Abstract: A brake assembly for use on vehicles includes a rotor and a wheel mount, formed as a hat portion, fastened to the rotor with a bobbin assembly. The rotor has a flange formed as a series of spaced tabs, and the bobbin assembly is bolted to the hat portion with the rotor flange clamped therebetween. A spring clip can be used with the bobbin to accommodate thermal expansion of the rotor and eliminate rotor rattling. The bobbin has a binocular shape that receives a pair of bolts. A crush zone between the rotor and the bobbin yields to accommodate machining tolerances of the rotor and promote uniform torque transfer distribution to the hub. Torque is transferred from the brake rotor to the hat portion in a common plane to prevent twisting in the fastener connection.

Abstract: A mechanical type disc brake for bicycle mainly includes a housing, a mounting bracket for connecting the housing to a fork of the bicycle, a pull bar pivotally connected to an outer side of the housing, an actuating rod extended into the housing via the pull bar, and a toggle mechanism, two sliders, two brake linings, and a restoring element separately mounted in a locating space in the house at predetermined positions. When the pull bar is pulled, the actuating rod is caused to vertically act on the toggle mechanism for two actuating blocks thereof to move outward and push the sliders and the brake linings to create a brake effect. Contact surfaces between the actuating blocks of the toggle mechanism and the sliders are cambered surfaces to avoid an overly large frictional force between the brake linings and brake discs that would result in a brake dragging.

Abstract: A rotor for use in an automobile braking assembly has a plurality of indentations or dimples formed on the brake pad contact surface of the rotor. The dimples may be arranged in a pattern on the surface. The pattern can be a series of aligned dimples that extend radially in groups around the circumference of the disk. The disk may be ventilated. The dimpled rotor provides enhanced friction, without increased noise, and promotes uniform temperature distribution.

Abstract: A brake assembly for applying a braking force to one or more wheels of a wheel supported device, such as an inline skate. The brake assembly has a rotating brake member held by one or more wheels, which is preferably a disk shaped brake, partially embedded on one or both sides of a wheel. A fixed brake member is held so that it does not turn with respect to the wheel frame. The fixed brake member has a friction surface positioned adjacent the braking surface of the rotating member. The fixed brake member can be bent so that its friction surface contacts the rotating brake member to apply a braking force to the rotation of the wheel. Preferably, the fixed brake member is bent by a cam surface and the cam surface is contacted by a movable brake arm held by the frame.

Abstract: An integrated semi-independent suspension and drivetrain system including a swing arm with a swing mount, an axle assembly rotatable along a transverse axle rotation axis, an axle carrier for mounting the axle assembly, the axle carrier being rotatably mounted to the swing arm, a driven sprocket, a drive sprocket, a flexible coupling mechanically linking the driven sprocket to the drive sprocket, a roll movement device for allowing the flexible coupling to maintain the mechanical link between the driven and drive sprockets as the driven sprocket rolls about the suspension roll axis, and at least two shock mounts for mounting a shock absorber or a spring, the two shock mounts being positioned along sides of the axle carrier flanking the suspension roll axis at a distance away from the suspension roll axis. In another embodiment, the transverse axle rotation axis of the axle assembly is elevated above the suspension roll axis.

Abstract: A bicycle hub brake component is provided for braking a hub of a wheel mounted on a bicycle frame. The component comprises a fastening bracket that has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the fastening bracket is adapted to be nonrotatably mounted to the frame. A brake drum is adapted to rotate integrally with the hub, wherein the brake drum has a brake face on an inner peripheral surface thereof and a convex portion adapted to face the first surface of the fastening bracket. A bracket retaining component is removably mounted to the fastening bracket and extends diametrically so as to engage the convex portion to help prevent the brake drum from detaching from the fastening bracket.

