Abstract: A drum brake assembly includes a wheel cylinder (36) and extendible assembly (60) disposed between adjoining ends of a pair of brake shoes. The wheel cylinder includes a pair of pistons (40,42) which are in abutting relation with each other and with the extendible assembly to substantially define a non-braking position for the pair of brake shoes. The extendible assembly is operable to move the pair of pistons within the wheel cylinder in response to an excessive clearance between the pair of brake shoes and a rotating drum.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly includes a wheel cylinder (36) and extendible assembly (60) disposed between adjoining ends of a pair of brake shoes. The wheel cylinder includes a pair of pistons (40,42) which are in abutting relation with each other and with the extendible assembly to substantially define a non-braking position for the pair of brake shoes. The extendible assembly is operable to move the pair of pistons within the wheel cylinder in response to an excessive clearance between the pair of brake shoes and a rotating drum.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake booster (10) includes a spring-balanced control valve (42) communicating pressurized fluid to a pressure chamber (14) in response to an operator input. The magnitude of the fluid pressure communicated to the pressure chamber (14) is a function of the balance of spring forces applied to the control valve (42) by a pair of opposed springs (50, 82). An adjustable assembly (92) engages one of the opposed springs (50, 82) so that the balance of spring forces applied to the control valve (42) may be adjusted to limit to a safe level the maximum fluid pressure communicable to the pressure chamber (14). The adjustable assembly (92) includes a pair of relatively-rotatable members (106, 108) which each define oblique cam surfaces (122, 124) engaging the other member. One of the members (106) engages one of the opposed springs (50, 82). The other member (108) includes an elongate stem (118) terminating in an end (120) external of the booster housing (12).

Abstract: In a drum brake assembly a pair of brake shoes (12, 14) are carried by a backing plate (10) and are engageable with the brake drum (18) to effect a service brake application. A parking lever (26) cooperates with the pair of brake shoes to engage the shoes with the brake drum and effect a parking brake application. A connector (34, 84, 94, 96) is slidably carried by the backing plate and pivotally anchors at least one of the brake shoes to the backing plate. The connector (34, 84) or another structure (128) transmits braking torque from one brake shoe to the other only during a parking brake application. The connector is releasably secured to the backing plate in a fixed position by a latch (36, 88, 114) which is connected to the parking lever. Movement of the parking lever to a position effecting a parking brake application causes the latch to release the connector for sliding movement relative to the backing plate.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly includes a ball stud (10) which is received within a bearing (14) for attachment to a socket (18). The bearing (14) is provided with a plurality of grooves (38) and ridges (40). The ridges form an interference fit with the socket (18) to preload the ball joint assembly.

Abstract: The corrector comprises two identical parallel pistons which control the opening and closing of two valves located between two inlets and two outlets of two braking circuits. Two push rods subjected to a control pressure urge the pistons in the direction for opening the valves. A reaction spring cooperates with a transmission element to urge the push rods in the opposite direction. When both braking circuits are being supplied, the corrector presents an identical cut-off point for the two circuits. In the event of one of the circuits failing, the transmission element undergoes tilting which results in an unequal sharing of the reaction force and an increase in the cut-off point in the undamaged circuit.

Abstract: A steering shaft (10) includes an outer shaft (12) defining a bore (14) telescopically receiving an inner shaft (16). The inner shaft defines resilient tangs (38) frictionally engageable with the outer shaft to prevent relative axial movement of the shafts. The tangs define a tapered recess (42) and a tapered member (44) is received in the recess. The tapered member movably engages the tangs to frictionally engage the tangs with the outer shaft. A key (46) carried by the tapered member extends radially outwardly between the tangs and is slidably received in a keyway (50) defined by the outer shaft to couple the shafts for rotation in unison. An elongated rod (52) coupled to the tapered member extends through a bore (36) in the inner shaft and threadably carries a nut (56) engaging the inner shaft. Rotation of the nut moves the tapered member engaging the tangs with the outer shaft and preventing relative axial movement of the inner and outer shafts.

Abstract: An automatic load leveling air pump is adapted for use with an air adjustable shock absorber to maintain a substantially constant vehicle height despite changes in vehicle loading. The pump includes a housing connected to the vehicle axle and a pump piston connected to the vehicle frame. A feedback device slides within the housing in response to a spring and to air pressure and includes a pair of relatively movable portions which cooperate to act as a clutch against the housing during compression strokes of the pump piston. The pump piston, the housing and the feedback device enclose a compression chamber. The feedback device moves in response to air pressure to control the compression ratio of the compression chamber as the vehicle height changes.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly includes a caliper assembly (20) which is movably mounted on a torque plate (14) to engage a pair of friction elements (26, 28) with a rotor (12). The caliper assembly defines a central opening (30) with abutment surfaces (32, 34) and the torque plate extends into the central opening to engage one of the abutment surfaces.

