Abstract: A hub brake apparatus for use on an axle fixed to a frame of a bicycle. The apparatus includes a hub rotatable in a first direction about the axle when the bicycle moves forward, a brake drum rotatable with the hub, brake shoes arranged around the axle and radially inwardly of the brake drum to be movable between a first position for frictionally engaging the brake drum and a second position retracted from the brake drum, a ring spring for biasing the brake shoes toward the second position, and a cam mechanism disposed radially inwardly of the brake shoes for moving the brake shoes from the second position to the first position. The cam mechanism includes intermediate members having radially outward portions for contacting the brake shoes, and a cam disposed radially inwardly of the intermediate members and having peripheral portions for contacting the intermediate members. The peripheral portions of the cam define inclined surfaces opposed to the intermediate members.

Abstract: A wheel brake assembly for shopping carts is characterized by a hub adapted for rotation about an axis, a coil spring coaxially mounted on the hub, and a pair of annular disks coaxially mounted on the spring. One of the disks is stationary and has one end of the spring connected therewith. The other disk is rotatable and has the other end of the spring connected therewith. Rotation of the rotatable disk in one direction to a braking position draws the spring ends together so that the coil spring constricts on the hub to prevent rotation of the hub about the axis. Rotation of the rotatable disk in the other direction to a release position pushes the spring ends apart to relax the coil spring and allow the hub to rotate.

Abstract: A bicycle comprises a wheel-supporting member having an annular sleeve portion, a stub wheel spindle having a journal portion supported for rotation in the sleeve portion by thin wall, large diameter angular contact bearings, a wheel attachment portion extending laterally out of the sleeve in cantilevered relation, and a wheel having a hub received on the wheel attachment portion of the spindle. The wheel attachment portion of the spindle and the wheel hub have mating tapered surfaces so as to provide precise alignment of the wheel and mating splines so as to couple the wheel to the spindle for rotation. The wheel is fastened to the spindle by a split tapered collet and a latch mechanism that holds the collet in place and is releasable by operation of a single member.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a hydraulic disk brake for bicycles is provided which includes a brake caliper 1, 101, a brake piston 8, 108, 208, and a guide cylinder 2, with the aid of which the brake system can be pre-adjusted in a coarse manner with respect to the bicycle frame. The total clearance (=2.times."s"), of the brake linings 18a, 18b is capable of pre-adjustment. The central position of the brake caliber 1, with respect to the brake disk 21, can be adjusted via an adjusting screw 22. The brake is arranged for constant, equal clearance on both sides of the brake disk 21 in the unstressed condition of the brake, such clearance being ensured on the basis of the spring-action, pre-tensioning of the brake piston 8, 108, 208, with respect to the brake caliper 1, as well as of the spring-action pre-tensioning of the brake caliper 1, 101 with respect to the guide cylinder 2.

Abstract: A low profile disk brake caliper in which a disk brake pad is mounted on a flexible diaphragm contained within a piston cavity. Pressurization of the piston cavity by a master cylinder expands the diaphragm and urges the brake pad sidewardly from the housing to engage an adjacent rotor. In the preferred embodiment, the diaphragm is received within a cap seal slidably mounted within the cavity, and the brake pad is mounted removably within a pad carrier attached to the cap. A backing seal is positioned adjacent to the underside of the top wall of the diaphragm and is clamped against the cap by assembly bolts, so that the top wall of the diaphragm is compressed between the cap and backing seal, thereby preventing the top wall from bulging outwardly when the cavity is pressurized. The housing is mounted on the hub of a bicycle front wheel and includes a set screw positioned for camming engagement against the front fork to prevent rotation of the brake caliper relative to the fork.

Abstract: A disc brake includes two pad supporting levers which are pivotally mounted on a single pivot. One of the levers has a first adjustment bolt which abuts the other lever to control the maximum clearance between the pads and a second which abuts the bracket on which the levers are pivotally mounted to control the clearance between one of the pads and the rotatable disc. A linkage which interconnects the levers induces same to rotate and clamp the pads against the rotatable disc by (a) a foot pedal controlled hydraulic servo integrated with the bracket and/or (b) a cable arrangement operatively connected with a hand brake.

Abstract: A freewheel mechanism for bicycles includes a side plate which is easily removed, allowing a sprocket to be quickly replaced without removing the body of the freewheel mechanism from the hub of the bicycle. Since they are not needed in racing, and to facilitate sprocket changes, ball bearings are not used. In the usual manner, a pawl means, and a pawl spring means are disposed between the sprocket and the freewheel body, allowing the sprocket to turn one way only in relation to the freewheel body.

