Abstract: An axle assembly having a steering knuckle and a brake spider. The steering knuckle may include a spindle and a camshaft tube hole that may receive a camshaft for actuating a brake pad assembly. The brake spider may be disposed on the steering knuckle and may not encircle the spindle.

Abstract: Braking device for roller skates, skateboards, or the like, having a roller support in which a roller is mounted axially movable between a first freely rotatable position and a second braked position. The braking device includes an actuatable brake unit is supported relative to the roller support and the brake actuation force is produced from the torque of the roller via a clutch unit having a downstream transmission unit, the clutch unit being open in the first position and closed in the second position.

Abstract: A drum brake has a pair of brake shoes (40) moveable radially outwardly into contact with an associated brake drum to provide a handbrake function by a cross strut (100) which acts between the brake shoes or between pivoting brake operating levers (14) which actuate the brake shoes. A handbrake lever (18) is pivoted on one brake shoe or brake operating lever (14) and contacts one end of the strut to displace the other brake shoe or brake operating lever towards the drum to apply the associated shoe against the drum and by reaction through the strut to also force the other brake shoe or brake operating lever toward the drum to apply the other shoe against the drum. The strut (100) is in two parts (101,102), one part being connected for movement with each respective brake shoe or operating lever, the strut parts having inter-engageable formations in the form of teeth (103,104) which when engaged allow the strut (100) to transmit axial force between the shoes or operating levers.

Abstract: An improved integral spring brake actuator and mount is provided in which a portion of the spring brake actuator is integrally formed with a connecting flange and a brake cam shaft support tube. The improved integral spring brake actuator and mount is significantly lighter than previous multi-part built-up spring brake actuators and mounting brackets, decreasing vehicle weight, eliminating the need for costly high-quality welding and lowering manufacturing costs. The integral spring brake actuator and mount may be formed from cast aluminum.

Abstract: An S cam assembly, includes an S cam member having a shank, the shank having a machined shank outer margin, a tubular bushing holder member disposable annular to the shank, and a single S cam bushing member disposable intermediate the shank machined shank outer margin and an inside margin of the bushing holder when the bushing holder is in the annular disposition relative to the shank.

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting a S cam, the S cam being an intermediary device between a brake actuator and a set of wheel brakes and is generally an elongate metal rod shank having an S-head at one end and a set of splines at the other end, the S-head having at least one arm for engaging a respective brake shoe, whereby rotation of the S cam in a first direction causes the at least one arm of the S-head act on the brake shoe to frictionally engage the brake shoe with a brake drum, the brake drum being affixed to a wheel, includes single bushing rotationally supporting the S cam. A method of supporting the S cam is further included.

Abstract: A cam mechanism 7 provided as a shoe drive mechanism includes a cam supporting plate 21 being loosely and rotatably fitted on an anchor pin 10 for receiving a shoe operating force, a first cam plate 23 rotatably connected to the cam supporting plate 21 at an outer cam supporting position which is a position shifted away from the anchor pin 10 radially outwardly of the drum, a second cam plate 25 rotatably connected to the cam supporting plate 21 at an inner cam supporting position which is away from the anchor pin 10 toward an operating force generator 6, so that a pair of brake shoes 3, 4 are opened outwardly by the separate cam plates 23, 25, respectively.

Abstract: A cam for a brake is provided that allows for greater brake shoe travel and thicker brake linings while providing the same or greater mechanical force as compared to conventional cams. One or more lobes of the cam include multiple portions having varying profiles in axial cross-section. The variation in the cam profiles results in a cam in which the outermost ends or tips of the lobes are longer than in conventional cams yet retain the same mechanical strength.

Abstract: An improved axle beam and self-contained drum brake assembly, particularly for heavy duty trucks, is disclosed. The assembly includes a brake spider and actuating members mounted thereto via a mounting assembly comprising a mounting sleeve attached to the brake spider by means of a second mounting bracket, and a first mounting bracket securing a pneumatic brake actuator cylinder to the mounting sleeve. A brake actuating camshaft is positioned and rotationally supported therewithin. The disclosed brake assembly allows for numerous variations of axle beam and suspension arrangements.

