Patent ID: 8336689
Filing Date: 2012-12-25
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. A clutch reaction plate, comprising: an annular device having a plurality of radially configured, alternating inwardly-oriented splines and keys, the splines and keys configured to meshingly engage a coaxial correspondingly-splined second device inserted therein; selected ones of the splines of the clutch reaction plate include a bi-directional impact absorption device configured to engage corresponding adjacent splines of the inserted second device when a torque is applied in one of a first rotational direction and a second, opposing rotational direction, wherein the bi-directional impact absorption device includes a first element on a first side of each selected spline configured to generate a reaction force responsive to said torque applied in the first rotational direction and a second element on a second side of each selected spline configured to generate a reaction force responsive to said torque applied in the second, opposing rotational direction, wherein each of the first and second elements comprises an impact-absorbing bumper device fixedly inserted into a respective recess on the respective first and second sides of the selected spline; and the non-selected splines of the clutch reaction plate configured to meshingly engage corresponding adjacent splines of the inserted second device only when the applied torque exceeds a reaction force of the bi-directional impact absorption device.