Abstract: A brake pedal linkage includes a pair of levers (18,20), a first connecting member (26) and a second connecting member (28). The first connecting member defines a lost-motion connection with a master cylinder and the second connecting member defines a lost-motion connection with one of the pair of levers. The first connecting member extends between a brake pedal and a master cylinder and cooperates with the pair of levers such that the master cylinder travel is greater than the brake pedal during an initial stage of braking, less than the brake pedal during an intermediate stage of braking, and equal to the brake pedal during a final stage of braking.

Abstract: An anti-spin brake energizer includes a friction member pivotally mounted adjacent a brake rotor. A solenoid urges the friction member into engagement with the rotor in response to a spinning wheel condition. The engaged friction member wedges between a piston and the rotor and wedges the piston away from the rotor. The movement of the piston away from the rotor generates a fluid pressure signal in a chamber communicated to the brake to retard the rotation of the rotor to thereby eliminate the spinning condition. A relief valve communicates the chamber with the master cylinder to terminate the fluid pressure signal in response to deactivation of the solenoid and to permit return of the friction member to its rest position spaced apart from the rotor.

Abstract: A pressure regulator for an anti-skid/anti-spin brake system includes a regulator which adjusts an accumulator pressure to the brake fluid pressure generated during an operator brake application. The adjusted pressure may then be communicated to a wheel brake by a modulator valve during the final phase of an anti-skid cycle. In the absence of an operator brake application a spring biases the regulator so that a reduced accumulator pressure is available for communication to the brake during anti-spin operation. A piston responds to brake pressure generated during an operator brake application to prevent the spring from influencing the adjusted accumulator pressure.

Abstract: In a single fluid brake system a modulator valve communicates with a pressure source and provides for communication of pressurized fluid from a master cylinder or brake booster to a wheel assembly to effectuate braking of the latter. An electronic control unit monitors the wheel speed of the wheel assembly and cooperates with the modulator valve to relieve braking pressure when a skidding condition is imminent. The modulator valve includes a first piston which forms a variable volume chamber in communication with the wheel assembly and a second piston which cooperates with the electronic control unit to provide for movement of the first piston during skidding. When the first piston moves, the variable volume chamber is expanded to receive fluid from the wheel assembly thereby relieving braking pressure to avoid skidding of the wheel asembly.

Abstract: A brake system includes a master cylinder which is operable to communicate pressurized fluid to a wheel assembly in order to brake the latter. The wheel assembly is capable of spinning or skidding under excessive acceleration or deceleration, respectively, and an electronic control unit cooperates with a modulator valve and a pressure source to compensate for spinning or skidding by controlling the communication of pressurized fluid from the modulator valve to the wheel assembly. The modulator valve communicates with the pressure source and the master cylinder and includes a first bore for slidably supporting a piston assembly and a second bore for slidably supporting a plunger. The piston assembly cooperates with a modulator valve housing to define a storage chamber and the pressure source is operable to move the plunger to a position communicating the master cylinder and the wheel assembly with the storage chamber.

Abstract: An adaptive braking system includes a fluid pressure source, a brake booster communicating with the fluid pressure source, a modulator valve communicating separately with the brake booster and the fluid pressure source and a wheel cylinder communicating with the modulator valve for receiving pressurized fluid in order to effectuate braking for an associated wheel. The modulator valve provides for communication of pressurized fluid to the wheel cylinder to effectuate braking. When a skidding condition is imminent with the associated wheel, a control valve within the modulator valve operates to reduce the pressure in the wheel cylinder and a pressure sensitive valve opens communication between the fluid pressure source and the control valve so that the control valve communicates the fluid pressure source with the wheel cylinder upon termination of the imminent skidding condition.

Abstract: A vacuum powered modulator for an adaptive braking system includes a housing that defines a chamber. The housing also includes an inlet that communicates with a conventional master cylinder and an outlet that communicates with a brake wheel cylinder and a valve for regulating the communication between the master cylinder and the wheel cylinder. A pressure responsive member is movably disposed within the housing chamber to define a first cavity and a second cavity. The first cavity communicates with a vacuum source and a passage through the housing communicates the second cavity with the first cavity so that the second cavity is also in communication with the vacuum source in a normal condition. When a skidding condition is imminent, a sensor is actuatable to close communication between the first and second cavity via the passage and to vent the second cavity to atmosphere so that the pressure responsive member moves to cooperate with the valve to reduce the communication to the wheel cylinder.

Abstract: A game apparatus having an annular play surface with a plurality of indicator play pieces thereon. A shaft is fixed in the center of the play surface. A boom is pivotally attached to the shaft. A cam member is resiliently retained in a stationary position on the shaft adjacent the boom. An arm member is located on the end of the boom over the play surface. A follower attached to the boom member is resiliently biased against the cam member. An actuator in response to an operator rotates the boom around the shaft causing the arm member to follow a determinable irregular path over the play surface and pre ferably move at least one of the play pieces from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A control valve for use with a force-reversing modulator in a vehicle adaptive braking system is disclosed. The valve includes a housing divided into a first section connected to one side of the modulator, a second connected to engine manifold vacuum, and a third section connected to the other side of the modulator. A solenoid valve controls communication between the first section and air at atmospheric pressure. Upon actuation of the solenoid valve, the first section is communicated to air at atmospheric pressure to thereby communicate the one side of the modulator to atmospheric air. The high pressure air in the first section acts against a piston reciprocal within the housing to open another valve connecting the third section with the second section, to thereby communicate the other side of the modulator with engine manifold vacuum.

Abstract: The tone wheel is a heavy walled steel stamping having a flanged central opening adapted for pressing on to a pilot turned on the outside surface of the wheel hub, and a cylindrical flange contiguous to the usual offset portion of the brake disc and having teeth formed on its inside surface. The spaces between the teeth are filled with adhesive nonmagnetic material so that the tooth tips and the nonmagnetic material provide a smooth unbroken cylindrical surface. A radial adjustment for establishing a predetermined clearance between a pickup and the tone wheel is provided by a generally rectangular projection on the back of the pickup which fits into an elongated slot in the pickup bracket. The output of the pickup is used to control the adaptive braking system.