Patents Represented by Attorney Leo H. McCormick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6327958
    Abstract: A brake booster and a method of assembling an output member thereof within a bore of a valve body. In this brake booster, a reaction disc engages a holder of a reaction transmitting assembly which is connected to a plunger of an input member. A guide is attached to a cylindrical head on a shaft of an output member by hooks on the end of a first plurality of legs that extend in a first direction from a cylindrical base. A second plurality of axial legs that extend from the cylindrical base in a second direction are connected to a support ring. The cylindrical base is located in the bore by the support ring being positioned on a shoulder in the valve body by a return spring such that a series of arcuate tabs on the cylindrical base urge a reaction disc retained by the cylindrical head into engagement with the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Byron Horner, Wayne Allen Hewitt
  • Patent number: 6324844
    Abstract: A force transmission and amplification device for a brake system comprising a pedal (1) and an output rod (2) for transmitting by way of the output rod (2) an output force (F2) having a higher intensity than an input force (F1) applied to pedal (1). An input rod (3) is secured to the pedal (1) for supplying a primary piston (4) located in a first diameter (D1) of primary cylinder (5) to delimit a primary chamber (51) retaining a fluid. A second piston (6) secured to the output rod (2) is located in a second diameter (D2) of a second cylinder (7) to delimit a secondary chamber (71). The primary chamber (51) is connected to the secondary chamber (71) to immediately supply pressurized fluid which acts on the second piston (6) to develop the output force (F2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Gautier, Cedric Leboisne
  • Patent number: 6318081
    Abstract: The invention relates to a master cylinder with hydraulic reaction, comprising a working chamber (12) in which there slides, under the action of a pushrod (50), a hollow main piston (13) inside which a reaction piston (14), itself moved by a plunger (80), delimits a reaction chamber (15) which communicates with the working chamber (12), a prestressed spring (16) offering resistance to a movement of the reaction piston (14) in the opposite direction (X+X−) from its actuating direction (X−X+). According to the invention, a sliding ring (18) is arranged opposite the plunger (80) so that actuation of the reaction piston (14) by the plunger (80) is also accompanied by compression of the spring (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Bosch Sistemas de Frenado, S.L.
    Inventor: Juan Simon Bacardit
  • Patent number: 6305166
    Abstract: A hydraulic-reaction master cylinder (2) having a working chamber (12) in which slides a hollow main piston (13) with a bore (130) therein which retains a reaction piston (14) to define a reaction chamber (15). The reaction chamber (15) has an annular shape and communicates with the working chamber (12) through at least one non-return valve (22) or an axial passage (23). The axial passage (23) is closed off selectively an axial stub (141) that extends from the reaction piston (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Bosch Systemes de Freinage
    Inventors: Carré Jacques, Cédric Leboisne
  • Patent number: 6302011
    Abstract: A brake booster (12) having a housing (14,16) with a control valve (70) located in an axial bore (54) of a hub (50) carried by a movable wall (22,24). The movable wall (22,24) separates the interior of the housing into a first chamber (26,26′) and a second chamber (28,28′). The control valve (70) in a first mode communicates the first chamber (26,26′) with the second chamber (28,28′) to provide for equal pressures therein and in a second mode communicates the second chamber (28,28′) with a surrounding environment to create a pressure differential across the movable wall (22,24). A reaction member (96) carried by the movable wall (22,24) communicates an operational force created by the pressure differential into an output push rod (94).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Byron Horner
  • Patent number: 6299114
    Abstract: A method of attaching a spring (5) to a brake pressure equalizing device (6) by securing a clamping collar (2) to an attachment bar (1) of a vehicle. The attachment bar (1) has a circular section which connected to a flat (11,12) whereas the clamping collar (2) is an open and deformable ring (20) created by a first lug (21) being joined to a second lug (22). A profiled insert piece (4) has an internal shape which matches the profile of the circular section and flat of the attachment bar and an external shape which matches the deformable ring (20) is inserted between the attachment bar (1) and deformable ring (20). A nut (31) is connected to a screw (3) that extends between the first lug (21) and the second lug (22) and the spring is attached to the second lug (22) and brake pressure equalizing device (6). The clamping collar (2) is rotated on the profile insert piece (4) until a desired tension is achieved in the spring (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Kientz, Alain Perrin
