Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a pneumatic brake booster comprising an envelope in which a skirt (2) slides in a sealed manner, a pneumatic piston (8) rigidly attached to the skirt, a three-way valve (20) actuated by a control rod (22) operated at a first end by a pedal, a plunger (32) mounted at a second longitudinal end which is the opposite end and slideably mounted in the body of the piston, the control rod and the plunger forming a brake control (33), characterized in that the said booster comprises means (68) of damping the relative and in particular oscillatory movement between the brake control (33) and the pneumatic piston (8).

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a disc brake that retains a clamping force that holds first and second friction members into engagement with a rotor to sustain a brake application. The locking mechanism is characterized by a first threaded member integrally attached to a piston located in a bore. The piston is moved within the bore to establish a clamping force and is prevented from rotating with respect to the bore by means of anti rotation members associated with the piston. A second threaded member rotates on the first threaded member with movement of the piston. A third member is moved into contact with the second threaded member to prevent rotation of the second threaded member and retaining clamping force on the friction members to affect a parking brake application.

Abstract: A method of positioning a seal in a groove of a bore in a housing comprising the steps of: placing a cylindrical seal on a plurality of projections that extend from a cylindrical body; radially moving at least one of the projections to deforming the cylindrical seal into a C-shape; inserting the cylindrical body into the bore until in the deformed cylindrical seal is in radial alignment with the groove; and axially retracting at least the one projection to allow the cylindrical seal to radially expand from the C-shape to a circular shape and fill the groove to complete its placement in the housing.

Abstract: A control valve for a brake booster having a first member with a first bore, a second member located in the first bore and having a second bore, a plunger located in the second bore and connected to an input member. A gear fixed to the second member with teeth that engage a first rack retained in the first body and a stationary rack within the brake booster. A force applied to the input member controls the development of a pressure differential that moves a wall during a brake application. Movement of the wall causes a rotative torque to be transmitted from the first rack into teeth such that the gear moves with respect to the second rack and the second body to separates from the first body and as a result the travel of input member is less than the travel of the wall during a brake application.

Abstract: A chair for transporting a person from a first location to a second location along a rail in response to an input provided to a control for a hoist and motorized conveyor by the person. The chair includes first and second seat portions that are pivotally attached to a frame and connected by a linkage arrangement to a lever arm. The hoist moves the chair toward a fixed surface while surrounding the person and as the person moves the lever arm from a first position, the first and second seats portions move from a vertical position to horizontal position under the person. Thereafter, the lever is locked in a fixed position and the hoist activated to raise the chair to allow the chair to be moved by the motorized conveyor along the rail.

Abstract: A reaction arrangement for a brake booster having a control valve selectively activated by a manual input force or an electromagnetic force to allow air to create a pressure differential with vacuum and produce an output force that is transmitted through an output member in effecting a brake application. The output member encounters resistance during the brake application that is defined by a reaction force transmitted through a disc. A first shaft engages the disc and communicates the reaction force to balance the manual input force while a second shaft engages the disc and communicates the reaction force to balance the electronic force such that a resulting output force to effect a brake application is similar whether initiated by an operator or an electronic control unit.

Abstract: An armrest retained a first pin that extends from a back member that is rotatable with respect to a base for a seat. A first lever located within the armrest defines a cantilevered beam with teeth thereon that mesh with teeth on a plate secured to the first pin. A second lever located on a second pin within the armrest positions a ball held in an opening therein in tangential engagement with the armrest and in contact engagement with the first lever. The second lever responds to an input force by pivoting on the second pin and apply a force through the ball to laterally move the teeth out of meshing engagement and permit the armrest to pivot on the first pin into a desired alignment with the base. On termination of the input force, the cantilever beam returns the teeth to meshing engagement to sustain the desired alignment.

