Abstract: A clutch or brake cylinder has an annular working space accommodating an annular piston which confronts a stack of interleaved friction plates adapted to couple the cylinder to a coaxial member rotatable relatively thereto, the piston being displaceable by fluid pressure toward the stack against the force of a Belleville spring. This piston occupies only part of the working space so as to leave an annular clearance in which an ancillary sealing ring is independently slidable. When fluid pressure is applied, part of that pressure pushes the sealing ring against the Belleville spring and lifts it off the piston which then can exert its full force upon the stack of friction plates. Extraction of the cylinder from a surrounding housing enables the piston and the sealing ring to be replaced by a larger piston, filling the entire cross-sectional area of the working space, if a greater coupling pressure is to be exerted.

Abstract: An automatic mechanical brake adjuster for a walk-behind lift truck includes a lever (59) with two relatively pivoted parts (58,76) including a ratchet mechanism (96) therebetween. The ratchet mechanism (96) includes a ratchet wheel segment (77) and cooperating pawls (101-104). The brake adjuster also includes an extensible link (126) which determines the brake shoe back-off distance and cooperates with the ratchet mechanism (96) in effecting pivotal adjustment between the lever parts (58,76).

Abstract: The invention consists of a slack-adjuster for a brake which comprises a pair of interengaged screw threaded members which are urged towards an extended relative position by an axial bias applied to one member. The screw thread has a high helix angle to permit adjustment to take place on release of the brake and reverse rotation is prevented by frictional engagement of the leading member with a brake applying plunger part and by the use of a saw-tooth screw thread.

Abstract: A disc brake 10 has a caliper 34 including apparatus 52 for retracting the piston 68 of the fluid motor portion 44 of the caliper to a non-braking position when the brake is not applied. Consequently, runout, wobble, or axial movement of the brake disc 12 may space the friction elements 62, 64 of the brake from the friction faces 18, 20 of the brake disc so that the friction elements do not drag on the disc when the brake is not applied.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly includes a torque member which carries at least one pin for slidably supporting a caliper. The one pin threadably engages the torque member and extends on both sides of the disc. A pair of friction elements are engageable with the disc to retard rotation of the latter. On one side of the disc the one pin slidably engages the caliper, while on the other side of the disc the one pin slidably engages one of the pair of friction elements. The one pin is spaced from the caliper on the other side of the disc where the one pin engages one of the pair of friction elements. The one pin cooperates with a resilient bushing on the caliper to form a sliding connection therebetween and also cooperates with a resilient bushing on the one friction element to form a sliding connection therebetween. An optional thermoplastic sleeve may be disposed between the resilient bushing on the caliper and the one pin.

Abstract: A spring-biased lost-motion link assembly comprising a pair of identical interlocking link members with a compression-coil spring operatively arranged therebetween. Each link member has a pair of longitudinally extending grooves for receiving a terminal prong portion on the other link member in their normal undeflected state with the spring assembled thereon to thereby define a tongue and groove interlock between the link members.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an automatic brake slack adjuster wherein incremental vehicle brake adjustments are automatically produced as brake lining wear occurs. The novel features include the simplification of structure, the provision of preadjustment including a drive gear which is automatically disengaged from a worm gear upon the placing of a wrench upon an adjustment shaft to simplify preadjustment, and a universal bracket is utilized permitting the adjuster to be readily employed with a wide variety of vehicle brake rod structures eliminating the need for special fittings and modifications.

Abstract: A unique configuration for a torque tube assembly associated with a disk type brake comprises separable and replaceable keys and a separable and replaceable brake disk backplate. The keys are mounted in anti-rotation slots at the inboard and outboard ends of the torque tube and bolted to the barrel portion of the torque tube and are characterized by a radial extension that supports the separable backplate. The torque tube is a formed wrought metal tube that is mounted to the stationary portion of the brake housing via bolts that thread into the inboard end of the keys. In this configuration, the occurrence of a defective key and/or backplate does not require replacement of the total torque tube assembly.

Abstract: A housing for a disc brake incorporates an expander mechanism formed by two pressure plates and, a stack of friction discs between one plate and a braking surface, and a single friction disc between the other plate and another braking surface. The one plate is formed by separate inner and outer concentric rings, and the inner ring and the other plate are slidably coupled against relative angular movement. In normal braking an annular piston works in an annular hydraulic cylinder in the other plate to urge the inner ring and the plate axially apart so that the single friction disc engages with the braking surface and the inner ring engages with a corresponding inner ring of friction lining material on the adjacent disc of the stack, thus urging the stack into engagement with the braking surface.

Abstract: In the illustrative embodiment of the invention disclosed, a pressurized gas spring is arranged to provide three different damping-rate states as the piston rod is progressively urged axially outward of the cylinder. A first damping-rate stage is provided by an axially movable ring carried by the piston structure, a second stage is provided by an axially movable sleeve member slidably mounted on the piston rod for engagement at its inner end with the piston structure, and a third stage is provided by entry of the outer end of the sleeve member into a damping cylinder mounted adjacent the end wall of the cylinder through which the piston rod extends. The three damping-rate stages act cumulatively increasingly to slow outward movement of the piston rod.