Abstract: A non-asbestos friction material is made by molding and curing a composition which includes a fibrous base other than asbestos, a binder, an organic filler, an inorganic filler and an abrasive. The abrasive is composed of one or more inorganic substance selected from among inorganic substances having a Mohs hardness of at least 4.5 and inorganic substances having a Mohs hardness of less than 4.5 and containing at least 50 wt % of a component having a Mohs hardness of at least 4.5. The total amount of organic substances and the total amount of abrasive are in a volumetric ratio of from 1.5/1 to 3.5/1. The friction material thus constituted generates little squeal or other undesirable noise and has a good wear resistance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a locked antifriction bearing, for control wheel, comprising an outer part (1) and an inner part (8), one being rotating and the other non-rotating through at least a row of rolling elements (12) arranged between said rotating and non-rotating parts, said device further comprising means for detecting rotation parameters and means for braking (33) the rotating part. The braking means comprises an axial stack of discs maintained in frictional contact through at least a disc angularly secured to the non-rotating part and at least a disc integral with the rotating part. The braking means comprises at least an elastic washer (38) for providing axially prestressed mutual contact of the friction surfaces of the discs.

Abstract: A brake includes a rotating element and a magnet wheel mounted on the rotating element so as to rotate with the rotating element about an axis of rotation. The magnet wheel has a first side extending transversely of the axis of rotation and facing the rotating element and a second side extending transversely of the axis of rotation and facing away from the rotating element. A first axial stop interacts with a first stop section located on the first side of the magnet wheel and a second axial stop interacts with a second stop section located on the second side of the magnet wheel for limiting an axial movement of the magnet wheel relative to the rotating element to a first predetermined amount. Along each line extending parallel to the axis of rotation and extending through the first or the second axial stop, the distance between the first stop section and the second stop section is smaller than the distance between the first axial stop and the second axial stop.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate with a braking device including a certain number of wheels (11) disposed longitudinally between two plates of a frame (22) of the skate. A control lever (1) articulated at the rear of the boot about a pivot shaft (19) can be actuated by a backward movement of the skate cuff. When rotating, the lower part (2) of the lever (1) pushes a rod (3) forwards and lengthways against return means (10a, 10b), said rod carrying brake pads (5) in an equal number to the number of the discs (6) placed on the wheels 8 (11) and ramps (7a, 7b) co-operating with complementary parts of the frame guiding the rod in order, during a forward movement, to bring the pads into contact with an upper part of the rotating discs. The ramps are positioned between two wheels so as to assure gentle and gradual braking.

Abstract: An integrated semi-independent suspension and drivetrain system for a vehicle including a swing arm with a swing mount for pivotally mounting the swing arm to the vehicle, an axle carrier for mounting an axle assembly, the axle carrier being rotatably mounted to the swing arm to allow the axle assembly to roll about a suspension roll axis, a driven sprocket substantially centrally attached to the axle assembly for rotating the axle assembly, a drive sprocket for transferring rotational power to the driven sprocket, a flexible coupling mechanically linking the driven sprocket to the drive sprocket to allow transfer of rotational power from the drive sprocket to the driven sprocket, a constant velocity joint centrally disposed on the drive sprocket axle to allow alignment of the drive sprocket relative to the driven sprocket, and a CV guide for aligning the drive sprocket with the driven sprocket.

Abstract: Arrangement for releasable fastening of an annular brake disc (2) to a rotatable brake disc carrier (4), such as a wheel hub, which supports a brake disc, whereby the brake disc's internal periphery is provided with driving protrusions (6) which are separated in the circumferential direction, face radially inwards towards the centre (C) of the disc and engage in a corresponding number of external axial grooves (8) between ridges (10) which run axially on the outside of the carrier (4). The extent of the driving protrusions (6) is smaller than the width of the grooves (8) in the circumferential direction of the carrier so that between adjacent sets of mutually engaging driving protrusions and grooves a spacing gap (12) may be formed to accommodate a spacing device (14) fastened removably therein which fits into and fills the spacing gap and hence fixes the brake disc (2) relative to the carrier (4).

Abstract: An three-quarter floating axle drive assembly comprising an axle housing having an elongated axle tube, a rotatable axle shaft extending through the axle tube, a hub member rotatably supported on the axle tube through an anti-friction bearing assembly and drivingly connected to an outboard end of the axle shaft, and an axle shaft retainer disposed at an inboard end of the axle shaft provided for preventing an outward axial displacement thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel and/or brake disk hub (2) for receiving a one-piece or multi-piece, and notably fragmented, brake disk (1) having friction rings (5, 6) which are preferably connected via links (7). Said hub is configured such that cams (15) of the hub (2) have shoulders (22) which protrude radially outwards and on one side axially secure the brake disk (1) positioned on the hub (2). The brake disk is axially stepped at its inner periphery in such a way that a step (6′) is formed which is supported on the shoulder (22).

