Twin plate friction clutches

Claim 1

A twin plate friction clutch assembly comprising a flywheel, a first driven plate, an intermediate pressure plate, a second driven plate, a main pressure plate, a cover member and releasable clutch clamping means and having friction grip adjuster means arranged to automatically control the axial position of the intermediate pressure plate within the assembly in response to wear of the friction facings of one driven plate, the intermediate pressure plate having a peripheral aperture therethrough and said adjuster means constituting a one-way clutch device incorporating lost motion means and comprising: a spacing member passing through said aperture to define therewith a tapered space; first spring means to urge the spring member against an abutment of the flywheel; second spring means to urge the intermediate pressure plate away from said flywheel; an abutment for said spacing member on the cover member; and wedging means located in said space to lock the spring member and intermediate pressure plate together to resist relative separation in one direction of axial load on said intermediate pressure plate, said wedging means being operable on abutment of the spring member with said cover member.