Abstract: A motor cycle disc brake has a disc secured by an outer peripheral portion to the rim of a wheel which is rotatable about an axle held by a pair of fork legs. A brake caliper is secured to a fork leg and straddles the inner periphery of the disc. The disc is secured to the wheel rim by bolts which allow the disc some axial play relative to the rim to compensate for any run out of the rim. The caliper is fixed to the fork leg by a pair of securing members one of which engages in a recess in a lug on the fork leg so that the caliper can be released quickly from the fork leg.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hub member (50) for use in a coaster brake (52). A supply of tubular stock material (8) is transported to a work station and the interior thereof machined to establish first and second diameters (16) and (17), respectively, separated by a shoulder (15). A cylindrical member (10) is cut from the stock (8) and placed in a fixture (36). A disc or ring member (30) has a peripheral surface with a serrated section (32) separated from a shoulder (33) by a groove (35). The disc or ring member (30) is placed on a second fixture (38) and brought into alignment with diameter (16) of the cylindrical member (10). A ring of brazing material (37) is placed in groove (35). A force is applied to move disc member (30) into the diameter (16) of the cylindrical member (10). The serrated surface (32) on disc or ring member (30 ) engages diameter (17) to distort material therein and establish a mechanical joint (44).

Abstract: A suspension system for the front wheel of a motorcycle. A pair of upper and lower control arms extend forwardly from the body of the motorcycle and are attached by universally pivotable ball joints to a kingpin which extends along one side of the front wheel. The front wheel includes an offset hub and is journalled in a cantilevered arrangement to a bearing assembly which is affixed to the lower end of the kingpin and which is positioned at the center of the wheel. The control arms are hinged to the body and are appropriately sprung and damped so that the kingpin and front wheel swing vertically in suspension travel with respect to the body in response to weight and shock loads on the front wheel. The kingpin is connected to a handlebar assembly by means of a telescopic splined steering column. A variety of springing and damping mechanisms may be adapted to the suspension system.

Abstract: An assembly designed to eliminate or attenuate undesirable noises generated by conventional disc brake assemblies when the mounting members for such assemblies become worn with usage. A bias member under compression is disposed in sandwiched relation between a pair of retainer members, one of which is fixedly secured to the fork portion of a motorcycle, and the other of which is fixedly secured to the housing for the braking unit. Thus, the bias member urges such caliper forwardly at all times. Such forward pressure causes the brake caliper mounting pins to seat firmly against the bore formed by the pin guides which are a part of the bracket upon which the caliper is mounted. Although the diameter of such bore will continue to increase attendant operation of the motorcycle, the operation of the compressed bias member will continually accommodate the increased tolerances between the bore and the caliper mounting pins.

Abstract: A floating type disc brake assembly for a two-wheeled vehicle having two pad assemblies one of which is operatively coupled to a caliper and the other to an opposing caliper arm. The caliper assembly is coupled to a fork of the vehicle through a pin disposed in a through-hole in a stationary member of the fork. Recesses are provided in either the stationary member or the pin within the area of the through-hole with elastic members disposed in the recesses to partially fill a portion of the gap left between the stationary member and the pin. Upon application of a sufficiently high torque such as for backward movement of the vehicle, the pin is brought into abutment with the stationary member thereby halting compression of the elastic members and thereby preventing their cracking due to excessive forces.

Abstract: A bicycle free wheel hub with coaster brake adapted to be actuated by back-pedalling, comprising a clutch cone which has a clutch surface at its outward end and a brake-shoe expanding surface at its inward end, and is provided with an axial hole having an internal non-smooth surface, a plurality of slits which are formed in an inward portion of an anchor member fixedly mounted on a stationary axle, and a plurality of detent pieces which are respectively disposed within the slits for restricting a plurality of brake shoes from circumferential motion and are arranged so that they are elastically urged radially by a spring member for frictionally engaging each one end of the detent pieces with the non-smooth surface of the clutch cone.