Abstract: A duo servo drum brake includes a pair of brake shoes which are movable by a hydraulic actuator during a service brake application to a braking position in engagement with a rotatable member. A strut and parking lever are engageable with respective brake shoes to separate the same during a parking brake application. In order to control a running clearance between the pair of brake shoes and the rotatable member, an extendible assembly is disposed between the pair of brake shoes opposite the hydraulic actuator. The extendible assembly is also responsive to a parking brake application to expand the pair of brake shoes into engagement with the rotatable member.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly includes a frame (28) which is movably disposed relative to a rotor (18) and a central opening (29) on the frame carries a pair of friction elements (30, 33) facing opposite sides of the rotor. An adjuster assembly (43) is disposed within the central opening to control the position of the pair of friction elements relative to the rotor. The adjuster assembly includes a lever (44) pivotally engaging the frame and an extendible assembly (48) cooperating with the lever and frame to control the pivotal position of the lever relative to the frame. An actuator (36) extends into the central opening and is engageable with one of the friction elements and the lever. Upon operation of the actuator, the one friction element separates from the lever to engage the rotor and the frame moves to engage the other friction element with the rotor. A pawl (50) is responsive to movement of the one friction element relative to the lever to control extension of the extendible assembly.

Abstract: A fluid actuator housing (40) supports an output member 56 and a valve assembly (62). The valve assembly controls fluid communication to a pair of chambers (58, 60) to reciprocate the output member within the housing. The first part (64) of the valve assembly directs fluid communication to the chambers and the second part (66) is engageable with the output member to control movement of the first part.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly includes a pair of brake shoes which are carried by a backing plate and engageable with a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is operable to move the pair of brake shoes from a rest position to a braking position. A strut extending between the pair of brake shoes cooperates with a parking arm to move the pair of brake shoes to the braking position during a parking brake application. A support assembly on the backing plate is disposed opposite the hydraulic actuator for the purpose of absorbing braking torque developed by the pair of brake shoes. The support assembly comprises a pair of slots and a lever. The lever is movable in response to movement of the parking arm to adjust the position of the pair of blocks relative to each other. In a first position the blocks are in abutment with the backing plate while in a second position the blocks are free to move a limited amount relative to the backing plate.

Abstract: The Compensator is of the type in which the cut-off point is defined by measurement of the pressure of the brake liquid trapped in a pilot chamber when the latter is isolated by closure of a valve associated with a mass which is responsive to the deceleration of the vehicle and which is urged by resilient means towards a position corresponding to the opening of said valve.It is characterized in that it comprises means responsive to the braking pressure, which modify the calibration of said resilient means as a function of said pressure.The braking compensator is applicable to braking systems for motor vehicles.

Abstract: A disc brake includes at least one pin assembly (24) for movably supporting a caliper 14 relative to a torque plate 12. The pin assembly comprises a bolt (54), a sleeve (46) and a pair of arcuate washers (70, 72) which are adapted to accommodate angularity between the pin assembly and the caliper opening (38).

Abstract: A variable displacement rotary pump includes a tiltable cam plate which varies the pump displacement as a function of the fluid pressure in a control chamber. The pump pumps fluid to a fluid motor via an orifice in an outlet passage. A spool valve meters fluid to the control chamber in response to the differential pressure across the orifice. Pressure on one side of the orifice acts upon the spool valve in a feedback chamber remote from the outlet passage. The orifice is defined by an annular space between the wall of the outlet passage and neck portion of the spool valve. A feedback passage in the spool valve communicates fluid pressure from the one side of the orifice to the feedback chamber. A leakage flow path extends through a bearing to provide for automatic bearing lubrication.

Abstract: A disc brake includes a pair of friction elements which cooperate with a caliper (26) to engage a rotor (10). A torque plate (12) movably supports the caliper via at least one pin (24). The pin is received with an aperture (40) on the caliper and a resilient member (44) within the aperture accommodates the clearance between the pin and caliper. The resilient member defines at least one rib (54 or 56) substantially disposed outside the aperture. The rib is deformable axially to generate a restoring force biasing the caliper and at least one of the pair of friction elements to return to a rest position.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes shock absorbers with valves or damping orifices controlled by solenoids. The solenoids are connected to an electronic control unit which is activated in response to a predetermined rate of compression or extension of the shock absorber. A dash-mounted operator control and vehicle attitude sensors for sensing the load, pitch and roll of the vehicle are also connected to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit energizes the solenoid to control the opening and closing of the valves in response to changes in the vehicle attitude and in response to signals generated by the operator control.

Abstract: In a master cylinder a housing defines a bore for movably receiving a pair of pistons. A pair of seals cooperate with the pair of pistons to define a pair of pressure chambers and a sleeve disposed within the bore fixedly locates the pair of seals within the bore so that when the pair of pistons are moved within the bore, the pair of pistons move relative to the pair of seals to displace fluid within the pressure chambers to respective brake circuits. A bearing member engages the sleeve to fixedly retain the sleeve within the bore and cooperates with one of the pair of pistons to define an auxiliary chamber which is contracted during a brake application to communicate fluid to one of the pair of pressure chambers.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly includes a caliper assembly which is operable to bias a pair of friction elements into engagement with a rotor. At least one resilient member cooperates with the caliper assembly and the pair of friction elements to releasably couple the latter to the caliper assembly. In addition, the one resilient member cooperates with the caliper assembly and one of the pair of friction elements to define an interlocking fit preventing movement of the caliper assembly in a radial direction relative to the rotor.