Patent ID: 8613351
Filing Date: 2013-12-24
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. A centrifugal clutch comprising: a drive hub having a rotational axis; a drum coaxially disposed about the drive hub with a inner engagement surface; a plurality of shoes engaging the drive hub so as to rotate with the drive hub, each shoe having an aperture formed in it, the shoes being radially movable between a radially outward position in which the shoes contact a surface of the inner engagement surface of the drum and a radially inward position in which the shoes are spaced apart from the inner engagement surface drum; and a plurality of springs biasing the shoes against radial outward movement, each spring being located in the aperture of a corresponding shoe, each spring having a radially inward end engaging one of the shoes and an opposite radially outward end engaging the drive hub; wherein the drive hub includes a flange at one axial end thereof and a plurality of seat members supported by the flange, each seat member extending into the aperture of a corresponding one of the plurality of shoes and engaging the radially outward end of the corresponding spring so as to provide engagement between the spring and the drive hub; wherein the drive hub further includes a removable end plate at an opposite axial end thereof, the end plate engaged to the seat members; wherein the removable end plate includes a plurality of slots spaced about the plate, each slot located so as to align with one of the apertures in the shoe; and wherein each seat member includes an end that extends into a corresponding slot in the end plate so as to provide the engagement between the seat member and the end plate.