Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assembling and adjusting a drum brake of the type of those which comprise: a backplate (2); two shoes (3, 4); return springs (5, 6) urging these shoes towards one another; a wheel cylinder (7) secured to the backplate; an anchoring unit (8) secured to the backplate; and a strut (9) of adjustable length limiting the degree to which the shoes are brought together. This method includes a first step consisting in preassembling and adjusting a subassembly of the brake comprising the two shoes, the strut, and the return springs, and a removable wedge can be located between the shoes.

Abstract: A drum-type brake actuator provides increased force transmission efficiency and assembly simplicity. An anchor carries two pistons which are moved to apply a brake shoe by the cooperative operation of a lever and strut arrangement. The utilization of three pivot joints in a simplified mechanism results in high efficiency output.

Abstract: The drum-in-hat assembly (10) comprises a disc brake (12) mounted slidably relative to a backing plate (18) which includes an opening (19) through which extends a reverse scissors actuator (40) for the drum brake (30) of the assembly (10). The drum brake (30) includes a pair of arcuate drum brake shoes (32, 34) supported relative to the backing plate (18), with the shoes (32, 34) having a pair of opposed brake shoe ends (36, 38) engaged by the actuator (40). The actuator (40) comprises a pair of levers (42, 46) pivotably attached to one another with each lever (42, 46) having a second lever end (48, 58) engaging a respective end (38, 36) of an associated brake shoe, wherein the second lever end (48, 58) has either a slot (49) or an edge (59) located laterally away from the other and engaging the associated brake shoe end (38, 36). The actuator (40) is free to float relative to the backing plate (18), and the levers (42, 46) are located within a housing (70) attached to the backing plate (18).

Abstract: The objective of the claimed invention is to provide a drum brake device that enables an accurate determination of the degree of wear in the brake lining with an external visual examination. A colored strip 24, that visually confirms the amount of wear in the brake lining, is formed on one side face 23a of the brake lining 23 contained in brake shoe 20, and code 25 is superimposed on said colored strip. An inspection hole 14, bored in backplate 10 in a position facing the colored strip 24 and code 25 formed on lining 23, is used to visually ascertain the amount of wear in lining 23 and to check for the assembly of foreign parts in the brake shoe 20.

Abstract: A method of and a device for forming blisters in which a web material consisting a thermoplastic resin that is supplied to a rotary forming drum is heated and deformed by heat in accordance with the configuration of cavities provided on the rotary forming drum. A predetermined tension is applied forming web material while feeding it. When the rotary forming drum consists of a polygonal drum, each peripheral surface of the drum is formed as a curved surface extending along an arc whose radius is larger than that of the circumscribed circle of the polygon. This invention can be used in a packing device for foods, drugs, etc.

Abstract: In a duo-servo drum brake comprising a mechanical expander adjacent a thrust bearing for supporting the brake shoes, with the expander including an operating lever to which is transmitted the operating force of an actuator substantially in a direction tangential to the edge of the brake drum. The brake shoe is movable through an expander in the direction of the operating force and connected to a thrust bearing through a prestressed spring. The spring force of the prestressed spring opposes the expanding force of the expander and exceeds the operating force required for placing the brake shoes in abutment with the brake drum on the operating lever.

Abstract: An improved operating mechanism for a drum brake assembly including a mounting flange for securing the brake assembly to a vehicle component, a hollow abutment block secured to the mounting flange, and a backing plate secured to the mounting flange. A pair of arcuate drum brake shoes are supported relative to the backing plate. The hollow abutment block located on the mounting flange between a pair of adjacent ends of the brake shoes. According to one feature of the present invention, the operating mechanism is at least partially disposed in the chamber for engaging and actuating the brake shoes, and is coupled to an actuation cable having an end portion supported in a generally perpendicular relationship relative to the backing plate.

Abstract: A brake actuator has a housing containing tappets operable by a cam to apply brake shoes against a rotary brake drum. The housing defines a cavity to which lubricant is admitted. A flexible element which is not compressed at the maximum positive system lubricant pressure and is disposed within the cavity and subject to lubricant pressure. The element is movable during outward movement of the tappets to compensate for any increase in volume of the cavity caused by tappet outward movement. This avoids the occurrence of negative pressure in the cavity.

