Abstract: A disc brake assembly includes a torque plate (14) with a radial portion (16) and an axial portion (18). The axial portion (18) defines a pair of arms (22,24) with slots (28,32) receiving pin assemblies (36,38). One of the pin assemblies defines a slot (60 or 62) and the torque plate (14) defines a slot (84) to releasably lock a spring (50) in engagement with the pin assembly (36).

Abstract: A closed-center hydraulic servo apparatus (10) includes a closed-center valve device (112) which is coupled to an input member (60) to control the communication of fluid among a fluid pressure source (12,14), a fluid reservoir (36), and a fluid pressure responsive device (a vehicle brake) (16) in response to movement of the input member (60). The coupling (158, 160) between the closed-center valve device (112) and the input member (60) provides a movement ratio therebetween which is greater than unity. As a result, the inherent deadband (D) of the closed-center valve device (112) is reduced by the inverse of the movement ratio to a level (d) which is sensible to an operator at the input member (60).

Abstract: A control arrangement is of the type comprising a control transmission chain which includes a cable (10), an actuating member such as a pedal (12) connected to one end (14) of the cable, and possibly a system of levers interposed between the other end (18) of the cable and a receiving member (28) such as a friction clutch, the flexible sheath being anchored in the vicinity of one of its ends (34) to a fixed part of a support structure (13). The end portion (36, 48) of said sheath in the vicinity of its other end (37) is mounted with the possibility of axial movement in a fixed support (38) which is fixed with respect to said support structure. A device (40) for momentary blocking of said axial movement is interposed between said end portion (36, 48) of the sheath and said fixed support (38), the blocking device (40) comprising a control member (74, 42) coupled to a point on said control transmission chain.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a cylindrical sleeve provided with longitudinal internal grooves closed at at least one of their ends, these grooves being preformed by broaching in a section of reduced internal diameter of the sleeve blank delimited by two shoulders; To close the ends of the grooves at the level of at least one of the shoulders, the invention makes provision for the deformation of the latter by the pressing back of material in the direction of the axis of the sleeve so as to constitute a continuous annular bead of a depth at least equal to that of the grooves and for the subsequent boring of the sleeve to the required diameter so as to remove the excess part of this bead; Application in particular is to the machining of rotary valve sleeves for power-assisted steering gear.

Abstract: A no-lash telescoping steering shaft (10) comprises first and second telescopically arranged parts (12, 18) which are configured to transmit torque therebetween. The first and second parts carry an axially and radially movable locking piece (68) engaging the first and second parts at points which are axially spaced apart. The locking piece is coupled for axial movement with the inner of the two parts and frictionally engages the outer part to prevent relative axial movement thereof. Because the locking piece engages the first and second parts at axially spaced points, it creates a moment therebetween. The moment opposes side-to-side relative movement of the two parts in a first axial plane. The moment also urges cooperating surface (86, 88) of the two parts into engagement. The cooperating surfaces resist side-to-side relative movement of the two parts in a second axial plane which is substantially perpendicular to the first plane and also eliminate rotational lash from the steering shaft.

Abstract: A lock device (30) is provided to securely attach with an elongate member (16). The locking device (30) includes a pair of parts (32, 34) with openings for receiving the elongate member (16). One of the parts (32) is prevented from rotating on the elongate member (16) and the other part 34 forms teeth (48) which are capable of engaging teeth (40) on the elongate member (16) to prevent axial movement of the pair of parts (32, 34) on the elongate member (16).

Abstract: A disc brake (10) includes a support member (22) movably interlocking with a pair of friction elements (42, 44) to dispose the friction elements adjacent a rotatable brake disc (12). The friction elements define abutment surfaces (88, 90) movably engaging a caliper (60) straddling the brake disc (12) and friction elements (42, 44) so that the friction elements support the caliper. An axially-extending pin (110) is carried by the support member (22) and received in an axially-extending bore (112) defined by the caliper so that the caliper (60) is also supported by the axially-extending pin. The caliper (60) includes pairs of axially-spaced projections (96, 98, and 100, 102) and the friction elements (42, 44) define slots (92, 94) aligning with the projections. A pair of resilient members (104, 106) extend axially through the slots (92, 94) of the friction members (42, 44) and engage the projections (96, 98, and 100, 102) of the caliper to interlock the caliper (60) and friction elements (42, 44).

