Automatic clutch with manual override control mechanism

A manual override mechanism for an automatic clutch disposed between a crankshaft of an engine and a transmission shaft wherein said clutch is provided with an inner hub coupled to said transmission shaft and an outer cover portion coupled to said crankshaft, frictional clutch members alternatively extending from and fixed for rotation with said hub and said cover portion and being axially displaceable into and away from frictional engagement with one another, a pressure plate at one end of said clutch members including spring means biasing said pressure plate in an axial direction away from said clutch members, and centrifugal force-responsive means movable radially and outwardly along said pressure plate to overcome said spring means and force said pressure plate axially to compress said clutch members together whereby to impart rotation between said basket and said hub, the combination therewith comprising:

• an elongated control rod extending centrally of said housing through said transmission shaft, said rod being axially slidable with respect to said shaft;
• actuating means between one end of said rod and said pressure plate including roller members being movable between said pressure plate and said cover in response to axial movement of said rod to displace said pressure plate in an axial direction opposed to said spring means;
• and
• manual control means for selectively advancing and retracting said rod in an axial direction whereby to manually control engagement and release of said clutch members independently of the speed of rotation of said clutch.

In an automatic clutch for a motorcycle having frictional clutch members alternately extending from and fixed for rotation with radial inner and outer drive and driven portions and being axially displaceable into and away from frictional engagement with one another, an axially displaceable clutch-engaging member at one end of said clutch members including spring means biasing said clutch-engaging member in an axial direction away from said clutch members, a limit stop at an end opposite to said clutch-engaging member, and centrifugal force-responsive means movable radially and outwardly along said clutch-engaging member to overcome said spring means and force said clutch-engaging member axially against an endmost of said clutch members whereby to impart rotation between said inner and outer drive and driven portions, the combination therewith of a manual override mechanism comprising:

• an elongated push rod extending centrally of said clutch members and being axially slidable with respect to said clutch-engaging member;
• actuating means between one end of said push rod and said clutch-engaging member being movable in response to axial movement of said push rod to displace said clutch-engaging member in an axial direction independently of said spring means;
• and
• manual control means for selectively advancing and retracting said push rod in an axial direction whereby to manually control engagement and release of said clutch members independently of the speed of rotation of said clutch.

A manual override control mechanism for an automatic clutch of a motorcycle disposed between a crankshaft of an engine and a transmission shaft wherein said clutch is provided with an inner hub coupled to said transmission shaft, and an outer housing and cover portion are coupled to said crankshaft, frictional clutch members alternatively extending from and fixed for rotation with said hub and said cover portion and being axially displaceable into and away from frictional engagement with one another, a pressure plate at one end of said clutch members including spring means biasing said pressure plate in an axial direction away from said clutch members, and centrifugal force-responsive means movable radially and outwardly along said pressure plate to overcome said spring means and force said pressure plate axially to compress said clutch members together whereby to impart rotation between said housing and said hub, the improvement comprising:

• a first control rod extending centrally of said housing through said transmission shaft, said first control rod being axially slidable with respect to said shaft;
• actuating means between one end of said first control rod and said pressure plate including roller members being movable between said pressure plate and said cover in response to axial movement of said first control rod to displace said pressure plate in an axial direction opposed to said spring means;
• a second control rod extending through said transmission shaft having a pressure plate-engaging portion thereon;
• first manual control means for selectively advancing said first control rod into engagement with the said actuating means whereby to displace said pressure plate in an axial direction opposed to said spring means;
• and
• second manual control means for selectively advancing said second control rod to a position in which said pressure plate-engaging portion prevents movement of said pressure plate into a clutch-engaging position.