Abstract: A status of one or more subsystems positioned on one or more trailers is communicated to a tractor electrically and mechanically connected to the trailer. The status may be automatically supplied by the subsystem or may be requested either by the operator of the tractor/trailer combination or automatically by another subsystem on either the tractor or the trailer. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of a respective subsystem is superposed on the power bus. The status of the respective subsystem can then be determined from the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the status of the subsystem is indicated to an operator positioned on the tractor. A command for controlling a subsystem on a trailer can also be communicated from the tractor to the trailer over the power bus. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the command is produced on the power bus, and the subsystem is controlled based on the spread spectrum data communications signal.

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 work vehicle having a vehicle parking brake and a method are disclosed involving prevention of brake engagement at speeds beyond a predetermined threshold. The parking brake includes a rotatable plate having one or more pin-receiving openings therethrough radially spaced from the plate axis on an axially concentric circle, and a pin transverse to the plate at the circle, the pin being movable between a retracted position spaced from the plate and an extended position within the opening, such that the plate can rotate or is prevented from rotating depending on pin position.

Abstract: A pressure fluid reservoir for supplying pressure fluid to a wheel slip regulating device that is accommodated in a vehicle has a hose membrane that can be partially emptied by suction. The degree of emptying is limited due to the installation of an inner support body that fluid can flow through. The radial expansion of the hose membrane is limited by an outer support element and by a porous casing encompassing the outer support element, which protects the pressure fluid reservoir from bursting in the event that the hose membrane is subjected to brake pressure. The inner support element, the outer support element, and the casing are flexible hoses and are connected in a pressure-tight fashion to tube line connections in such a way that the pressure fluid reservoir according to the invention is placed in the vehicle in the same way as a brake line.

Abstract: A disk for a disk brake which achieves an unusual vibration-damping capability and consequently a more comfortable ride comprises a braking ring and a bell having respective flanges clamped together with nut-and-bolt assemblies, as well as a plate clamped between the flanges by the nut-and-bolt assemblies.

Abstract: In the disk brake, mounting portions of the caliper of a disk brake extending toward the entrance side and the exit side with respect to the rotation direction of the disk. Relative to the rotation direction, the length of the mounting portion on the entrance side is greater than that of the mounting portion on the exit side so that the cylinder portion is offset toward the exit side. Further, the mounting portion on the entrance side has thickenings formed to extend in a longitudinal direction thereof, so that with respect to the direction of the axis of the disk, the thickness of the mounting portion on the entrance side is greater than that of the mounting portion on the exit side. During braking, when a bending moment acts on the caliper, which can cause inclination of the caliper relative to the disk, flexural rigidity of the mounting portion on the entrance side is higher than that of the mounting portion on the exit side.

Abstract: A brake pad block for a bicycle wheel rim brake which includes an elongate holder and a plurality of pad segments having a contact surface for abutting a wheel rim, with at least two of the plurality of pad segments having distinct contact surfaces within a contact surface plane providing a different frictional characteristic when abutting the wheel rim. The pad segments are removeably and slideably engaged with the elongate holder in a direction parallel to the contact surface plane with the contact surfaces extending from the holder in an operative orientation for abutment with the wheel rim. A stay is operatively associated with the elongate holder and the pad segments to selectively maintain the slideably engaged pad segments in a fixed position relative to the pad holder and permits slideable disengagement of the pad segments from the pad holder.

Abstract: A rubber bearing, especially for the bearing support of a stabilizer bar in a motor vehicle, comprises two rubber half-shells. A thin rubber connecting piece connects the longitudinal side of one of the half-shells with the longitudinal side of the other one of the half-shells. The rubber connecting piece is arranged at the radial outer region of the half-shells to enable 180° of rotation of one of the half-shells with respect to the other one of the half-shells about the area of connection.

Abstract: A composite brake drum for a motor vehicle or the like. The brake drum has a drum body that is comprised of a first material, preferably a cast metal, such as gray iron. The drum body has a cylindrical section, a shoulder, and a mounting face. The brake drum also includes an annular band formed from a second material, preferably a stamped metal such as steel. The annular band encircles the cylindrical section of the drum body. The steel annular band is positioned in a mold apparatus and molten iron is introduced into a mold cavity defined thereby. The mold and annular band are maintained in a static condition during the casting process.

Abstract: A movable magnet support tube and a stationary magnet support tube are aligned coaxially within a brake drum coupled to a rotational shaft. An array of magnets are supported at equal intervals on the outer surfaces of the magnet support tubes and proximal surfaces of ferromagnetic pole pieces are fixed to magnetic pole surfaces at ends of the magnets which are aligned annularly. Extreme end surfaces of the ferromagnetic members are juxtaposed to an inner peripheral surface of the brake drum and an actuator reversibly rotates the movable magnet support tube.

Abstract: Shock absorber device comprising a shock absorber combined with an air spring, which shock absorber device is arranged for active suspension/shock absorbing in a wheel suspension of a vehicle. The shock absorber is surrounded by the air spring, and in the annular interspace between the shock absorber and the air spring there is arranged a piston and cylinder device likewise surrounding the shock absorber and which on the inside is connected to the shock absorber and on its outside is connected to the air spring. The piston of the piston and cylinder device is an annular piston which via an axial extension part is connected to a stabilizer joined to the wheel suspension.