Abstract: In a drum brake device having a shoe drive cam, the braking force of which is mechanically controlled according to a reaction force acting on an anchor pin by a brake shoe, the cam plate 76 pivotally supported by the anchor pin 10 and the lever plate 30, to which a shoe operating force is given by the operating force generating means 6, are connected to each other being capable of rotating relatively via a pair of cam pins 21, 23 coming into contact with the brake shoes 3, 4, and the transmitting mechanism of the input system composed of the lever plate 30 and the pair of cam pins 21, 23 and the transmitting mechanism of the control system composed of the pair of cam pins 21, 23 and the cam plate 76 are put into a separate state in which a direct power transmission is not conducted between them.

Abstract: A spring applied/hydraulically released brake mechanism for a mechanical brake including an actuator lever extending between a movable piston, which piston is normally biased to a closed position by a spring with a selective pressurization of a chamber on the other side of the piston deactivating the mechanical brake through the lever.

Abstract: A steer axle for a heavy duty vehicle is provided including an axle assembly having an axle housing. A steer knuckle is connected to an end portion of the axle housing by king pins. The steer knuckle rotates relative to the axle housing about the king pins. A wheel end assembly including a brake drum and a pair of brake shoes is supported on an outer wall of the steer knuckle. Preferably, one end of a cam shaft is supported by the wheel end assembly, such as by a spindle. According to the present invention, the steer knuckle includes a boss extending from a portion of the steer knuckle. The boss includes a hole, and preferably, a bushing is received in the hole to support the other end of the cam shaft. Other brake components such as an air chamber, rod, and a brake adjuster are supported by the knuckle and connected to the cam shaft to rotate the cam shaft about its axis and force the brake shoes away from one another with a cam and into engagement with the brake drum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle drum brake including a wheel cylinder including two pistons and lever device installed at the wheel cylinder to be rotated by a parking cable to linearly move the two pistons of the wheel cylinder apart. The present invention compacts the parts of the drum brake relevant to the mechanism for braking a running or parking vehicle and prevents noise generated between the separately constructed manipulating lever and brake shoes, when they are in contact.

Abstract: A shoe driving mechanism includes cam plates which respond to a shoe operating force to rotate about a main anchor pin on a back plate by a shoe operating force, and three pins consisting of an input pin, a secondary anchor pin and a primary anchor pin, which are uprightly disposed in a space between the cam plates. A secondary anchor pin and a primary anchor pin, respectively, expand a secondary shoe and a primary shoe by the rotating motions of the cam plates, caused by a shoe operating force. At forward braking and backward braking, those anchor pins cause rotation moments to act on the cam plates in such a direction as to lessen the shoe operating force in accordance with a braking force generated by each brake shoe.

Abstract: Brake systems are disclosed for use in motor vehicles comprising a brake cylinder including a push rod, a brake key for activating a wheel brake on the motor vehicle, a braking lever having a first end for connection to the brake key and a second end for connection to the push rod, and a mount affixed to the push rod between the brake cylinder and the end of the push rod, the mount including a predetermined shape such as a pin and the braking lever including a predetermined shape such as an aperture so that the mount can be coupled to the push rod at a location between the brake cylinder and the end of the push rod by attaching the pin to the aperture. Methods for mounting brake systems in motor vehicles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drum brake device including, a pair of brake shoes, a wheel cylinder, anchor pins, and a control lever. The control lever is disposed between a wheel cylinder and a secondary shoe and has a structure that the flanges and are raised from both ends of a plate-like lever body. The first flange is formed at one end of the plate-like lever body and includes a piston contact portion. The second flange is formed at the other end thereof. The surface of the second flange, which faces an anchor pin, is used as an anchor contact portion, and the surface of the second flange, which faces the secondary shoe, is used as a shoe contact portion.

Abstract: A cam shaft support and enclosure assembly includes a tube formed with a flat on its inboard end. An outboard end of the tube is supported on a spider which in turn is mounted on an axle of a heavy duty vehicle. A bushing is mounted in each of the tube ends, and a shaft is rotatably mounted in and passes completely through the bushings and sealed and lubricated tube. An S-cam is integrally formed on an exposed outboard end of the shaft and the exposed inboard end of the shaft is formed with splines for meshingly engaging a slack adjuster of the vehicle brake system. A support plate formed with a generally D-shaped keyhole is mounted on the suspension beam, and is slip-fittingly engaged by the correspondingly shaped and sized inboard end of the tube. The weld-free keyhole connection of the tube and plate enables the plate to react rotation of the tube without the possibility of fatigue or failure of a weld.

