Screw, Shim Or Cam Patents (Class 188/196V)
  • Patent number: 6155385
    Abstract: In a vehicle brake system a wedge is provided between the brake pedal and the pushrod which operates the master cylinder. Movement of the wedge is controlled by a control unit by means of a solenoid, when the control unit anticipates that the brakes may be operated by the driver, for example because the accelerator pedal has been released, the wedge is driven between the brake pedal and pushrod to move the brake pads into a pre-activated position in which they are just in contact with the brake pads. This reduces the pedal travel required to operate the brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Rover Group Limited
    Inventor: Michael Neil Basnett
  • Patent number: 5937974
    Abstract: A brake actuator for use on passenger transit railway vehicles, is disclosed. The actuator includes a housing containing a service piston and a parking brake piston. The service piston is connected to an inner hollow stem having a forward conical surface disposed to engage a conical surface of a collet provided on a threaded rod located within the stem. The parking brake piston has a hollow outer sleeve surrounding the hollow stem, while a coil spring is located about the outer sleeve for applying a braking force when fluid pressure is removed from a housing containing the parking brake piston. The spring expands against a locking ring located on a forward sleeve secured to an intermediate sleeve that engages the hollow stem. This causes forward movement of the outer sleeve and forward movement of the conical portion of the hollow stem into engagement with the conical portion of the conical surface of the collet. This, in turn, moves the threaded rod to engage brake applying components of a transit vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Christopher A. Cathcart, Roland S. Moore
  • Patent number: 5931268
    Abstract: An improved structure for an electrical actuation mechanism adapted for use in a disc brake assembly includes an electrical actuation mechanism adapted to be secured to an inboard leg of the caliper of the disc brake assembly. The electrical actuation mechanism includes a housing, an electrical motor disposed in the housing, and a spindle disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the motor by a conversion gear assembly which is effective to convert rotary motion generated by the motor into axial movement of the piston. The spindle includes a shaft and a piston which can be coupled to the shaft by a dampening structure. The shaft is operatively connected to the motor for axial motion thereof, and the piston is operatively connected to a friction pad for engaging a rotor attached to a wheel of a vehicle in which the disc brake assembly is installed. The dampening structure can be comprised of elastomeric material or a fluid filled chamber defined between the piston and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Andrew W. Kingston, Robert L. Ferger, Thomas Weigert, Salvatore Oliveri, Leonard Tribe, Herbert L. Linkner
  • Patent number: 5931263
    Abstract: An elevator safety based on having the elevator lift-rod, under the influence of the elevator governor, cause to rotate approximately elliptical cams, called quasi-elliptical cams. The cams are wider in one orientation, just as an ellipse has a major axis, wider than its minor axis. The cams are positioned to push against a brake pad as they rotate so that the major axis of each cam changes orientation with the minor axis. The cams can be shaped to simulate a wedge-type safety, even one using a wedge with multiple ramp angles. With essentially no additional complexity, the cam safety can be designed to operate with a bi-directional governor, one which exerts, usually through an intermediate linkage, force on the lift-rod in either the up or down motion depending on the unintended motion of the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, Anthony Cooney
  • Patent number: 5845750
    Abstract: A device for taking up clearance designed to equip a diaphragm friction clutch, having circumferentially distributed ramps designed to cooperate with the thrust plate of the clutch, support areas designed to receive the axial force of the diaphragm of the clutch and a toothing designed to drive them in rotation: the device consists of a ring having on one of its faces ramps alternating circumferentially with support areas constituting the support area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Jacques Thirion De Briel, Michel Blard
  • Patent number: 5842549
    Abstract: Power transmission torque transmitting assemblies, such as clutches and brakes, have an axially movable piston which is hydraulically actuated to engage and enforce frictional contact between a plurality of friction discs. Upon piston retraction during disengagement, a stroke adjustment mechanism establishes the retraction distance of the piston and thereby the free-running clearance in the torque transmitter. The stroke adjustment mechanism has a helical gear movable axially with the piston during engagement and disengagement. During engagement, the piston is free to rotate as required by a retainer plate to accommodate fall engagement with the torque transmitting assembly. During disengagement, a one-way assembly prevents rotation of the gear relative to a spring retainer plate and limits axial movement of the piston relative to the retainer plate to establish the disengaged position of the piston and the proper free-running clearance in the torque transmitting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur Hall, III
