The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 10, 1990
Filed:
Mar. 11, 1988
Richard A Flotow, Butler, IN (US);
William H Sink, Auburn, IN (US);
Martin J Hermanns, Ft. Wayne, IN (US);
Dana Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
An improved diaphragm spring clutch is disclosed. The clutch includes a generally annular cover having a shoulder formed thereabout on a forwardly facing surface. A flat, angled bearing surface is formed throughout an inner radial portion of the shoulder. A plurality of forwardly facing slots are also formed about the shoulder. The slots are spaced equidistantly and extend radially outwardly from the bearing surface through the shoulder. The clutch further includes a generally hollow cylindrical release retainer. The retainer terminates in a generally flat end surface which faces rearwardly. A plurality of rearwardly facing recessed areas are formed in the end surface of the retainer. An annular diaphragm spring is provided within the clutch. The diaphragm spring includes an outer peripheral surface, which engages the forwardly facing bearing surface of the cover, and an inner peripheral surface, which engages the rearwardly facing end surface of the retainer. The diaphragm spring pilots the retainer co-axially relative to the cover. The diaphragm spring further includes a plurality of radially outwardly extending tangs formed about the outer peripheral surface thereof and a plurality of radially inwardly extending tangs formed about the inner peripheral surface thereof. The outer tangs are provided to cooperate with the slots formed in the shoulder of the cover, while the inner tangs are provided to cooperate with the recessed areas formed in the end surface of the retainer.