Abstract: A railroad brake sensing apparatus particularly suitable for handbrake sensing has a sheave wheel/bellcrank bracket which is slotted to allow the wheel/crank axle to move from a first position when the chain is under tension and the brake is applied; to a second position when the chain is slack and the brake is off. A sensor is placed to detect when the wheel/crank is in the second position. The brake sensing apparatus is easily adapted to be used with other forms of brake actuating force and placed with other moving members of the brake rigging.

Abstract: A motion stabilizer for yieldingly urging a relatively movable load member toward a normal or centered position relative to another load member includes a telescoping body that shortens (retracts) as the load members move toward one another and lengthens (extends) as the load members move apart. A reaction unit is mounted within an axially extending internal chamber defined within the body. The reaction unit has a normal length and a displaced length. The reaction unit may include a spring such as a gas spring or coil spring, and the spring may operate in compression or in expansion. The reaction unit may provide damping. Depending of the characteristics of the reaction unit, the displaced length may be either longer or shorter than the normal length.

Abstract: A brake beam structure comprising compression and tension members having an “u” shaped cross section including two side walls and forming a housing, two end extensions having a quadrangular cross section including two side walls, a fulcrum coupled to the compression and tension members and two brake heads, in which: the ends of the compression member are placed inside the housing of the unshaped cross section of the tension member and each of the end extensions are placed inside the housing of the channel shaped cross section of the compression member, the brake beam having two fasteners passing through holes placed at the ends of the tension and compression members at each of “u” shaped cross section side walls and through holes placed at the side walls of the end extensions in order to fasten the tension member, compression member and end extensions, and in which the brake heads are welded to the ends of the tension member.

Abstract: An electrically-operated disc brake assembly for vehicles is disclosed in which a friction member is adapted to be applied to a rotatable brake disc by a brake-applying apparatus including an electric motor, and transmission in the form of a linear actuator comprising a screw device adapted to apply an axially-directed brake-applying force to the friction member in response to operation of the motor. The screw device comprises inner and outer co-operating screw-threaded members, and one of the members is adapted to co-operate with the armature of the electric motor.

Abstract: A system for retrofitting a four-valve ABS system for traction slip control. According to the present invention, only the wheel brakes associated with the driven wheels are furnished with outlet valves apart from the prevailing electromagnetically operated inlet valves. A separating valve is additionally inserted into the brake line, and a self-priming return pump is used which additionally has a suction line to the brake line between the master cylinder and the separating valve. Preferably, the suction line is adapted to be closed by a hydraulic valve. The separating valve may also be replaced by a hydraulically operated valve version. The resulting advantage is that at most four additional solenoid valves are required for the entire brake system in order to realize traction slip control.

Abstract: An attachment structure for a caliper of a disc brake assembly consisting of a caliper and a rotor. The caliper is attached to a wheel supporting portion of a cycle frame which supports a wheel with the rotor fixedly attached to the wheel and the rotor lying in a fixed plane relative to the supporting portion of the frame. The supporting portion of the frame has a pair of attachment bores oriented to attach the caliper with the rotor received between a pair of brake pads advanced into and out of contact with the rotor by the caliper along a select axis. The attachment structure allows for infinite variation of the angle of incidence between the select axis and the plane of the rotor within a defined range. Attachment bolts secure the caliper to the frame with a select angle of incidence between the select axis and the plane of the rotor.

Abstract: A shopping cart is generally a wire framed cage made of a specific gauge of metal that is mounted on four wheels. This invention deals with the use of a braking system to keep shopping carts from rolling away, for example: when a customer pushing their goods in a shopping cart stops on an incline to unload their goods into a vehicle the shopping cart must be held or propped against an object to restrict its movement or otherwise the cart will roll down the hill. This system will stop the shopping cart when the foot activated braking wedge is pressed into the wheel housing, by using the sole part of the shoe. The wheel will not move unless the braking wedge is released from its locking position by pulling upward on the braking wedge extension bar with the toe part of the shoe. This wedge is true to its shape and is applied to the wheel to stop the rotation of the wheel. The wedge takes up the space between the top of the wheel and the bottom of the housing, thus impeding the rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: A multi-stage resiliently compressible element for providing a biasing element having at least two portions having different compression resistances from one another. The multi-stage resiliently compressible element includes a resiliently compressible element comprising a resiliently deformable elastomeric material and having top and bottom faces and a side surface. The side surface of the resiliently compressible element has an annular channel therearound which divides the resiliently compressible element into top and bottom portions. The resiliently compressible element has a bore therethrough extending between the top and bottom faces. The bore has generally cylindrical top and bottom regions and top and bottom chambers interposed between the top and bottom regions of the bore.

Abstract: A brake and actuator assembly includes a brake housing (4), an actuator device (6) mounted on the housing, the actuator having a force transmission element (7) extending through an opening (8) in the housing and cooperating with an actuating member (10) of the brake within the housing. A seal (12) is arranged to seal around both the opening (8) and element (7) whilst permitting the latter to move in a direction longitudinally of the element for brake actuation. The sealing element has a portion (14A) arranged for sealing engagement with the member (10) at least when that member is in its inoperative rest position.