  • Patent number: 5692586
    Abstract: A brake device equipped with an actuator having a power-transmission member generating a pushing force by receiving a drive force so as to advance. A pressure-detection device is provided for detecting the reaction pressure being applied to the power-transmission member and a clearance controller is provided for making the power-transmission member perform a return stroke. A brake shoe is attached to the power-transmission member and generates a braking force on the wheel tread surface. Such clearance controller is provided with a stroke memory unit which detects when the pressure signal from the pressure-detection device has reached a reference value when the pushing force of the power-transmission member is output and memorizes the stroke position of the power-transmission member as the reference stroke position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Nabco Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Akamatsu, Yoshio Asano, Toshiyuki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5628387
    Abstract: An infinitely self-adjusting mechanical brake system which has a caliper housing and actuator assembly partially surrounding a brake disk for making small brake adjustments automatically. A brake disk pad adjacent to a mechanical brake is connected to a brake activator. A brake adjuster is connected to the brake activator for automatically adjusting to substantially reduce the gap between the brake disk pad and the brake disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Arctco, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne G. Schantzen
  • Patent number: 5531306
    Abstract: This invention is a spacer that has a plate portion with a U-shaped opening in one end and a foot portion attached to the opposite end. This spacer can be passed through the inspection opening or port of the bell housing of a transmission with the plate portion being inserted between the clutch brake and the transmission housing with the drive shaft disposed within the U-shaped opening in the plate. The foot portion is bolted to the bell housing to hold the spacer in place. The spacer has enough thickness that when the release bearing presses on the clutch brake, the clutch brake will engage the spacer and press the same against the transmission housing to make a worn clutch brake once again operate normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Ray Mason
  • Patent number: 5531308
    Abstract: A friction device includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the device in response to wear on a friction surface within the device. The adjustment mechanism includes a first cam ring and a second cam ring adjacent the first cam ring. In one embodiment, the first cam ring is adapted for axial, but non-rotational movement with respect to a cover of the friction device, the cover being secured to a driving member for transmitting torque. The second cam ring is adapted for rotational movement with respect to the cover and the first cam ring. The first cam ring has a plurality of annular ramped surfaces on an axial face of the first cam ring. The second cam ring has a plurality of annular ramped surfaces on an axial face opposing the axial face of the first cam ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel V. Gochenour, Barry T. Adams, Martin E. Kummer, Christopher M. Davis, Steven D. Lepard, Michael L. Bassett, Kevin F. Schlosser
  • Patent number: 5495921
    Abstract: A slack adjuster for use in combination with a pneumatic brake actuator cylinder wherein the slack adjuster includes a friction clutch which prevents rotation of the screw for first relative position of the piston and screw while allowing rotation of the screw for excess force on the ram pulling the screw to a relative position beyond the first relative position and opposite the relative position for normal slack adjustment in response to air actuation of the piston. A second clutch, which is a standard toothed clutch, prevents rotation of the screw for second relative position of the piston and the screw. The screw rotates between the first and second relative positions when the two clutches are unlocked to produce slack adjustment. The pulling force on the slack adjuster is produced by a hand brake on the output of the slack adjuster and independent of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: New York Air Brake
    Inventors: Zdzislaw Samulak, Lyle Jantzi
  • Patent number: 5443131
    Abstract: A trailer brake system including a releasably latching hand lever, a series of cables interconnecting the lever and mechanically energized brakes capable of locking an opposing road wheel pair. The trailer brake system attaches to an existing travel or boat trailer and is employed to enable a user to secure a trailer when parked thereby preventing inadvertent movement between uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventor: Ronald D. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 5435419
