US4467904A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clutch release bearings
Assignee: Valeo SE
•
Filing: 1981-04-07
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Granted: 1984-08-28
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Expires: 2001-04-07
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a clutch release bearing comprising a plastic operating member having an axial sleeve and a transverse flange, and a drive or thrust member comprising a ball bearing. One of the races, here the outer, is adapted to bear against a washer bearing member through an annular holding member disposed on one side of the transverse flange. Passageways are formed in the flange to provide access for an associated actuating member to the bearing member from the other side of the flange. The holding member for the bearing member preferably comprises a washer portion, a slotted annular rim divided into segments with radially outwardly extending annular lip on the free end of the rim bearing against a transverse shoulder formed on a radially inwardly extending bead at the free end of an axial rim on the operating member. Alternatively, the annular holding member may consist of a washer, or an axially extending rim.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre Renaud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:44
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D23/00; F16D23/12; F16D23/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A clutch release bearing comprising a plastic operating member having a transverse flange adapted to be controlled by an actuating member, a metal bearing member against which the actuating member is adapted to bear, a drive or thrust member adapted to coact with a release mechanism of an associated clutch in response to the action of said operating member, coupling means for axially coupling said drive or thrust member to the operating member, said bearing member bearing axially against one side of said flange of said operating member turned toward said drive or thrust member, said flange having passageways providing access to said bearing member for the actuating member, and means for axially holding said bearing member on said one side of said flange including an annular holding member bearing axially in one direction against said operating member and bearing axially in the other direction against said bearing member to hold said bearing member in contact with said flange.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A clutch release bearing comprising a plastic operating member having a transverse flange adapted to be controlled by an actuating member, a metal bearing member against which the actuating member is adapted to bear, a drive or thrust member adapted to coact with a release mechanism of an associated clutch in response to the action of said operating member, coupling means for axially coupling said drive or thrust member to the operating member, said bearing member bearing axially against one side of said flange of said operating member turned toward said drive or thrust member, said flange having passageways providing access to said bearing member for the actuating member, and means for axially holding said bearing member on said one side of said flange including an annular holding member bearing axially in one direction against said operating member and bearing axially in the other direction against said bearing member to hold said bearing member in contact with said flange.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
165 words
A clutch release bearing comprising a plastic operating member having a transverse flange adapted to be controlled by an actuating member, a metal bearing member against which the actuating member is adapted to bear, a drive or thrust member adapted to coact with a release mechanism of an associated clutch in response to the action of said operating member, coupling means for axially coupling said drive or thrust member to the operating member, said bearing member bearing axially against one side of said flange of said operating member turned toward said drive or thrust member, said flange having passageways providing access to said bearing member for the actuating member, and means for axially holding said bearing member on said one side of said flange including an annular holding member bearing axially against said operating member and holding said bearing member in contact with said flange, whereby the coupling force applied by said coupling means is independent of the holding force applied by said holding member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
165 words
A clutch release bearing comprising a plastic operating member having a transverse flange adapted to be controlled by an actuating member, a metal bearing member against which the actuating member is adapted to bear, a drive or thrust member adapted to coact with a release mechanism of an associated clutch in response to the action of said operating member, coupling means for axially coupling said drive or thrust member to the operating member, said bearing member bearing axially against one side of said flange of said operating member turned toward said drive or thrust member, said flange having passageways providing access to said bearing member for the actuating member, and means for axially holding said bearing member on said one side of said flange including an annular holding member bearing axially against said operating member and holding said bearing member in contact with said flange, whereby the coupling force applied by said coupling means is independent of the holding force applied by said holding member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A release bearing according to claim 1, wherein said annular holding member comprises an axial annular rim.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A release bearing according to claim 3, wherein said axially extending annular rim comprises at its free end a radially outwardly extending annular lip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A release bearing according to claim 3, wherein said axial rim comprises axial slots extending from its free end along at least part of its axial length circularly dividing said axial rim into part cylindrical tongues.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A release bearing according to claim 5, wherein one of said tongues is longer than the other of said tongues.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A release bearing according to claim 5, wherein said annular holding member comprises a washer portion interposed axially between said drive or thrust member and said bearing member, and said axial slots extend up to said washer portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A release bearing according to claim 7, wherein one of said tongues is longer than the other of said tongues.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A release bearing according to claim 1, wherein said axial holding member bears against a transverse shoulder of said operating member at an end of said axial holding member remote from said flange of said operating member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A release bearing claim 9, wherein said transverse shoulder is formed on a radially inwardly extending bead at the end of an axial rim on said operating member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A release bearing according to claim 10, wherein said axial rim of said operating member has a chamfer on its free end along its radially inner side.