side of said pivot means in the second position of said control lever, said valve means including valve stem, a valve lever connected to said valve stem, and a means interconnecting said shift lever to said valve lever whereby said valve means is rendered directly responsive to the displacement of said shift lever 1 respective of the operational speed at which the control handle is actuated.

Claim 8

A hydraulic clutch, a valve means connected to said clutch for controlling the flow of fluid pressure to said clutch for effecting the operation of said clutch between an operative engaged position and an inoperative disengaged position wherein said valve means is remotely disposed from said clutch and a control means for uniformally activating said clutch in a positive responsive manner so as to prohibit any delay in the transition interval of shifting said clutch between an operative and inoperative position to minimize wear, said control means comprising a shift lever and a control lever, pivot means pivotally connecting said levers whereby said shift lever can pivot relative to said control lever, a control handle connected to said control lever for effecting the displacement of said control lever between a first and second position, a spring drive interconnected between said shift lever and control lever whereby said spring drive effects the positive drive of said shift lever in response to said control lever whereby said spring means is disposed to one side of said pivot means in the first position of said control lever and to the other side of said pivot means in the second position of said control lever, said valve means including valve stem, a valve lever connected to said valve stem, and a means interconnecting said shift lever to said valve lever whereby said valve means is rendered directly responsive to the displacement of said shift lever 1 respective of the operational speed at which the control handle is actuated.