Abstract: A ladder system through which a ladder is retained on a deck of a watercraft by a track arrangement and positioned at a first location in an opening for an enclosure where the ladder is substantially vertical to the side of the watercraft to permit ingress/egress of a person between a body of water and the deck. The ladder is connected to a rail of the track arrangement by a first and second hinges that permits the ladder to be rotated from the vertical position along the side of the watercraft to a position inside of the enclosure. The ladder may thereafter be moved from the opening to a location adjacent the gate and behind the enclosure to conceal and stow the ladder such that the exterior surface of the watercraft along the enclosure is substantially uniform from stem to stern.

Abstract: Braking device including a master cylinder (2), a primary piston (3), a control member (4), a booster (6) coupled to the control member (4), and an assist valve (VA) defined by a reaction piston (17) with a bore (18) therein for receiving a ratio control member (24). The control member (24) has a piston (29) with a head (25) located in a chamber (26) between the reaction piston (17) and a bushing (27) retained in the bore (18). The bushing (27) has an axial passage (28) that receives a head (25) of piston (29) to form a valve (36) for closing an inlet to a passage (30) in the piston (29). The bushing (27) slides within bore (18) to limit a pressure difference between the chamber (26) and a front part (18a) of the bore (18) to a value below a pressure difference that causes the valve (36) to open.

Abstract: A rotor assembly with a cylindrical body having a radial disc that is perpendicularly aligned with a hub of a vehicle and an exciter ring through which a sensor detects rotation of the radial disc. The exciter ring is concentrically installed within the cylindrical body to define a gap between a flange thereon and the radial disc. Reluctance sections on the flange are axially aligned with the sensor to generate a signal indicative of rotation. Friction members engage the radial disc and generate thermal energy that is conducted a mounting flange. Thermal energy level may cause the rotor assembly to expand and change the alignment of the radial disc from perpendicular and non-perpendicular with respect to the hub. The gap allows the radial disc and exciter ring to independently move such that the reluctance sections remain axially aligned with the sensor and sensed information is an accurate indication of rotation.

Abstract: A hydraulic braking apparatus for a motor vehicle having a service braking system (A) fed by a central hydraulic unit (3) and an emergency braking system (B). A simulator (M) resists a forward motion of an actuator member (D, 16) for a master cylinder (17) to define a reaction corresponding to the progress of a braking operation. Admission solenoid values (9a-9d) and exhaust solenoid values (14a-14d) connected to the wheel brakes (2a-2d) modulate pressurized fluid supplied by a central hydraulic unit (3) in effecting the braking operation. Sensors (8, 13a-13d, 24, 29) in the motor vehicle detect various braking parameters that are communicated to a computer (C) to control the solenoid valves (9a-9d; 14a-14d) such that the braking operation is a function of the travel of the actuator member (D, 16).

Abstract: A ventilator in a cover for a deck on a boat. A base of the ventilator has first openings therein through which the deck is connected to a chamber formed by the first intermediary member and the base. A motor retained in the first intermediary member has a fan that is located in the chamber to expel air from the deck to the surrounding environment by way of second openings therein and third openings in a second intermediary member. A projection in the first intermediary member receives a connector from a solar panel that is located in an end member. The end member is joined to the first intermediary member to align the second and third openings with the chamber and the connector with the motor such that the fan is activated when light is received by the solar panel and air is continually thereafter drawn from the deck.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake booster (10) having a moving piston (22) for urging an actuating rod (34) of a master cylinder (28) in response to actuation of a plunger (56). The plunger has a front end that passes through the piston (22) that forms a first feeler (62) that penetrates a reaction disc (44) located between the piston (22) and the actuating rod (34) to transmit to the plunger (56) a reaction force of the master cylinder (28) and a second feeler (68) that is pushed by the plunger (56) when the control rod (46) is actuated at a rate higher than a determined rate and immobilized by a one-way engagement device (70) in an axial position that varies with respect to the piston (22) and then is driven by the piston to push the second feeler (68) into the disc (44) so that the first feeler (52) applies a braking force more rapidly.

