Abstract: In a vehicle wheel hub bearing unit and brake arrangement, the bearing forms a rotating radial flange (11) adapted for securing to a radial flange (12) of a brake member and rotate fixedly therewith. The brake member flange (12) is located substantially in the same radial plane of the bearing flange (11) and secured directly to the peripheral portion thereof. A form or splined connection (13, 14) couples the flanges (11, 12) in non-rotatable manner. The hub bearing flange (11) has a shoulder (15, 135) radially protruding from the axially inner side thereof so as to provide an axially inner abutment for the brake member flange (12). The brake member flange (12) is axially restrained from axial outward motion by the wheel rim (16, 21).

Abstract: The invention concerns a disc-hub connection for connecting a brake disc to a hub, in particular for utility vehicle disc brakes. In its inner peripheral region the brake disc comprises support elements, the hub comprising cams in its outer peripheral region. Intermediate elements are used to transfer torque from the cams of the hub to the support elements of the disc, the cams of the hub engaging in the intermediate elements and the latter engaging in the support elements.

Abstract: An improved bushing assembly for the outboard end of a brake cam shaft is provided with a bushing which establishes a grease flow pathway within the bushing assembly. Grease enters an aperture formed in a boss of the brake spider which holds the bushing through a grease zerk which is aligned with a first radial hole in the bushing, so the fresh grease injected goes directly to a grease reservoir between the bushing and the shaft. Flow channels provided in the bushing interior surface guide the grease around the shaft to a second radial hole which is diametrically opposite the first radial hole. Sealing means on the shaft restrict grease flow axially from the bushing along the shaft. Grease may be purged through the second radial hole to an annular space between a flanged inboard end of the bushing and the periphery of the aperture, from which the grease may exit. The flanged end of the bushing has tabs for engaging slots in the boss to align the bushing and to prevent rotation within the aperture.

Abstract: A tape correction plate and method of using the correction plate to correct for lateral runout of a disc brake rotor is described. The tapered correction plate is installed between the hub and brake rotor of an automobile such that the thinnest portion of the correction plate is aligned with the angular position on the hub and rotor corresponding to the maximum lateral runout. The mounting geometry of the correction plate may include any one of a number of configurations including circular openings, slotted openings having a smooth or gear-like perimeter, or an outer perimeter defining a gear like shape or open-ended "half slots." Each type of mounting geometry is suitable for mating with existing lug patterns while enabling adjustment of the angular orientation of the correction plate with respect to the hub and rotor. The correction plate may also consist of one washer or a number of washers with appropriately varying thicknesses that are arranged to correct runout.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a disc brake pad is disclosed. The disc brake pad has a first end portion provided with a finger engaged in a slot of a reaction block to partially restrain the disc brake pad. The disc brake pad has a substantially unrestrained second end portion which is cantilevered from the first end portion. Braking forces are reacted virtually exclusively against the reaction block which is located externally of and separated from the disc brake caliper assembly.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a disc brake pad which has a first end portion provided with a finger engaged with a reaction surface in a slot of a reaction block to partially restrain the disc brake pad when it is applied against a rotor. The reaction surface is machined at an angle or in an arc to counterbalance the couple which forces the leading end of the disc brake pad inwardly against the rotor. The disc brake pad has a substantially unrestrained second end portion which is cantilevered from the first end portion. Braking forces are reacted virtually exclusively against the reaction block which is located externally of and separated from the disc brake caliper assembly.

Abstract: A brake drum for mounting on a wheel hub has first and second drum pilots for facilitating proper alignment when installing the brake drum on the hub. The first drum pilot is configured to engage a first hub pilot and the second drum pilot is configured to engage a second hub pilot. When the brake drum is initially moved toward the hub during installation, the first drum pilot engages the first hub pilot and the second drum pilot is sufficiently spaced away from the first hub pilot to prevent the front edge of the second drum pilot from being caught on the corner edge of the second hub pilot and the drum becoming eccentrically mounted.

