Self-adjusting cover assembly for friction clutches improvement

In a friction clutch for connecting driving and driven shafts, the clutch having release levers actuated by a release mechanism, a friction disc, a clutch cover and a primary pressure plate;

• the improvement comprising a self-adjusting means associated with the release levers and the pressure plate, said self-adjusting means including:
• a secondary pressure plate having at least one facing surface;
• retractor means connecting the secondary pressure plate to the release levers whereby axial movement of the release levers is transmitted to the secondary pressure plate;
• first spring means between the clutch cover and the secondary pressure plate whereby the secondary pressure plate is biased towards the primary pressure plate;
• second spring means associated with the clutch cover and the primary pressure plate whereby the latter is biased towards the friction disc;
• connecting means associated with the primary pressure plate, said connecting means having at least one facing surface confronting at least one facing surface of the secondary pressure plate;
• the confronting facing surfaces being spaced from one another to define a cavity, said cavity having two inclined surfaces therein, said inclined surfaces extending in opposite directions;
• at least one jamming ball positioned in said cavity, said ball being dimensioned to roll when in one part of the cavity and to be bound between a part of each inclined surface and one of said confronting facing surfaces.