Abstract: A fluid flow sensitive valve mechanism, including a valve member and a valve positioning device, positioned in a valve chamber between first and second inlet-outlet ports controls opening and closing of a third inlet-outlet port in response to flow of fluid to and from the valve chamber through two or more of the ports. The valve member has a planar platform section and a valve body section extending from one side of the planar platform section. The first inlet-outlet port connects with the valve chamber through a surface engageable by one end of a valve member planar platform section. Fluid flow impingement acts on various valve mechanism surfaces so that when fluid flows from the first port into the valve chamber the valve mechanism is moved to close the third port. It keeps the third port closed so long as there is thereafter no fluid flowing from the second or third port into the valve chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure actuating system has a master cylinder pivotally mounted to the dash panel in line with the actuator pedal, a remotely mounted hydraulic fluid reservoir assembly positioned at the high point of the system for selfbleeding, and an actuating device actuated by pressurized fluid generated by actuation of the master cylinder. The reservoir assembly uses a fluid flow valve mechanism to control its connection with the fluid passage of the system. Several types of reservoirs are disclosed, including a siphon tube arrangement and various flexible bag arrangements. The reservoir volume is contained in minimum space by using a sidesaddle reservoir arrangement. Indicator arrangements are also disclosed which when actuated indicate actuation and release of the master cylinder in one instance and the amount of fluid in a flexible bag reservoir in another instance.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure actuating system has a master cylinder pivotally mounted to the dash panel in line with the actuator pedal, a remotely mounted hydraulic fluid reservoir assembly positioned at the high point of the system for self-bleeding, and an actuating device actuated by pressurized fluid generated by actuation of the master cylinder. The reservoir assembly uses a fluid flow valve mechanism to control its connection with the fluid passage means of the system. Several types of reservoirs are disclosed, including a siphon tube arrangement and various flexible bag arrangements. The reservoir volume is contained in minimum space by using a sidesaddle reservoir arrangement. Indicator arrangements are also disclosed which when actuated indicate actuation and release of the master cylinder in one instance and the amount of fluid in a flexible bag reservoir in another instance.

Abstract: A fluid pressure operated friction clutch actuating system for releasing the clutch includes a pressure operator, an actuator mechanism, which mechanism is shown as including a housing having a pair of telescopic pistons acting on a force transmission member and reacting through the actuator housing on an end wall of the clutch housing. The force transmission member has a U-shaped recess through which the clutch output shaft and the bearing retainer pass so that the force transmission member is in force transmitting engagement with the clutch throw out bearing while the system is in its operative position in the clutch housing. The actuator pistons act on the force transmission member when pressurized to move the throw out bearing to release the friction clutch through its belleville spring.

Abstract: A duo servo drum brake shoe anchor having a T-shaped configuration in which the inner recess corner surfaces define a pocket on each side, each of which receives a rounded end of one of the shoes in force transmittable engagement. The crossbar part of the anchor is located on one end of the keystone-shaped main body part of the anchor. The main body part has slanted sides which contract the tendency of the secondary shoe end, for example when forward braking is in process, to move outwardly in a wedging action, and the crossbar part lower sides forming part of the pockets prevent the shoe end in the pocket from moving outwardly toward the drum being braked.

Abstract: A fluid flow sensitive valve mechanism is positioned in a valve chamber between first and second inlet-outlet ports and controls the opening and closing of a third inlet-outlet port in response to the flow of fluid to and from the valve chamber through two or more of the ports. The valve mechanism includes a valve member and a valve positioning device. The inpingement of fluid flow acts on various surfaces of the valve mechanism so that (1) when fluid flows from the first port into the valve chamber the valve mechanism is move to close the third port and to keep the third port closed so long as there is thereafter no fluid flowing from the second or third port into the valve chambr, and (2) when fluid flows through the first port from the valve chamber, whether from the second port or the third port or both, the valve mechanism is moved to open the third port.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly having a parking brake actuating lever is so arranged that the parking brake cable end may be assembled in a blind fashion to the end of the actuating lever. The cable is provided with an enlarged end or button. The cable and spring are inserted through a guide tube and pushed inwardly into the brake assembly with the guide tube or a combination of the guide tube in a separate spring guide placing the cable button in a alignment so that it is aimed at a funnel-like guide and retention member formed on the end of the parking brake actuating lever. Further axial movement of the parking brake cable and its enlarged end result in a camming action which moves the enlarged end upwardly through and beyond the slot after which it snaps back downwardly to be positioned to be able to apply cable tension forces to the parking brake actuating lever.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of utilization of the same of a brake spring support. The support of the present invention provides a head for locating and supporting the spring along with a fixably connected curved tang which is inserted into an aperture of the brake shoe and is cammingly locked to the brake shoe after attachment of the spring.

Abstract: A self-contained drum brake adjuster mechanism using an escapement drive arrangement to provide adjustment. A bi-metal spring, used in the normal adjustment operation, contracts at higher brake temperatures to prevent over-adjustment of the brake when the drum is overly expanded due to heat generated by heavy brake applications.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly with a center guide backing plate, channeled web brake shoe assemblies slidably received on the center guide braking plate. A wheel cylinder assembly mounted in a notch on the center guide braking plate and engaged by a first set of adjacent brake shoe ends. A brake adjuster mounted between a second set of adjacent brake shoe ends, and retractor springs attached to the shoe assemblies and holding the shoe assemblies, wheel cylinder and brake adjuster in position on the center guide backing plate. The brake shoes are made of two identical shoe halves symmetrically formed about an axis so that the shoes also provide integral push rod-like which cylinder and adjuster engaging end.

