Abstract: Various bicycle brake assemblies are described. In some embodiments, a bicycle brake assembly for applying a braking force to a wheel comprises a brake arm comprising a frame pivot joint and a brake pad pivot joint, the frame pivot joint configured to pivotally connect the brake arm to a bicycle frame to enable pivoting of the brake arm about a first axis of rotation; and a brake pad pivotally coupled to the brake arm at the brake pad pivot joint to enable pivoting of the brake pad about a second axis of rotation, the brake pad comprising a braking surface for engaging a wheel rim to apply a frictional force to the wheel rim, the frictional force having a frictional direction, wherein the first axis of rotation is not parallel to the frictional direction of the frictional force.

Abstract: An electric brake device is provided for electronically controlled synchronous motors which are supplied with voltage by way of a converter. The synchronous motor contains a winding center point and that the winding center point is connected by way of an electric resistor and a switch to a ground point of the converter and that the phases of the converter that are connected to the ground point contain in each case a free-wheeling diode.

Abstract: An electric braking apparatus which first moves a piston in a detaching direction or passes a current to move the piston in the detaching direction in order to detect a pad contacting position. Furthermore, while the piston moves in the detaching direction, pad non-contact judgment is performed. After a pad non-contact state is confirmed, the piston is moved in a pressing direction to detect the pad contacting position. When the piston does not move in the detaching direction, it is judged that a parking brake has an ON-state, and it is waited until a host system instructs parking brake release.

Abstract: A method of actuating an automatic parking brake for a vehicle, comprising a spring device, designed to absorb the actuating forces, situated in the actuating mechanism of a brake device. This method comprises at least the following steps: application of a preload to the spring device to a value situated in part IV of the operating characteristic, and adjustment of this preload to a level corresponding at least to a minimum braking force required for the vehicle.

Abstract: A bicycle trainer is a bicycle-mounted apparatus used to produce friction to resist the turning of a wheel of a bicycle, thereby requiring the rider to exert more energy than would otherwise be necessary. The bicycle trainer is adjustable by the rider while riding, and can simulate hill or mountain climbing at any positive grade.

Abstract: A novel brake assembly is provided for a bicycle. The assembly is composed of an arrangement of a pair of brake pads each connected to a rod member in turn guided for axial movement by a base fixed on the bicycle frame. A bifurcated control cable actuates wedge members causing movement of the pads against a wheel rim. Return springs on the rod members cause the assembly to return to the original non-braking position in response to release of the control cable. As an option, a second wedge action can be incorporated that is activated by the frictional forces generated from the contact of the brake pads with the wheel rim. The second wedge action is limited by a mechanical stop within the brake assembly to prevent jamming of the brakes.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a brake control element to a bicycle hub brake comprises a rotating member structured to be rotatably mounted relative to a fastening bracket so that rotation of the rotating member actuates a brake mechanism, wherein the rotating member includes a brake control element mount. The rotating member also has a cable winding surface to wind a brake actuating cable thereon. A brake control element attachment unit is structured to be attached to the brake control element mount, wherein the brake control element mount includes a locking structure such that rotation of the brake control element mount relative to the brake control element attachment unit locks the brake control element attachment unit to the brake control element mount.

Abstract: A rear wheel synchronous brake system used in a pushcart such as a baby jogging stroller is disclosed to include two rear brakes respectively coupled to the two rear wheels of the baby jogging stroller, a hand control unit mounted on the handle of the baby jogging stroller at the top, and two brake lines coupled between the brake lever of the hand control unit and the two rear brakes for driving the rear brakes to brake the two rear wheels of the baby jogging stroller synchronously when the user pulling the brake lever.

Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic disc brake master cylinder includes a housing having a bar clamp at one end configured for fastening the housing to a bicycle handle bar, the bar clamp receiving the handle bar along a clamp axis. A handle is pivotably connected to the housing to pivot about a pivot axis in operative association with a piston train to impart a drive force on the piston train. The handle defines a finger receptacle receiving at least one finger of a user defining an effective force point at a select distance from a distal end of the handle. A select ideal finger actuation path for the at least one finger of a user begins at a start point at the effective finger force point with the handle at an engagement point where the handle begins to drive the piston train against operative fluid resistance and extends along a line from the start point at a select angle relative to the clamp axis.