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus includes a rotatable sleeve member (50) defining a bore receiving rotatable input (32) and output (36) members. The members define aligned grooves (64, 66, 68) cooperating to define an aperture (70) movably receiving an elongated pin (72) coupling the members for rotation in unison. The pin (72) cooperates with the members to substantially define a pair of fluid flow paths. Relative rotation of the members supplies pressurized fluid from a pressure source (16) to the chambers of an actuator (44) via the pair of fluid flow paths. The pin and sleeve member cooperate to define a pressure chamber (112) receiving pressurized fluid from the pair of fluid flow paths via a passage (114). Pressurized fluid in the chamber (112) biases the pin into engagement with the input member preventing leakage of pressurized fluid from one flow path to the other at the interface of the pin and input member.

Abstract: Torque-amplifying servomechanism particularly for use in motor vehicle power steering systems, having the advantage of occupying less space in the axial sense;The device provided by the invention is made up by the association of a hydraulic motor of the vane type and a rotary piston, known per se and secondly, a fluid distributor of the valve spool type said spool being arranged actually inside the body of the rotary piston.

Abstract: A fluid pressure proportioning valve (48), particularly of the type which is used in the hydraulic braking systems of automotive vehicles, includes a plug member (28) movably carrying a piston member (50). The piston member (50) defines a through bore (88) communicating pressurized fluid to an outlet on the plug member (28). The piston member also carries a valve member (116) opening and closing the through bore (88) in response to reciprocation of the piston member (50). A lip seal (62), spring seat (100), and a coil spring (110) are carried by the piston member (50). The plug member (28), piston member (50), valve member (116), lip seal (62), spring seat 100, and coil spring 110, comprise a unitary subassembly (142) which may be assembled with a housing providing a bore for receiving the coil spring (110) and lip seal (62) and providing an inlet communicating pressurized fluid from a master cylinder (10).

Abstract: A disc brake (10) includes a support member (22) movably interlocking with a pair of friction elements (42, 44) to dispose the friction elements adjacent a rotatable brake disc (12). The friction elements define abutment surfaces (88, 90) movably engaging a caliper (60) straddling the brake disc (12) and friction elements (42, 44) so that the friction elements support the caliper. An axially-extending pin (110) is carried by the support member (22) and received in an axially-extending bore (112) defined by the caliper so that the caliper (60) is also supported by the axially-extending pin. The caliper (60) includes pairs of axially-spaced projections (96, 98, and 100, 102) and the friction elements (42, 44) define slots (92, 94) aligning with the projections. A pair of resilient members (104, 106) extend axially through the slots (92, 94) of the friction members (42, 44) and engage the projections (96, 98, and 100, 102) of the caliper to interlock the caliper (60) and friction elements (42, 44).

Abstract: A disc brake (10) includes a support member (22) movably interlocking with a pair of friction elements (42, 44) to dispose the friction elements adjacent a rotatable brake disc (12). The friction elements define abutment surfaces (88, 90) movably engaging a caliper (60) straddling the brake disc (12) and friction elements (42, 44) so that the friction elements support the caliper. An axially extending pin (110) is carried by the support member (22) and received in an axially-extending bore (112) defined by the caliper so that the caliper (60) is also supported by the axially-extending pin. The caliper (60) includes pairs of axially-spaced projections (96, 98, and 100, 102) and the friction elements (42, 44) define slots (92, 94) aligning with the projections. A pair of resilient members (104, 106) extend axially through the slots (92, 94) of the friction members (42, 44) and engage the projections (96, 98, and 100, 102) of the caliper to interlock the caliper (60) and friction elements (42., 44).

Abstract: A power fluid system for a vehicle embodying a two-fluid pump which utilizes an existing source of fluid under pressure is provided. The existing source of fluid enables a second source of fluid under pressure to be established through the two-fluid pump. Vehicles often require high pressure fluid to operate auxiliary equipment such as traction or anti-skid units, limited-slip differentials, and hydraulic load-leveling systems. More specifically, the two-fluid pump is a linear pump operated by fluid under pressure from the power steering pump of the vehicle. The two-fluid pump can supply a different fluid under higher pressure for the auxiliary equipment, as required. The pump is pulse cycled quickly to provide adequate quantities of both sources of fluids with the use of small capacity accumulators.

