Abstract: A fluid-filled cushioning device having a cylindrical elastic body mounted on an inner sleeve and having an orifice structure with an orifice formed therethrough is disclosed. A pair of annular elastic members each having a retainer member and an outer sleeve are mounted on the inner sleeve such that the retainer member is press-fitted in the axial end portion of the inner sleeve while the orifice structure is sandwiched between the axial end faces of the outer sleeves, in the axial direction. A bracket is mounted on the outer sleeves of the elastic members and is fixed to a support member, so that the bracket forces the outer sleeves against the orifice structure. The inner sleeve, elastic body and elastic members define two fluid-filled chambers which are separated from each other by the elastic body and which communicate with each other through the orifice.

Abstract: An improved rotor for a disk brake is disclosed having a multi-piece construction. The rotor has a central web extending around a driving drum portion such that the web defines several generally radially extending cooling passages. The central web is mounted on the driving drum portion so as to be capable of sliding laterally, but may not rotate relative to the driving drum. Friction elements, completely separate from the central web, are located on either side of the central web and are mounted on the driving drum so as to be also capable of lateral movement. The friction elements are also prevented from rotating relative to the driving drum portion of the rotor.

Abstract: The resilient return strut is of the elastic-hydraulic type with incorporated linear damping by throttling a high-viscosity fluid, and comprises a damper (1) mounted between two return springs (2, 3) in elastomer-based sleeves (17, 18), undergoing a shearing action and sealing the chambers (34, 35) set off within the body of the damper (12) by a transverse wall (10) which marks off a permanent throttling passage around a central brace (23). Limiting valves equipped with spring-leaves (45) sealing the holes (40) bored in the wall (10) increase the throttling section. A compressed-air system (52), mounted in a spring (2), compensates for thermal expansion of the fluid. The device is used with helicopter rotors.

Abstract: The spring comprises a mounting portion 42 snapped into the arch of the caliper of a sliding-caliper disc brake, and rigid portions 58, 60 for exerting forces on support plates 26, 28 of friction members interacting with the disc of the brake. According to the invention, slits 90, 92 parallel to the rigid portions 58, 60 reduce the rigidity of the central part of these. Thus, when the friction members become worn and approach the center of the spring, an intensification of the forces exerted on the support plates by the spring is avoided. A lug 100 makes it possible to keep the rigid portion 58 away from a fragile part of the brake when the friction members are removed from the latter. The invention is used on sliding-caliper disc brakes.

Abstract: A friction braking mechanism for a merchandise cart or the like for holding objects includes a frame for supporting the container, and a plurality of wheels rotatably supported on the frame. The wheels are supported for rotation relative to the frame about a rotational axis. At least one of the wheels has a thread guard associated therewith and secured against rotation therewith. An arrangement which is continuously operable during rotation of the wheel coacts between the wheel and the thread guard for frictionally retarding rotation of the wheel. An adjustment arrangement is also provided for adjusting the amount by which the rotation of the wheel is frictionally retarded.

Abstract: The actuator (10) of a brake, such as a disc brake, is controlled by an electric motor (34) which drives a pump (38, 50, 62) ensuring that the pressure of the brake fluid in a control chamber (44) rises. A crankshaft (38) driven by the electric motor (34) imparts a to-and-fro movement to a plunger piston (50) in a pumping chamber (62). This chamber (62) communicates with a brake-fluid reservoir via an intake duct (74) controlled by way of a valve (76, 78) and with the chamber (44) via a delivery duct controlled by way of a valve (58, 60). Furthermore, the control chamber (44) communicates with the reservoir via a recycling duct (80) controlled by way of a solenoid valve (82). The entire hydraulic circuit so formed is accommodated in the body (12) of the actuator.

