US PATENT SUBCLASS 192 / 48.1
.~ Plural clutch-assemblage

Current as of: June, 1999
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192 /   HD   CLUTCHES AND POWER-STOP CONTROL

30 R  DF  CLUTCHES {15}
48.1.~ Plural clutch-assemblage {7}
48.2  DF  .~.~> Including electrically actuated clutch assemblage
48.3  DF  .~.~> Diverse clutch-assemblages {2}
48.7  DF  .~.~> With means to actuate or deactuate clutch-assemblages sequentially
48.8  DF  .~.~> Associated with three or more shafts {1}
48.92  DF  .~.~> Including unirotationally engaging clutch-elements
49  DF  .~.~> Parallel vehicle wheels {1}
51  DF  .~.~> Reversing

DEFINITION

Classification: 192/48.1

(under subclass 31) Mechanism provided with at least two clutch-assemblages associated together to transmit rotation from at least one rotating input shaft to at least one rotatable output shaft.

(1) Note. A clutch-assemblage comprises all the parts that cooperate together to (a) connect a rotating "input" shaft (or a pulley, drum, flywheel, gear or other equivalent torque-transmitting member) to a rotatable "output" shaft (or hub, pulley, gear or other equivalent torque-transmitting member) that is coaxial with and driven by the input shaft, or (b) disconnect said shafts from rotational relationship, either action being performed at the will of the user of the clutch-assemblage. Although any clutch-assemblage is by itself a distinct entity and is capable of transmitting rotation from an input shaft to an output shaft, different clutch-assemblages may have parts in common. That is, a part may form one of the components of a first clutch-assemblage at one time, and that part may also form one of the components of a second clutch-assemblage at another time. An example of a use for such an arrangement is a machine having an input shaft that may be clutched selectively to any of a plurality of output shafts by using a shiftable clutch-element first in one clutch-assemblage and then in another clutch-assemblage. See subclass 48.91 for such an arrangement. Another common arrangement is a first clutch-assemblage having an output shaft that is also the input shaft of a second clutch-assemblage in "series" relationship.

(2) Note. The term "clutch-element" as used in this and indented subclasses has the same meaning as the term defined and described in the definition and notes of subclass 70.11 below. However, whereas in subclass 70.11 the engaging surface is usually a friction surface, in this subclasses (48.1+) it may be a friction surface or a toothed or

gear-like surface or any other surface configuration that will mate with another, complementary surface on a second clutch-element to transmit rotation between the elements having such surfaces.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

3.26, for a combination including a vortex-flow drive and a plurality of clutches.

35+, for a multiple-clutch arrangement in which one clutch serves as a pilot operator for the other. 57, for a combination of fluent-material clutch and mechanical clutch.

87.1+, for a multiple-clutch arrangement wherein the clutches are actuated by fluid-pressure operators.