Abstract: A dual master cylinder (10) includes a pair of pistons (62, 106) moving in a bore (14) to contract a pair of pressure chambers (64, 108). A housing 12 defines a pair of inlets (26, 28) communicating liquid from a reservoir (18) into the pair of pressure chambers (64, 108). A pair of outlets (46, 48) communicate liquid from the pair of pressure chambers (64, 108) to a pair of brake systems (50, 52). A pair of tilt valves (34, 36) control liquid communication through the inlets (26, 28). The pair of pistons (62, 106) carry a pair of valve actuators (182, 210) which open and close the pair of tilt valves (34, 36) in response to movement of the pair of pistons (62, 106) within the housing (12). The pair of actuators (182, 210) cooperate with one another to simultaneously close the pair of tilt valves (34, 36) during a brake application.

Abstract: A master cylinder includes a housing defining a reservoir containing fluid. A bore within the housing communicates with the reservoir and movably receives a pair of pistons which substantially define a pair of pressure chambers. One of the pistons includes a cavity movably receiving a position sensitive piston which cooperates with the one piston to define an auxiliary pressure chamber. When the one piston is moved during a brake application, the position sensitive piston is movable relative to the one piston to generate fluid pressure within the auxiliary pressure chamber. A passage between the auxiliary pressure chamber and one of the pair of pressure chambers provides one way communication between the auxiliary and one pressure chambers.

Abstract: A universal joint 10 includes an input assembly (12), an output assembly (14) and a housing (16) which is rotatable with the input and output assemblies. A pilot assembly (70) is carried within the housing (16) on the input assembly (12) and output assembly (14) to control the angle formed between the input assembly (12) and the output assembly (14).

Abstract: A floating-caliper disc brake (10) includes a non-rotating torque member (36) which carries the caliper (22) in fixed radial position relative to the disc (12) via a pair of resilient assemblies (50). The torque member and caliper each have matching grooves (44, 46) which, when placed in registry, define a pair of apertures (48) between the caliper and the arms (38, 40) of the torque member. The resilient assemblies are received in the apertures (48) so as to yieldably space apart the caliper and the torque member. Brake torque is transferred from the caliper to the torque member by abutment surfaces defined on the caliper and on the torque member. The resilient assemblies provide for ready axial movement of the caliper relative to the torque member in the brake release condition by providing a light spring force which centers the caliper between the arms of the torque member.

Abstract: A retraction seal (32) for a disc brake is disposed within a caliper groove (34). The retraction seal (32) cooperates with a forward wall (42) of the groove (34) to define a space (72) which substantially prevents the retraction seal (32) from engaging a radially inner edge (80) of the forward wall (42) during braking, thereby preventing nibbling of the retraction seal (32).

Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle having front wheel drive includes a parking brake assembly (58, 60) comprising a band brake which is engageable with an existing universal joint (62, 64). The parking brake is independent from a pair of front brake assemblies 30 and a pair of rear brake assemblies 34. Each band brake is independently operated via cables (44, 46) so that failure of one band or cable does not affect the parking brake operation for the other band or cable.

Abstract: A drum brake adjustment mechanism is provided to maintain a running clearance between a pair of brake shoes and a rotatable member. The adjustment mechanism includes an extendible member which is disposed between the pair of brake shoes and engageable with a pawl which is pivotally mounted on one of the brake shoes. A .Iadd.single .Iaddend.resilient member encircles the extendible member and engages the other brake shoe and the pawl to bias the pair of brake shoes into engagement with a hydraulic actuator which is operable to urge the pair of brake shoes into engagement with the rotatable member. .[.Moreover, the.]. .Iadd.The single .Iaddend.resilient member cooperates with the pawl to extend the .[.extensible.]. .Iadd.extendible .Iaddend.member when the clearance between the pair of brake shoes and the rotatable member is greater than the running clearance. .Iadd.