Abstract: A disc brake apparatus for a motor vehicles comprises a brake caliper having a pair of caliper arms each supporting a brake pad assembly which is disposed at each lateral side of a brake disc. One of the caliper arms contains a hydraulic piston and cylinder operable to press directly the associated brake pad assembly against one side of the brake disc and press indirectly the other brake pad assembly against the other side of the brake disc through corresponding movement of the brake caliper upon application of brake. A mounting block is formed on a stationary portion of the vehicle and has a through-hole extending substantially perpendicular to the brake disc, and a pin secured to the brake caliper extends through the through-hole. The pin serves to mount the brake apparatus to the vehicle stationary portion and to guide the movement of the brake caliper relative to the brake disc.

Abstract: A caliper supporting device in which a caliper is connected to a bracket through a first slide pin and a second slide pin so that the caliper arranged so as to sit astride of a part of the brake disc may be moved in a direction of a rotating axis of the brake disc. A resilient grommet for resiliently supporting the second slide pin only lengthwise thereof is mounted in a supporting hole in the form of an elongated hole. The second slide pin is directly brought into contact with a side wall of the supporting hole by a braking torque acting on the caliper.

Abstract: The arrangement for coordinated braking of the two wheels disposed in tandem on a vehicle includes in combination a first brake with friction linings situated at a fixed distance from the axis of rotation of the corresponding wheel, a second disk brake the friction pads of which are situated at a variable distance from the axis of rotation of the disk and a mechanism permitting the variation of the distance simultaneously with the clamping of the pads of the second brake against the disk.

Abstract: A multi-speed free wheel hub with a coaster brake for use in a bicycle comprising a driving mechanism for driving the bicycle and a braking mechanism for braking the bicycle. Both the driving and braking mechanisms are independent of each other when one pedals the bicycle. A driving female screw cylinder is incorporated into the driving mechanism to achieve the complete driving and braking modes of operation.

Abstract: A front-wheel suspension is disclosed, especially for two-wheeled vehicles such as motor-assisted bicycles and motor-scooters, in which the usual swinging front fork is replaced by a single goose-necked stiff arm capable of overhangingly carrying the vehicle front wheel and pivotally connected, at its bottom end, to the wheel axle by the intermediary of a swingable link. A springing and shock-absorbing telescopable member is pivotally connected, at its top, to an intermediate portion of said arm and, at its bottom, to the wheel axle. A brake device is rigidly connected to the shock-assembly member. The construction is much simplified over the prior art and the costs are significantly reduced: a favorable distribution of the stresses throughout the entire system is also achieved.

Abstract: A coil spring is provided which extends around and along a peripheral cylindrical surface formed of a cylindrical boss defined at the central portion of a rotary body and an adjacent cylindrical mounting tube of a bicycle wheel hub to which the rotary body is screwed for rotation therewith. When the rotary body receives braking torque from a braking surface applied thereto in a manner which would cause an unscrewing of the rotary body from the mounting tube, the coil spring becomes smaller in diameter to tighten about the cylindrical boss and mounting tube to prevent the unscrewing of the rotary body.

Abstract: Bicycle wheels are mounted on single suspension struts, each having an axle secured horizontally. Adjacent to the strut is an independently rotatable assembly. For the rear wheel, the assembly includes an overrunning clutch having its outer driven portion, which bears a brake disc, splined into the inner surface of the wheel hub, and its inner driving ratchet operably coupled to a drive sprocket. For the front wheel, an identical wheel hub is splined into the outer surface of a rotatable assembly which bears a brake disc.

Abstract: A bicycle is provided with wheels whose axle hubs are eccentric with respect to the wheel geometric center. A bicycle with such wheels and in forward motion will cause its rider to also oscillate up and down as the wheel axles rise and fall due to the wheel eccentricity. The purpose of such motions superposed on the forward travel motion is to exercise the rider's body more effectively by subjecting it to accelerations similar to those experienced in riding a horse.

Abstract: A torque controlled brake of the disc type has a caliper which is free to rotate about the axis of the wheel shaft. The caliper contains a rotatably mounted lever having disc pads which press upon the disc to provide the frictional braking force. The pads close onto the disc in response to rotational motion of the lever with respect to the caliper. This rotational motion is produced by a manually controlled brake lever on the handlebar of a bicycle. The rotational motion is restrained by a cable attached to the bicycle frame and to the lever, thus providing a negative feedback effect. The braking torque is dominated by the restraining force which bears a fixed ratio to the force applied by the manual brake lever. A limited manual braking force thereby determines the maximum braking torque.

Abstract: A brake device which can be mounted on such vehicles as a bicycle and includes a brake disc which is fixed for rotation with the hub between a backing plate and pressure plate stationarily mounted. An actuator is provided for moving the pressure plate toward the backing member to squeeze the brake disc therebetween and impart a braking action on the disc and hub.