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cam-operated, self-adjusting brakeshoe adjustor that is utilized in heavy duty air braking vehicles that employ single and/or multiple-web brakeshoes. The brakeshoe adjustor includes a roller assembly, a cylindrical roller sleeve, and a pawl assembly. The roller assembly comprises a fixed eccentric roller(s) and spindle arrangement for slidable engagement with a cylindrical roller sleeve(s) which in turn is actuated by the rotation of the cam shaft. At least one portion of the spindle is provided with a ratchet for constant engagement with a mateable pawl. The rotation of the roller sleeve(s) about the eccentric roller(s) is limited by the arcuate distance of a slot contained about the edge of the roller sleeve within which a pin, radially extending from the roller, is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: Robert G. Muzzy
  • Patent number: 5431256
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a brake cable of a bicycle includes an adjusting element with a threaded hole defined in an end thereof, a first cable and a second cable. The first cable has a first end pivotally engaged to a connector and a second end with a head part which is rotatably engaged to the other end of the adjusting element. The second cable has a first end with a threaded portion which is engaged to the adjusting element by threading to a threaded hole defined therein and a second end, has a head part which is pivotally engaged to one end of a brake arm. The second cable is adjusted by rotating the adjusting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Inventor: Chun T. Wen
  • Patent number: 5423401
    Abstract: A brake actuator includes a tubular housing member, connected at a first end to a cylindrical housing with a member for admitting fluid, a piston with a sealing member mounted for reciprocal movement within such cylindrical housing, a tubular stem connected at one end to such piston, the tubular stem having a first conical surface at its other end, a piston return disposed intermediate such first piston and the tubular housing, a flange connected at one end to another end of the tubular housing, a pair of abutment surfaces carried by such flange and an externally threaded rod having a first portion extending inside the tubular housing and such tubular stem and a second portion extending outwardly from such tubular housing and through the flange, the improvement of a collet style slack adjuster to adjust for wear of braking elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Lewis Noah, Roland Moore, Stefan Seidl, Lee Lipford
  • Patent number: 5353896
    Abstract: The disk brake with a caliper (2) reaching over a brake disk (1) exhibits on one side a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism includes a cam lever (4), which can be rotated around an axis parallel to the plane of the brake disk and interacts preferably by way of a traverse (6) with one or two adjusting spindles (7, 8), against which a brake lining (10) is braced. The two adjusting spindles (7 and 8) are coupled by means of a toothed belt (12). Into a recess of the one adjusting spindle (7) projects a rotating drive (14), which can be driven by the cam lever (4) and during the application stroke causes the adjusting spindle (7) and thus by way of the toothed belt (12) also the adjusting spindle (8) to be screwed in the direction of approach to the brake disk (1). The rotating drive (14) includes a one-way revolving coupling and a torque limiting coupling, thus preventing a screw connection of the adjusting spindles (7 and 8) during the fixed brake stroke and the release stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme feur Nutzfahrzuege
    Inventors: Hans Baumgartner, Klaus Hirschler, Johann Iraschko, Otto Schullerus
  • Patent number: 5350043
    Abstract: An automatic slack adjuster operating to effect reduction of slack present in a vehicle brake system upon brake release incorporates a member cooperating with a slack adjusting rotor to determine a reference position for the rotor and to return the rotor to such reference position at the completion of each brake operational cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Crewson Brunner Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Crewson, Darryl F. Dimond
  • Patent number: 5343984
    Abstract: A rotating drive for an adjusting spindle of a disk brake for motor vehicles, in particular street vehicles, has a cam lever (4), which can be rotated around an axis (19) parallel to the brake disk, comprising one cantilever (23) on each side of said lever comprising angular offset radial boreholes (24, 24') which receive radial pins (17, 17'). The pins (17, 17') reach into the double forked end of a drive lever (15), which can be rotated around an axis (20), crossing at right angles at a distance from the axis (19). The rotational movements of the drive lever (15) are transferred to a reset drive, which belongs to an adjusting spindle extending at right angles to the plane of the brake disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse AG
    Inventors: Dieter Bieker, Johann Iraschko, Werner Stein
  • Patent number: 5253738
