Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrostatic steering device having a servomotor connectable to wheels to be steered. The travel limits of the servomotor are sensed with position sensors which function to operate a locking apparatus which mechanically prevents further turning of the steering wheel upon a travel limit being reached in either direction.

Abstract: A brake cylinder comprises a brake actuator device having a fluid operable piston and a coaxial adjoining hand brake operable device for axial actuation of a coaxial tubular push rod, there being a slack adjuster for selectively adjusting the retraction of the push rod. An actuating rod is connected to the piston and the actuating rod is selectively connected and disconnected from the internal periphery of the push rod by locking rollers selectively cooperating with a wedge shaped annulus disposed between the actuator rod and the inner periphery of the push rod. Slack adjustment is permitted by axial travel of the push rod beyond free travel limits as permitted by a friction sleeve connection between the outer periphery of the push rod and the brake cylinder housing. In a modification, the locking device is provided for a fluid spread brake cylinder that is adapted by levers to be connected to a conventional freight brake rigging to be used, for example, for hand brake applications.

Abstract: An anti-theft device, having application for preventing unauthorized operation of a vehicle, includes a moveable lock member biased toward the actuating member for the vehicle's parking brakes. An electric solenoid is energized along with the ignition system to retract the lock member and allow the parking brakes to be released. The preferred device also includes a timer apparatus that requires the parking brakes to be released according to a predetermined timing sequence in order to substantially prevent theft of the vehicle.

Abstract: A balanced braking system comprising a plurality of braking assemblies located about a member to be braked. Each of the braking assemblies consists of a spring biased piston of a first material fitted into a body of a different material which has a greater contraction upon cooling than the piston material. The piston is provided with a recessed head portion over which is positioned a diaphragm and forming a space therebetween to which is connected a pressurized fluid supply. The diaphragm is controlled by the fluid in the space to contact or withdraw from the member to be braked. A cooling device causes the body within which the piston is fitted to contract more than the piston, producing a tight shrink fit therebetween. The braking system is particularly applicable for selectively braking an arbor of an electron microscope which immobilizes, for example, a vertically adjustable low temperature specimen holder during observation.

Abstract: A valve stem and lock include a housing surrounding a valve stem, a solenoid affixed to an interior wall of the housing, an armature affixed to the valve stem and a locking device for coupling the armature to the housing body. When the solenoid is energized, the solenoid moves away from the housing body, permitting rotation of the valve stem.

Abstract: Load support apparatus comprising a housing on which a suspension device is mounted for movement between an operative load suspension position and an inoperative relaxed position. Also mounted on the housing is a holding bolt which is movable between a first position in which a load is supported by the holding bolt and a second position in which the load is released from the bolt. A displaceable locking bar is mounted in the housing for movement transversely of the displacement path of the holding bolt for engaging the bolt to lock the same in the position in which the load is supported by the holding bolt. A catch mechanism is displaceably mounted on the housing for locking the locking bar and a control mechanism responsive to the position of the suspension device operates to displace the catch mechanism to lock the locking bar in the position in which the holding bolt is locked when the suspension device is in its operative load suspension position.

Abstract: A wheeled frame is provided including a lower horizontal main portion having a pair of opposite side rear wheels journalled therefrom and a pair of opposite side front caster wheels. The frame includes an upstanding handle assembly supported from the rear of the lower horizontal main frame portion and the upper end of the handle assembly includes a horizontal transverse handle portion. A horizontal transverse brake bar generally parallels and is supported from the handle portion beneath the latter and is guidingly shiftable toward and away from the handle portion. A brake member is shiftably supported from the frame for movement between applied and released positions and the brake member includes wheel braking portions engageable with the rear wheels to frictionally brake the latter when the brake member is in the applied position.

