Clutch strap
US6360862B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 11, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D2013/706
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A clutch assembly for a vehicle including a clutch cover rotatable about an axis is provided. A pressure plate is also rotatable about the axis and is movable along the axis relative to the clutch cover between engaged and disengaged positions. A resilient clutch strap secures the clutch cover and pressure plate together so that they rotate together about the axis. The strap is spaced apart from and transverse to the axis. As the pressure plate moves between engaged and disengaged positions, the resilient clutch strap flexes. The resilient clutch strap has first and second opposing ends secured to the clutch cover and pressure plate, respectively, at first and second connections, respectively. The first connection defines a first plane perpendicular to the axis, and the second connection defines a second plane perpendicular to the axis. The resilient clutch strap includes a disengaged state in which the first and second planes are generally coplanar in the disengaged position thereby reducing vibration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.