Abstract: A retractable step assembly for use with a vehicle includes a mounting bracket for mounting the assembly in an operative position to the vehicle, a step pivotally connected to the mounting bracket so as to pivot about a substantially vertical pivot axis, a guide member provided on the step and movably mounted to the mounting bracket, and a lock assembly. The guide member is configured to rotate about and translate axially along the pivot axis relative to the mounting bracket to allow the step to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. The lock assembly includes a lock movable between a locked position locking the guide member against movement relative to the mounting bracket, and an unlocked position permitting the guide member to rotate about the pivot axis and translate axially along the pivot axis relative to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A brake cable tension monitoring assembly and method for use with a brake actuator installed in an operative position in a motor vehicle. The tension monitoring assembly for sensing tension applied to at least one brake cable connected to a brake actuator installed in an operative position in a vehicle. The brake actuator including a lever movable in applying and releasing directions and the brake actuator being constructed such that tensioning of the cable forces the lever in the releasing direction. The monitoring assembly including a sensing device including a sensor, the sensing device being removably positioned between the lever and a surface and constructed and arranged to sense the movement of the lever in the releasing direction when the cable is being tensioned while the sensing device directly contacts the lever and the surface.

Abstract: A brake actuating system in a motor vehicle having wheels and brakes for braking rotation of the wheels includes a cable system including a plurality of cables operatively connected to the brakes of the vehicle. An actuator is operatively connected to the cable system and is operable by an occupant of the vehicle for movement between applied and released positions to selectively increase and decrease the tension in the cables of the cable system to thereby activate and deactivate the brakes of the vehicle, respectively. A cable tensioner including a rotary input member is selectively and adjustably coupled to an input side cable of the cable system. The input member is rotatable in tensioning and releasing directions. The input side cable includes a retaining structure that prevents disengagement of the input member from the input side cable when the input member is rotated in the releasing direction.

Abstract: A retractable step assembly for use with a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a mounting bracket for mounting the assembly in an operative position to the vehicle, a step pivotally connected to the mounting bracket so as to pivot about a substantially vertical pivot axis, a guide member provided on the step and movably mounted to the mounting bracket, and a lock assembly. The guide member is configured to rotate about and translate axially along the pivot axis relative to the mounting bracket to allow the step to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. The lock assembly includes a lock movable between a locked position locking the guide member against movement relative to the mounting bracket, and an unlocked position permitting the guide member to rotate about the pivot axis and translate axially along the pivot axis relative to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A brake actuating assembly for use in a vehicle includes a clutch assembly that includes a pinion provided on one of a lever and a mounting bracket of the actuating assembly. The pinion includes a shaft and a plurality of teeth that interact with an arcuate rack of teeth provided on the other of the lever and the mounting bracket. The clutch assembly also includes a torsion clutch spring that includes a plurality of coils wrapped around the shaft of the pinion, a fixed end at one end of the coils, and a free end at an opposite end of the coils. At least one of the shaft of the pinion and the spring is tapered in an axial direction thereof such that an interference fit between the spring and the shaft is lower near the free end of the spring than near the fixed end of the spring.

Abstract: A parking brake actuator for a vehicle includes a toothed stationary sector fixed to a mounting structure, a brake lever pivotably mounted to the sector, a pawl mounted to the brake lever for movement between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the teeth, an elongated, substantially rigid release member mounted to the brake lever for movement relative to the brake lever between normal and depressed positions, and a motion-absorbing spring connecting the release member to the pawl. When the brake lever is operatively connected to the vehicle brake cable and in a braking position thereof with the pawl in the engaged position thereof, moving the release member to the depressed position thereof without also moving the brake lever in the brake applying direction compresses the motion-absorbing spring without moving the pawl from the engaged position thereof.

Abstract: A brake actuating assembly for a vehicle having a brake system is disclosed. The assembly includes a mounting bracket for mounting the brake actuating assembly to the vehicle, and a pedal arm mounted to the mounting bracket for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. The pedal arm is connectable to the brake system such that movement of the pedal arm in a brake applying direction activates the brake system and movement of the pedal arm in a brake releasing direction de-activates the brake system. An arcuate rack of teeth is connected to the pedal arm, and a pawl that includes a tooth engages the rack. The assembly also includes a spring that has a first end that operatively connected to the pawl, and the second end that is operatively connected to the mounting bracket in an opening that includes a surface extending between a first stop and a second stop.

Abstract: A parking brake actuator for a vehicle includes a toothed stationary sector fixed to a mounting structure, a brake lever pivotably mounted to the sector, a pawl mounted to the brake lever for movement between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the teeth, an elongated, substantially rigid release member mounted to the brake lever for movement relative to the brake lever between normal and depressed positions, and a motion-absorbing member connecting the release member to the pawl. When the brake lever is operatively connected to the vehicle brake cable and in a braking position thereof with the pawl in the engaged position thereof, moving the release member to the depressed position thereof without also moving the brake lever in the brake applying direction compresses the motion-absorbing member without moving the pawl from the engaged position thereof.

Abstract: A parking brake actuation assembly is provided including an electric motor and a first rotatable member operatively connected to the electric motor so as to enable the motor to rotate the first rotatable member in a brake applying rotational direction. The first rotatable member normally is prevented against rotation in a brake releasing rotational direction. A second rotatable member is rotatable relative to the first rotatable member and includes cable attachment structure for affixing a brake activation linkage thereto. A clutch spring is disposed between the first and second rotatable members and is configured to contract upon initiation of rotation of the first rotatable member in the brake applying direction so as to couple the second rotatable member to the first rotatable member for affecting rotation of the second rotatable member in the brake applying direction.

Abstract: The present application relates to brake actuators, and more particularly to a brake actuator of the hand-operated type in which a hand grip is rotated to release a pawl for enabling brake releasing movement of a brake lever.

Abstract: A parking brake actuation assembly is provided including an electric motor and a first rotatable member operatively connected to the electric motor so as to enable the motor to rotate the first rotatable member in a brake applying rotational direction. The first rotatable member normally is prevented against rotation in a brake releasing rotational direction. A second rotatable member is rotatable relative to the first rotatable member and includes cable attachment structure for affixing a brake activation linkage thereto. A clutch spring is disposed between the first and second rotatable members and is configured to contract upon initiation of rotation of the first rotatable member in the brake applying direction so as to couple the second rotatable member to the first rotatable member for affecting rotation of the second rotatable member in the brake applying direction.

Abstract: The present application relates to brake actuators, and more particularly to a brake actuator of the hand-operated type in which a hand grip is rotated to release a pawl for enabling brake releasing movement of a brake lever.

Abstract: A parking brake actuator for a vehicle includes a toothed stationary sector fixed to a mounting structure, a brake lever pivotably mounted to the sector, a pawl mounted to the brake lever for movement between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the teeth, an elongated, substantially rigid release member mounted to the brake lever for movement relative to the brake lever between normal and depressed positions, and a motion-absorbing spring connecting the release member to the pawl. When the brake lever is operatively connected to the vehicle brake cable and in a braking position thereof with the pawl in the engaged position thereof, moving the release member to the depressed position thereof without also moving the brake lever in the brake applying direction compresses the motion-absorbing spring without moving the pawl from the engaged position thereof.