Abstract: A master cylinder which has an unusual ability to limit space requirements, to be fitted in vehicles controllable by handlebars, comprises a cylinder body provided with a seat for housing a portion of the handlebar. A chamber for slidably housing a piston extends along an axis inside the cylinder body. A manual control lever which acts on the piston is mounted on the cylinder body for pivoting about its fulcrum in a plane. The axis along which the chamber for slidably housing the piston extends intersects the plane of pivoting of the control lever at a point.

Abstract: A master cylinder device for a brake comprise a master cylinder body having a cylinder bore, a reserve tank provided integrally with the master cylinder body so as to have a fluid reserving portion for feeding hydraulic fluid for the brake, a fluid passing port provided in the fluid reserving portion of the reserve tank, the fluid passing port having an opening area smaller than an opening cross-sectional area of the fluid reserving portion, and a communicating passage connecting the fluid passing port to the cylinder bore, wherein the reserve tank is provided on an upper end of the master cylinder device such that a longitudinal direction of the reserve tank is substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the master cylinder body.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake system for a bicycle having a frame, a handlebar, and front and rear wheels, includes a master hydraulic cylinder mountable on the handlebar and a handle mechanism operatively connected to the master hydraulic cylinder in order to actuate same. A first hydraulic cylinder actuator is mountable on the frame adjacent the rear wheel and is operatively connected to the master hydraulic cylinder. A rear wheel brake pad is connected to the hydraulic cylinder actuator and is operable thereby. There is a second hydraulic cylinder actuator mountable on the frame adjacent the rear wheel and connected to the rear wheel brake pad. A third hydraulic cylinder actuator is mountable on the frame adjacent the front wheel and is operatively connected to the second hydraulic cylinder actuator so as to be operable by the latter and a front wheel braking device is connected to the third actuator. This braking device brakes the front wheel when the rear wheel braking device is in its braking position.

Abstract: A bicycle hydraulic disc brake master cylinder includes a housing having a bar clamp at one end configured for fastening the housing to a bicycle handle bar, the bar clamp receiving the handle bar along a clamp axis. A handle is pivotably connected to the housing to pivot about a pivot axis in operative association with a piston train to impart a drive force on the piston train. The handle defines a finger receptacle receiving at least one finger of a user defining an effective force point at a select distance from a distal end of the handle. A select ideal finger actuation path for the at least one finger of a user begins at a start point at the effective finger force point with the handle at an engagement point where the handle begins to drive the piston train against operative fluid resistance and extends along a line from the start point at a select angle relative to the clamp axis.

Abstract: A bicycle hub includes a hub axle and a hub shell including a first tubular member having a first hub flange secured thereto and a separate second tubular member having a second hub flange secured thereto. Bearings are disposed between the hub shell and the hub axle for rotatably supporting the first tubular member and the second tubular member relative to the hub axle. A generator mechanism is housed in the first tubular member and adapted to generate electricity by rotation of the first tubular member relative to the hub axle, and a brake force adjusting mechanism is housed in the second tubular member and adapted to limit a maximum damping force of a brake.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake system for a bicycle having a frame, a handlebar, and front and rear wheels, includes a master hydraulic cylinder mountable on the handlebar and a handle mechanism operatively connected to the master hydraulic cylinder in order to actuate same. A first hydraulic cylinder actuator is mountable on the frame adjacent the rear wheel and is operatively connected to the master hydraulic cylinder. A rear wheel brake pad is connected to the hydraulic cylinder actuator and is operable thereby. There is a second hydraulic cylinder actuator mountable on the frame adjacent the rear wheel and connected to the rear wheel brake pad. A third hydraulic cylinder actuator is mountable on the frame adjacent the front wheel and is operatively connected to the second hydraulic cylinder actuator so as to be operable by the latter and a front wheel braking device is connected to the third actuator. This braking device brakes the front wheel when the rear wheel braking device is in its braking position.