    Abstract: With this safety disc brake all regulatory safety requirements can be fulfilled with a constructional expenditure approximately like that expended for a simple construction of brake. Fulfillment of the essential safety requirements is attained by providing two partial systems which mechanically operate completely independent of one another and comprise two identical brake levers each provided with a respective separate compression spring braced at a common central impact member fixedly connected with a machine part. As a further feature for fulfilling the safety requirements both of the partial systems are devoid of any mutual mechanical penetrations and overlapping. Opening or release of the brake is accomplished electromagnetically with a pot magnet fixedly secured to one brake lever and an armature plate likewise fixedly secured to the other brake lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Josef Vertesy, Toni Bissig
  • Patent number: 5246093
    Abstract: A drum brake assembly including a brake member comprised of a substantially circular shoe having a radially outer face on which at least one lining is mounted. The shoe is made from a high strength resilient material and is of substantially constant cross-section along its entire length. The brake member is arranged to be diametrically expanded by an actuation device on the brake assembly. When the actuation device is released the resilience of the shoe material causes the shoe to diametrically contract. The lining may be machined to a circular form prior to the brake member being fitted to the brake assembly, and that machining is preferably done after the shoe has been expanded a predetermined extent. The disclosure extends to a method of manufacturing a brake member and to a brake member for a drum brake assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Brake & Clutch Industries Australia Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Nui Wang
  • Patent number: 5186286
    Abstract: An electromagnetic brake is disclosed which comprises a brake wheel, a friction surface touching the brake wheel during braking and attached to an anchor plate moved by brake springs and an electromagnet which disengages the friction surface from contact with the brake wheel when a current is supplied to the magnet. To compensate for the wear of the friction surface, the brake has at least one retainer mounted on a bolt or shaft lying parallel to the axial direction of the brake. The retainer moves with the anchor plate towards the brake wheel and is provided with a directional element which limits the motion of the anchor plate away from the brake wheel. The brake is also provided with a wedge ring rotated by a spring which serves to move the electromagnet towards the brake wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Kone Oy
    Inventor: Teppo Lindberg
  • Patent number: 5076402
    Abstract: An adjusting device is disclosed for the brake shoes of inside shoe brakes. The adjusting device includes two levers which are articulated on a carrier at a lateral distance from one another. The levers each engage on one of two adjacent brake shoe ends and are jointly in engagement with a frustoconical endpiece of an actuating member guided rotatably on the carrier in a threaded bore provided between the levers and extending in parallel with a brake drum axis. During the rotation of the actuating member for the adjustment of the brake shoes, the two levers are pivoted in directions opposite to one another, being supported respectively on one of two mutually opposite edges of the brake-shoe webs so as to surround these. The adjusting device is merely attached by its levers on to the brake shoe webs so it can also execute self-reinforcing floating movements of the brake shoes in dual servo-brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Nikolaus Schefcsik, Emil Naumann
  • Patent number: 5076401
    Abstract: A spring-applied, hydraulic pressure released brake actuator having a modular slack adjuster assembly in which a friction ring is arranged to limit axial movement of a nut member to which a brake shoe is connected, thereby establishing a predetermined brake shoe clearance with a vehicle wheel or brake disc. A spindle that is threadedly engaged with the nut member is connected to the actuator piston by means of a cone clutch that is disengaged during a brake release in the event the return stroke of the piston exceeds the predetermined brake shoe clearance due to brake shoe wear during the preceding brake application. This disengagement of the clutch causes the spindle to be rotated relative to the nut member under the influence of a slack adjuster spring in order to compensate the piston overtravel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Cuong M. Ta, Albert A. McKay
  • Patent number: 5058713
    Abstract: In a hydraulic drum brake and parking brake assembly, when a hydraulic actuator is operated to engage an opposed pair of brake shoes with a brake drum after a predetermined amount of wear had occurred on the friction pads of the brake shoes, a torsion spring adjusts a cam in the parking brake portion of the mechanism to compensate for the wear. The parking brake will thus operate properly despite the wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: Anthony C. Evans
  • Patent number: 5029684
    Abstract: A frictional disk-type side brake is disposed within a space around a clutch housing (3) of a side clutch (2). The brake comprises a disk member (4), supported by the clutch housing, and two sets of separate frictional plate members (5A, 5B) supported by a transmission casing (1). The two sets of plate members are particularly disposed such that the disk member is faced, at its angularly spaced two parts, to the two sets of plate members. An adjustable reaction member (8) is provided against which the disk and plate members are pressed so as to actuate the brake. The disk member is prevented, when the brake is actuated, from taking an inclined posture so that a high efficiency and durability of the brake are attained, while a compactness of the brake is assured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norihiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 5020643