Abstract: A brake disk assembly for a motorcycle wheel has a radially extending carrier integral with the hub and supporting a brake actuating member. The brake actuating member presses the friction lining of a brake disk against a brake ring on the wheel. In one embodiment of the invention only one brake actuating member is used and the two brake rings on opposite sides of the wheel are connected by a rod-like member. When the brake disk on one side of the wheel is actuated by pressing one brake disk against its brake ring, the latter brake ring presses the opposite brake ring through the connecting rod against the second brake disk. The actuating members may be either mechanical or hydraulic.

Abstract: A brake for a motorcycle or bicycle, of the type having a frame and a disc rotatable with a wheel, comprises:A. a housing having a fork defining a slot to receive a wheel axle bolt, and a connection to the frame, the housing configured to embrace a portion of the disc,B. brake pad means located within the housing to laterally engage the disc,C. a carrier and first ramp means on the carrier and supporting the brake pad means, the carrier being longitudinally movable and laterally resiliently flexible, within the housing,D. second ramp means on the housing and presented generally toward the first ramp means, andE. roller means located between the first and second ramp means to rollably urge the first ramp means and brake pad means laterally toward the disc, with accompanying resilient flexing of the carrier, in response to bodily movement of the carrier and first ramp means in one longitudinal direction.

Abstract: In a disk brake for motorcycles, the brake disk connects the actual hub of the wheel with the spokes-carrying flanged body of the wheel itself, and the braking member consists of a non-rotating plate, provided with friction pads slidable along the wheel axis. The disk braking surface is a conical surface, with its axis coinciding with the wheel axis, and the friction pads are borne by the plate in such a way as to lie on a conical surface mating with the disk braking surface. The brake plate is widely slotted, so as to provide a unit comprising a hub, three spokes and two peripheral crowns, this unit being obtained by metal casting, the friction pads being applied to the spokes between one crown and the other.

Abstract: The rotor of a disc brake apparatus for bicycles comprises a spider that flatwise overlies the outer face of one spoke flange on a wheel hub and is secured by spokes that have their hook portions extending through it and that spoke flange. A flat annular disc has radially inwardly projecting tabs that are secured to the spider and hold the disc in axially spaced relation to the spokes. A U-shaped caliper body straddles an edge portion of the disc. On a shorter leg the body has a fixed brake pad; on its longer leg it carries a movable brake pad that has a compound motion for self-energization. The body is movable in directions parallel to the wheel axis and is carried, in part, by a cup-shaped adapter coaxial to the wheel shaft and confined between a bearing cone for the wheel and an adjacent frame portion. Portions of the body straddle an elongated frame member to confine the body against rotation around the adapter.

Abstract: The supporting structure of a disk brake for a bicycle includes a tubular guide bounding a cylindrical, axially open passage in which first and second actuator members are axially movable, the first member being moved angularly by an operating device while the second member is secured against angular movement and moved axially by an interposed cam mechanism in response to the angular movement of the first member. A casing mounted on the first actuator member for limited axial movement partly envelopes the guide. An opening in the casing in a plane transverse to the axis receives a disk attached to the wheel to be braked for axial engagement between brake linings on the casing and the second actuator member respectively when the first actuator member is moved by the operating device.

Abstract: A disc brake for use in a two-wheeled vehicle includes a calliper straddling a rotatable disc and having an actuator disposed on one side of the disc, a guide pin disposed outside of the outer periphery of the disc and extending across the disc in a direction normal to the surface of the disc for mounting the calliper on a stationary part of the vehicle and means for preventing rotation of the calliper around the guide pin, which means is disposed inside of the outer periphery of the disc and at the aforementioned one side relative to the disc.

Abstract: A disc brake for a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a motorcycle, is disclosed. The brake includes a torque member fastened to a non-rotative part of the vehicle, a two-piece caliper carried by the torque member, and a pair of pins carried by the caliper which slidably support a pair of friction elements adjacent opposed friction faces of a convention disc brake rotor. In one embodiment of the invention, the torque member is rigidly secured to the pins, a sliding connection being provided between the pins and the caliper to permit the latter to slide axially with respect to the rotor. Bolts are provided to hold the pieces of the caliper together. In the other embodiment of the invention, the torque member and the caliper are integral with one another, and the attachment between the torque member and the vehicle permits the brake to move axially with respect to the rotor. In this embodiment, the pins which slidably support the friction elements are bolts which also hold the two pieces of the caliper together.