Abstract: A brake stem for a motorcycle in which the operation of the front and rear brakes is synchronized. A front brake caliper is attached to a bracket on the front wheel. The braking force on the caliper is transmitted to a master cylinder via the bracket, and serves to compress the master cylinder. The master cylinder includes an outlet which transmits pressurized hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder to a rear brake.

Abstract: Electrically operated braking system with a motor-driven disc brake including an electric motor for braking an automotive vehicle wheel, and a motor control device controlling the electric motor, the disc brake further including a disc rotor having a friction surface, a friction pad movable for contact with the friction surface to restrict rotation of the disc rotor, a pad support mechanism for supporting the friction pad movably in a direction intersecting the friction surface, a pad pressing mechanism including the electric motor and a pressing member, the electric motor producing a drive force for moving the pressing member to force the friction pad against the disc rotor, and a self-servo mechanism for providing a self-servo effect of boosting a friction force generated between the friction surface and the friction pad, on the basis of the friction force.

Abstract: A bike brake has two stages of braking, including a brake drum, a drum cap, plural brake bands and a stopping structure in the brake drum and the drum cap. The stopping structure has a separator, an interactive device, plural springs, plural stopping devices able to be pushed upward and outward by the springs. In case the stopping structure is rotated to alter its angle, the stopping devices are moved upward and outward by the springs to move the stopping devices outward push the brake bands to contact and rub against the inner wall of the brake drum to perform a first stage of baking. If the stopping structure continues to alter the angle larger and larger, the springs shrink and the stopping devices also move down to rest on the stop plates to perform a second stage of strong braking.

Abstract: A braking force control system is provided with a controller connected to a vehicle operating condition detector, an engine braking force actuator and a wheel braking force actuator. The controller determines a target total braking force on the basis of the vehicle operating condition, a target transmission ratio and a target engine output on the basis of the target total braking force and calculates an engine braking force on the basis of the vehicle operating condition. The controller extracts a fast component of a rate of change of the target total braking force and determines a target wheel braking force on the basis of the fast component. The controller controls wheel braking force actuator so as to correspond the wheel braking force to the target wheel braking force. Therefore, a total responsibility of the system is improved by enhancing a follow-up characteristic during a first half of a transient period.

Abstract: A brake system for a motor-driven vehicle includes a brake device driven by a brake cable to stop the motor-driven vehicle from moving, two electrically conductive friction means respectively fastened to the brake device and driven by the brake device to press on two opposite sides of a metal part of wheel means of the motor-driven vehicle in stopping the motor-driven vehicle from moving, a main processor, which controls the operation of the motor of the motor-driven vehicle, and two electric wires respectively connected between the electrically conductive friction means and two opposite terminals of the main processor; wherein when the electrically conductive friction means are forced by the brake device to press on the two opposite sides of the metal part of the wheel means of the motor-driven vehicle, the main processing unit is induced to cut off power supply from the motor of the motor-driven vehicle.

Abstract: A brake apparatus for use on a hub shaft (11) supporting a hub (2) of a bicycle has a brake ring (13), and a coupling device for coupling the brake ring and the hub to rotatable together. The coupling device includes outer splines (13a) formed on the brake ring (13) and inner splines (2d) formed in the hub (2) to allow relative axial movement between the brake ring (13) and hub (2) while preventing relative rotation therebetween. The brake apparatus includes brake shoes (6) disposed inside the brake ring (13) to be movable into contact with the brake ring (13). A restrictor is provided far restricting axial movement of the brake shoes (6) relative to the brake ring (13). The restrictor includes stoppers (27a) projecting radially outwardly from peripheral positions of an annular shoe presser spring (27) fitted circumferentially of the brake shoes (6), and grooves (13b) formed in an inner peripheral wall of the brake ring (13).