Abstract: A caliper type brake for braking a brake disc including a caliper having a recess in the caliper on one side of the disc, a piston mounted in the caliper on the other side of the disc and including a recess, each recess having one or more ribs forming two or more cavities in each recess and a brake pad mounted in each recess, each brake pad being formed with a number of frangible portions, which break on engagement with the ribs to separate the brake pads into separate sections corresponding to the number of cavities in the recesses.

Abstract: The upper and lower panel of a ram air inflated parachute canopy are conned interiorly of the canopy by lines extending between the panels at points spaced chordwise and spanwise of the panels so that airflow is unrestricted within the canopy and the weight and bulk of chordwise ribs is eliminated. The parachute suspension lines have connections to the lower panel at points where the interior lines connect to the lower panel and these connections may be made by loops incorporated in the lower panel. The interior line lengths and the proportions of spanwise end panels of the canopy may correspond to a triangular chordwise cross sectional shape of the canopy. The upper panel may have an extension forwardly of the lower panel with lines extending between the extension and the suspension lines to downwardly curve the extension and partially close the open forward end of the canopy.

Abstract: A disc brake having an improved automatic adjustment mechanism is disclosed. The preferred brake includes a rotary actuating assembly for axially translating a push rod which abuttingly urges a pair of friction element assemblies into engagement with a rotatable disc. A nonrotatable element of the actuating assembly threadably engages the push rod, such that when the push rod is rotated, it is axially advanced to decrease the friction element clearance. A clutch mechanism circumscribes the push rod and communicates, by way of a lost motion connection, with a rotatable element of the actuating assembly to effect rotation of the push rod after a predetermined rotation of the rotatable element. Thus, clearance adjustments are made in response to predetermined wear of the friction elements, thereby maintaining brake clearance within predetermined limits.