Abstract: A cylinder having a bore extending therethrough is formed with pairs of slits arranged axially of the cylinder at a predetermined spacing, the slits in each pair being opposed to each other diametrically of the cylinder. Like a coiled spring, the cylinder is adapted to perform a spring action against tension, compression or torsion.

Abstract: In the braking systems of many vehicles, a parking brake is utilized that is spring applied and fluid pressure released. In the event of a mechanical breakdown, a mechanical device or other specialized tools must be used to bring about the disengagement of the parking brake so that the vehicle may be towed. The present invention overcomes this problem by providing an auxiliary actuating mechanism for a spring applied, fluid pressure released parking brake that includes an auxiliary accumulator that will maintain a preselected amount of pressure upon the loss of the primary source of pressure. An auxiliary actuating valve is positioned between the accumulator and the parking brake to selectively communicate fluid therebetween. The auxiliary actuating mechanism is provided with two remotely located actuators that may be utilized to selectively position the valve to permit the communication of the pressurized fluid within the accumulator with the parking brake assembly to achieve the disengagement thereof.

Abstract: The invention describes an electrically controllable mono-tube shock absorber wherein the damping of the shock absorber is controlled by a solenoid valve. The valve includes a poppet valve which is mechanically independent of an electrically actuated armature. A second valve is also disclosed which includes a poppet valve having a cylindrical wall which prevents the poppet valve from contacting the armature. A third valve, carried by the shock absorber piston includes two axially extending passages one of which cooperates with a poppet valve to increase fluid flow thereacross to reduce damping. Each valve can be actuated in accordance with the direction (sign) of a derived velocity signal.

Abstract: An energy and absorption and barrier device for automotive vehicles and a method manufacture thereof. The device includes a plurality of metal strips in stacked relation having sinusoidal shapes and devices for securing the ends of the strips together. The method involves forming the strips in dies having adjustable stroke lengths so as to successively form corrugations in the strip in sequence from the center to the outer ends of the strip.

Abstract: On a brake support (12) engaging over a brake disk (10) a piston (34) is supported and on the other side a floating caliper (14) is supported for axial displacement. In both cases slide guides (40) are provided for the supporting and each have a guide body (42) having a groove (46) parallel to the axis (A) of the brake disk (10) and a threaded pin (48) which extends transversely of the axial center plane (B) of the brake and engages into the associated groove (46). The slide guides (40) are surrounded in each case by a resilient sealing sleeve (54) which is protected by a heat shield (66) arranged between it and the brake disk (10). Associated with the threaded pins (48) are anti-rotation locks for securing the pins against turning and which comprise mounting members (56) secured to the brake support (12). The mounting members (56) carry at the same time the heat shields (66).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quick adjusting device for bicycle cables, and especially to a device having a substantially S-shaped base which cooperates with a cam, a worm and a worm gear to adjust a bicycle brake cable. Two plates formed on the bottom of the base to define an area. A wheel is slidably mounted on the cam. The worm gear and the wheel, together, clamp the brake cable. The brake cable is driven and adjusted by the worm gear and the wheel by inserting a hexagon wrench into a hexagonal slotted head of the worm and turning. A pulley is rotatably received in an area of the base for adjusting the relative position of the left side and the right side brake arms.

Abstract: A hierarchical brake controller is described having two control levels, a high level supervisory controller and a low local controller. The supervisory controller receives a vehicle deceleration rate command from the vehicle operator and determines a commanded brake line pressure value to establish the actual vehicle deceleration at the operator commanded rate. The supervisory controller then proportions the commanded brake line pressure between the front and rear brakes based on a determined proportioning factor. The local controller at each wheel functions to establish the respective commanded front or rear brake line pressure. In addition, the local controller for each of the rear brake limits the applied brake pressure in response to a sensed incipient wheel lockup condition to prevent lockup of the braked wheel. The local controller for a rear brake that is limiting brake pressure to prevent a lockup condition provides a maximum allowable rear brake pressure value to the supervisory controller.

Abstract: Multiple disc brake comprising a first rotary disc fixed to a hub connected to a rotating member to be braked and at least one second rotary disc capable of sliding axially relative to the hub and to the first disc. A first axial guide sleeve (16) fixed to the first disc (1) is arranged coaxially relative to a second axial guide sleeve (18) fixed to the second disc (2) and is connected to this second sleeve (18) by way of several grooves (22), rolling members (27) being in contact with at least one face of these. The invention is used on multiple disc brakes for land vehicles.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing accidental unrolling of a rolling shutter or overhead door comprising a cogwheel which has uniformly distributed on the circumference opening outward for containing radially movable tumblers, a cage which surrounds the cogwheel that contains an abutment in the form of a recess for the tumblers which are raised by the action of centrifugal force. Upon reaching a predetermined rotational speed, the tumblers engage an abutment in the cage and the cage acting as a brake is then driven by the cogwheel and slowed down by friction.

Abstract: An improved remote center compliance (RCC) device having translational and rotational compliance. The RCC device includes at least two spaced monolithic members having a common axis extending therethrough. Adjacent pairs of monolithic members are interconnected by a stage including at least three discrete coil springs spaced about the axis of the monolithic members. Each spring is axially extensible and laterally deformable for providing both rotational and translational compliance about a center of compliance. The improvement includes providing coil springs that are at least partially coil-bound to increase the ratio of axzial stiffness to lateral stiffness of the springs and increase the projection of the center of compliance away from the RCC device.