Abstract: A vehicle brake having an electrically powered actuator and a parking brake is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes an electric motor with a rotor torsionally associated with the actuator for applying brake shoes, springs for returning the brake shoes to a released position, a first friction plate torsionally associated with the rotor, a second friction plate for selective mating with the first friction plate, torsionally fixed with respect to the rotor, a parking brake actuator, a parking brake shaft powered for rotation by the parking brake actuator, and a cam associated with at least one of the friction plates and the parking brake shaft whereby rotation of the parking shaft translates into relative motion between the friction plates to position the friction plates together to lock or release the vehicle brake.

Abstract: For a vehicle having a relatively large axle tube, a mechanically operated drum brake is provided having a hollow abutment post between adjacent ends of a pair of opposed arcuate brake shoes and having an improved actuating mechanism for the brake shoes mounted partially within the abutment post.

Abstract: The torsion/compression strut spring (60) is disposed about a forked end (54) of a parking brake strut (50) in a drum brake (10). The forked end (54) is received loosely about the web (12A) of an associated drum brake shoe (12) and a parking brake lever (40). The web includes a generally U-shaped recess portion (12B) which is sized to seat fixedly one oval-shaped end portion (64) of the spring. The spring (60) has oppositely disposed oval-shaped end portions (62, 64) which, in a disassembled and at-rest position, have longitudinal centerlines located 90.degree. apart relative to one another. When the spring (60) is assembled on the parking brake strut (50), the one end portion (64) seats fixedly within the recess portion (12B) and the other end (62) engages the strut (50) so that the spring (60) exerts a torsional force upon the strut (50) and causes legs (53, 56) of both forked ends (52, 54 ) of the strut (50) to engage respective sides of the parking brake lever (40) and drum brake shoe web (12A).

Abstract: A flat lever (314) for use in a blind-cable-connection parking brake system is formed by stamping from sheet steel stock. At one end, the lever is adapted for pivotal connection with a backing plate, and at its other end, the lever is stamped to defined opposed spaced inclined ramp (314a) and helical guide spring support (314b) portions integral with the lever. In order to properly orient the guide spring relative to the ramp, the guide spring support includes a support ledge (314d) for supporting one end of the spring (320) relative to a spring-receiving opening formed in the guide spring support portion.

Abstract: A drum brake includes a pair of brake shoes which are provided such that when expanded, they are forced against a brake drum to generate a braking force, a strut which is received in notches formed in the respective webs of the brake shoes so as to extend therebetween, a parking lever which is rotatably supported on either one of the brake shoes such that when rotated, it engages the strut to expand the brake shoes, and a coil spring which is loaded between the strut and the notch formed in the web of the other brake shoe to bias the strut toward the first brake shoe. The notch in the web that is engaged with the strut includes a first notch portion that is formed by cutting the outer peripheral portion of the web and a second notch portion that is formed by further cutting the web at the bottom of the first notch portion at the approximately central portion thereof in the direction of the width of the notch.

Abstract: A device for regulating swing resistance of swingable devices such as video cameras and/or motion picture cameras. A pair of right and left shoe members to be fixed to the swingable device are mounted on the body side. Elastic O rings are commonly fitted in the peripheral surfaces of the pair of shoe members and disposed such that the O rings can be contacted with and separated from the inner peripheral surface of a back plate filled with a viscous member. The contacting state of the O rings with the inner peripheral surface of the back plate is changed from a line contact to a plane contact by adjusting operation of a control member for spreading the pair of shoe members in order to steplessly regulate a swing resistance.

Abstract: A brake actuator has a housing (4) containing a pair of brake-applying members (9, 10) interengaged by way of a threaded connection (11) to form a strut of which the length is variable by rotation of one of the members. One (9) of the members has a gear formation (16) thereon meshing with a corresponding formation (22) on a drive gear (21). The formation (22) has an extended profile permitting simultaneous rotational and translational movements of the member (9) relative to the drive gear (21) so that rotation of the drive gear causes expansion and contraction of the strut for brake actuation. The brake actuator housing (4) is mounted at a location adjacent the wheel while a power unit (10) is carried by a suspension member (1) in order to decrease noise and vibration transmition.