    Abstract: A disk brake assembly wherein the floating caliper member houses an adjustable nut in which is mounted a power screw for actuating the carrier members and their brake pads into frictional engagement with a rotatable disk. The power screw has a cam connected to it, with the cam also adjustable mounted on an actuating lever to permit selected rotation of the cam to adjust the axial position of the power screw to compensate for wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Motion Control Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip D. Redenbarger
  • Patent number: 5012903
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automatically adjustable spacer for a drum brake, comprising essentially a first part (10) bearing at one of its ends on a first shoe (3), a second part (16) bearing at the opposite end on the second shoe (2), the first and second parts (10, 16) being mounted slidably longitudinally relative to one another, a locking element (30), at least part of the periphery of which has a toothing, mounted movably on one of the first and second parts and capable of meshing with a corresponding toothing (28) provided opposite it on part of the periphery of the other of the first and second parts, so as to define a device for the automatic extension of the spacer as a function of the wear of the friction elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Bendix France
    Inventors: Jean-Charles Maligne, Jean-Louis Magnaval
  • Patent number: 4880085
    Abstract: An assembly for attaching a brake cam shaft to a slack adjuster includes a cam shaft with cam elements at one end thereof and an attachment portion at its other end. The shaft has a spline adjacent the attachment portion. A securing member is locatable about the shaft or a shoulder on the shaft, the securing member or shoulder limiting the extent to which the splined end of the shaft may project into or through the splined aperture of the slack adjuster. A fastener is secured to the attachment portion such that when the shaft is securfed to the slack adjuster, the shaft is held fast relative thereto with the slack adjuster located between the shoulder or the securing member and the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Inventor: Gordon J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4854186
    Abstract: An apparatus to adjust the length of the sheath of a bowden cable and capable of transmitting substantial forces. The bowden cable sheath terminates into a sleeve with a stepped outside diameter whereby it can be inserted into a structure fixed housing against the force of a compression spring. The housing contains a set of spacer panes which are spring-loaded and rest on the large diameter of the sleeve and which upon displacement of the sleeve out of the housing sequentially drop on the small sleeve diameter. The dropped panes extend the sheath each time by their thickness and between the sleeve collar and the housing inside wall form the support for the force exerted on the bowden cable. In a special embodiment, the apparatus is equipped with mechanical means accessible from the outside which when actuated will reset the already dropped spacer panes into their initial positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Kuster & Co. GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Jakob, Klaus Marscholl
  • Patent number: 4852702
    Abstract: An automatic adjuster for the operation gap of a brake, comprising a piston slidably fitted in a cylinder, an adjusting nut supported in contact with the outer end of the piston the adjusting nut being rotatable relative to the piston, an unrotatable adjusting screw supporting a brake friction member at the outer end of the screw and engaged with the internal thread of the nut at the external thread to form a non-reversible screw-thread connection, the adjusting screw and the adjusting nut cannot rotate relative to each other by any force acting to the non-reversible screw-thread connection in the axial direction thereof, a drive screw connected to the cylinder through a friction clutch and engaged with the external thread of the nut at the internal thread to form a reversible screw-thread connection which has a backlash corresponding to the operation gap, the drive screw and the adjusting nut can rotate relative to each other by a force acting to the reversible screw-thread connection in the axial direction
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyokazu Kaneko
  • Patent number: 4830149