Abstract: A caliper assembly for a disc brake of a vehicle, which assembly includes a carrier member, a disc, a pair of main pads attached to main pad plates forming a pad assembly, two pairs of pistons mounted to springs disposed within recesses which pass through the carrier member for pressing circumferential edges of the pad plates when the hydraulic fluid pressure supplied through hoses from the master cylinder compresses the springs and pistons, whereby since the pad plates are thus immobilized with respect to the carrier member, the caliper assembly reduces squeal noise due to non-vibration of the pad plate, and prevents the pads from non-uniformly abrading, thermotransforming, and changing properties thereof so as to highly increase braking efficiency.

Abstract: An improved mounting bracket for supporting a disc brake actuator assembly on a railcar truck, the mounting bracket being a cast metal bracket designed to bolt onto a portion of the truck frame, the bracket being generally H-shaped in cross section along a major portion of its length with the "H" being generally disposed horizontally so that the two sides of the H comprise upper and lower substantially solid horizontal walls.

Abstract: A brake camshaft (22), having a cam (23) at one end for actuation by rotation of the camshaft to expand the brake shoes of a drum brake, has two spaced bearing assemblies (16, 21), preferably both self-aligning, releasably secured on an axle beam (1) at mountings (8, 9). The mountings have apertures, conveniently slots (10, 13), at least one of which is open or openable laterally of the brake camshaft (22) to enable the camshaft (22) to be manoeuvred, with tilting or lateral movement, out of engagement with the apertures when the bearing assemblies (16, 21) have been released from the mountings, to withdraw the camshaft with its bearing assemblies from the mountings. In one example the mounting (9) remote from the cam, a bearing mounting bracket, has an open-ended slot (10) opening to the edge of the mounting for withdrawal of the camshaft, and the other mounting (8) has a slot (13) with which the cam (23) has to be aligned for withdrawal.

Abstract: Brake force is transmitted between a single axially movable push rod (6) and a brake block holder (3) by an intermediate force transmission member (22) to accommodate for movements along the wheel axis. This intermediate member (22) has cylindrical surfaces cooperating with both the block holder and the push rod end. The cylindrical surface (22') of the member (22), which cooperates with the brake block holder portion (21), is arcuate with its circle center coinciding with the center for the cylindrical push rod end (6'). A shackle (24) held on the brake block holder is biassed by springs (28) forward toward a brake application direction to retain and frictionally engage protrusions (23) extending from the actuator push rod (6).

Abstract: A rail vehicle brake actuator has a brake block holder (3) suspended therefrom (so as to be laterally movable during braking) by hangers (5) in the form of leaf springs. The hangers are rotatably attached to the lower end of the brake block holder by a stiff lower shaft (8) and to an actuator bracket (2) by pivot joints on a rotatable upper shaft (7).

Abstract: A rail vehicle brake actuator is provided with leaf spring hangers (4, 5) to laterally move to follow axial movement of wheels during braking. The hangers are rotatably attached to both a brake block holder and a shaft 7 on an actuator bracket (2). Rotary braking movement is provided by pivot joints having rubber O-rings and washers held together under prestress. The leaf spring hangers pivot laterally to follow axial wheel movement.

Abstract: A brake block holder arrangement comprises a brake block holder (7) receiving a brake force from an axially movable push rod (2) of a brake actuator (1) and being pivotally attached to brake block hangers (5), which are suspended from a suspension bracket (4) on the actuator. A push rod head (3) on the push rod is in direct contact with a generally tube-shaped portion of the brake block holder around its shaft (8) for pivotal connection to the hangers. For accomplishing guiding and torque transmission the push rod head has extensions (11, 12) with a width corresponding to the distance between the side-walls (7') of the brake block holder, one of the extensions being provided with a laterally movable cross piece (19) for toothed engagement with rotatable segments (16) in the inner surfaces of the side-walls.

Abstract: A preloading pivotal pin connection arrangement for interconnecting a swivel bracket to a forked support bracket of a fluid pressure operated caliper disc brake unit. The pivotal pin includes a shoulder portion which fits snugly into a hole formed in one leg of the forked support bracket, and includes a hexagonal nut having a sleeve portion which fits snugly into a hole formed in the other leg of the forked support bracket. The intermediate portion of the pivot pin rotates freely in a bushing carried by the swivel bracket, and a locking plate prevents the backing off of the nut due to vibrations.