Abstract: An automatic-transmission wheeled motor vehicle having a wheel service brake applied by a brake pedal and an engine speed control operated by an accelerator pedal, the pedals being pivotally mounted side-by-side as to be operable by the vehicle operator's feet, is provided with a service brake anti-creep (original equipment or retrofit) device extending from the vehicle fire wall toward the pedals, the device including a stationary member having a slot and a spring latch with a rear lock edge and a front cam edge normally resiliently positioned in the slot, the brake pedal having a member extending toward the device and adapted, on final braking travel of the brake pedal, to cam the latch out of the slot and enter the slot to a position behind the lock edge so that the latch can re-enter the slot and retain the brake pedal member therein in the brake-on position, the device having structure adapted, upon initial operation thereof for increasing engine speed from idle, to pivot the latch away from the slot and

Abstract: A mechanical locking device includes multiple components that must move before axial travel of a load exerting component becomes unblocked. Such elements include a main lock means that is radially movable to unblock said axial travel; axially movable holder means that blocks radial movement of the main lock means; radially movable trigger means that blocks axial movement of the holder means; and release structure blocking radial movement of the trigger means. At least one and preferably both of the main lock means and of the trigger means comprises multiple elements spaced apart about the device axis for independent radial movement, such elements typically being caged for such independent movement.

Abstract: A brake cylinder has a piston one side of which is spring-loaded and the other side of which is acted upon by a fluid pressure medium. A spindle shaft is coupled t the cylinder by a screw coupling having a non-self-locking thread and is engageable with an actuating rod which is adapted to be connected to the brake linkage. A sleeve is rotatably mounted on the cylinder but is non-axially movable with respect to the cylinder. The sleeve is axially but non-rotatably slideable with respect to the spindle shaft. An overrunning drive is operatively connected between the sleeve and a drive mechanism which is operable exteriorly of the brake cylinder. The drive locks in the driving position when the sleeve rotates in a direction to unscrew the spindle shaft from the piston in the direction to release the brake.

Abstract: A combined fluid pressure operable running and parking vehicle brake device including an application piston responsive to fluid pressure for exerting a brake-applying force on a vehicle wheel through a brake shoe for effecting either a service or emergency application, a locking piston responsive to fluid pressure independently of the application piston, for locking the brake device in an application disposition when the vehicle is parked, and compressible springs placed under compression by actuation of the application piston for storing a compressive force available for providing the brake-applying force in the event of failure of fluid pressure when the vehicle is parked.

Abstract: A piston braking device for a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, employing an annular braking plate loosely fitted on the piston rod of the cylinder and rockable into a tilted position relative to the piston rod upon actuation by a plate drive means, and a brake control mechanism operative to apply a counter pressure on the braking plate to maintain or reset the braking plate in a normal right angle position, the braking plate having braking portions on its inner periphery which braking portions are pressed against the circumference of the piston rod to apply friction brakes thereto in a manner which increases the braking force in proportion to the propelling force of the piston rod.

Abstract: A parking brake for use primarily on railway vehicles of the mass transit type in conjunction with the service brake apparatus but operable independently thereof. A parking brake hydraulic cylinder is mechanically connected to the brake shoe hanger of the brake unit. After the vehicle has been brought to a stop, a parking brake application may be made by supplying pressure, by a handpump, to the hydraulic cylinder which also includes a lock-nut actuable by the pressure, in excess of a certain pressure for locking the parking brake hydraulic cylinder in its applied position. A relief valve is provided for relieving the hydraulic cylinder of hydraulic pressure when the application is to be released.

Abstract: A hevy duty, retractable, hydraulic, telescopic shock absorber of the type employed on fire engines, artillery vehicles and the like includes a valve arrangement for venting the main cylinder to hold a floating absorber piston in any working position. The shock absorber includes a passageway between a damping fluid reservoir and the cylinder chamber. The passageway is in open communication with the cylinder chamber when the floating piston is in an extreme position. A valve closes the passageway when the floating piston is in a position other than the extreme position.

Abstract: A brake cylinder device including a brake piston operable by a spring force to an application position and to a release position in response to an opposing fluid pressure force, and a fluid pressure operable locking device operable responsively to release pressure for locking the piston in the release position and for delaying such locking of the piston in the release position during normal operations to prevent untimely locking-up of the piston.