Abstract: A self-adjusting, wear-compensating device for a floating caliper disc brake of the type having a pair of brake pads positioned to engage the disc brake rotor, the device including a rotor and a stator mounted in the caliper housing, the rotary motion of the rotor being converted to linear motion in the stator toward one of the brake pads, a threaded shaft is mounted in a threaded bore in the stator and has one end positioned to engage the brake pad and the other end extending into the rotor, and a one-way clutch is mounted on the other end of the shaft and is operatively connected to the rotor to impart rotary movement to the shaft relative to the stator whenever the rotor rotates more than a predetermined amount to advance the shaft an incremental amount, the clutch is protected from overload damage by a star ring mounted on the shaft in a position to allow the clutch to slip on the shaft.

Abstract: A fluid-filled strut particularly suited for automotive engine torque control applications. The strut includes a frame having a pair of fluid-filled chambers located adjacent opposite ends. Each chamber is defined by juxtaposed recesses in a pair of elastomeric blocks located on opposite sides of the frame. A discrete elongate fluid conduit connects opposite axial ends of each chamber. Attachment plates on opposite sides of the frame are bonded to the elastomeric blocks and are connected together by a connector bolt sleeve that extends across the frame through the fluid-filled chamber. The elastomeric blocks permit the frame to move in alternate axial directions relative to the sleeve, and in response to such motion, fluid in the chamber is displaced in alternate directions through the conduit to effect the desired motion damping. The elastomeric blocks are shaped to provide a desirable controlled snubbing action in both directions.

Abstract: A top cap and housing cooperate to create an internal void wherein is located two elastomeric springs, one on top of the other. Two different solid stop systems are incorporated into the top and housing. An interlocking system also movably secures the top cap and housing such that the two thermoplastic elastomeric springs can be subjected to a preload. The thermoplastic elastomeric springs are designed and housed so that through a cycle from free height to solid height they are folded and flexed rather than compressed.

Abstract: This invention provides brake clamping and declamping in response to a position feedback controlled brake actuator in which an electric torque motor drives a rotating member of a reciprocating drive mechanism to axially move another member into out of engagement with a brake pressure plate of a multi-disk brake assembly. A microprocessor controller receives electric signals indicative of (i) a pilot's command for braking, (ii) a command for brake release and antiskid braking, (iii) the position of the torque motor rotor at any instant, and (iv) the initiation of brake clamping of the multi-disk brake. The controller generates a feedback control signal to the torque motor which adjusts the motor rotor position, in revolutions, to increase or decrease brake clamping in accordance with the pilot signal and to effect brake release in accordance with an overriding antiskid signal.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an integrated disc brake (50) and drum brake (120) construction. A support member (12) is supported by a vehicle axle (14) and extends radially outwardly to provide support for a housing (52) of the disc brake (50). The housing (52) is secured by bolts (93 or 94) to the support member (12), the housing (52) having through openings (54) for receiving rod members (75). The rod members (75) each have one end (76) secured to the support member (12) and a second part (90) and the other end has an opening (77) for an internal bore (78) extending therein. The disc brake (50) includes an axially movable yoke (60) attached to guide pins (82) extending into bores (78) of the rods (75) for slidable movement therein. The second part (90) extends radially to provide support for an inner brake pad (20) and may extend axially away from the housing (52) to provide an anchor support (91) for shoulders (132, 142) of drum brake shoes (130, 140).

Abstract: An impact absorber for a motor vehicle comprises a pair of telescopingly interfitted tubes which receive the impact energy axially and in which either the inner or outer tube is plastically deformed as the tubes are telescopingly contacted by the impact force. The outer tube receives a smaller diameter portion of the inner tube at one end and the outer tube projects at this end to have a large diameter portion whose diameter is greater than the inner diameter of the outer tube and is connected to the small diameter portion by a conical transition region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disc brake for a motor vehicle, comprising an inner (12) and an outer (14) disc, fastened one to the other and with a fixed spacing (D), an outer pair and an inner pair of friction elements for coming into frictional engagement with the opposite faces of the two discs, and support (16) and control (42, 42') members intended for laying the friction elements against their respective disc, the brake comprising a supporting yoke (16) extending both on the inside of the inner disc (12), in the gap (D) between the two discs, and on the outside of the outer disc (14), an inner caliper, interacting with the inner pair (40i, 40e) of friction elements, and an outer caliper, interacting with the outer pair (40'i, 40'e) of friction elements, the two calipers (42, 42') being mounted slidably in the supporting yoke (16).