  • Patent number: 6295919
    Abstract: A braking device having a flange (21) of master cylinder (2) secured to a pneumatic booster (1) by a nut (3) screwed onto a through-bolt (13) that extends through a front shell (111) and a rear shell (112). The through-bolt (13) has a threaded front end (131) and a shoulder (132) for holding a front wall (111) in alignment with the master cylinder (2). The nut (3) has a barrel engaged in a hole (211) in the flange (21) and is screwed onto the front end (131). A collar (32) on the nut (3) acts on the flange (21) to press the flange (21) against the front shell (111). The barrel (31) of the nut and shoulder (132) of the through-bolt (13) have first and second respective sections (S1, S2) which face each which engage the front shell (111) with the first section (S1) being larger than the second section (S2) such that the front shell (111) crumples on receipt of a impact force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Cédric Leboisne
  • Patent number: 6295916
    Abstract: A brake booster (12) having a housing (14,16) with a control valve (70) located in an axial bore (54) of a hub (50) carried by a movable wall (22,24). The movable wall (22,24) separates the interior of the housing into a first chamber (26,26′) and a second chamber (28,28′). The control valve (70) in a first mode communicates the first chamber (26,26′) with the second chamber (28,28′) to provide for equal pressures therein and in a second mode communicates the second chamber (28,28′) with a surrounding environment to create a pressure differential across the movable wall (22,24). A reaction member (96) carried by the movable wall (22,24) communicates an operational force created by the pressure differential into an output push rod (94).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Byron Horner
  • Patent number: 6280002
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake system wherein a portion of a volume of a first fluid supplied to a steering system by a pump is selectively diverted to an actuator assembly for a master cylinder to develop an force for actuating a master cylinder to pressurize fluid which is supplied to wheel brakes. An electronic control unit (ECU) for the brake system receives a first input signal indicative of the flow of fluid from the pump in the steering system, a second input signal indicative of the input force applied by the operator and a third input signal indicative of the speed of the wheels of the vehicle for developing a pulse modulated operational signal. The electronic control develops an operational signal which is supplied as the pulse modulated operational signal to a magnetic responsive valve. The pulse modulated operational signal creates a variable orifice in the magnetic responsive valve to restrict the flow of the first fluid to the steering gear and increases the fluid pressure of the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Paul Goodzey, Bryan Frances Heinz, Timothy Jay Albert
  • Patent number: 6276765
    Abstract: A secondary source of braking for large hydraulically braked vehicles utilizing the available power source (38) provided by typically available anti-skid and traction control braking systems. The anti-skid braking system is used to control the secondary braiding function in a manner optimal to the operating condition of the vehicle. Unique distinctive operating modes are used when the vehicle is either moving (79, 81, 83), or stationary (57, 59, 73). The advantages of the stationary mode are fast time response and high output pressure controlled with a minimum of pump operation and fluid movement. The advantages of the dynamic mode are the ability to modulate brake pressure in response to the driver's command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Towers, Timothy Jay Albert, Gregory Paul Goodzey
  • Patent number: 6269731
    Abstract: A pneumatic booster operated by a plunger (8) located in a piston (5) with a rear section (82) which operates a valve (91,92,93) to develop a force on the piston (5) to apply a boost force to force-transmission members (12,14). The plunger (8) has a first section (81) connected to the rear section (82) by a spring (15). The front section (81) and the force-transmission members (12,14) defining a retention assembly (16,17) for securing the front section (81) to the piston (5) when a boost force exceeds a predetermined threshold while the plunger (8) is in a maximum actuating position to allow for extended actuation of the booster following a sharp braking action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Gautier, Cedric Leboisne, Ulysse Verbo, Raphael Medina, Philippe Richard
