Abstract: A drum-type brake actuator provides increased force transmission efficiency and assembly simplicity. An anchor carries two pistons which are moved to apply a brake shoe by the cooperative operation of a lever and strut arrangement. The utilization of three pivot joints in a simplified mechanism results in high efficiency output.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cable actuated parking brake mechanism for a drum brake. A lever and an associated lever return spring are arranged to accommodate blind assembly of the cable to the lever. The spring guides the cable from an opening in the backing plate to the lever. The spring cooperates with the lever to indicate to an assembler that the cable is fully inserted as well as aids in directing a cable button to an engagement surface.

Abstract: A wheel cylinder has a body, pistons, boots and seals. A screw assembly positioned between the two pistons holds the pistons apart to maintain the specified clearance between the brake linings and the brake drum while the brake is released. If a predetermined amount of outward movement of the pistons occurs during brake actuation, the screw rotates with further piston outward movement. When the brake is released, the pistons return inwardly, and the screw is locked against reverse rotation by means of a clutch, preventing the pistons from returning more than the prior predetermined amount of outward movement before screw rotation began. A clutch seal on an extension of one clutch member seals in a piston cylinder section. The other clutch member is formed on that piston next to one end of the cylinder section. The cylinder section axially beyond the seal is vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: A drum brake is provided of the leading-trailing shoe type in which a single piece spring installed as a part of the assembly holds down the brake shoe assemblies against the backing plate and also retracts the shoes after brake actuation. The single piece spring also retains the lower ends of the shoes against the anchor plate. This arrangement eliminates the need for separate shoe hold-down springs and separate upper and lower return springs, resulting in a significant reduction in parts and labor for assembly.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment a self-adjusting vehicle wheel drum brake is provided having an adjuster strut with a threadably extending star wheel and an adjuster pawl mechanism having a dual step tip. The dual step tip allows the adjuster mechanism to move the adjuster pawl in small incremental steps, thereby lowering in half or in close approximate thereto, the amount of wear required upon a pair of brake shoes before the adjuster pawl will effectuate outward movement of the brake shoes.

Abstract: A thermal compensating self-adjusting vehicle wheel drum brake apparatus and method is provided including a wheel cylinder, a plate for mounting the wheel cylinder, an adjuster strut with a star wheel for adjustably extending a pair of brake shoes. An adjuster pawl is provided for turning the adjuster star wheel. The adjuster pawl is inserted within an aperture of one of the shoes. A thermal elongating stop extendible at a predetermined temperature contacts and wedges the adjuster pawl to prevent pivotal motion thereof whenever the temperature of the brake is above a predetermined value.

Abstract: An adjustable wire guide for positioning wire within a given range of diameters on a predetermined intended centerline for the wire for feeding the wire into and/or out of equipment which will act upon or process the wire. It includes two pairs of rollers offset in parallel planes with each roller disposed at 90.degree. from an adjacent roller in another plane so that the wire passing through the guide is engaged at four locations equally spaced around it. Each of the rollers is moved through a camming plate and support structure towards or away from the intended centerline of the wire. The movement is achieved simultaneously through the use of spiral slots in the camming plate which receive pins on structural members supporting the rollers and move each of the rollers inward or outward the same amount with respect to the intended centerline of the wire.

Abstract: Metal wire is descaled by passing it through a series of rollers which bends the wire and causes the scale to loosen and fall off. Two sets of rollers are positioned in planes 90.degree. to each other, through which the wire passes to bend it in different directions. The rollers are pivoted between a wire feed through position and a wire bending position, with the wire bending position being predetermined in relation to the diameter of the wire being descaled. A cam and follower arrangement is provided which upon movement of a center roller causes the breaker rollers to be positioned in the proper location for bending the size of wire being fed through the apparatus.

Abstract: A master cylinder assembly has a low pressure, high volume displacement quick take-up chamber and a high pressure, low volume displacement pressurizing chamber formed by a stepped bore and a stepped piston. A compensation control and blow-off valve unit has a peripheral lip seal type valve providing compensation flow on break release but preventing flow from the quick take-up chamber during brake apply. A normally closed check valve is held open while the master cylinder is in the fully released position to provide communication between both pressurizing chambers and the fluid reservoir. As the pressurizing cup for the high pressure chamber closes its compensation port, the check valve is permitted to close by camming action of a valve pin and a camming surface on the piston. Initial flow is obtained from the quick take-up chamber past the pressurizing cup into the high pressure chamber.

Abstract: A flywheel driven by the differential ring gear of a vehicle senses rear wheel velocity and deceleration rates. A modulating unit includes an accumulator and a pump driven by the same shaft that drives the flywheel from the ring gear. A brake fluid accumulator stores brake fluid during each brake release cycle. The pump pumps fluid from the accumulator into the rear brakes to restore the original brake actuating pressure during each reapply cycle. Pressure from the master cylinder is blocked by movement and position of the accumlator piston during the release and reapply cycles. Orifices control the rate of pressure release and apply.