Abstract: A one-piece brake disk for a vehicle includes a radially inner annular portion having a plurality of circumferentially located mounting holes defining a mounting circle; a radially outer annular portion concentric with the radially inner annular portion and having opposite braking surfaces; and a plurality of connecting arms extending from an inner peripheral surface of the radially outer annular portion to an outer peripheral surface of the radially inner annular portion. Each of the plurality of connecting arms is tangent to an effective circle concentric with the mounting circle, wherein the effective circle has a radius greater than a radius of the mounting circle.

Abstract: The invention provides a lightweight brake drum (10) having a lightweight, tubular inner member (14), a length of wire (16) wrapped around the inner member (14) and an outer shell (18). The inner member (14) and the outer shell (18) are made of a lightweight material. Typically, multiple layers of length of wire (16) are wrapped around the inner member (14) to support and inhibit expansion of the inner member (14). Since the length of wire (16) provides support against expansion, the inner member (14) and the outer shell (18) can be made of lightweight materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drag bearing of a bearing and brake unit for a vehicles wheel, the drag bearing having a) at least one holding device for fastening the drag bearing, b) an integrated cylinder of a cylinder and piston unit provided with a cylinder's axis and c) a wheel carrier which is centered on a rotational axis and is configured to receive a wheel bearing. The drag bearing is furthermore provided with d) a guide arm which is connected integral with the remaining drag bearing, which is oriented substantially parallel to the rotational axis and to the cylinder's axis and which is provided with guide ways serving to receive brake pads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake disk/hub assembly for vehicle disk brakes comprising a hub and a brake disk, which is arranged thereon in a manner that prevents it from turning. The brake disk is arranged in the axial direction of the hub in such a manner that it can be axially displaced against an elastic pretensioning exerted by a number of spring elements. To this end, each spring element has a retaining section by means of which it is fixed to the hub. Each spring element also comprises at least one spring section, which rests against at least one assigned intermediate element that is essentially arranged between the hub and the brake disk. The inventive design is advantageous by virtue of the fact that the spring elements are not in direct contact with the brake disk thereby effectively preventing the spring elements from becoming thermally overloaded. The functional reliability of the spring elements can thus be maintained over a long period of time.

Abstract: An improvement of rotor disk for car disc brake includes a rotor disk and a fastening hub. The rotor disk has an opening in the center, a reinforced ring surrounding the opening and a plurality of screw bores formed in the reinforced ring. The fastening hub has a flange which has a plurality of screw bores engageable with the screw bores of the rotor disk. The flange may engage closely with the reinforced ring to increase the strength of total structure for withstanding greater stress thereby to increase stability and safety. It also may be adapted to different car modals to increase its compatibility.

Abstract: A disk brake system for original equipment or retrofit installation in a wheelbarrow or hand truck uses a disk rotor and a caliper bracket both mounted to the wheel or axle, so as to provide the disk brake pads of the caliper with a fixed position relative to the disk rotor. The caliper bracket is stabilized by a separate U-shaped mounting bracket, or by one or more mounting arms affixed to the caliper bracket, which are secured to one handle.

Abstract: Bicycle brake shoes are provided for a bicycle braking device. The brake shoes are pressed into contact with a bicycle wheel rim to apply a braking force thereto. The brake shoes are coupled to the bicycle braking device by brake shoe holders. Each brake shoe includes an attachment portion coupled to the brake shoe holder and a rim contacting portion for contacting the side braking surface of the rim. The brake shoes are formed from a non-sulfur cross-linked polymer such as butadiene rubber (BR) or acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) being cross-linked with zinc methacrylic acid. In the preferred embodiment, the rim contacting portion is further formed by cross-linking the butadiene rubber or acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber with a binder such as peroxide. The brake shoe is elongated in the rotation direction of the wheel rim and has a braking surface opposite to the braked surface of the rim.