    Abstract: An actuator for brakes with automatic adjustment suitable in particular for heavy duty vehicles comprises a housing (32) whose axis (A) is surrounded by a cam surface (36). A rotary member (40) is rotatable about the housing axis (A) and comprises a second cam surface (42) with which it bears on the first cam surface (36) to produce an axial displacement dependent on its rotation. A first screw member (50) is likewise rotatable about the housing axis and a second screw member (60) is formed to exert an actuating force on a brake pad. The second screw member is connected to the first screw member by a pair of threaded adjustment members (62). A reset shaft (92) is mounted in the housing (32) and permits a screwing back of the two screw members (50, 60) with respect to each other to replace the brake pad. The reset shaft (92) is disposed with lateral spacing from the housing axis (A) and is connected to one of the screw members (50) via a gearing ( 88, 90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventor: Wilfried Giering
  • Patent number: 4762207
    Abstract: An automatic adjustment arrangement for disk brakes has a flanged threaded nut and a threaded spindle threadedly coupled thereto arranged between the brake piston and the hand brake piston. The flange of the threaded nut is axially form-locked and radially displaceable relative to the brake piston. The threaded spindle is rotatably supported in a rolling bearing which is radially displaceable. The hand brake piston and threaded spindle are frictionally coupled. The extension of the adjustment member is produced by rotation of the threaded spindle. To avoid malfunctions, an automatic centering of the entire adjustment element relative to the brake piston as well as relative to the housing is provided. Manufacturing and assembly errors are thereby compensated for. The positions of the threaded spindle and threaded nut can be interchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: SKF GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Olschewski, Manfred Brandenstein, Horst-Manfred Ernst, Robert Stolz, Gunter Neder
  • Patent number: 4753124
    Abstract: Device comprising a screw (6) and a nut (8) subjected to an axial force which alternates in opposite directions, the thread (7) of the screw having a given helix angle and a given pressure angle which are so chosen that, in a first direction, termed reversible direction, the screw (6) is capable, under the axial thrust exerted in this direction by a spring (20), of effecting a translation and a rotation in the nut (8), and that, in a second direction, termed irreversible direction, opposed to the first direction, the screw undergoing an axial thrust in this second direction by a push-member (9), can effect neither a translation nor a rotation in the nut. This assembly may be applied to the automatic taking up of play of systems subjected to alternating longitudinal forces, such as shafts of electric motors or cable controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Rockwell-CIM
    Inventor: Claude Chevance
  • Patent number: 4732243
    Abstract: An automatic adjuster for a vehicle brake actuator has a non-rotatable brake shoe-engaging tappet, an adjuster member having a threaded shank threadedly engaged with a nut, the adjuster member co-acting with the tappet so that said rotation of the adjuster member causes axial movement of the tappet. The adjuster member is drivingly coupled by a coupling member to a shaft having an external reversible thread and a spring acting between the tappet and shaft urges the tappet against the shoe. A clutch ring has an internal reversible thread whereby it engages the corresponding thread on the shaft and is resiliently urged towards a fixed clutch face. The clutch ring controls rotation of the adjuster member during brake actuation and release to adjust the retracted position of the tappet to compensate for wear of the brake shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Lucas Industries, Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Brian Ingram, Hugh G. Margetts, John R. Rees
  • Patent number: 4676346
    Abstract: A brake slack adjusting apparatus is disclosed which includes a threaded member at least partially extending coaxially within a tubular member. Threadedly engaging the threaded member is a first rotatable member for varying the relative position of the rotatable member with respect to the threaded rod member. A second rotatable member disposed adjacent the threaded rod member and the tubular housing member selectively couples the tubular housing member to the threaded rod member during a brake application stroke to transmit brake forces to the threaded rod member and to vary the relative axial position between the tubular housing member and the threaded rod member. A locking device is provided between the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member to limit the relative movement between the first rotatable member and the threaded rod member when a predetermined force is transmitted through the second rotatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: WABCO Westinghouse Compagnia Freni S.p.A.
    Inventor: Dario Barberis
  • Patent number: 4676345
    Abstract: In a self-energizing disc brake of the spreading type the angular position of a pressure plate in a retracted "brakes-off" position is determined by an adjuster member comprising a cam which cooperates with the plate and of which the relative position is adjustable. The cam is carried by a cam shaft which is radially or axially arranged, and is accessible from the exterior of the housing of the brake. The cam may be incorporated into and comprise the stop abutment for arresting angular movement of one of the plates when the brake is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Lucas Ind. Public Limited Co.
