Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated brake unit has a push rod (3) axially movable in a housing (1) and a piston (2) with a wedge element (7) axially movable substantially perpendicular thereto. A wedge surface (12) on the wedge element is arranged to transmit a force from the piston to the push rod via a working roller (8) on the push rod.In order to reduce the dimensions of the wedge element (7) and to give a smooth transition from the brake application stroke to the brake operation stroke the wedge surface (12) at its end remote from the piston (2) has an edge (13) intended for coaction with the working roller (8) during the brake application stroke.

Abstract: An automatic or manually adjustable slack adjuster for inclusion in a reciprocating, force transmitting mechanical mechanism that must function in a relatively maintenance free manner in a hostile, corrosive atmosphere. The adjuster, while utilizing the ratchet-worm principal, is capable of exerting relatively large adjusting forces while having relatively small physical dimensions. All working parts other than input and output rods may be sealed against the atmosphere and permanently lubricated, although access to such parts is available for manual adjustment if desired.

Abstract: An end member positioned against the end of a handle bar is engageable with a throttle sleeve rotatably mounted upon the handle bar. The end member also includes an expansion member residing within the handle. A manually movable expander selectively moves the expansion member into frictional engagement with the inside surface of the handle bar for retaining the throttle sleeve at rotatably selective positions relative the handle bar.

Abstract: A brake applying device for an internal cylinder having pistons operated to apply the brakes by one or both of hydraulic pressure or a wedge assembly that move transversely of the wheel cylinder. The wedge assembly has a wedge and rollers which act between the wedge and the pistons to facilitate movement of the wedge. The rollers are housed in a cage that can move relative to the wedge, the unloaded datum position of the cage on the wedge is determined by two opposed springs that act on the cage.In order to prevent the cage from becoming damaged during exceptional service conditions it has been arranged for the cage to move relative to the wedge during the initial application of the brakes. This is achieved by providing an abutment which is encountered by the cage during retraction of the wedge so as to compress one of said springs.

Abstract: A wedge type actuator assembly for a disc brake employing a roller bearing assembly interposed between the wedge member and the tappet and including a generally U-shaped cage member embracing the wedge member and having a plurality of transversely extending slots each journally receiving a roller bearing. The wedge member includes raised ribs on each end face which guide on the adjacent housing surfaces. The end portions of the cage member guide on the portions of the end faces of the wedge member between the raised rib and the wedge face and include steps which coact with steps defined by the raised ribs to restore relative indexing of the roller bearing assembly and wedge member in the event the indexing becomes disturbed.

Abstract: A device for temporarily holding fast a free circular element with respect to a fixed circular element having circular segments with tangential ramps and a rigid ring with rollers axially rotatable thereon for local thrust against the ramps to cause locking of the free circular element with respect to the fixed circular element. Clevises bearing axial grooved rollers riding on the rigid ring, with the clevises connected to the segments by springs, providing an elastic restoring force to release the free circular element with respect to the fixed circular element.

Abstract: A roller shade braking mechanism of the type including a pair of outwardly biased braking shoes for engaging a cylindrical brake drum. The brake shoes are urged into braking engagement by an axially positionable wedge which cams against the interior surfaces of the brake shoes to thereby produce a constantly applied braking force. Externally accessible adjustment means are also provided for adjusting the pressure exerted by said brake shoes.

Abstract: A self-energizing disc brake is operated by an actuator which moves spreading pressure plates angularly in opposite directions to apply rotatable friction discs to radial surfaces in a stationary housing, and the actuator comprises a wedge for separating lugs on the plates, a spring for urging the wedge in a direction to separate the lugs, and a piston working in a cylinder bore for urging the wedge in the opposite direction when the cylinder is pressurized.

Abstract: In a wedge-type vehicle brake actuator with a cage assembly unattached to the wedge member the travel of the cage assembly is limited by an engagement with one follower member. With an assymetric cage assembly the assembly of the cage assembly into the housing is prevented by an engagement with a follower member when the cage assembly is assembled the wrong way.

Abstract: In a wedge type actuator assembly in which the cage assembly in which the rollers are captive is not captive to the wedge member, an aperture in the housing through which the cage assembly is inserted during assembly of the actuator is shaped to allow insertion of the cage assembly only when it is correctly orientated with respect to the housing. A washer provided with a shaped aperture to receive the wedge member is keyed against rotation in a circular aperture in the housing and the washer ensures that the wedge member cannot be inserted into the housing when it is misorientated by 90.degree. about its axis of movement.

Abstract: In an actuator assembly for a vehicle brake a follower member normally operated by a wedge to apply a brake comprises a pair of hydraulic pistons working in a common bore in a housing, and the housing is provided with a supply port communicating with a pressure space defined between the adjacent ends of the pistons which abut when the wedge is displaced, and with an abutment face with which the innermost piston is engageable when the wedge is in its retracted position and the pressure space is pressurized.

Abstract: In a wedge actuator the inner end face of one tappet which co-operates with the wedge member is made normal to the axis of movement of that tappet, and the line of action of the wedge member is inclined to the plane of that end face.