Abstract: A damper comprises a plurality of armatures between which an elastic block is interposed. A partition plate divides the interior bore of the elastic block into two chambers. The chambers are filled with a working fluid and communicate with each other through an orifice providing a restricted flow communication and also through holes providing an unrestricted flow communication. A valve is provided to close the holes to prevent the unrestricted flow communication.

Abstract: An improved air/oil shock absorber (16) especially adapted for aircraft landing gears (11) is provided whereby the rate of strut (14) compression is programmed separately for the landing impact and for rollout after the landing. During the landing impact, increased tail clearance is achieved by temporarily delaying the last few inches of compression. After the aircraft rotates on to the nose landing gear, the shock absorber (16) slowly compresses to its static position where it then functions in a conventional manner. The shock absorber assembly (16) may be oriented in any position with respect to the aircraft (10) by virtue of two internal air/oil separator pistons (24 and 29).

Abstract: A rolling lobe airspring of the type embodying a tubular flexible member of substantially uniform thickness throughout its length and circumference includes a modified piston. The piston includes a recess near its end which is secured to the flexible member. The end of the flexible member lies in the piston recess. A method of assembly of such an airspring is also described.

Abstract: The mechanism provides a disc brake assembly with zero drag when released. It controls the retractive movements of the caliper housing and the actuating piston, relying on predetermined dimensional and mechanical properties for functional repeatability. It uses friction rings and spring washers.

Abstract: A caliper brake including a base having a single pole extending therefrom with a pair of identically formed opposed arms pivotally mounted on the pole. On one end of each of the arms is pivotally mounted a brake shoe, and the other ends of the arms have an air bladder interposed therebetween for moving the brake shoes together. Each of the arms carries an adjustable pin engageable with a central stop pin mounted on the base and extending centrally between the arms for orienting the arms relative to a disc positioned between the shoes for braking of the disc. An air bladder is mounted between the other ends of the arms for pivoting the arms and moving the brake shoes together, the bladder having an intrinsic spring return properties which separate the brake shoes when the air bladder is deactivated.

Abstract: A semi-metallic lining is attached to one side of a disc brake shoe. A ceramic heat barrier is attached to the other side of the shoe. A rubber compound is attached to the heat barrier on the side opposite the shoe and a second shoe is attached to the rubber compound. An additional rubber compound is on the opposite side of the second shoe. The caliper piston rests on the additional rubber compound. The rubber compounds have high energy absorbing, vibration damping characteristics. They are heat resistant, ozone resistant, brake fluid resistant, oil resistant, must have low displacement and must be firm. Shoe mounting pins fit loosely through holes in the first shoe and heat barrier and tightly through holes in the second shoe. The loose fit through the first shoe eliminates a possible noise path from the lining through the first shoe and the pins into the caliper. The pins retain the entire shoe and lining assembly within the caliper.

Abstract: The brake comprises a caliper (14) mounted for sliding on a fixed support by two axial columns (16 and 18) cooperating with bores (38, 40) formed in the caliper. The bores (38, 40) are provided with notches (42, 44) permitting the introduction of the columns (16, 18) transversely and without dismounting the latter. One of the columns (16) is equipped with a resilient sleeve (51) on which there is formed a projection (52) cooperating resiliently with the corresponding bore (38) of the caliper (14) to ensure functions of automatic recentring of the caliper and of anti-noise spring.

Abstract: A self-pumping, hydropneumatic, telescopic, spring damping device with internal level regulation, especially for automotive vehicles, includes an oil filled working chamber and a working piston with damping devices, the working piston rod being hollow and forming a pump chamber for a pump rod which automatically pumps oil from an oil reservoir into the working chamber. A control opening permits flow from the work chamber to the oil reservoir when the desired oil level is exceeded. A gas cushion in a gas spring chamber connected with the working chamber pressurizes the oil in the working chamber. The gas spring chamber includes a separating piston and is connected axially to the working chamber in the region of a flexible or elastic partition which supports the pump rod. The partition includes communicating passages. A pump suction tube communicates a pump rod cavity with the oil reservoir, and is yieldable with respect to movements of the flexible partition.

Abstract: A disc brake including a friction pad disposed on one surface of a rotatable disc and a stationary member displaceably supporting thereon the friction pad. A resilient member is provided between the stationary member and the friction pad for biassing the friction pad in the direction separating from the disc when the friction pad has been urged against the disc in applying the brake.

Abstract: A spring seat with a supporting groove for the freely terminating end of a spring wire of a coil spring for an axle suspension of a motor vehicle. The supporting groove extends merely over a circumferential angular range of about 75.degree. to 120.degree.. The supporting groove is fashioned to be approximately V-shaped in cross section and the terminating end of the spring wire of the coil spring only contacts the flanks of the V-shaped supporting groove.