Abstract: The present invention provides a friction pad assembly wherein an edge region of the backing plate has two recesses located symmetrically about a center line (11) of the assembly with a resilient leaf spring secured across each recess (13). In use, in a disc brake retaining pins engage against the springs to hold the assembly in position. This pad assembly design thus minimizes the required space by locating the resilient pad anti-rattle springs within the profile and sides of the backing plate, and by using the necessarily relatively short springs, the tendency for the springs (19) to be buckled or distorted, or affected by heat, is minimized.

Abstract: The fluid circuit when in a first condition permits relatively free fluid flow in a first direction between variable volume chambers of the damper, while permitting only relatively restricted flow in an opposite, second direction. When in a second condition, the circuit permits relatively free flow of fluid in the second direction and only relatively restricted flow in the second direction. The circuit condition is changed by changing the position of a control valve which is subjected to fluid pressure differentials that may at times delay change in the position of the valve, and therefore change in the condition of the circuit.

Abstract: An electromagnetically powered drag racing ride attraction is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved shock absorbing and leveling system for vehicles or the like is disclosed and includes a shock absorber sub-assembly and an airspring sub-assembly that can be used as either an assist device for a primary spring or as a primary spring itself. The preferred airspring sub-assembly includes a relatively rigid chamber member and a rolling flexible diaphragm member sealingly interconnected to one another, with an electrical inductance height sensor surrounding the shock absorber and contained substantially wholly within the chamber member. The airspring sub-assembly also preferably includes a diaphragm support member that laterally supports the diaphragm member on the shock absorber housing in a laterally spaced-apart relationship at least at two longitudinal positions thereon. Advantageously, the shock absorber sub-assembly and the airspring sub-assembly are independently removable from one another and replaceable as separate sub-assemblies.

Abstract: A brake actuator has a body containing a pair of brake-applying members which may be actuated hydraulically to separate the friction elements of a brake into engagement with a rotatable braking surface. The members are interconnected by a mechanism in the form of a shaft of which respective end portions are provided with reversible threaded portions of opposite hand which engage corresponding threads within the members, the shaft being constrained against axial movement between bearings. Any excess movement of one of the members relative to the other is transmitted to that other member such as to cause an opposite and proportional force on the other member to substantially equalize the wear rates on the friction elements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a special container for handling truck-trailer chassis and/or frames of truck-trailer chassis in overland transportation by rail, highway and marine transportation on board container ships. The container is capable of being stacked with other containers and is provided with front, intermediate and rear endframes, hinged at their base to a platform assembly so as to be rotated and stowed in a horizontal position when not in use, and when in use to be rotated to a perpendicular position to hold a stack of chassis of the same or different types and lengths, in place for shipping. The container is capable of being coupled together with other similar containers, forming an interlocked stack of containers which can be easily handled during overland and marine transportation.

Abstract: An end attachment assembly for a twisted rope torsion bar includes an anchor nut and an internal elastomeric bushing cooperatively mating with the nut. The elastomeric bushing is molded onto the end of the twisted rope torsion bar. The torsion bar is fabricated of a lightweight glass fiber/epoxy composite material. The elastomeric bushing has external splines cooperating and mating with splines on the inner bore of the anchor nut. The end attachment assembly compresses the end of the twisted rope torsion bar to reduce stress concentration and prevent separation, i.e. the application of torque to the anchor nut transmits a like amount of torque to the elastomeric bushing to compress and more firmly grip the twisted rope torsion bar. The elastomeric bushing is compressed radially inwardly by the cam shape of the mating splines. Advantageously, the elastomeric bushing proportionally increases the grip on the end of the torsion bar so that the joint is made tighter and tighter under increased torque.