Abstract: A brake disc for a wheel constituted by a peripheral section, forming a brake band with an interior form enabling it to be fitted to its wheel, the brake band forms two lateral flat and parallel surfaces on which a brake shoe can act, said peripheral section having a series of off-sets on its inside and outside edges.

Abstract: A bicycle disc brake assembly is provided with a double disc brake rotor with a pair of floating discs and a bicycle disc brake caliper with four friction members. The center or intermediate friction members are floating friction pads. The bicycle disc brake caliper also has a caliper housing with a single piston unit. The housing has a frame mounting member sized to be coupled to a portion of a bicycle frame. The piston unit is movably coupled to the housing between a release position, in which the piston unit is spaced from a disc brake mounted to a wheel of a bicycle, and a braking position, in which the piston unit engages the disc brake of the bicycle wheel. The double disc brake rotor has a support member with first and second disc brake members movably coupled thereto. More specifically, the support member has an outer attachment portion and an inner attachment portion. The inner attachment portion is configured to be coupled to rotate with a hub about a center rotational axis.

Abstract: An integrated semi-independent suspension and drivetrain system for a vehicle including a swing arm with a swing mount for pivotally mounting the swing arm to the vehicle, an axle carrier for mounting an axle assembly, the axle carrier being rotatably mounted to the swing arm to allow the axle assembly to roll about a suspension roll axis, a driven sprocket substantially centrally attached to the axle assembly for rotating the axle assembly, a drive sprocket for transferring rotational power to the driven sprocket, a flexible coupling mechanically linking the driven sprocket to the drive sprocket to allow transfer of rotational power from the drive sprocket to the driven sprocket, a constant velocity joint centrally disposed on the drive sprocket axle to allow alignment of the drive sprocket relative to the driven sprocket, and a CV guide for aligning the drive sprocket with the driven sprocket.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device with a mobile part comprising two crowns (1 and 13) rigidly coupled with rods passing through the hub (7) outside the bearings (6). The springs (20) press that frame against the fixed ring (10) such that the pins (21) are engaged in the holes (22). The lever (15) is provided with cam-branches (18) supported by the ring (23). When the lever (15) pivots about the spindles (19) the wheel is blocked or released.

Abstract: A braking system for a pair of in-line roller skates having a housing with a plurality of rollers located one behind the other along a line of directional travel of the skate from a front end to a rear end. First and second rotors are secured to at least one of the plurality of the rollers. First and second pistons retained in the housing are located in a line perpendicular to the first and second rotors. An actuation piston is located in the housing and connected by first and second passageways to the first and second pistons. A boot which is secured to the housing has a pivotally attached collar located adjacent an opening for the foot of a skater. The collar engages an ankle of a skater for retention of the boot on a foot of the skater. A linkage extends from the collar to the actuation piston. When the skater is traveling in a forward direction, a center of gravity through which weight is transmitted from the boot into the housing is located toward the front end of the housing.

Abstract: A turn wheel locking device for use with shopping carts having at least one turn wheel. The locking device functions to automatically disable the cart when it is removed from a prescribed area by locking the turn wheel in a turned configuration so that the cart can travel only along a generally circular path.

Abstract: In a vehicle wheel hub bearing unit and brake arrangement, the bearing forms a rotating radial flange (11) adapted for securing to a radial flange (12) of a brake member and rotate fixedly therewith. The brake member flange (12) is located substantially in the same radial plane of the bearing flange (11) and secured directly to the peripheral portion thereof. A form or splined connection (13, 14) couples the flanges (11, 12) in non-rotatable manner. The hub bearing flange (11) has a shoulder (15, 135) radially protruding from the axially inner side thereof so as to provide an axially inner abutment for the brake member flange (12). The brake member flange (12) is axially restrained from axial outward motion by the wheel rim (16, 21).

Abstract: A tricycle includes a base plate, and two pedals and a brake pedal arranged near the rear end of the base plate. The pedals are each connected to a rack rod. The base plate has two lugs at both sides, and a rotary shaft is pivotally mounted at the lugs. The rotary shaft includes a friction roller in the middle and two ratchet wheels near both ends thereof. Compression springs are disposed between the base plate and the three pedals. By pressing the two pedals, the ratchet wheels on the rotary shaft will rotate to cause two large wheels mounted at both ends of the rotary shaft to move forward. The ratchet rods are reset by the springs to get ready for the next action. The brake pedal includes a brake lever at a lower end thereof. When the brake lever displaces downwardly, the friction roller will be pressed to stop rotation of the rotary shaft. A wheel mounting frame is disposed near a front end of the base plate for mounting a small wheel.

