Wheel hub clutch assembly

A wheel hub clutch assembly for effecting engagement between a drive axle and a wheel hub in response to rotation of said drive axle, comprising a cylindrical body integrally formed therein with a first clutch element and to be fastened to the outer end of said wheel hub, a sleeve member fixedly mounted on the outer end of said drive axle for rotation therewith and located within said cylindrical body, a clutch member integrally formed with a second clutch element to be engaged with said first clutch element and axially slidably mounted on said sleeve member for rotation therewith, cam means operatively coupled with the outer end of a stationary axle tube for said drive axle and rotatable on said sleeve member, cam follower means axially slidably mounted on said sleeve member for rotation therewith and cooperable with said cam means to be displaced toward said clutch member in response to rotation of said drive axle, and a connecting member engaged with said cam follower means and said clutch member to permit relatively inward movement between said cam follower means and said clutch member,

• wherein the improvement comprises:
• a first spring arranged between said cam follower means and said clutch member for loading said cam follower means toward said cam means and cooperable with said connecting member for loading said clutch member for movement away from engagement with said first clutch element;
• and
• a second spring arranged in parallel with said first spring between said cam follower means and said clutch member for loading said clutch member for movement toward engagement with said first clutch element and cooperable with said connecting member for resiliently providing an axial space between said cam follower means and said clutch member.