Abstract: A device for enhancing the cooling of a friction disc according to the preferred embodiment of the teachings of the present invention is shown for use with a rotational control apparatus shown in its preferred form as a brake. Due to the rotation of the friction disc, a forward flow of air is created by air flowing into entry ports into an air cooling chamber formed in the friction disc and past the periphery of the friction disc to the atmosphere. The present invention directs cooling air radially inward into the friction disc at least in one radial segment of the friction disc at a time in a direction counter to the forward flow of air to enhance the cooling of the friction disc especially at relatively low RPM. Specifically, the device of the present invention includes in its most preferred form a wire guard housing including a plurality of circular wires which are arranged in a parallel spaced relation and secured to the periphery of the external housing in which the friction disc is mounted for rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in the bleeding of fluid systems, especially the hydraulic brake system of a motor vehicle, comprises fluid pumping equipment (1) for pumping fluid to a main fluid reservoir (8) of the fluid system via a supply conduit (24). The pumping equipment (1) includes a fluid container (6) and an air pump (2) serving to discharge fluid from the container (6) into the supply conduit (24). The pump (2) is driven through an electric circuit (C1.C2) including a fluid pressure control (14) and a fluid level control (15A) of the container (6). The delivery end of the supply conduit (24) passes through an opening (26) of the reservoir (8) which opening (26) is sealed by an elastomeric plug (18) laterally expandable by a compression device. The above apparatus considerably conveniences the bleeding of motor vehicle brake systems.

Abstract: All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) sway bar constructed with plastic tubular carrier solid nylon torsion bar and/or aluminum alloy torsion bar assembled end levers and a pair of independent laterally adjustable steel brackets for mounting the carrier to the ATV frame.

Abstract: A brake adjuster wherein a thrust block is axially slidable in a cylinder bore and rotatably connected to one of two screw threaded adjuster members which are themselves interconnected by a self-sustaining thread. In use a power spring acts on the thrust block to move it axially within the cylinder bore to apply pressure to a friction pad via the adjuster members. The brake may be released by applying hydraulic pressure to the thrust block, at which time one adjuster member is rotated via a clutch, when a predetermined clearance has been taken up, relative to the other to adjust for pad wear. No relative adjustment occurs during application of the brake under the action of the power spring.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a floating caliper type disc brake which can solve or at least minimize the uncomfortable brake noise. In order to achieve this noise reduction, the caliper has three nonsymmetrically arranged finger portions for pressing an outer brake shoe against the face of the disc rotor.

Abstract: Each of a pair of brakes arms has a boss portion formed with a cavity around a pivot on an arm bracket for supporting the brake arms on the body of a bicycle. A pair of return springs for biasing the brake arms toward or away from each other for braking each have a coil portion provided around the pivot and accommodated in the cavity. The return spring has one end fixedly engaged in the boss portion and the other end fixedly engaged in a spring adjusting member which is supported by the pivot and rotatable only in the coil portion winding direction. Thus, each return spring is protected from corrosion, made smoothly operable for the desired braking action and readily adjustable by turning the adjusting member.

Abstract: An automatic adjuster comprises a transmission member, suitably a crown wheel, and thrust assemblies, of which the effective lengths are adjustable to adjust the spacing between a pair of shoe-ends, and the crown wheel is coupled to a brake-applying cam through a lost-motion connection, and a clutch. In a brake-applying mode the transmission mechanism is operative to increase the effective lengths of the thrust assemblies after the lost-motion has been taken up and until a critical point is reached at which the clutch slips in one direction. An inhibit mechanism is incorporated for limiting movement of the crown wheel in the opposite brake release mode until any previous excess movement of the crown wheel in the brake-applying mode has been accommodated by slippage of the clutch in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A side-pull caliper brake device comprising an arch support pivot, a first arch and a second arch rotatably supported by the pivot, first and second return springs each in the form of a coil and fitted around the pivot for biasing the first and second arches away from each other, and a Bowden cable for moving the arches toward or away from each other. The first spring has one end engaged with the pivot and the other end engaged with the first arch. The second spring has one end engaged with the second arch and the other end engaged with an adjusting ring rotatably mounted on the pivot. The adjusting ring is prevented from rotating relative to the pivot by a fastening nut. The force of the return springs is adjustable by rotating the adjusting ring. The springs are engaged in place without sliding and therefore smoothly bias the first and second arches. The springs, which are provided around the pivot and enclosed in the cavities, are free of deposition of mud or the like and protected from corrosion.

Abstract: The damper assembly has improved valve means that includes at least one annular movable valve member of the voice-coil type. Such valve member is formed at least in part of composite material that increases the strength and stiffness of the member, while reducing its coefficient of thermal expansion and its weight. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly includes two movable annular valve members which are driven in unison with each other such that when one occupies a flow-permitting position the other occupies a flow-inhibiting position. Check valves utilized in the assembly preferably are of a resilient split-ring type.

Abstract: A closely wound, coil type tension spring of one hand having an initial tension exceeding that obtainable by prior spring forming techniques is formed by reverse winding an open-wound compression spring of the opposite hand. Alternative methods and apparatus for forming the tension spring are disclosed.