Abstract: A braking system for an automotive vehicle is provided which comprises, in combination, a wheel having a specifically-defined wheel rim for mounting a tire thereon, and a specifically-defined disc carrying the wheel rim for mounting the wheel upon a wheel support of the automotive vehicle. A cylindrical support is secured to the wheel. Radially-inwardly facing arcuate brake lining structures are secured to the cylindrical support. Brake shoes are mounted upon a non-rotatable part of the automotive vehicle in spaced positions around the rotational axis of the wheel support. A pressurized-fluid operating system of a specifically-defined structure is provided for moving the brake shoes in a braking action radially-outwardly from inactive positions towards, and frictionally-engaging, the brake lining structures, and for returning the brake shoes radially-inwardly to the inactive positions upon termination of said braking action.

Abstract: An automatic braking system for wheelchairs which prevents rearward, downhill motion of wheelchairs while having no effect on horizontal or uphill motion. The braking system is made up of circular ratcheted plates which are attached to the axles of the driving wheels of the wheelchair and L-shaped members slightly in front of and beneath the ratcheted. The L-shaped members are rotatable about axles located in their angles. The long leg of an L-shaped member is directed downwardly by gravity and maintains the short leg in a substantially horizontal position. The short leg forms a pawl which engages the ratchets of the plate when the wheels start to roll backwards when the wheelchair is directed upwardly, thus automatically stopping the wheelchair.

Abstract: A brake actuator is provided which utilizes either a mechanical or fluid actuation mechanism. The fluid is transferred from an activation reservoir through a tube to an expansion chamber which activates an extendable piston of the brake. The fluid is contained in a closed system and may be biased to a non-braking state so that the wheels will automatically return to their freely rotating state without any further action by the skater after braking. The upper reservoir fits between the liner surrounding the users calf and the back of the skate. The lower reservoir is positioned adjacent the mechanical braking mechanism. The lower reservoir is biased so that the fluid returns to the upper reservoir and the brake is deactivated. A buffer can be provided around the upper reservoir to assure even flow through the reservoir and tube and to create a compressible environment. The buffer helps to prevent inadvertent braking and to provide control of the degree of braking.

Abstract: A new wheelbarrow braking system for facilitating braking of a conventional wheelbarrow while transporting heavy loads thereby retaining the desired position of the wheelbarrow on uneven surfaces and reducing velocity when transporting down hill. The inventive device includes at least one brake disc secured to the inside surface of a support member of a conventional wheel barrow near the tire rim, and an ergonomic handle support member of a conventional wheel barrow near the tire rim, and an ergonomic handle connected to a brake cable secured to the opposite end of the support member and mechanically connected to the brake disc.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate braking device is provided. The in-line roller skate has a boot with a sole platform. A frame is mounted to a lower side of the sole platform. The frame has a pair of frame members in a space apart parallel relationship to one another. A plurality of wheels are supported for rotation in a common plane by a plurality of axles. The braking device includes a braking disc supported for rotation by a braking disc axle. A drive assembly is provided for interconnecting the braking disc with at least two of the wheels for synchronized wheel rotation. A braking assembly is provided for simultaneously moving a first brake pad against a first side of the braking disc and a second brake pad against a second side of the braking disc. Furthermore, an actuation assembly is provided for engaging said braking assembly.

Abstract: A braking system is provided for an in-line roller skate for skating on hard skate-supporting surfaces. The roller skate includes a shoe, a wheel-supporting frame attached to the shoe, and a plurality of aligned wheels operably supposed by the wheel-supporting frame. The braking system includes a hub supported on the frame and a ground engaging braking wheel rotatably supported on the hub. The hub and the ground engaging braking wheel include friction-generating surfaces such that the ground engaging braking wheel causes a braking action with the hub as the braking wheel rollingly engages with the ground supporting surface. A variety of configurations of the hub are disclosed including cuff-actuated systems and frame-fixed systems, and including a plurality of hub configurations including one-piece, multi-piece and wrapped, multi-piece and levered, and spring-biased split hub versions.

