Pressure plate unit for a friction clutch

A pressure plate unit for a pulled-type friction clutch, comprising:

• (a) an annular clutch cover which defines a clutch rotation axis,
• (b) an annular presser plate movable axially in relation to the clutch cover,
• (c) a diaphragm spring of substantially annular disc form which is supported on it side axially remote from the presser plate along its external circumference on the clutch cover and radially within its external circumference along a circle of application on the presser plate,
• (d) retaining means securing the presser plate on the diaphragm spring having a plurality of retaining elements extending axially within the circle of application from the diaphragm spring to the presser plate, each of said elements engaging with a first end adjacent to the presser plate in an aperture of the presser plate and each of said retaining elements being fixed non-rotatably on at least one of the diaphragm spring and the presser plate,
• the diaphragm spring comprises in the region of the circle of application a plurality of holes offset in relation to one another in the circumferential direction and the presser plate comprises a plurality of threaded openings with axes parallel to the rotation axes and aligned axially each with one of the holes, and wherein the retaining elements are formed as threaded bolts which reach through the holes of the diaphragm spring and are screwed by the first end, each into one of the threaded openings, said threaded bolts each having a second end carrying a separate leaf spring element which abuts resiliently on the diaphragm spring axially remote from the presser plate, each threaded bolt carries a head at its second end and passes through a distance sleeve, said leaf spring element separate from said distance sleeve being clamped in between the distance sleeve and the head, each leaf spring element is of U-form and comprises a cross-piece region secured to the second end of one of the threaded bolt and two spring tongues protruding substantially radially outwardly in relation to the clutch rotation axis from the cross-piece, said spring tongues abutting on the diaphragm spring.