Friction clutch assembly

A clutch plate including:

• a plate assembly comprising axially spaced first and second plates and having an annular periphery extending from the first plate to which an assembly of friction material is applied to face in each of opposite directions,
• a hub for connection to an output shaft,
• a hub flange positioned between the first and second plates and being drivable by the plate assembly to rotate,
• the hub being drivable to rotate by the hub flange,
• the plate assembly and the hub flange being angularly displaceable relative to each other within a predetermined range and being coupled together by at least two drive springs, which are positioned equidistantly about the hub, the drive springs being curved compression springs having a substantially constant radius of curvature and being mounted concentric about the hub, the drive springs being at least partly positioned between the first and second plates, each end of the drive springs being in engagement with an abutment of the hub flange and an abutment of the plate assembly, the drive springs applying a biasing load against relative angular displacement between the plate assembly and the hub flange,
• a sleeve extending about a portion of the length of each of the drive springs so that a portion of each of the drive springs extends out of the sleeve, and the sleeve being interposed between a radially outer surface of the springs and a facing bearing surface formed by the plate assembly, the springs being movable within the sleeves relative to the sleeves and the sleeves being movable relative to the bearing surface of the plate assembly.