Abstract: A drum brake in a motor vehicle, comprising a parking brake which includes a brake cable connected detachably to a hand brake lever arranged in the drum brake by the brake cable being passed through a retaining member which is connected to the hand brake lever an engaging behind the retaining member by a nipple of larger cross sectional dimensions connected to the corresponding free end of the brake cable is characterized in that the brake cable (6) is passed through a guide tube (7) which is fixed to the anchor plate (1) of the drum brake, is exposed to the outside of the drum brake, and terminates at a distance ahead of the retaining means (8), the inner diameter of the guide tube (7) being somewhat greater than the maximum outer diameter of the nipple (9), in that the retaining member (8) has a guide path (10) for the nipple (9) extending from its front face (11) which faces the guide tube (7) to its rear face (12), and in that rear face ( 12) of the retaining member (8) is provided with a locking member (

Abstract: An automotive vehicle drum brake is provided including a brake drum connected to a wheel. A backing plate is connected to the vehicle and at least one brake shoe is connected with the backing plate and is pivotally mounted with respect thereto. A non-rotative nut is mounted for linear motion with respect to the backing plate and is pivotally connected with respect to the brake shoe. A power screw is threadably engaged with the nut. The power screw is also mounted to the backing plate. An electric motor is torsionally connected with the power screw to turn the same to actuate the brakes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drum brake with two shoes, each having a web (16) and a rim (18), of which the face confronting the drum receives a friction lining (20). The drum brake is arranged on a supporting plate (10) and also includes a mechanical control lever (34) comprising a body of considerable length and of small thickness in relation to its width, the body having, at a first end (36), an orifice (38) intended for receiving an articulated connection with the web (16) of one of the shoes (14) at an intermediate point near the orifice, and a notch intended for interacting with a spacer (62) making it possible to subject the shoes (12, 14) to a stress moving them away from one another, and at the second end (40), a fastening point for an actuating cable (54) of the lever. The cable is equipped with a ferrule (60) at its end interacting with the lever.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly having a parking brake actuating lever is so arranged that the parking brake cable end may be assembled in a blind fashion to the end of the actuating lever. The cable is provided with an enlarged end or button. The cable and spring are inserted through a guide tube and pushed inwardly into the brake assembly with the guide tube or a combination of the guide tube in a separate spring guide placing the cable button in a alignment so that it is aimed at a funnel-like guide and retention member formed on the end of the parking brake actuating lever. Further axial movement of the parking brake cable and its enlarged end result in a camming action which moves the enlarged end upwardly through and beyond the slot after which it snaps back downwardly to be positioned to be able to apply cable tension forces to the parking brake actuating lever.

Abstract: A mechanical brake actuator for a shoe drum brake including a pair of brake shoes carried by a back plate wherein one pair of adjacent ends of the shoes engage an abutment fixed relative to the back plate, comprises an assembly including a pair of pivotally interconnected parts for co-action respectively with the brake shoes, one part being a force-applying lever engaging one shoe and the other part engaging the other shoe and extending therefrom to the lever to form a pivot member pivotally interconnecting the lever and strut, a pair of rollers on the pivot member, an opening in the abutment, and a pair of spaced surfaces on the abutment on opposite sides of the opening, the rollers being in rolling engagement with the spaced surfaces, and the lever and strut being movably disposed in the opening so that force applied the lever in one direction to pivot the lever about the pivot member urges the one shoe into engagement with the drum and urges the strut to displace the other shoe into engagement with the dru

Abstract: A drum brake assembly having a parking brake actuating lever is provided so that the parking brake cable end may be assembled in a blind fashion to the actuating lever. The cable is provided with a button. A spring is attached to the lever and to the backing plate about a parking brake cable opening. The spring end attached to the lever has a ramp section and a hook end, the ramp section being in a tapered open channel formed on the lever end and the hook end being secured to the lever. The cable button is inserted axially through the backing plate opening through the spring, being guided by the spring, into the channel. Further insertive movement of the cable button causes the button to be deflected upwardly by the coil spring ramp portion and the channel sides, side loading the cable. When the button passes the end of the ramp portion and the channel smaller end, the stored force in the cable because of the side loading moves the cable and the button downwardly in the channel.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly having a parking brake actuating lever is so arranged that the parking brake cable end may be assembled in a blind fashion to the end of the actuating lever. The cable is provided with a button. The lever has a return spring which has one end attached to the lever and the other spring secured to the backing plate about a parking brake cable opening through the backing plate. The spring end attached to the lever has a retaining ramp and a hook end, the retaining ramp being above an open channel formed on the lever end and the hook end being secured to the lever one end above the channel. The cable button is inserted axially through the backing plate opening provided for the cable and through the spring, being guided by that spring, to a point above the channel open receiving end.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly of the blind-cable-connection type including a backing plate containing an opening, a helical guide spring arranged to guide a flexible resilient inner cable member toward a ramp surface on a parking brake lever for the blind connection to the inner cable member to the lever, characterized in that the angle of inclination of the ramp surface relative to the cable axis is contained in a plane that is both parallel with the longitudinal axis of the lever and that is inclined at an acute angle relative to the axis of the inner cable member. This construction permits the parking brake lever to be simply and economically formed from a blank of flat metal stock, the cable-retaining slot being defined by a slot contained between bifurcated portions of the ramp surface. The helical guide spring includes portions having tightly wound turns, thereby to assist in connecting the spring with the backing plate and/or with the parking brake lever.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protective device of drum-brake operating shafts of trucks and touring trailers. This device is essentially constituted by a protective sleeve (4) mounted on the bushing (5) of the operating shaft (1) of the clearance cam (3) of the brake shoes. This sleeve (4), extended up to the operating lever (2), comprises a packing (6) at each one of the extremities of its bore. The axis of the bore (4d) is upwardly offset in relation to the axis of the sleeve (4), of a distance X corresponding to one half of the clearance arranged between the shaft (1) and the bore (4d). A sectoral wearing plate (10) is disposed at the lower portion of the bore (4d). The sleeve (4) is mounted at the connecting bridge (8) by an annular collar (4a) with an indexing key (4b) and of the housing (9), existing at the beginning, or of a tab molded with the sleeve (4).