Abstract: Lever-mounted brake pads are applicable to two non-swiveling wheels at the rear of a hand truck. The pads are normally spaced away from the wheel treads by return springs. A foot pedal at the front of the truck is operable between two positions, one of them being a "brake off" position, and the other being a "brake on" position. Cranks are connected to the pedal and have links and cables associated with them and with the brake pad levers whereby the pedal, operating through the cables, is useful to either simultaneously apply both brakes in one pedal position, or simultaneously release both brakes in the other pedal position. The return springs keep the cables taut when the brakes are off. An over-center arrangement on the cranks and links, together with an appropriately positioned stop in the "brake on" pedal position self-energizes to keep the brakes on until intentionally released.

Abstract: A wheel brake assembly for shopping carts is characterized by a hub adapted for rotation about an axis, a coil spring coaxially mounted on the hub, and a pair of annular disks coaxially mounted on the spring. One of the disks is stationary and has one end of the spring connected therewith. The other disk is rotatable and has the other end of the spring connected therewith. Rotation of the rotatable disk in one direction to a braking position draws the spring ends together so that the coil spring constricts on the hub to prevent rotation of the hub about the axis. Rotation of the rotatable disk in the other direction to a release position pushes the spring ends apart to relax the coil spring and allow the hub to rotate.

Abstract: A lightweight wheel assembly intended primarily for use on wheelchairs including an injection-moldable fiber-reinforced plastic push rim, injection-moldable fiber-reinforced plastic wedge-bottom spokes, and a lockable static in-hub brake. Important advantages of the invention include very light weight compared to prior art wheel assemblies while achieving the high component strength desired, shock absorption qualities beneficial to wheelchair users not provided by other wheel assemblies, a convenient and easy-to-operate positive-engaging static brake, and components which may be made from the inexpensive injection molding process.

Abstract: A braking assembly and method are disclosed for use with in-line skates, the assembly including a brake pad or pads movably mounted to the skate and positioned adjacent to a selected wheel or wheels of the skate for selectively contacting a structure connected with the hub of the selected wheel or wheels. An actuator is operatively associated with the brake pad for selectively causing the pad to contact the structure.

Abstract: A low profile disk brake caliper in which a disk brake pad is mounted on a flexible diaphragm contained within a piston cavity. Pressurization of the piston cavity by a master cylinder expands the diaphragm and urges the brake pad sidewardly from the housing to engage an adjacent rotor. In the preferred embodiment, the diaphragm is received within a cap seal slidably mounted within the cavity, and the brake pad is mounted removably within a pad carrier attached to the cap. A backing seal is positioned adjacent to the underside of the top wall of the diaphragm and is clamped against the cap by assembly bolts, so that the top wall of the diaphragm is compressed between the cap and backing seal, thereby preventing the top wall from bulging outwardly when the cavity is pressurized. The housing is mounted on the hub of a bicycle front wheel and includes a set screw positioned for camming engagement against the front fork to prevent rotation of the brake caliper relative to the fork.

Abstract: A braking arrangement for vehicles having a "dead man" brake, and which includes means for rendering the dead man brake ineffective during a particular mode of operation. A three-position brake control handle is pivotally mounted on the stationary structure of the vehicle, and includes cam means in camming relation to cam follower means carried by an actuator rod. In the "transport" position of the control handle manual pressure is continuously applied to the handle, the camming engagement of the handle with the cam follower means moving the actuator rod to a position in which the brake shoe is moved against a spring out of engagement with the brake drum. If manual pressure is released from the brake control handle when in "transport" position, the handle is automatically moved by the spring to the "dead man" position in which the spring causes the brake shoe to be moved into braking engagement with the brake drum.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an outer inertia ring, a radially intermediate elastomer annulus, and a radially innermost hub. The polar moment of inertia of the entire damper is reduced by forming the hub of a low density material such as aluminum or plastic. The specific improvement resides in metal reinforcing members molded or otherwise inserted into the hub, thus overcoming material weakness and the phenomenon of creep in the plastic.