Abstract: A fluid pressure operated disc brake having one brake disc affixed to the housing of a brake cylinder unit and the other disc affixed to a service brake piston of the brake cylinder unit, which further includes an auxiliary brake piston between the service brake piston and cylinder head, thereby forming on opposite sides thereof a service brake actuating chamber and an auxiliary brake actuating chamber to which fluid pressure may be admitted via separate service and parking brake valve devices. A filling piece disposed between the brake cylinder housing and auxiliary piston is operatively connected with an actuating cylinder to which the parking brake valve also supplies auxiliary brake pressure to operate the filling piece following an auxiliary brake application, thereby mechanically locking-up the brake discs in the brake application condition to provide a parking brake.

Abstract: A control device for a braking system of a vehicle including a stationary ferromagnetic plate, a lever pivotally mounted on the plate and operationally connected to a brake pedal to rotate in accordance with the movement of the brake pedal, an electromagnet mounted on the lever and electrical control circuit for the electromagnet whereby when energized the electromagnet is fixed on the plate by attractive force so that the brake pedal is retained at the position. An electric coil of the electromagnet is connected in series to a circuit including in parallel a first switch associated to an accelerator pedal and a second switch associated to a clutch pedal so that the electromagnet is deenergized when both accelerator pedal and clutch pedal are actuated, thereby releasing the brake.

Abstract: Brake apparatus, particularly one in which the brake may be both actuated and released by a hydraulic force, held engaged by a mechanical force and in which a strong spring force, tending to restore the brake, prevails while the brake is held engaged; brake applying pressure, after the brake is engaged, is at first slowly released, hydraulic pressure employed to release the brake is maintained at a minimum value even though the brake may be released and certain conditions are sensed for coincidence before generating a signal indicating that the brake release conditions are complied with.

Abstract: A braking control apparatus for a vehicle which locks and holds the brake pedal of the vehicle in a given depressed position. The apparatus is rendered inoperative when the vehicle is in such a condition that the locking and holding of the brake pedal is undesirable. When starting the vehicle, an accelerator pedal switch operatively connected to the accelerator pedal deenergizes an electromagnet for locking the brake pedal. With the brake pedal locked in any given depressed position, any further depression of the brake pedal results in deenergization of the electromagnet by the brake pedal switch operatively connected to the brake pedal. With the vehicle at rest, when the door is opened, the electromagnet is deenergized by a door switch. Also, during rapid braking of the vehicle, another brake pedal switch which is operatively connected to the brake pedal actuates a latching relay to deenergize the braking control apparatus.

Abstract: An air operated brake actuator has an air pressure operated brake force applying member, the application to and removal of pressure from which member determines the brake force, another such member which must be separately pressurised to follow the first member to lock in a brake force, and yet another member which requires to be additionally pressurized to effect unlocking of the brake force.

Abstract: A parking brake mechanism for a motorcycle having a rear brake pedal which is to be depressed for applying a brake on a rear road wheel. An annular ratchet wheel is rigidly connected to the pivoted end of the rear brake pedal for simultaneous rotation therewith, and one or more pawls pivotally mounted within the ratchet wheel are spring biased into engagement with teeth formed on its inside surface. Normally, the pawls are held out of engagement with the ratchet teeth by a rotary cam ring. Upon angular displacement of this cam ring relative to the pawls, the ratchet mechanism functions to permit the rear brake pedal to be depressed but to prevent its return motion. The cam ring can be actuated either by a retractable footrest or by a hand lever on the steering handle of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A tractor trailer having an air brake system includes a reservoir of pressurized air for holding its brakes applied when parked. A fail safe locking device is provided, which is operable to lock the brake actuator rod in the fixed position in which the brakes are applied upon loss of air reservoir pressure. The locking device includes canting plates and an air cylinder. The air pressure from the reservoir overcomes a biasing mechanism in the locking device to shift the canting plates to a normal rod release position. Upon loss of pressure, the biasing mechanism shifts the air cylinder to tilt the canting plates and lock the brake actuator rod in a fixed position. The actuator rod is actuated longitudinally to rotate a brake crank arm and crank rod to apply the vehicle brakes. The crank arm interfits into a clevis extension on the actuator rod and is connected thereto by a rigid connector.

