Diaphragm clutch mechanism

A diaphragm clutch cover assembly for a motor vehicle, of the kind comprising a generally annular cover member adapted to be peripherally attached to a reaction plate, and intended to be rotationally fast with a pressure plate;

• a diaphragm comprising a Belleville spring having a peripheral portion acting on the pressure plate and a central portion divided into radial fingers for cooperating with a clutch release bearing;
• and connection means fastening the diaphragm to the cover for rocking movement with respect thereto, said connection means comprising relatively thin, flat lugs extending from the cover, each having an axial portion and a radial portion, which portions define between them a bend, said axial portion having a circumferential extent substantially greater than its radial thickness, and a diaphragm support ring engaging said bend, the cover and the support ring defining, for the diaphragm, a primary fulcrum support and a secondary fulcrum support respectively which supports are disposed substantially opposite one another, there being play between the supports and the diaphragm, and the axial portion of the lugs having a thrust bearing surface against which the support ring is applied, while the radial portion of each lug is formed by a part of the lug which is folded radially outwardly of the plane of the axial portion of the lug about a chordal bend line parallel to the plane of the axial portion of the lug in such a manner as to clamp the support ring means between the said abutment surface and the bend.