Abstract: A disc brake for a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a motorcycle, is disclosed. The brake includes a torque member fastened to a nonrotative part of the vehicle, a two-piece caliper carried by the torque member, and a pair of pins carried by the caliper which slidably support a pair of friction elements adjacent opposed friction faces of a convention disc brake rotor. The torque member is rigidly secured to the pins, a sliding connection being provided between the pins and the caliper to permit the latter to slide axially with respect to the rotor. Bolts are provided to hold the pieces of the caliper together. The pins which slidably support the friction elements are bolts which also hold the two pieces of the caliper together.

Abstract: A disc brake for a bicycle or the like, which is provided with two arms opposite both surfaces of a disc rotatable with the bicycle wheel, which arms are pivotally supported to a fixed member to be freely swingable with respect thereto and shiftable toward the disc and carry pads directly attached to the arms. At least one of the arm and fixed member is formed of a recess which has a tapered face and receives a rolling member, such as a ball, into the recess. When the arms swing the rolling member rolls along the tapered face so that the arms may be shifted toward the disc and the pads be brought into contact with the disc to thereby exert the braking action.

Abstract: The rotor of a disc brake apparatus for bicycles comprises a spider that flatwise overlies the outer face of one spoke flange on a wheel hub and is secured by spokes that have their hook portions extending through it and that spoke flange. A flat annular disc has radially inwardly projecting tabs that are secured to the spider and hold the disc in axially spaced relation to the spokes. A U-shaped caliper body straddles an edge portion of the disc. On a shorter leg the body has a fixed brake pad; on its longer leg it carries a movable brake pad that has a compound motion for self-energization. The body is movable in directions parallel to the wheel axis and is carried, in part, by a cup-shaped adapter coaxial to the wheel shaft and confined between a bearing cone for the wheel and an adjacent frame portion. Portions of the body straddle an elongated frame member to confine the body against rotation around the adapter.

Abstract: A disk brake, of the type embodying the brake disk in the hub of the vehicle wheel and especially a motorcycle wheel, having: at least one brake disk, the braking surface of which is a conical surface, which brake disk connects the actual hub of the wheel with the spokes carrying flange of the wheel itself; and at least one non-rotating brake plate, placed to the side of the hub and provided with friction pads lying on a conical surface adapted to engage with the braking surface of the disk, said brake plate being slidable along the wheel axis in order to establish or interrupt braking engagement between said friction pads and said disk, under the opposing action of fluid pressure control means and of spring return means.

Abstract: A disk brake, of the type embodying the brake disk in the hub of the vehicle wheel and especially a motorcycle wheel having: a ring-shaped brake disk supported by a ribbed disk of the hub; a brake plate axially movable but locked against rotation; fluid pressure control means for driving the plate into friction engagement with said ring-shaped brake disk and return means acting against said control means.

Abstract: A bicycle with a disc brake includes a brake mounting bracket attached to the bicycle frame and restrained against movement about the axle of the wheel with which the brake is associated during braking action. The brake pads are mounted on an actuator and the actuator is supported by a carrier. The carrier and the mounting bracket are interconnected by a loose connection that permits floating movement of the carrier, actuator and brake pads with respect to the mounting bracket and brake disc to accomodate distortion of the brake disc, assembly tolerances and mispositioning of the brake pads with respect to the disc.

Abstract: A disc brake for use in a two-wheeled vehicle is disclosed, in which the position of an axle of the two-wheeled vehicle relative to the frame of vehicle is adjusted without changing the relative position in the radial direction of a caliper assembly to a brake disc. The disc brake for a two-wheeled vehicle of the present invention comprises an attaching bracket and a caliper assembly to be mounted on the attaching bracket, the attaching bracket having a hole provided in one end by which the bracket is pivotally mounted on an axle of a wheel coaxially therewith and the other end is provided with a hole, by which the bracket is pivotally mounted on another link member.

Abstract: A disc brake construction adapted for use on front or rear wheels of motorcycles and the like. Annular steel discs are supported on opposite sides of the wheel hub. A pair of axially mounted face plates support hydraulically operated brake shoes having brake linings adapted to engage the disc. Spring returns cause the brake shoes to return to a disengaged position. A self-draining system and cooling manifold are integrally formed in the face plates.