Abstract: A locking device for a reciprocating rod brake actuator movable between brake applying and brake releasing positions includes a pivoted pawl movable between locking and releasing positions for releasably locking the rod in its brake applying position. A spring normally biases the pawl to its locking position, and a fluid cylinder is operative when pressurized for moving the locking device to its releasing position. The rod is movable toward and away from the pawl, and is normally supported against movement away from the pawl by a releasable support. Release of the support frees the rod for free movement between its brake applying and releasing positions even though the pawl is in its locking position.

Abstract: An emergency braking system for a vehicle having a transmission of the type having a plurality of selectively pressurized control ports for operating respective clutches for engaging the drive gears in predetermined combinations to provide respective driving ratios. An auxiliary pump of the positive displacement type is driven by one of the vehicle wheels to produce a source of emergency pressure fluid which is available as long as the vehicle is in motion. Emergency valve means are provided for connecting the output of the auxiliary pump simultaneously to a plurality of the control ports on the transmission which tends to connect the gears in contradictory combinations thereby to block the transmission against rotation to provide emergency braking for the vehicle wheels which are connected to the transmission.

Abstract: A disc or drum brake fluid pressure actuator incorporates a lock actuator strut acting on an inner part of a telescopic piston assembly, of which the inner and outer parts are normally rendered effectively unitary by pre-stressed spring which can, however, deflect under excess pressure to permit extension of the lock actuator strut when it is desired to operate the strut for parking purposes. An hydraulic control system for operating the actuator is also described and illustrated.

Abstract: A hydraulic hand brake for a fluid pressure actuated brake on a railway vehicle has a cylinder and piston assembly extending coaxially from the brake cylinder. A threaded rod having a non-locking thread extends from the piston and has threaded thereon a traveling nut with a coupling surface on a side away from the brake piston engageable with a second coupling surface on a ring attached to the cylinder. A spring urges the nut in the direction to engage the coupling surfaces and a control piston engages the nut to disengage the coupling surfaces when the control piston is subjected to a hydraulic pressure. Subjecting the piston of the cylinder and piston assembly to a hydraulic pressure will cause the threaded rod to engage the brake piston and to move the brake piston in the braking direction.

Abstract: A motor vehicle security system for trucks, trailers and the like equipped with conventional fluid operated braking assemblies. The security system comprises a manually operable valve for controlling the application of fluid under pressure to the braking assemblies to manually set the vehicle brakes. The valve is arranged with a mechanical, key-operated lock for controlling and locking the valve in a selected position. When the valve is in a "locked" position it allows the brakes to be set and the vehicle maintained in situ to prevent the unauthorized movement thereof. The brake assemblies are also secured and locked to prevent the manual operation thereof by use of a conventional lockout tool.

Abstract: A parking brake mechanism for use on vehicles of the type normally using a hand-actuated brake, such as snowmobiles, motorcycles, bicycles and the like. Normally, the hand actuated brake is mounted on a handle bar assembly of the vehicle. The brake includes a lever adjacent a hand grip portion and is pivotally mounted thereon. The brake lever, when manually operated, moves from a brake disengaged position to a brake engaged position. The brake lever is normally biased to a brake disengaged position. A brake cable is normally operatively connected to the brake lever, at one of its ends, and at its other end, is operatively connected to a brake, the lever moving the cable from a brake disengaged position to a brake engaged position. The parking brake mechanism includes a U-shaped actuator member, straddling the hand grip portion, and is movably carried thereon.

Abstract: A brake system for a wheeled carrier having manually operable apparatus for actuating and locking parking brakes at the wheels, the system including automatically operable apparatus for ensuring release of the manually operable parking brakes when it is desired to move the vehicle.

Abstract: A brake locking mechanism for heavy vehicles, adapted to be installed in existing braking systems without altering the normal operation thereof, functions to prevent involuntary movement of the vehicle, due to system failure such as air or hydraulic fluid leakage, while standing. The mechanism includes a spring biased pawl engageable with rack teeth formed on the diaphragm actuated brake rod, the pawl being operated by an air or hydraulically actuated piston associated therewith and connected into the vehicle air or hydraulic system.