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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A drum brake having an adjustable-length strut (6) to compensate for clearance due to wear between first (21a) and second (22a) friction members and a drum (1). The adjustment being achieved by the rotation of a toothed wheel (7) driven by an adjustment blade (51) mounted on a rocking lever (5). The rocking lever (5) has an inhibitor blade (52) which intercepts the toothed wheel (7) whenever a risk of excessive adjustment occurs by disengaging the adjustment blade (51) from the toothed wheel (7). The inhibitor blade (52) prevents subsequent rotation of the toothed wheel (7) until the risk of excessive adjustment dissipates.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly (10) having first (12) and second (14) brake shoes retained on a backing plate (16). The first (12) and second (14) brake shoes have a first end (22,24) aligned on a hydraulic actuator assembly (26) and a second end (28,30) aligned on an anchor block (40). An adjustable strut mechanism (32) has an extendable shaft (33) with first end member (34) which engages the first brake shoe (12) and a second end member (36) which engages the second brake shoe (14). The first end member (34) is separated from the second end member (36) by a stem member (35). Stem member (35) has a threaded first end (39) which is mated with the second end member (36) and a smooth second end (31) which is retained in a bore of the first end member (34). The first (12) and second (14) brake shoes are urged toward the hydraulic actuator assembly (26) by a first resilient member (150) and toward the anchor block (40) by a second resilient member (48).

Abstract: A control apparatus (12) for a brake system (10) having a housing (40) with a first (42) and second (46) cylindrical members located in first (44) and second (46) bores. The first (42) and second (46) cylindrical members and corresponding first (50) and second (54) valve seat members define first (52) and second (56) chambers within the first (44) and second (46) bores which are connected to a source of pressurized fluid. First valve means (68) are located in the first chamber (52) and second valve means (70) are located in the second chamber (56). A first plunger means (72) in the first bore (40) and a first valve seat member (50) define a first brake chamber (74) which is connected to a first set (16) of wheel brakes and a second plunger means (76) in the second bore (48) and a second valve seat member (54) define a second brake chamber (78) in the second bore (46) which is connected to a second set (16′) of wheel brakes in the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for the quick assembly and disassembly of an input rod (1) for operating a brake system and a brake pedal. A clasp (3) is secured to the input rod (1) connecting a spindle (4) fixed to the brake pedal. The clasp (3) has a guide yoke (31) which receives a retaining yoke (32) and blocking members (51,61) which maintain the retaining yoke (32) in a closed configuration with respect to the guide yoke (31). The blocking member comprise at least one lug (51) borne by the retaining yoke (32) which projects toward the guide yoke (31) and opening (61) in the guide yoke (31) which receives the lug (51) with the clasp (3) in moved to a closed configuration. On movement of the clasp (3) toward a closed configuration, parallel cheeks (325,326) of retaining yoke (31) which are squeezed together elastically expand when lug (51) enters opening (61) to lock the clasp (3) in the closed configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a master cylinder with hydraulic reaction, comprising a working chamber (12) in which there slides a hollow main piston (13) inside which a reaction piston (14) delimits a reaction chamber (15) which communicates with the working chamber (12) through at least one non-return valve (22). According to the invention, the non-return valve (22) is installed on a floating stepped piston (23) using the kind of assembly used in brake pressure regulators, so as to limit the reaction force applied to the reaction piston (15).

Abstract: A master cylinder (32) in a vehicle hydraulic braking installation uhydraulic-fluid supply device for actuating wheel brake cylinders (20). The master cylinder (32) being isolated from the wheel brake cylinders (20) by at least one shut-off valve (30). The master cylinder (32) being associated with a simulator (46) having a piston (50) located in a simulator chamber (56). The piston (50) being subjected to fluid pressure of brake fluid from the master cylinder (32) and an elastic element (52). The master cylinder (32) being of the having a primary piston (44) and a secondary piston (60) slidably located in a bore (45) of a housing (48). Bore (45) has a peripheral groove (72) which is associated with a land (68) on the secondary piston (60) to allow communication with the simulator chamber (56) when the master cylinder (32) is in a positon of rest.