Abstract: A service brake pedal is overlapped by a parking brake pedal with both pedal arms mounted on a common axis for pivotal apply and release movements. The service brake pedal arm contacts a pin holding the push rod for the master cylinder, applying the hydraulic service brakes when the pedal is depressed. When the transmission lever is shifted into the park position a solenoid type servo is energized, engaging a pawl, mounted on the parking brake pedal arm, with a gear sector pivoted about the pivot point of the brake pedal arms. A one-way spring clutch is energized to hold the link in which the push rod pin is installed in the applied position during parking brake apply, retaining hydraulic brake pressure during that operation. When shifting to park, the parking brake pedal arm is raised by a vacuum servo so that the parking brake pedal can be actuated to apply the parking brake without contacting the service brake pedal, and therefore without hydraulic pressure resistance.

Abstract: A strip of shoe rim steel has holes punched, and lining is molded to it in segments with flat or curved tops, the strip then being bent at locations between the lining segments and remaining flat so as not to destroy the bond. The assembly is trimmed to length, the web attached and the lining pads ground to final dimensions. The number and length of lining pad segments can be varied. The lining can be used down to the rim ends at each pad while the pad center still contains lining where the molding holes are located.

Abstract: Several arrangements include the feature of disc constructions directing air flow between the linings and the disc braking surfaces to float the linings off the surfaces of the disc to eliminate or substantially reduce brake drag and provide cooling.

Abstract: A bleeder arrangement for a hydraulic system of the type used in vehicle brakes. It includes a bleeder screw and bleeder passage construction which completely protects the bleeder screw threads from any exterior corrosive agents. The screw body is arranged to radially clear the housing in which it is installed so that corrosive action will not tend to seize the screw body to the housing. A seal arrangement also protects the valve portion of the bleeder screw from corrosive action as well as preventing fluid spillage during the bleeding operation.

Abstract: A brake pedal contacts a pin holding the push rod for the master cylinder, applying the hydraulic service brakes in the normal manner when the pedal is depressed. When the transmission lever is shifted into the park position a solenoid type servo is energized, engaging a pawl, mounted on the brake pedal, with a gear sector pivoted about the pivot point of the brake pedal. A one-way spring clutch is energized to hold the link in which the push rod pin is installed in the applied position during parking brake apply, retaining hydraulic brake pressure during that operation. When shifting to park, the brake pedal is raised by a vacuum servo so that the pedal can be actuated to apply the parking brake without contacting the push rod pin, and therefore without hydraulic pressure resistance. Movement of the pedal with the pawl engaged exerts tension on the parking brake cable through the gear sector to apply to parking the brake.

Abstract: A strip of shoe rim steel has holes punched, and lining is molded to it in segments with a flat or curved top, the strip then being bent at locations between the lining segments and remaining flat so as not to destroy the bond. The assembly is trimmed to length, the web attached and the lining pads ground to final dimensions. The number and length of lining pad segments can be varied. The lining can be used down to the rim ends at each pad while the pad center still contains lining where the molding holes are located.

Abstract: The support for the outboard disc brake lining is a section of the caliper, and no shoe is used. The lining has a boss which fits into a recess formed in the caliper housing. The boss has sufficient shear area to transmit brake torque to the caliper. Center holes in the lining provide a location for a clip to be installed through the outboard caliper section. The clip keeps the lining away from the disc in the rest position and may also function as a lining wear sensor. The results include lighter weight and more usable lining.

Abstract: A small take-up piston moves outward during the first increment of hydraulic pressure, taking up the clearance with low fluid displacement because of small size of this piston. As a predetermined pressure level is reached, the take-up and power pistons are locked together and thereafter both pistons move outwardly in unison. This greatly reduces the displacement over a single stage piston traveling the same distance. It allows additional retractive clearance without commensurate displacement required to reactuate the caliper.

Abstract: The outboard brake lining is attached directly to the housing rather than to a brake shoe. The inboard line is received in the housing bore and brake fluid acts against a cap for a piston made of lining material, eliminating the conventional piston and inboard shoe. The cylinder is attached by integrally formed screw threads to the cast caliper body.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle brake system with one set of brakes actuated by hydraulic pressure generated by a master cylinder in the usual manner, and a second set of hydraulically actuated wheel brakes controlled by brake effort demand as expressed by movement of the vehicle brake pedal by the vehicle operator to produce a brake demand signal independently of the master cylinder and the brake circuit for the first set of wheel brakes. The hydraulic pressure for the second brake set is maintained in an accumulator by a high and low pressure limit pump arrangement. When the stored brake pressure is required for brake actuation, it is directed through a variable valve arrangement to deliver the amount of actual brake actuating pressure needed at the second brake set to meet the operator's demand for braking effort. A control unit receives the brake demand signal as well as a signal indicating the actual brake actuating pressure sent to the second set of brakes.

Abstract: A clutch operating structure has a hydraulic actuator and a lever which are disposed within the clutch housing. The actuator includes a piston which is slidably disposed in a housing secured within the clutch housing by a fastener. The piston operates on the lever which is pivotally mounted at one end by the securing fastener, while the other end of the lever operates the clutch throwout bearing. Engagement and disengagement of the clutch is controlled by the vehicle operator through a pedal actuated hydraulic device which pressurizes the piston nearing clutch disengagement.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system having one brake circuit actuated directly by pressure generated in a master cylinder and a second brake circuit actuated, by pressure generated by actuation of the master cylinder, to the extent that regenerative braking effort acting on the wheels having brakes in the second brake circuit is insufficient to provide the desired total braking effort on those wheels. When regenerative braking on those wheels is sufficient to meet the braking effort demand, the service brake system does not supply any additional braking effort. A compliance control member provides the feel of input travel and force equivalent to the regenerative braking effort actually at the wheels of the second brake circuit when regenerative braking is occuring while the vehicle is being braked.