Abstract: An improved "expanding-shoe" drum brake (100), including an immovable spider member (38) to which brake shoes (18, 19) are pivotally mounted to move into engagement with a rotating annular brake drum (10). As is common, the shoes move in response to motion of a brake-actuating rotatable S cam (12), which is located between first adjacent ends of the brake shoes. The cam applies force to two cam followers (14, 15), which are rollers rotatably fixed to respective brake shoes. At the second end of each brake shoe an anchor pin (30, 31) is fixedly mounted to with webs of the respective brake shoe, as by welding (57A, 57B). In the embodiment described, a corresponding receptacle (43, 45) in the immovable spider has a semicircular surface (49, 51) at its bottom to serve as a bearing. The bearing surface engages the anchor pin, for rotation of the shoe. The brake shoe is resistant to twisting and misalignment.

Abstract: A brake hanger suspension for suspending and securing a brake hanger between a pair of ears on a truck side frame of a railroad car wherein a pair of retainer blocks, between which the upper portion of the brake hanger extends, are locked together and between the ears by mating formations, and the resulting assembly locked together and in place by a U-shaped key or retainer.

Abstract: A parallel beam brake apparatus for dual and triple axle trucks and a single beam brake apparatus for single axle trucks each comprise spaced, pivotably mounted bell crank levers which engage a fluid operable actuator between one pair of arms and engage a pair of push rods with the remaining arms. Improved spherical joints between the arms and the push rods facilitate force tranmsmission without allowing push rod rotation. A unique pivot geometry between the bell crank levers and the brake beams facilitates assembly and improves stress distribution between the levers and the beams. The actuator includes a slack adjustor mechanism in which a spiral power spring unwinds to drive a lead screw and take up slack or is wound by the rotating, translating lead screw to add slack.

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 brake system for large off-road vehicles in which the vehicle has a central, non-rotating housing for each wheel supported to and forming a part of the vehicle structure, an outer rotatable wheel section including an outer hub and wheel rim rotatably supported to the housing, an annular brake disc, a caliper supported to the non-rotating housing having pads to contact the annular brake disc, the brake disc being secured at its outer perimeter to the wheel section in a manner permitting free radial expansion and minimal rotational displacement of the brake disc relative to the wheel section.

Abstract: A rail vehicle block brake actuator (1) shall be fixedly mounted, but its brake block holder (4) shall brakingly engage an axially movable wheel (25). For this purpose the brake block holder is laterally movably suspended relative to the brake actuator by means of pivotable hangers (5) each consisting of a stack of leaf springs. These leaf springs (5) are preferably prestressed in a direction for compensating for the bias of the taper of the wheel tread, which it is intended to engage, but are held in a straight condition by means of a flat bar (9).

Abstract: A torque plate construction (50) comprises two stamped parts (58, 60) which are fastened together at central planar portions (62, 63) thereof and to a wheel axle housing (20) of a vehicle. Each torque plate part (58, 60) includes housing portions (77) spaced axially from the central planar portion (62, 63) of the respective plate part, the portions (77) providing a wheel cylinder housing (78). A piston cylinder (90) is disposed within the wheel cylinder housing (78), with a pair of bolts (100) and nuts (87) connecting together the portions (77) and securing the cylinder (90) within the housing (78). Each torque plate part (58, 60) has a pair of circumferentially spaced-apart notched portions (37) providing seats for a pin (40) extending from an associated brake shoe web (34), one web having an extension (39) extending between the torque plate parts to engage the piston (92).

Abstract: A resiliently flexible strip device mounts the armature of an electrically released brake for movement toward and away from the pole faces of the field shell, the armature either moving with pivotal motion or with linear motion. The resiliently flexible strip device may take the form of one or more leaf springs or may be one or more tongues molded integrally with the flange of a bobbin which forms part of the coil of the brake. A piece of flexible friction material is bonded to a curved pad on the outer face of the armature and automatically takes on the curved shape of the pad.

