Abstract: A disc brake for a vehicle wherein first and second friction member have projections thereon that are located in grooves in first and second rails of an anchor. On movement of the first and second frictions members during a brake application, the projections slide in the grooves to maintain a parallel alignment between a braking surface thereon and radial braking surfaces on a rotor and at the same time transmit reactions forces into a rotor to oppose the rotation of the rotor. Braking surfaces on the projections engage the rotor to assist in opposing the rotation of a rotor during each brake application.

Abstract: An actuator for a drum brake including a plunger connected through a resilient member to a linkage attached to a web on a brake shoe. A rod extends from the plunger and engages a lever arm that is pivotally retained on the web. The lever engages an extendable strut of an adjuster arrangement through which a running clearance is maintained between the brake shoe and a drum. During a brake application, pressurization fluid acts on the plunger to develop an operational force that is communicated through the resilient member to move the brake shoe into engagement with a drum. Should the operational force overcome the resilient member, the plunger moves toward the linkage and a reactive force is applied through the rod that acts through the lever arm to prevent a pawl from rotating such that a current length of the strut and correspondingly a current running clearance is sustained.

Abstract: A device and method for monitoring the application of a motor vehicle automatic parking brake by measuring a physical property (either resistivity or electrical conductivity) of a friction lining (3) of a brake pad (2) throgh a measurement apparatus (5) electrically connected to the friction lining and comparing the values measured during and after the application of the automatic parking brake with values prerecorded in memory to identify the position of the parking brake.

Abstract: A method for determining local departures of opposed friction surfaces that are spaced apart in parallel planes normal to the axis of the rotor. Displacement sensing probes are placed in opposing alignment adjacent the friction surfaces and rotor is spun. Instantaneous distances from each probe to the friction surfaces is made by repetitively sampling and converting the sample distances into digital form. The differences between contemporaneous sample distances are computed to determine rotor thicknesses and displayed. An analog measure of the instantaneous angular rotor position is provided for each instantaneous angular position. The angular rotor position and distance measures are correlated and the angular rotor position sample converted to digital form.

Abstract: An arrangement (10) for disconnectably coupling an axially orientated motor vehicle brake booster control rod (12) to a brake pedal (14). A first end (16) of the control rod (12) is coupled to an intermediate part (20) of a vertical actuating bar (22) of the brake pedal (14). The first end (16) has a head (32) with at least one spherical bearing surface (34) that is housed in a complementary boss (36) formed in a wall of the intermediate part (20). The head (32) is kept in contact with the boss (36) via elastically deformable axial retention means (38) interposed between the intermediate part (20) of the actuating bar and the control rod (12). The deformation is controlled by an unlocking arrangement (52) that accessible from outside of the intermediate part (20) of the actuating bar (22).

Abstract: A parking brake including a disc fixed to a vehicle and a plurality of clips attached to the disc to align channels on first and second brake shoes with a braking surface on a drum. Each clip has a rectangular shape with a flat first end fixed to the disc and a U-shaped second end defined by parallel first and second sides separated by a spacer. A projection on the first end is mated with the disc to align the second end along a radial plane of the axis of the drum. The sides of the second end resiliently engage the channels and align friction surfaces on the first and second brake shoes with the braking surface. In addition, the clips attenuate any vibration that may occur between first and second brake shoes and the drum during movement of the vehicle to reducing the creation of noise in the brake.

Abstract: A system for supporting a household plant includes an electric circuit for selectively moving the plant having a battery and a direct current motor for moving the plant. The motor control is by a first controllable switching device to connect the battery to the motor with a first polarity to cause the plant to move in a first direction, or a second controllable switching device to connect the battery to the motor with a second polarity opposite the first polarity to cause the plant to move in a second direction. A controller selectively enables either the first or second switching devices while leaving the other disabled and in conjunction with a light sensing device and analog comparison circuit precludes actuation of either switching device if inadequate growth promoting light is sensed.

Abstract: An actuator arrangement for a disc brake for moving first and second friction members into engagement with a rotor and effect a brake application. The actuator arrangement includes first and second levers that are pivotally connected to an anchor located in a plane that is perpendicular to first and second rails on which the first and second friction member are retained, a third lever that is connected to the first lever and a yoke to receive a second end of the second lever and align a first ramp surface thereon with a second ramp surface on its end and an input linkage. The input linkage receives an input force and moves on the first and second ramp surfaces to pull on the first lever and push on the second lever to move the first and second friction members into engagement with the rotor to effect a brake application.