Abstract: The disclosed method involves making a brake shoe from symmetrical halves by placing a formed lining segment in position on laterally spaced brake shoe half sections with forces applied thereto to engage serrations in the shoe web half sections, forcing the shoe half sections together to form a full shoe while concurrently moving the serrations across the lining segment to form mating serrations on the lining segment and thereby provide serrated mating engagement of the serrated shoe rim with the lining segment. Lining segment retaining means formed on the shoe web half sections engage and hold the lining segment on the assembled shoe, the shoe rim half sections being secured together by fastening means which may be rivets or spot welds, by way of example.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly with a center guide backing plate, channeled web brake shoe assemblies slidably received on the center guide braking plate. A wheel cylinder assembly mounted in a notch on the center guide braking plate and engaged by a first set of adjacent brake shoe ends. A brake adjuster mounted between a second set of adjacent brake shoe ends, and retractor springs attached to the shoe assemblies and holding the shoe assemblies, wheel cylinder and brake adjuster in position on the center guide backing plate. The brake shoes are made of two identical shoe halves symmetrically formed about an axis so that the shoes also provide integral push rod-like which cylinder and adjuster engaging end.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly having a wheel cylinder mounted on arms of a center guide backing plate by means of notches receiving the arms. The cylinder has pistons with low drag O-ring seals in grooves configured to provide seal forces which are aided by brake actuating pressure to assure sealing action. Wiper seals within the wheel cylinder are used in place of boots.

Abstract: A two stage brake pressure proportioner using brake fluid flow energy to accelerate actuating movement of a control valve once inertia has begun to move the control valve, achieving a precise deceleration trip point under all braking conditions. The proportioning pistons are preset for proportioning operation during the initial phase of brake actuation before inertial actuation.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling for use in a high pressure fluid system includes a plug member in the form of a plug tube with an upset bead thereon that is adapted to be inserted into a socket member, a ring seal being positioned to encircle the pilot plug end of the tube. A split retainer is positioned to encircle the socket member and is provided with opposed sets of abutment surfaces at opposite ends thereof that are adapted to engage against the bead on the plug member and a flange provided on the socket member, respectively, when the plug member is fully inserted into the socket and a rigid locking collar is positioned to encircle the split retainer whereby to bias the split end thereof with its associate abutment surfaces radially inward into positive locking engagement with the flange of the socket member.

Abstract: A hydraulic clutch actuator has two pistons operatively connected to a force transmitting member which abuts the clutch throw out bearing. The pistons are slidably disposed in respective cylinders which are formed in a housing and interconnected by passages also formed in the housing, whereby pressurized fluid can be delivered to the cylinders. The pistons, when pressurized, slide along their respective longitudinal axes which are parallel to each other and also parallel to and radially displaced from the axis of the clutch output shaft. Each piston has a hook portion on the end thereof, which engages the force transmission member and a flat surface formed parallel to the longitudinal axis for a portion of the piston length. The flat surface cooperates with a pin secured in the wall of the cylinder so that rotation of the piston in the cylinder is prevented.

Abstract: A master cylinder has tilt compensating valves including positioning stop collars that catch the portions of master cylinder piston assemblies to position the tilt compensating valves axially during assembly and eliminate travel losses required to close the valves which otherwise occur due to tolerance variations. A rubber seal holds each valve assembly in position once a valveretaining nut is tightened. The master cylinder piston positions are set at a gage dimension before tightening the valve nuts. The valves are therefore so positioned that they close upon a predetermined minimum amount of piston movement at the beginning of master cylinder actuation. The valve nuts may be tightened after the master cylinder is connected to the push rod assembly or a power brake unit, thus eliminating additional tolerance losses caused by push rod or booster variations.

Abstract: A dual circuit brake system has a failure warning section in which the pressures in each of the circuits are sensed by a pair of pistons having a switch actuating shuttle positioned between the pistons by a pair of springs. The ends of the shuttle are telescoped in the pistons for guidance and relative movement. The switch pistons are relatively small with little travel, minimizing displacement loss. The centering springs do not have sufficient load to force the shuttle to the off position once failure in one system has occurred and the pressure in the remaining system has been released. Repair of the failed system allows pressure actuation to move the shuttle back to the deactuated position for automatic reset.

Abstract: A brake pressure proportioner is mounted on a sprung portion of a vehicle and is attached to an unsprung portion by means of a modifying arm. The arm has ends pivoting on the unsprung portion and on a proportioner control arm so that the arm maintains a constant length during relative movements of the vehicle sprung and unsprung portions, modifying the action of the brake proportioner in accordance with such movements. The movements are proportional to vehicle load. The arm provides for compression or extension without affecting the proportioner when unsprung movements between gross vehicle curb weight (no load) and gross vehicle full weight (full load) positions are exceeded in either direction. The movement of the unsprung portion of the vehicle below the position for curb weight is known as rebound and above the curb weight position is known as jounce. The excess jounce travel beyond the gross vehicle full weight causes the arm to compress without further modifying the proportioner.

Abstract: A dual circuit brake system has a failure warning section in which the pressures in each of the circuits are sensed by a pair of pistons having a switch actuating shuttle positioned between the pistons by a pair of springs. The ends of the shuttle are telescoped in the pistons for guidance and relative movement. The switch pistons are relatively small with little travel, minimizing displacement loss. The centering springs do not have sufficient load to force the shuttle to the off position once failure in one system has occurred and the pressure in the remaining system has been released. Repair of the failed system allows pressure actuation to move the shuttle back to the deactuated position for automatic reset.