Abstract: Suspension arrangement for actuation and abrasion dependent movable parts, especially brake pad holders (1) and non-rigid brake saddles, particularly of rail vehicle disk brakes having an abrasion compensation device, comprises a suspension bracket (7) which, on the one hand, is rigidly connected to the movable part (brake pad holder 1) or a fixed holding part, and which, on the other hand, is held at the respective other part by means of a sliding guide mechanism (8) extending parallel to the direction of motion and being self-locking under stress by a tilting moment of the suspension bracket (7) which is resiliently deformable in the direction of motion. The sliding guide mechanism (8) may be a bushing (9) displaceably held on a bolt (10), the length of the bushing (9) approximately corresponding to the diameter of the bolt (10). The suspension bracket (7) may be a leaf spring.

Abstract: Suspension for a rail vehicle disc brake unit (1) comprises a suspension console (11) to be attached to a vehicle bogie or underframe, a cradle (13) movably attached to the console, and suspension links (17, 18) pivotally connecting the brake pad holders (6) to the cradle. A further supporting connection (19-21) is provided between the console and the brake unit. In order to obtain the desired mobility for the brake disc during braking there is between the console (11) and the cradle (13) a joint (14), which is stiff in the brake force transmission direction but comparatively resilient in other directions. The supporting connection (19-21) has basically the same properties.

Abstract: A device for supporting a steering and driving wheel of an automobile vehicle comprises a hollow hub constituting the outer element of a ball joint of which the inner element is fixed on a drive shaft, a seal element made of sheet metal being provided at the open end of the hub, opposite the joint. A brake disc having a central opening is fixed on the hub on the same side as the wheel. The seal element is in the form of a bowl whose closed end is fitted in the hollow hub and whose length is such that the other end, of outer diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the opening in the brake disc, opens outside the hollow hub and passes through the disc, centering same.

Abstract: A tread brake for braking a wheel (2) of a railway vehicle which is sprung relative to a frame (4) of the vehicle, comprises an actuator (5) suspended from the frame (4) by a swing arm (6), and a rigid link arm (7) fixed to the actuator (5) and connected through a pivot (8) parallel to the wheel axis to a bracket (9) fixedly mounted to a bearing in which the wheel axle is journalled. The link arm (7) adjusts the position of the actuator (5) in response to any movement of the wheel (2) relative to the frame (4) so that the braking element (11) is always applied substantially radially to the wheel, which allows the element to take the form of an elongate rod of friction material. A new handbrake structure is also described.

Abstract: A brake hanger comprises upper and lower U-shaped lugs of substantially rigid material spaced from each other by a pair of laterally spaced leaf springs which are rigidly secured to the lugs respectively at their opposite ends. The upper lug is adapted to be journaled on a fixed pivot pin secured to the frame of a railway truck, and the lower lug is adapted for journaling connections to a plurality of elements, including a connection to a brake head and a connection to a brake cylinder. The lugs provide rigidity for alignment of their pivots, while the spring rated connection between the plugs provides for substantial lateral movement of the lower lug relative to the upper lug without deforming the parts of the hanger beyond their elastic limits, and without substantially altering braking performance by maintaining side thrust of a wheel flange against a brake shoe carried by the hanger at a minimum.

Abstract: An electromagnetic friction brake whose components are held in assembled relationship by pins which are received with a press fit within holes in an electromagnet and an end plate and which are received with a loose fit within holes in an armature. By virtue of the pins, an assembly gage may be used to automatically establish an air gap of desired width between the armature and the electromagnet when the brake is assembled.

Abstract: A sliding caliper disc brake comprises a caliper member adapted to straddle a minor portion of the periphery of a rotatable disc, a carrier member for fixing to a vehicle, guide means guiding the caliper member for sliding relative to the carrier member, and an actuator for directly urging a friction pad onto one side of the disc to cause the caliper member to slide relative to the carrier member to apply by reaction an opposite friction pad to the other side of the disc. The guide means includes a pair of pins connected to one of the members and slidable within respective openings in receiving means connected to the other of the two members. In order to locate the caliper member against undue movement about either of the two pins, each pin is a snug sliding fit within the respective opening. Furthermore, at least one of the pins or receiving means is connected to the associated member by a resilient element adapted to flex so as to limit forces transmitted between the pins and receiving means.