Abstract: A sofa has a first frame fixed to first and second side members and a mattress with a first section secured to the first frame and a second section located over the first section by a hinge to define a seat that is rotated about the hinge to define a first sleeping surface. A second frame is pivotally attached to the first and second side members with a second mattress attached thereto to define a back for the sofa. A rail is secured to the second frame and engages a beam that extends between the first and second side member to set an incline for the back. The rail is rotated to define a barrier when the second frame is positioned a horizontal plane to define a second sleeping surface. Legs that extend from the second frame engage the side members to retain the second mattress in the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A disc brake having an anchor bracket fixed to a vehicle, a rotor fixed to and rotatable with a wheel and a caliper that spans the disc and supports a pair of opposed braking pads with respect to the rotor. Parallel alignment members fixed to the caliper and having a corresponding set of generally parallel bores for receiving the alignment members in the anchor bracket to allow limited relative movement and caliper translation during a brake application and subsequent release. Plastic inserts disposed intermediate an alignment member and a corresponding bore to provide a desired minimum running clearance there between. The plastic inserts being formed and remaining in situ within the respective bores through a sprues or gate that extend from and are generally transversely to a bore to align the alignment members with the bores and corresponding the braking pads with the rotor.

Abstract: A master cylinder (1) having a bore (3) fitted with at least one piston (4, 5) and at least one seal (19, 20, 21, 22). The seal (19, 20, 21, 22) is partially stiffened by a reinforcement member (25). In order to retain the piston (4,5) in the bore (3) a groove (31) is located on a circumference of the piston (4,5) against which the sealing member (25) bears with the piston (4,5) in a rest position to retain the piston (4,5) in bore (3).

Abstract: A disc brake having a caliper straddling a rotor; a fixed carrier, an actuator comprising a primary cylinder located in the caliper and closed by a piston; a guide arrangement including first and second pins for allowing the caliper to slide relative to the carrier on actuation, the first and second pins have a bound end fixed to the caliper and a free end respectively retained in first and second bores in the carrier by annular roll-back seals to define first and second auxiliary or secondary hydraulic cylinders. Inboard and outboard friction pads are positioned on opposite faces of the rotor by the piston and the caliper. In operation, the caliper, cylinder, and outboard brake pad are hydraulically moved to engage the outboard brake pad with the rotor while the primary cylinder hydraulically moves the inboard brake pad into engagement with the rotor to effect a brake application.

Abstract: An electric motor moves drapes on a carrier by a cord wound on a sheave attached to a shaft thereof. The motor is attached to a housing along with a second shaft. The second shaft has an arm on an end thereof and carries a disc with first and second cam surfaces thereon and an axial projection. An arcuate slot on an end cap receives the projection on the disc. In response to an actuation signal, a control activates the motor causing the shaft and sheave to rotate and linearly move the cord and drapes. A limit member on the cord engages the arm and rotates the second shaft causing the first cam to close a first switch and cancel the actuation signal while the second cam closes a second switch such that the rotational direction of the shaft is reversed on receipt of a next actuation signal.

Abstract: A surface roughness measuring apparatus (11) has a probe (27, 41) with a smooth surface region (31, 43) contoured to conform to a surface (33) the roughness of which is to be measured, and an aperture (25, 49) located generally centrally of the smooth surface region of the probe. Illustratively, the workpiece surface is a generally flat annular surface portion of a disk brake rotor (35). The test probe surface is juxtaposed with the workpiece surface and a fluid pressure modifying mechanism such as an air vacuum pump (15) and driving motor (17), which are coupled to the probe aperture, are energized to induce a fluid pressure differential between the aperture and peripheral portions of the surface region. A fluid parameter monitoring device such as air flow meter (23) or air pressure meter (19) measures a fluid response to the induced fluid pressure differential and the roughness is inferred from the measured fluid behavior.

Abstract: A tie rod (40) for mounting a booster and the brake control master cylinder on a bulkhead (3) of the vehicle engine compartment. The tie rod (4) comprises, at each of its ends, a shoulder (43, 44) defining a bearing surface having a frustoconical shape. Each shoulder is situated in such a way that a narrow part of its frustoconical surface is near a threaded part (41, 42) used to secure the booster and is located inside of the booster in such a way that each frustoconical surface is in contact with a corresponding frustoconical hole (81, 82) in a wall of the booster.

Abstract: An adaptation to a vehicle antilock braking system modulator to increase the initial displacement of the master cylinder, provide quicker system response and improved pedal feel. A solenoid assembly is added to the non fluid side of each of the low pressure accumulators in the ABS modulator. Upon the operator initiation of a brake apply, the solenoids are energized to immediately push upon the sump pistons and inject fluid from the low pressure accumulators into the brake system. This extra “shot” of fluid decreases the amount of fluid that the master cylinder delivers to the brake system. This improves pedal feel as it reduces the required initial pedal travel for a given brake system displacement. The low pressure accumulator pistons are spring balanced to ensure retention of fluid between brake applies and to allow normal ABS operation. During ABS operation, the low pressure accumulator displacer solenoids are de-energized to allow effective operation.

Abstract: In order to prevent hydraulic fluid infiltrating out from a hydraulic fluid tank (1) when a vehicle is in operation, the invention provides for the tank to be compartmentalized by an anti-overflow partition (16). The anti-overflow partition is made in such a manner as to hold air captive inside the tank in the vicinity of a feed orifice (11) at a location placed in a top portion of said anti-overflow partition.