  • Patent number: 6250440
    Abstract: A sliding caliper disc brake for a motor vehicle having a disc, a carrier (2), a caliper (3) and pads (52). The carrier (2), respectively, provides bearing surfaces (61b, 63b) for the caliper (3) and pads (52) having a non-zero angle (Ab) which opposes rotational movement between the caliper (3) and pads (52) when the disc turns in a direct sense (D). Thus, a resistance to a braking torque generated during braking is dampened by a shear force developed between the caliper (3) and pads (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Mery, Jean-Pierre Boisseau
  • Patent number: 6250431
    Abstract: A method to retain a minimum running clearance between the friction pads associated with a caliper of a brake and a rotor attached to a wheel of a vehicle. A bearing member associated with the wheel includes a plurality of rollers which axially move about a reference point to allow the rotor to correspondingly move and retract the friction pads of the caliper when the vehicle is subjected to centrifugal forces. This retraction of the friction pads by movement of the rotor creates a minimum running clearance between the rotor and friction pads on termination of the radial forces. A desired running clearance is reestablished during a brake application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. Dunn
  • Patent number: 6234281
    Abstract: A parking brake having first and second brake shoes with a first end engaging an anchor post on a backing plate and a second end engaging an adjuster. An actuator located adjacent the anchor post has a first end that engages a first web on the first brake shoe and a second end the engages second web on the second brake shoe. A brake cable is connected to the actuator assembly for providing a force for moving the first and second brake shoes into engagement with the drum to effect a brake application. The actuator is characterized by a housing having first and second spaced apart walls with a first end and a second end. The first and second ends each have first and second ears with the first and second ears on the first end being joined together adjacent a central plane mid-way between the first and second side walls to establish a first slot that receives the first web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: William Eugene Sherman, II, Ronald Joseph Ackerman
  • Patent number: 6234278
    Abstract: An anchor plate for a brake assembly and a method of attachment to an annular rib of axle tube of a vehicle. The anchor plate which defines a backing plate for a drum brake and guide rails for a caliper of a disc brake has a flange with a keyhole having with an arcuate length approximately equal to an axle retained in the axle tube. In assembly, the anchor plate is moved in an angled plane toward the axle until the keyhole moves past the axle. The anchor plate is rotated into radial alignment with axis of the axle and the flange is aligned with the axle tube. Then the flange is axially moved onto the axle tube until the flange engages the annular rib. Bolts are located in holes in the flange to fix the anchor plate to the axle tube. Thereafter, a bracket is attached to the anchor plate to position a cantilever member which retains a cable sheath is aligned with a lever opening in the anchor plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Ingmar Loken, Robert Lee Wagner, Steven Arthur Lemaire
  • Mop
    Patent number: 6223381
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mop wherein a cylindrical member is fixed in a groove of a sponge. The cylindrical member has a smaller length than the sponge and a flat surface located midway between a first end and second ends thereof. The flat surface is located in a same horizontal plane as first and seconds lands defined by the groove in the sponge. A single screw is turned into the cylindrical member at the center of the flat surface and a handle is turned onto the screw until an end of the handle engages the flat surface. A roller with a smaller diameter than the diameter of the cylindrical member has a first axial projection, which is located in a first opening in a strap, and a second axial projection which is in a second opening in the strap. The strap is flexed and the first and second axial projections on the cylindrical member are located in third and fourth openings in the strap such that the roller and cylindrical member are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Arthur King Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: D446757
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: Wallace Jacob Kronewitter
  • Patent number: D448665
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Marilyn (Murphy) Lenczowski
  • Patent number: D449069
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: John D. Stouffer
  • Patent number: D450758
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: John D. Stouffer