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A release bearing according to claim 10, wherein said bead comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced segments.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A release bearing according to claim 12, wherein said axial rim of said operating member has a chamfer on its free end along its radially inner side.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A release bearing according to claim 12, wherein one of said tongues is longer than the others, said longer tongue abutting circumferentially against a circumferential side of a said corresponding segment of said bead for fixing said bearing member against rotation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A release bearing according to claim 14, wherein said axial rim of said operating member has a chamfer on its free end along its radially inner side.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A release bearing according to claim 1, wherein said drive or thrust member includes a ball thrust bearing of generally conventional configuration.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
A release bearing according to claim 16, wherein said drive or thrust member admits of limited shifting movement in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of the release bearing against the force applied by said coupling means to permit self-centering in case of axial misalignment with respect to the axis of rotation of the associated clutch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
165 words
A clutch release bearing comprising a plastic operating member having a transverse flange adapted to be controlled by an actuating member, a metal bearing member against which the actuating member is adapted to bear, a drive or thrust member adapted to coact with a release mechanism of an associated clutch in response to the action of said operating member, coupling means for axially coupling said drive or thrust member to the operating member, said bearing member bearing axially against one side of said flange of said operating member turned toward said drive or thrust member, said flange having passageways providing access to said bearing member for the actuating member, and means for axially holding said bearing member on said one side of said flange including an annular holding member bearing axially against said operating member and holding said bearing member in contact with said flange, said annular holding member comprising a washer portion interposed axially between said drive or thrust member and said bearing member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
165 words
A clutch release bearing comprising a plastic operating member having a transverse flange adapted to be controlled by an actuating member, a metal bearing member against which the actuating member is adapted to bear, a drive or thrust member adapted to coact with a release mechanism of an associated clutch in response to the action of said operating member, coupling means for axially coupling said drive or thrust member to the operating member, said bearing member bearing axially against one side of said flange of said operating member turned toward said drive or thrust member, said flange having passageways providing access to said bearing member for the actuating member, and means for axially holding said bearing member on said one side of said flange including an annular holding member bearing axially against said operating member and holding said bearing member in contact with said flange, said annular holding member comprising a washer portion interposed axially between said drive or thrust member and said bearing member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A release bearing according to claim 18, wherein said annular holding member consists of a washer interposed axially between said drive or thrust member and said bearing member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
162 words
A clutch release bearing comprising a plastic operating member having a transverse flange adapted to be controlled by an actuating member and a rim at the outer periphery of said transverse flange, a metal bearing member against which the actuating member is adapted to bear, a drive or thrust member for coacting with a release mechanism of an associated clutch in response to the action of said operating member, coupling means for axially coupling said drive or thrust member to the operating member, said bearing member bearing axially against one side of said transverse flange of said operating member turned toward said drive or thrust member, said transverse flange having passageways forming access means to said bearing member for the actuating member, and means for axially holding said bearing member on said one side of said transverse flange including an annular holding member bearing axially against said rim of said operating member and holding said bearing member in contact with said flange.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
162 words
A clutch release bearing comprising a plastic operating member having a transverse flange adapted to be controlled by an actuating member and a rim at the outer periphery of said transverse flange, a metal bearing member against which the actuating member is adapted to bear, a drive or thrust member for coacting with a release mechanism of an associated clutch in response to the action of said operating member, coupling means for axially coupling said drive or thrust member to the operating member, said bearing member bearing axially against one side of said transverse flange of said operating member turned toward said drive or thrust member, said transverse flange having passageways forming access means to said bearing member for the actuating member, and means for axially holding said bearing member on said one side of said transverse flange including an annular holding member bearing axially against said rim of said operating member and holding said bearing member in contact with said flange.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A release bearing according to claim 20, wherein said holding member includes a washer portion interposed axially between said drive or thrust member and said bearing member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
A release bearing according to claim 20, wherein said annular holding member includes an axially extending annular rim disposed inside said operating member rim at the outer periphery of said transverse flange.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
A release bearing according to claim 20, wherein said coupling means is attached to said rim at the outer periphery of said operating member and urges said drive or thrust member toward said transverse flange of said operating member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-08-28 | 1988-02-27 | 1988-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-08-28 | 1992-02-27 | 1992-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-08-28 | 1996-02-27 | 1996-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |