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:
Apr. 16, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 28, 2000
Daniel V. Gochenour, Auburn, IN (US);
Christopher D. Cole, Ft. Wayne, IN (US);
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
A clutch release mechanism is slideably disposed over a driven shaft to transfer force from a plurality of levers or springs to a pressure plate. The release mechanism is axially displaced to engage or release a clutch. A modular release mechanism disclosed herein comprises a release sleeve which is slideably disposed on a driven shaft, the release sleeve has an axis of rotation, a first end and a second end. The release sleeve has a lever engagement portion disposed at the first end for contact with a release lever. A bearing is disposed about the axis of rotation and has an inward race and an outer race. The release sleeve has a bearing housing portion disposed at the second end for receiving the bearing. The bearing housing portion has a shoulder for locating the bearing therein. The bearing housing portion has a retainer for securing the bearing therein by limiting the axial travel of the bearing relative to the release sleeve when the outer race of the bearing is disposed between the shoulder of the bearing housing portion and the retainer. The release mechanism further comprises a bearing sleeve which has a bearing mount portion for locating a bearing thereon, and a spring support portion for receiving a radially inward portion of either a biasing spring or a lever. The retainer may be selectively engageable in that the retainer is moveable from a first radial position to a second radial position relative to the axis of rotation. The selectively engageable retainer comprises at least one radially extending detent portion which is moveable to a first radial position to a second radial position relative to the axis of rotation by rotating a radially extending lever from a first angular position to a second angular position relative to the release sleeve.