Abstract: A master cylinder piston for use in a motor vehicle having a flap (22) that is biased towards a position to shut off a pressure-fluid passage (24) by a return spring (28) resting on a cage (30). A flange (38) on a cage (30)for the Spring (28) is located in an annular groove (44) provided in the housing (20) for the flap (22) when the cage (30) bears axially on an inner shoulder (64) of the housing (20).

Abstract: A reaction device wherein a ratio of input force to output force for a brake booster is sequentially changed during a brake application. An actuation force derived from a pressure differential acts on a movable wall and is communicated through a cage as an output force to an push rod. The output force is a functional ratio of the input force as modified by a reaction disc and elastic means during a brake application. The reaction device functions as a rigid member until the input force reaches a first predetermined level Fd and a first boost ratio is in effect until a second predetermined force Fe is reached and a second boost ratio is in effect until a third predetermined input force level Ff is reached and a third boost ratio is in effect until a fourth predetermined fource level is reached.

Abstract: A movable wall for separating an interior of a housing for a brake booster into a first chamber and a second chamber. The movable wall is characterized by a diaphragm, a backing plate and a hub member. The diaphragm has a peripheral bead secured to the housing and an axial bead located in a groove in a cylindrical body of the hub member. The groove has a front face that is separated from a rear face by an arcuate transition surface located between a bottom of the groove and the front face. The axial bead has a profile corresponding to the groove and an arcuate lip that extends from a rear surface. The lip is connected by a convolute to a radial section of the disc portion of the diaphragm while the backing plate has an axial opening surrounded by a radial surface that engages the front face of the groove. The axial bead engages the radial surface to urge the radial annular surface into engagement with the front face of the groove while sealing the front chamber from the rear chamber.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake booster comprising an envelope of longitudinal axis formed of a dish having a rim and a lid. The envelope defines an interior volume that is divided into a variable-pressure work chamber and a low-pressure chamber by a skirt. The skirt is mounted to sealingly slide along the longitudinal axis of the envelope. The skirt has a central orifice with a pneumatic piston sealingly mounted therein. The sealing between the variable-pressure work chamber and the low-pressure chamber is achieved by a first sealing member arranged between a radially internal first end of the skid and a radially external end of the piston and a second sealing member arranged at a radially external second end of the skid and an internal surface of the rim. The skid provides sealing between the radially external first end of the skirt and the radially internal second end of the skirt.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid between a working chamber and an outlet chamber that passes between a seal and a seat surrounding an orifice to the outlet chamber. Fluid flowing through the orifice produces a first turbulence produces a broad band sound that is within an acceptable audible level. An actuation force applied to an input rod after overcoming a force of a return spring moves the seal toward the seat to restrict the flow of fluid from the working chamber through the orifice. The restriction in the flow of fluid through the orifice produces a second turbulence in the fluid that is communicated to the outlet chamber. The seal has an annular ring that extends into the orifice to divert the flow of fluid having the second turbulence away from the return spring to attenuate the development of a reaction in the return spring that would significantly add to the broad band sound.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a belt wherein a plurality of strips of a first material are sewn together to create an outer member having a desired length with a plurality of vertical seams. A layer of a second material is placed over the seams and sewn thereto create a plurality of vertical slots. After staves are inserted in the slots, a layer of a resilient material is placed over the second material and a layer of perforated material is placed over the resilient material. A strip of material is placed on the peripheral surface of the inner and outer members and sewn to define the belt. First and second fasteners on the first and second side sections joined together to apply a force through the staves to provide support for an underlying area of the torso of an individual to assist in attaining a desired posture.

Abstract: A support for a disc brake has first and second bores in a first projection and third and fourth bores in a second projection located in a same horizontal plane and the first and third bores aligned in a first vertical plane and the second and fourth bores aligned in a second vertical plane. A first pin retained in the first and third bores extend through a first lever to position a first friction member adjacent a rotor while a second pin extends through the second and fourth bores to position a second friction member adjacent the rotor. Pressurized fluid is supplied to act on a piston retained in the first lever such that the first lever pivots on the first pin and the second lever pivots on the second pin to thereafter move the first and second friction members into engagement with the rotor and effect a brake application.