Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle transmission for commercial vehicles having an additional continuous braking device wherein the additional continuous braking device, in addition to braking, is provided as a startup retarder (2) to start the vehicle.

Abstract: A single brake cylinder for directly loading an inner pad against a disc, and a yoke for indirectly loading an outer pad against the disc are both swingable, respectively, about a cylinder pivot axis and a yoke pivot axis which are both substantially parallel to the disc, and parallel or coincident with each other. When the brake is applied, the cylinder swings in one direction and the yoke swings in the opposite direction in such a manner that the trailing portion of each pad is loaded with a greater force to reduce brake noise.

Abstract: A band brake assembly comprises a friction element (12) engageable with a rotatable member (10) and an input linkage assembly (30) controlling engagement of the friction element with the rotatable member. The input linkage assembly (30) is carried by a mounting bracket (32) and includes a first lever (34), a bearing assembly (38) and a second lever (40) engageable with an end plate (42) secured to the ends of the friction element (12). The end plate (42) carries pins (22, 24) secured to the friction element and extending into slots (52, 54) on the mounting bracket (32). The pins transfer braking torque to the mounting bracket (32) and are guided by the slots to provide a servo assist during braking.

Abstract: A lockable articulation for permitting relative angular rotation between a first and a second part, such for example as the body of a three-wheeled vehicle and the rear axle of the vehicle, said articulation comprising a hollow cylindrical drum centered and mounted on one part, e.g. the axle, two cylindrical sector-shaped jaws arranged inside the drum for contacting the inner surface of the drum and with their ends facing each other, at least two facing ends defining dihedral surfaces whose angle is outwardly opening, and means coupled to the other part, e.g. the vehicle body, for spreading the jaws apart into frictional engagement with the drum to lock the other part against rotation relative to the one part, said means including a roller interposed between the drum wall and the dihedral surface of the jaws and a knee lever having two-pivotally connected links one of which is pivotted on the other part and the other of which rotatably supports the roller.

Abstract: An improved braking system of the caliper type uses only a single hand lever. The operation of one of the caliper type brakes by use of the hand lever in conjunction with the inertia of the vehicle provides energy to supply power for the braking effort to the other caliper brake on the other wheel. This is accomplished by use of a movable mounting .[.means.]. for the first brake so that the combination of the movement of the rotating wheel and the brake in engagement with .[.said.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.wheel translates these forces into linear motion which is used to apply the braking effort for the other brake at the other wheel.