Abstract: This invention relates to a master cylinder of the so-called “penetration” type, in which a cup (3), which is fitted inside a groove (11) of the master cylinder, bears on the wall (20) of a piston (2) in a sealing manner, and in which such wall (20) is provided with main resupply ports (51). According to the invention, the wall (20) of the piston (2) also comprises secondary resupply ports (52) having a smaller size than that of the main resupply ports (51) and disposed farther from the bottom part (33) of the cup (3), and achieving an outstanding static resupply of the master cylinder with brake fluid, with a reduced dynamic dead stroke.

Abstract: A pneumatic-hydraulic hybrid pneumatic brake booster is improved. Additional hydraulic boosting (19, 20) provided by a hydraulic circuit is provided beyond a saturation point (Psat) in the operation of the pneumatic circuit. Hysteresis-induced instabilities in the pneumatic part of the booster are taken into consideration (50). A choice is made to compensate (A) for the shortfall in operation of the pneumatic circuit using the hydraulic circuit. In one example, this correction is afforded via a microprocessor which imposes a corrected process signal. Using this signal, pressure shifts in the pneumatic system are neutralized.

Abstract: A disc brake has an anchor that is fixed to a housing to align first and second rails and friction pads for each of first and second friction members with radial surfaces on a rotor. The friction pads are moved into engagement with radial surfaces by an actuation force to develop a brake force and reaction forces that are carried into the anchor to oppose the rotation of the rotor during a brake application. The anchor has projections on the first rail located in planes that are offset from radial engagement surfaces on the rotor. The friction members each have a carrier with an outwardly projecting lip on a first end through which the brake forces are transmitted into the projections. Since the projections are offset a moment is created by the reactions forces and an axial component derived thereof added to the actuation force during a brake application.

Abstract: The invention relates to a master cylinder with hydraulic reaction for a pneumatic brake booster, comprising a main piston (12) receiving a boost force, and a reaction piston (3), mounted so that it can slide in a reaction chamber (4) of the main piston and receiving an actuating force. The master cylinder of the invention also comprises a seat support (7) against which the reaction piston (3) can press and which is mounted so that it can slide towards a low-pressure chamber, the reaction piston (3) and this seat support in combination constituting a stepped assembly in the reaction chamber (3) capable of receiving, from the pressure in the reaction chamber (3), a force which combines with the braking effort after a sharp application of the brakes.

Abstract: A master cylinder with hydraulic reaction. The master cylinder having a housing with a working chamber (12) therein in which slides a hollow main piston (3). The main piston (3) has a bore (130) for retaining a reaction piston (14) to define a reaction chamber (15). The reaction chamber (15) is connected to the working chamber (12) through a non-return valve (22) and a restriction (17). The non-return valve (22) and restriction (17) are mounted to independently move with respect to the main piston (3) to avoid a defect with a rise in pressure in the reaction chamber (15) when brake fluid retained in the working chamber has an excessively high viscosity.

Abstract: A braking control valve having a housing with at least one bore and a hydraulic piston (12) which slides in the bore to define and inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The inlet and outlet chambers being sealed from each other by an elastic annular seal (14) which is carried by the piston (12). The inlet and outlet chambers are in communication with each other through a one way valve located in a passage in the piston which is actuated by a tappet. The seal (14) substantially has a rectangular cross section which is filled without axial clearance in a groove (120) in the piston (12). The seal has internal recesses which are exposed to any pressure present in the inlet chamber so as to urge the seal (14) against the bore with a force which varies as the inlet pressure in the inlet chamber.

Abstract: A disc brake (10) with an anchor (12) fixed to a housing. The anchor (12) has non-symmetrical first (18) and second (20) rails which align first (22) and second (24) friction pads with a rotor (26). The first rail (18) has first (32) and second (34) sections with constraining surfaces (48,48') thereon separated from first bearing surfaces (50,50') by a first groove (44,44'). The second rail (20) has first (36) and second (38) sections with aligning surfaces thereon (55,55') separated from second bearing surfaces (60,60') by a second groove (53,53'). The first bearing surfaces (50,50') have a first complementary relationship with respect to aligning surfaces (55,55') and the second bearing surfaces (60,60') have a second angled complementary relationship with respect to the constraining surfaces (48,48').

Abstract: A vacuum brake booster having sound absorbing members affixed to the front and rear shells to attenuate sounds caused by air movement in the brake booster. The front shell is joined to the rear shell to define the housing for the brake booster. The housing is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by a wall structure. The first and second chambers in a first mode of operation are designed to be in communication with a first source of fluid (vacuum) having a first fluid pressure while in a second mode of operation the second chamber is in communication with a second source of fluid (atmospheric air) at a second fluid pressure. In the second mode of operation, a pressure differential is created across the wall structure to produce an output force corresponding to an input force associated with a desired braking application.

Abstract: An automatically controlled braking system comprising a pneumatic vacuum servo and a pneumatic solenoid valve capable of selectively connecting the serov to first or second sources of pressure. The solenoid valve includes a flap valve which is subjected to a suction force proportional to the difference between the first and second source of pressured and acts in the same direction as an electromagnetic actuating force. Elastic means act on and apply a greater force to the flap valve to oppose the suction force. A current generator supplies a current having a predetermined maximum intensity to the solenoid to develop an actuation force overcome the elastic force and effect actuation of the vacuum servo.

Abstract: A tonneau cover for an open bed of a pick-up truck having a front panel, a center panel and a rear panel. Each panel is retained in separate frames defined by first, second, third and fourth reinforcing members which are held in a rectangular shape by corner members. Corner members on a first side of the frame of the center panel retain fixed pins that extend into corresponding openings in a first side wall extending from the open bed and corner members on a second side of the frame retain retractable pins which after being released from retraction extend into corresponding openings in a second side wall extending from the open bed to fix the center panel with respect to the open bed. The front and rear panels are joined to the center panel by rubber hinges.