GB530401A - Improvements in clutches - Google Patents

Abstract

530,401. Friction clutches. RAMSEY, A. R. J. (Carlyle Johnson Machine Co.). June 22, 1939, No. 18233. [Class 80 (ii)] A plate clutch comprises one set of plates 30 splined in an outer driven (or driving) member 32 and another set of plates 33 splined in slots 7 extending from the end of a reduced portion of a sleeve 5 secured to a driving (or driven) shaft 35. A ring 10 secured firmly on a shoulder 9 of the sleeve has an internal annular groove 11 in which fulcrum the heels 12 of levers 13 which are arranged in slots 8 extending through the main part of the sleeve 5. Each lever has a toe 14 engaging against a ring 15 which is splined in the grooves 7 and on which is adjustably screwed a ring 20 bearing against the pressure plate 21 of the clutch, the ring 20 being retained in adjusted position by a spring detent 23 cooperating with external grooves on the ring 10. A backing ring 25 for the clutch plates is detachably secured on the sleeve 5, this ring having flats 26 on its internal surface adapted to be passed over flats 36 on the end of the sleeve 5 into an annular groove 27, whereafter the ring may be given a partial turn and then be retracted slightly so as to bring the flats 26 into engagement with flat locking shoulders 37 adjacent the groove 27. The levers 13 are operated by cam projections 18 on a slidable sleeve 16, which, as shown, controls a pair of clutches. To ensure separation of the clutch plates, narrow corrugated spring rings may be arranged within the inner peripheries of the outer plates 30, or, as shown in Fig. 12, bent spring fingers 43 and 44 may be provided on the two sets of plates to exert spring action against one another.