Abstract: A disc brake for a railway vehicle has a resilient mount for a cross-member upon the ends of which are pivotally mounted brake levers having brake shoes which are engageable with a brake disc mounted on either the wheel or the axle of the railway vehicle. Attached to the cross-piece is a bushing which is supported between two trunion bearings by a bolt passing therethrough. A pair of compressible rubber sleeves are inserted into the bushing to surround the bolt and the outer ends of the sleeves are provided with flanges. A pair of clamping sleeves each having a cylindrical portion are positioned in the trunion bearings and their inner ends are provided with flanges which engage the rubber sleeve flanges.

Abstract: A safety device for lawn mowers includes an elongated frame assembly having a pair of laterally spaced leg elements connected by a bight section. A plurality of ground anchoring elements depend from the bight section and are adapted to be selectively affixed in the ground to prevent rolling of the mower. The device includes clamping plates for fixedly securing the assembly to the handle of a lawn mower in angular relation thereto such that the ground anchoring elements are out of contact with the ground during normal operation of the mower and the mower is pivotable upon its rear wheels in an emergency to thereby shift said leg elements into a position substantially perpendicular to the ground and drive the ground anchoring elements into the ground to prevent rolling of the mower.

Abstract: In a disc brake a thrust transmitting device is interposed between a friction pad assembly and a piston for applying the friction pad assembly to a rotatable disc. The device comprises a shim of which a part is cut-out over a portion of what would otherwise be the area of contact between the piston and the friction pad assembly so that thrust is applied to the friction pad assembly only over the remainder of that area, and the device includes a projection defining a stop to prevent insertion of the shim into the brake with the pad assembly in position, the axial length of the thrust transmitting device being less than the thickness of the pad assembly minus the wear thickness thereof.

Abstract: A brake disc for disc brakes for vehicles comprises a brake disc annular element mounted on a hub. The annular element and hub are interconnected by a plurality of clamping sleeves seated in radially opposed bores in the hub and annular element. Each clamping sleeve comprises two sleeves disposed co-axially one within the other and each sleeve has an axially directed slot therein with the slots being offset 180.degree..

Abstract: Two embodiments of electrically operated disk type brakes. In each embodiment the electric operator includes an electromagnet that is supported contiguous to the rotor and which, when actuated, moves axially into engagement with the rotor and rotates slightly with it. Means including tilting pin operators interconnect the electromagnet with the brake pads for actuating the brake pads in response to rotation of the electromagnet with the rotor. In one embodiment an improved connection is provided between the electromagnet and one brake pad that accommodates for changes in the degree of lining wear of the brake pads. In the other embodiment an arrangement is provided to balance the forces on the electromagnet and eliminate uneven wear.

Abstract: A disc brake including a pair of brake shoes freely floating for axial movement within an open ended brake housing or caliper. A retaining member is secured adjacent each end of the caliper by radially accessible bolts. The retaining members project into detents formed at each end of each brake shoe to support the brake shoes within the caliper. The retaining members are movable out of the detents and out of alignment with the brake shoe ends after disengagement from the radially accessible bolts. The brake shoes are then accessible and removable through the open end of the caliper.

Abstract: A disk brake for a railway vehicle is provided with a resilient pivot mount for a cross member upon the ends of which are pivotally mounted the brake levers having brake shoes which are engageable with a brake disk on either the wheel or axle of the railway vehicle. The cross piece has a bushing which is supported between two trunion bearings by a bolt passing therethrough. A pair of tapering compressible rubber sleeves are inserted into each end of the bushing to surround the bolt and the outer ends of the rubber sleeves are engaged by flanges on the ends of metal sleeves which are axially displaceable upon the bolt within the trunion bearings. The inner ends of the rubber sleeves are spaced from each other so that tightening of the bolt will press the ends of the sleeves together.

Abstract: A device for centering a rail brake magnet comprises a centering element on the vehicle structure and having a centering bore with a conical surface around the bore. The magnet is provided with a rotatably adjustable eccentric sleeve within which is rotatably positioned a centering pin having a conical surface engageable with the conical surface around the centering bore. A portion of the pin has an eccentric peripheral portion disposed within the eccentric sleeve to provide for adjustment of the centering pin with respect to the magnet so that the adjusted position is secured by means of a screw coupling.