    Inventors: Klaus Hillen, Anthony G. Price, Roy Campbell
  • Patent number: 4653615
    Abstract: A wear adjuster for an internal shoe drum brake of the kind having a strut extending between one shoe and a handbrake lever pivoted on the other shoe includes a spacer between the strut and the one shoe, a screwing mechanism for adjusting the spacing effect of the spacer having an actuating mechanism responsive to service operation of the brake. The brake shoe pull-off spring serves also as a biassing spring for the actuating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Automotive Products Limited
    Inventor: Harold Hodkinson
  • Patent number: 4637498
    Abstract: A vehicle brake actuator has actuator components in the form of a cylinder body and a piston operatively associated respectively with a non-rotatable adjuster shaft and a rotatable nut member threadedly interengaged by way of a reversible screw thread connection, the nut member being arranged to follow brake-applying movement of the component being movable axially along the shaft by rotating therealong when adjustment is required and being otherwise prevented from rotation by a clutch. The piston includes an auxiliary piston part axially and rotationally movable relative thereto and arranged to be manually operable from the exterior of the actuator. The piston part is provided with axial projections, which upon axially inward movement of the piston part, may be brought into engagement with recesses in the nut member, whereby the nut member may be wound along the shaft to de-adjust the adjuster without the necessity to rotate the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Lucas Industries
    Inventors: Richard E. Thompson, Robert G. Uzzel
  • Patent number: 4637497
    Abstract: A self-energizing disc brake of the spreading type incorporates a drag-taking stop abutment for arresting angular movement of one of the pressure plates when the brake is applied. The stop abutment comprises a cam which is mounted on the inner end of a cam shaft, and the cam shaft is rotatable in a radial bore in the housing to adjust the relative circumferential position of the stop abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Lucas Industries
    Inventor: Klaus Hillen
  • Patent number: 4589527
    Abstract: A strut (40), whose effective length depends on the relative positions of two strut portions (42,44) adjustable with respect to each other is connected in parallel with a brake actuating mechanism (18). One strut portion (44) has at least one part adjustable transversely of the longitudinal direction of the strut (40) and upon actuation of the brake tends to increase the length of the strut (40). This strut portion (44) has an operable connection with an intermediate member (24) which is supported on one of two structural members (128, 136) transmitting the actuating force independently of the strut (40) for rotation around the axis (B) of the brake actuating device (18) and is rotatable against the frictional resistance thereof only as long as this does not surpass a given value. In this way, the strut (40) is prevented from unnecessary or over-adjustment upon particularly forceful actuation of the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Ulrich W. Danne, Helmut Heibel
  • Patent number: 4548301
    Abstract: A negative acting disc brake provided with arrangement for automatically adjusting the clearance between the brake pads and the disc caused by abrasion of the brake pads. The entire amount of abrasion is absorbed not by a single release of brake but by several times of release of brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Koshino, Shiro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 4513843
    Abstract: A brake or retarder for braking rolling railway cars preferably for shunting purposes incorporates an actuating member adapted to be given a movement by a passing railway car wheel, which movement via a speed-dependent coupling is transferred to a mechanical braking device when the speed of the movement exceeds a certain pre-set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Carlfors Bruk E Bjorlund & Co.
