Patents by Inventor Heinrich B. Rath

Heinrich B. Rath has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4700813
    Abstract: The disc brake comprises a cup-shaped disc carrier (20) which has a base member (22) secured to a wheel hub (14) and a drum-type member (24) extending axially inwardly at a small radial spacing from a wheel rim (30) and being firmly connected to the radially outer edge (48) of a brake disc (50). A stationary wheel bearing box (10) supports a brake caliper (54) which straddles the radially inner edge of the brake disc (50), supports brake pads (60) disposed at either side of the brake disc, and comprises an acutating device (62) at least at one side of the brake disc (50). The base member (22) of the disc carrier (20) is designed as a web of the wheel. The wheel rim (30) has a foot portion (38) which is fixed to the radially outer edge of the base member (22). The vent passages (26) begin at the base member (22) near the wheel hub (14 ) and near the foot portion (38) of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventor: Heinrich B. Rath
  • Patent number: 4685540
    Abstract: The signal transmitter (1) includes a casing (10) which, when installed, is positioned opposite a brake member (8) at decreasing spacing as the wear of the brake lining (6) progresses. The casing (10) contains electrical contacts (31,35,37,39) and leads (41,43,45) the switching states of which are adapted to be changed at a certain wear or heating of the brake lining (6). A plug (51) is guided in the casing (10) for displacement out of an inoperative position in parallel with the direction of wear of the brake lining (6). Upon progressed wear of the brake lining (6) the brake member (8) mentioned presses the plug (51) further into the casing (10). In a terminal position of the plug (51) at least one of the contacts (37,39) is held in a switching position which differs from the inoperative position, whereby an alarm signal is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Heinrich B. Rath, Winfried Schemmel
  • Patent number: 4533024
    Abstract: A strut (40) whose effective length depends on the relative positions of two strut portions (44,46) adjustable with respect to each other is connected in parallel with a brake actuating mechanism (18). One of the strut portions (44,46) is subjected to the force of a biased adjustment member acting transversely of the longitudinal direction of the strut (40) and, upon actuation of the brake, tending to increase the length of the strut (40). The adjustment member cooperates with an intermediate member (24) which is disposed between two structural members (14",22) transmitting the actuating force (P) independently of the strut (40) and which is displaceable against the frictional resistance (Q) thereof, provided said resistance does not surpass a given value. Thus the possibility of adjustment is limited by the actuating force itself which is not transmitted by the strut and, for instance, may be hydraulic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Lucas Industries
    Inventor: Heinrich B. Rath
  • Patent number: 4491205
    Abstract: The present specification describes and claims a spot-type disc brake comprising a caliper and a torque taking member, a pair of abutment members being mounted on the torque taking member to form guides for an inboard friction pad assembly, one abutment member being secured in a fixed position and the other abutment member being adjustable in position to a limited extent. This arrangement is particularly applicable to twin-pin sliding caliper disc brakes wherein the same pinch bolts secure both the abutment members and the pins upon which the caliper is slidably mounted, to the torque taking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventor: Heinrich B. Rath
  • Patent number: 4456309
    Abstract: A wheel slide protection system for a vehicle, such as a car or motor cycle, has a modulator valve (25) controlling the supply of pressure fluid to a wheel brake (22) sensing device (9) for sensing an incipient wheel slide condition of the braked wheel and providing a signal to cause the valve (25) to apply a slide-corrective modification to the braking force, and a pump (13) supplying the modulator valve and incorporated in an axle assembly (15) adapted to carry the wheel (16) to be braked. A fluid reservoir (12) and the modulator valve may additionally be incorporated in the axle assembly (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventor: Heinrich B. Rath
  • Patent number: 4449757
    Abstract: An hydraulic actuator comprises a first piston and a second piston both working in a bore in a housing and the actuator incorporates a pressure proportioning valve. The valve comprises a valve head for engagement with a seating, first and second stems projecting from the head and through the first piston in each of two opposite directions, each stem being of an area smaller than that of the head, a seal between the first stem and the first piston, a first spring acting between an abutment adjacent to the seal and a shoulder on the first stem to urge the head in a first direction away from the seating and into engagement with a stop, and a second spring acting on an enlargement on the second stem also to urge the head in the first direction and to augment the force in the first spring. The second piston is provided with a longitudinally extending recess into which the second stem and the second spring both project.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventors: Heinrich B. Rath, Alfred W. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4365695
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a disc brake and a friction pad assembly therefor. In the brake at least one pin passes through an aperture in the backing plate of the inboard friction pad assembly to form a friction pad guide and support. A sheath of corrosion-resistant material also passes through said aperture and is preferably an interference fit therein. The sheath extends towards the plane in which the disc engaging face of the friction pad secured to the backing plate, lies, and always covers the end region of the extended portion of the pin, the sheath being contacted and abraded by the disc of the brake as the pad wears. The sheath thus protects the pin from corrosion ensuring smooth movement of the friction pad assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventor: Heinrich B. Rath
  • Patent number: 4342382
    Abstract: The present specification describes and claims a twin-pin sliding caliper disc brake comprising a caliper and a torque taking member, the caliper being slidably mounted on the torque taking member on two parallel pins. One pin is fixedly and immovably secured in position on the torque taking member and the other pin is secured to the torque taking member so as to be movable to a limited extent. Thus, during brake assembly, the said other pin can be adjusted to provide for positive drag sharing between the pins during normal braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventors: Heinrich B. Rath, Hans J. Wienand
  • Patent number: RE30255
    Abstract: In a disc brake such as a sliding caliper disc brake, the caliper is mounted for movement with respect to a torque plate by pin assemblies extending into aligned openings in the caliper and torque plate. The pin assemblies are of multi-part construction, parts of the pin assemblies which provide for movement between the caliper and torque plate being able to remain undisturbed when the caliper is removed from the torque plate.Another feature is that the openings in the caliper or the torque plate are oversize, so that the pin assemblies are received as a free fit, and the pin assemblies are clamped in the oversize openings by interengagement of screw threaded portions. Sliding surfaces are provided either directly by the shanks of pins or by separate bushes which may be resilient.The construction is such that the pin assemblies are relieved of clamping forces and drag forces when the brake is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1980
    Assignee: Girling Limited
    Inventors: Heinrich B. Rath, Horst W. Klassen