Abstract: The present invention provides a brake that allows an object to rotate continually through its full range of movement, but allows the object to be reliably secured at any position within this range. The object is carried by a brake that includes a deformable cylindrical collar and a lever. Normally, a spring exerts force against the lever, which in turn exerts pressure on the collar, causing the interior diameter of the collar to become smaller. The collar then grasps the rod and prevents the rotation of the brake relative to the rod. A pneumatically controlled piston counters the force of the spring to allow the brake to rotate freely.

Abstract: A band brake device used to apply a brake to a rotating drum forming part of an automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle. The band brake device comprises a brake band wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum. A lining material is bonded to the inner surface of the brake band to be contactable with the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum. The brake band is provided at its movable end with a bracket which is adapted to be pushed by a piston of a hydraulic servo device. The bracket is connected through a link to a casing, so that the movable end is guided to be move in a direction generally parallel with a tangential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the drum at a position adjacent the movable end.

Abstract: The invention is a device which holds a brake band and provides a simple levered actuating force. One end of the band of a brake is mounted to a U-shaped bracket. Slots are provided for the U-shaped bracket so that a lever, which connects to the opposite end of the brake band, can pivot on the bottoms of the slots and pull the brake band tightly around the brake drum and so providing a powerful brake.

Abstract: An improved double-wrap brake band having a bracket member (16) consisting of an apply bracket (20), a reaction bracket (22), and a connector bracket (24) secured to three generally parallel bands (12A, 12B, 12C). The bands (12A, 12B, 12C) include a plurality of position oriented non-circular slots (36) designed to accept corresponding non-circular extruded tabs (44) extending from the bracket member (16). Each of the tabs has a longitudinal curvature that is substantially radially parallel to the annular inner peripheral surface (42) of the bracket member (44) and the annular inner peripheral surface (15) of the strap member (10). The tabs (44), after clinching, serve to retain the bracket member (16) securely on the bands (12A, 12B, 12C).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a brake shoe particularly for drum brakes of motor vehicles, having a carrier of the brake lining whose outside surface has the shape of a circular cylindrical section, and having an arcuate or sickle-shaped web arranged radially inwardly of the carrier of the brake lining and by which the actuation forces of the brake are transmitted onto the carrier of the brake lining. The new manufacturing method provides that a ring having a cylindrical outside surface and a T-shaped cross section is shaped from a blank by buckling and subsequent flattening or by cleaving and subsequent flattening. The ring is divided into two or more ring segments each of which forms a brake shoe.

Abstract: A transmission brake band (10) for use in automatic transmissions includes strap member (12) with an apply bracket (18) located at one end and a reaction bracket (20) located at the opposed end. The reaction bracket (20) is formed from the strap material as an up-raised dome (36) surrounding the reaction opening (32). The surface of the dome (36) immediately surrounding the reaction opening (32) is substantially planar and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the reaction opening (32).

Abstract: A braking assembly and method are disclosed for use with in-line skates, the assembly including a brake pad or pads movably mounted to the skate and positioned adjacent to a selected wheel or wheels of the skate for selectively contacting a structure connected with the hub of the selected wheel or wheels. An actuator is operatively associated with the brake pad for selectively causing the pad to contact the structure.

Abstract: An improved transmission brake band (10) and a method of forming the same s an improved reaction bracket (20) formed as an upraised dome (36) surrounding a reaction opening (32). An insert member (42), having a volcano-type body (44) integrally formed with a peripheral flange (46) is engaged with the dome (36) and opening (32) so that the body (44) is positioned in the opening (32) and the flange (46) is received by the dome (36).

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.

Abstract: A one-piece transmission brake band and the method of forming the same whin the band is an elongated strap with brackets at the opposite ends thereof, the brackets providing an apply end and a reaction end. Each end consists of an end portion of the strap that is folded over upon itself onto the exterior surface of the band and suitably fastened thereto, such as by clinch fastening or spot welding. The apply end of the band has the outer layer provided with a transverse upwardly folded or crimped ridge having a central depression to receive the end of an apply piston, and the reaction end has an outwardly extending radial opening formed by piercing through both layers of material after the end is folded over, with the layers being outwardly extruded in both the radial and circumferential directions. An alternative embodiment utilizes an insert having a cylindrical body with a circumferential base flange.

Abstract: A double wrap brake band having three bands, friction facings fastened to each band and a connecting member connecting the outside bands of the three bands with the intermediate band of such bands. A first bracket member secured to both outside bands, and a second bracket member secured to the intermediate band. The three bands, the connecting member, and the first and second bracket members are made of sheet metal, respectively. Edges, receiving a piston, or an anchor, at their backsides, are integrally formed on the first and second bracket members, respectively. The connecting member and the first and second bracket members are secured to the three bands by rivets.

Abstract: In a brakeband, two side bands extend from a connecting portion in one circumferential direction and a middle band located axially between these side bands extends from it in the other circumferential direction. The band ends of the two side bands (located opposite the connecting portion) are widened in the direction of the middle band, while the middle band is narrowed at its circumferentially corresponding band region. This provides a larger cross-section for the welded joint between the respective widened band ends of the two side bands and a circumferentially adjacent thrust piece of the brake actuating device.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for intermittently applying braking force to a rotating member of a machine, and for positively effecting the release thereof, to enhance performance and efficiency. The device is purely mechanical in nature, and is particularly adapted for installation on an automatic screw machine to control chatter and backlash while optimizing power utilization.

Abstract: An indicator for indicating a predetermined amount of wear of a brake lining comprises a brake lining support member operably connected to a brake actuator and supported thereby, a brake lining is fixedly attached to the brake lining support member and when actuated by the brake actuator frictionally engages a rotating member rotatably mounted on an axle which carries the brake actuator, an electrical contact is connected to an electrical circuit and is disposed on the brake lining support member and insulated therefrom by insulator, the electrical contact has a head portion which contacts the rotating member and the brake lining support member frictionally engages the rotating member and the brake lining is worn to a predetermined level to complete the electrical circuit to energize an indicator connected to the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a drum brake shoe comprises the steps of providing a strip of material, forming a plurality of connected blanks with the strip, bending each blank to form an arcuate surface with adjoining sides, cutting one of the blanks by serving a connecting link and trimming the one blank to form a contour for the adjoining sides. Thereafter, a friction lining is attached to the arcuate surface.