    Inventor: Sten H. Danieli
  • Patent number: 4472161
    Abstract: A first shaft is screwed with a second shaft. The first shaft is secured rotatively to a bearing through a spring and the second shaft is secured slidably to another bearing. A pushing force in a fixed direction is provided to the second shaft through the screwed portion by actuating a spring torque in a rotative direction to the first shaft, whereby a determined tension is given to a chain when a tensioner is slackened in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Juji Ojima
  • Patent number: 4466802
    Abstract: A tension providing mechanism including two shafts, one having an external screw and the other having an internal screw, the shafts being connected by engaging the screwed portions with each other. One of the shafts is supported for axial translation without rotation, and the other shaft is supported for rotation and is restrained from axial sliding. The rotatable shaft includes a torsion spring for applying spring torque in a direction to cause the other shaft to extend in an axial direction against a member, such as a drive chain, in order to increase the tension thereof. A locking mechanism is provided for constraining movement of the rotatable shaft, the locking mechanism being in the form of a lever having one end removably engaged with a split groove provided in the end of the shaft, the other end of the locking mechanism being latched to a projection formed on the case in which the tension providing mechanism is housed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Juji Ojima, Keiichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4429768
    Abstract: A mechanical brake actuator has rotatable and non-rotatable cam components provided with confronting helical grooves between which ball bearings are arranged to form a helical thrust bearing. A push rod, connecting rod or the like acts generally tangentially on a lever arm on the rotatable cam component for turning the latter. The lateral reaction arising from the lateral force due to the push rod is transferred from the rotatable cam component to the non-rotatable cam component by the helical thrust bearing, thereby avoiding the need to provide a separate journal bearing for the rotatable cam component. The rotatable cam component acts on a tappet member via an axial thrust bearing and an automatic adjuster mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventors: Hugh G. Margetts, Charles H. Pace
  • Patent number: 4399901
    Abstract: A stroke self-adjusting mechanism for a control cable comprising an adjusting member, such as adjusting lever or cam plate, having first and second locking pins and pivotally connected to the inner cable by a movable pin, and a lever provided with first and second surfaces; and therefore while the adjusting member is freely moved against the lever in the rest state of the lever to adjust an expansion or contraction of the inner cable, the first and the second locking pins being contacted with and being pressed against each of the above lock surfaces by the rotation of the lever to lock the adjusting member to the lever so as to be able to enoughly operate the inner cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Nippon Cable System Inc.
    Inventors: Tetuo Kobayashi, Noboru Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 4398623
    Abstract: An internal shoe drum brake automatic adjuster comprising a strut extending between one brake shoe and a wedge mounted between the strut and an abutment on the other brake shoe. The wedge is spring loaded to increase the spacing between the adjacent end of the strut and the abutment. The abutment is pivoted to the shoe and spring loaded against the wedge to maintain a clearance `S` between the abutment and a stop secured to the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: Automotive Products Limited
    Inventor: Duncan W. Osborne
  • Patent number: 4396097
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel brake, particularly for a railway vehicle, has an elongate friction pad for engagement with a braking surface. In order to provide for adjustment of the pad without excessive length of the brake, the friction pad is hollow and an elongate adjuster member is located within the friction pad. Relative rotation of the pad and adjuster member, which occurs when there is excessive wear of the friction material, causes axial movement of the friction material to compensate for the wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventor: John P. Bayliss
  • Patent number: 4390084
    Abstract: A mechanical disc brake, including a caliper supported on a stationary member to slide in the direction of the axis of rotation of a rotatable disc and straddling the circumference of the disc to define two limb portions on the opposite sides of the disc, a first friction pad being pressed against one surface of the disc by one of the limb portions, a second friction pad disposed so as to be opposed to the first friction pad and being pressed against another surface of the disc, a force converting mechanism provided in the other limb portion of the caliper for converting the rotation of a lever to thrust force pressing the second friction pad, a rod extending in the direction of the axis of the disc and threadingly engaging the force converting mechanism with one end thereof engaging the second friction pad, a spring retainer threadingly engaging the other end of the rod, and a coil spring acting between the spring retainer and the other limb portion of the caliper to bias the rod in the direction separating
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: Tokico Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Haraikawa, Koichi Tamura
  • Patent number: RE36312
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cam-operated, self-adjusting brakeshoe adjustor that is utilized in heavy duty air braking vehicles .?.that.!. .Iadd.which .Iaddend.employ single and/or multiple-web brakeshoes. The brakeshoe adjustor includes a roller assembly, a cylindrical roller sleeve, and a pawl assembly. The roller assembly comprises a fixed eccentric roller(s) and spindle arrangement for slidable engagement with a cylindrical roller sleeve(s) which in turn is actuated by the rotation of the cam shaft. At least one portion of the spindle is provided with a ratchet for constant engagement with a mateable pawl. The rotation of the roller sleeve(s) about the eccentric roller(s) is limited by the arcuate distance of a slot contained about the edge of the roller sleeve within which a pin, radially extending from the roller, is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Robert G. Muzzy