Patent ID: 6805228
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
A clutch assembly comprising:at least one clutch disc to be selectively brought into and out of engagement; a moveable pressure plate to selectively squeeze said at least one clutch disc into and out of engagement; and a plurality of pivotable clutch levers to selectively cause said pressure plate to move; said clutch levers being structured to have a lever ratio of said clutch levers that varies as said clutch levers pivot wherein when said clutch levers pivot and cause said pressure plate to be squeezed against said clutch disc, said lever ratio and thus a clamping force applied by said clutch levers is higher than said clutch lever ratio present at a disengaged position wherein said clutch disc is disengaged, thereby enabling said clutch levers to maximize both the clamping force while said clutch disc is engaged and to maximize clutch lift clearance when said clutch disc is disengaged.