Abstract: A parking brake assembly comprising a pair of brake shoes pivotally mounted on a backing plate, a brake operating lever pivoted to the brake shoe and operable by a remote cable for pivoting the brake shoes against a brake drum, and a coil spring provided under compression between the brake lever and the backing plate. During shipment of the parking brake assembly, it is attached to an axle and the coil spring has an end that extends to an opening in the back plate. The cable including a conduit and an inner member, preferably a flexible strand, is handled separately. After the parking brake assembly is attached to an automotive vehicle, the cable can be connected even though the brake drum is in place and prevents seeing the interior of the brake assembly. Specifically, the strand is then forced through the conduit and the coil.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly with the brake shoe lining friction surface subtending over a total effective friction surface arc length between the shoe heel and toe ends of about 49.degree. on the first or primary shoe, symmetrical about the shoe horizontal center line, and about 57.degree. on the second or secondary shoe, similarly symmetrical. The first or primary shoe may have about the same friction surface arc length as the second or secondary shoe in some instances, each then preferably being about 50% of the friction surface arc length of the prior art typical secondary shoe lining of about 117.degree.. Different methods of reducing the effective friction surface arc lengths are disclosed, as well as the effect on brake effectiveness variations the invention has on brake assemblies, both with the same lining material composition and different lining material compositions.

Abstract: A weight lifting safety device having bar and weight support assemblies depending vertically for support on a support surface at a predetermined elevated position, the attachment of the elements of the safety device to a standard bar bell being such as to permit relative rotation therebetween, and in one form of the invention including dampening means to limit such relative rotation, the support system being readily assembled onto and disassembled from a barbell.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly is described to comprise a dual drum brake housing mounted to a vehicle wheel or shaft to be rotated therewith. The dual drum brake housing has two axially extending, concentric, radially spaced drum surfaces defining an annular channel between them. A torque member is fixed against rotation with the vehicle wheel and an expandable friction lining assembly is mounted to the torque member. The friction lining assembly is positioned within the annular channel and carries radially outward and radially inward facing friction linings. Upon expansion of the friction lining assembly each of the friction linings is moved into contact with the corresponding drum surface, thereby transferring braking force to the wheel.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly is described to comprise a dual drum brake housing mounted to a vehicle wheel or shaft to be rotated therewith. The dual drum brake housing has two axially extending, concentric, radially spaced drum surfaces defining an annular channel between them. A torque member is fixed against rotation with the vehicle wheel and an expandable friction lining assembly is mounted to the torque member. The friction lining assembly is positioned within the annular channel and carries radially outward and radially inward facing friction linings. Upon expansion of the friction lining assembly each of the friction linings is moved into contact with the corresponding drum surface, thereby transferring braking force to the wheel.

Abstract: An improved expanding shoe drum brake (10) is provided. The brake includes a shaft-like mounting structure (42) for retaining the hook ends (40) of a heavy duty brake return spring (28). The retaining assembly includes a fixed portion (44) and an axially movable portion (46). The axially movable portion is normally abutting with the fixed portion but may be selectively axially moved away therefrom for assembly and disassembly of return spring (28) from the brake assembly (10).

Abstract: The present invention provides an actuator mechanism comprising an axially rotatable actuator shaft and an actuator member which, in use, can be moved axially to actuate a brake. The actuator shaft and actuator member are interconnected by an assembly which comprises a first fast thread and a second fast thread. The first fast thread has a greater pitch angle than said second fast thread and is arranged to, in use, move the actuator member to take up any slack to cause friction surfaces of the brake to interengage. Said second thread subsequently moves the actuator member to apply the brake. By this arrangement the advantages of the two types of fast thread are utilized, the first fast thread quickly taking up the shock and the second fast thread being capable of applying the brake.

Abstract: A wheel cylinder and torque plate construction is provided for a drum brake. The wheel cylinder comprises a molded plastic cylindrical member in a steel shell. The steel shell can be part of a torque plate which can be stamped in two parts which are substantially identical and then affixed together. The torque plate parts have semicylindrical shells which form the wheel cylinder shell when the parts are assembled. The plastic cylinder can be molded in the shell in a suitable die or mold in a plastic molding machine.

Abstract: A spin brake and brake release mechanism for an automatic washer or other spinning drive mechanism has a pair of brake shoes applied by a spring but released by a rotating cam mechanism. The brake operating mechanism rotates with the spin basket. The brake drum is connected to the stationary parts of the machine. As the release cam rotates, it acts against cam follower areas of the brake shoes to release the shoes from the drum.

Abstract: A brake assembly includes a backing plate, a pair of brake shoes slidably mounted on the backing plate, and a wheel cylinder supported on the backing plate between contiguous ends of the shoes. A retaining clip attaches the wheel cylinder to the backing plate. The retaining clip includes a base and a pair of opposed tabs extending from the base. One portion of each tab resiliently and releasably attaches the clip to the backing plate. Another portion of each tab projects into a recess in the wheel cylinder to resiliently and releasably retain the wheel cylinder in a mounted position on the backing plate. The clip and the wheel cylinder are capable of being attached to the backing plate from the same side of the backing plate.

Abstract: A drum brake includes a wheel cylinder which cooperates with a pair of brake shoes to urge the latter to a braking position. In order to attach the wheel cylinder to a backing plate, a flange is disposed in abutment with the backplate and the wheel cylinder and a nut cooperates with the flange and the wheel cylinder to prevent separation between the wheel cylinder and the backing plate. Moreover, the nut and flange include openings for receiving a fitting communicating with the wheel cylinder. The nut extends through the flange opening to engage the wheel cylinder and the nut opening is dimensioned to receive the fitting in spaced relation thereto.

Abstract: Integrally formed brake shoe for use with cylindrical automotive brake drums in hydraulic brake systems are fabricated by bending and shaping sections of extruded lengths of the material having a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration. Connector pins for transmitting brake actuating forces between the hydraulic cylinder pistons and the brake shoes are concavely rounded at their piston abutting ends, and either concavely or convexly rounded at their brake shoe abutting ends, for face-to-face sliding contact with complemental abutting surface portions, respectively, of the hydraulic pistons and brake shoes.

Abstract: In an internal shoe-drum brake of the duo-servo type for vehicles adjacent shoe ends are separated by an angularly movable cam. The cam is moved angularly by a separate cam lever to which it is coupled, and the cam is permitted a circumferential movement both with the shoe ends and relative to the lever in the application of the brake.

Abstract: A duo-servo parking brake in which brake shoes are moved into contact with a brake drum on a wheel unit by a four-joint link assembly which is actuated by an actuation cable connecting to a pedal or handle actuable by the driver of a vehicle, and which is so disposed that the actuation cable may be led at a right-angle from the wheel unit and so avoid contact with vehicle suspension elements. Connections of links in the four-link assembly are all rotatory connections, whereby friction and wear of parts are reduced and improved transmission of braking force exerted by the actuation cable is achieved.

Abstract: A mechanical brake assembly actuated by pivotal movement of a lever carried by the assembly. Braking force is applied to the brake shoes by motion transmitting members which comprise a link pivotally mounted to a backing plate and an upstanding pin. The pins transfer braking forces from the actuator lever body to the brake shoes while the pivotally mounted links permit movement of the actuating lever to equalize the radial braking force applied to each shoe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a braking device for a road trailer, which device has a zero braking action when the driving vehicle is reversing.