Abstract: A bushing boot for a cam braking system is disclosed that snaps in place over a bushing assembly. The bushing assembly supports a camshaft in the cam braking system. The bushing boot is preferably generally cylindrical having a first end, a second end and an internal bore extending along a longitudinal axis. In a preferred embodiment, the boot also has an internal circumferential groove within the bore at its first end and an external circumferential groove at its second end. The bushing assembly includes a washer at an end adjacent the boot. The internal groove of the boot snaps in place over the outside diameter of the bushing assembly washer, thereby providing an axial locating feature. The internal bore of the boot receives the camshaft. Further, the external groove on the boot receives a tie strap to connect the boot to the camshaft. In the preferred embodiment, the boot rotates with the camshaft. In an alternative embodiment, the boot does not have an external circumferential groove.

Abstract: An improved camshaft sealing arrangement includes seals at each end of the camshaft housing. In addition, seals and washers are positioned between the camshaft and the slack adjuster connection. The combined seals provide a camshaft that is less likely to require maintenance than prior art camshafts. The seal adjacent the cam contacts an outer periphery of the camshaft housing. This seal also provides a thrust bearing washer surface against the camshaft. The seals between the camshaft and the slack adjuster include washers to properly secure and position the seals, the camshaft and the slack adjuster.

Abstract: A servo friction brake which includes a carrier, and at least one friction lining which is supported on the carrier and interacts with at least one friction surface, and at least one device for actuating the friction lining. In order to considerably reduce the sensitivity of the friction brake to coefficient of friction and to achieve high servo effect values, especially in the range close to the locking limit, a mechanism which permits varying the servo effect during operation of the brake.

Abstract: A steerable independent front suspension having upper and lower wishbone control arms, each control arm pivotally mounted to a suspension frame which in turn is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle frame. The other end of the control arms are pivotally mounted to an upper and lower end of a knuckle post, which has an opening extending therethrough. A steering knuckle is pivotally mounted to the knuckle post and mounts an S-cam brake assembly having a brake actuator extending therefrom. The knuckle post opening is positioned and sized to receive the brake actuator when the steering knuckle is pivoted to a maximum position to increase the steering angle of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved bracket member for a vehicle brake system is disclosed. The bracket member has a wing bracket at one end for mounting of a brake actuating mechanism and a mounting plate at the opposite end for connection to the spider of the brake assembly. A hollow tubular member is positioned between the wing bracket and mounting plate and securely affixed to each of them, such as by welding. The tubular member can be of any length depending on the vehicle and applicable clearance space. The mounting plate is secured such as by fasteners to the brake assembly. Also, the tubular member protrudes through the mounting plate and is adapted to be separately securely connected to the brake assembly. The end of the tubular member can be securely attached to an opening in the brake assembly in a number of ways, such as by an interference fit, press fit, wedge fit, compression fit in combination with a spanner nut, pinch joint or the like. The end of the tubular member can also be knurled or splined.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel drum brake assembly includes an improved brake actuator assembly having a stabilizing cam and roller design. The cam and roller include a centering and guiding surface that cooperate to prevent relative movement between the cam and the rollers in an axial direction which is generally perpendicular to a direction of movement of the brake shoes caused by the cam camming the rollers. The rollers and brake shoes are provided with similarly cooperating centering and guiding surfaces to prevent undesirable relative movement between the shoes and rollers. The centering and guiding surfaces include non-parallel sidewalls such that a wedge of surface contact is provided. The centering and guiding surfaces provide a centering feature and increase the amount of surface contact and the amount of desirable friction experienced in the system.

Abstract: A pair of arcuate brake shoes in a vehicle brake assembly are pivotably supported on a pivot pin which is directly mounted to a steering knuckle add activated by an S-cam type actuator where an S-cam actuator shaft is supported in a support tube which is attached directly to the steering knuckle thereby eliminating the traditional brake spider. Rotation of the S-cam causes a pair of cam followers to separate the brake shoes resulting in frictional contact between the brake shoes and a brake drum. Elimination of the brake spider to support the pivot pin and the S-cam actuator shaft housing reduces complexity for lower cost and improved performance.

Abstract: A kit capable of converting a hand truck to one which is brakeable. A set of brake shoes are provided within appropriately sized wheels which are actuatable by a cable connected to each cam follower. At the mid-point of the cable is located a lever releasably attached to the hand truck frame. By this arrangement, equal pressure is applied to each brake shoe simultaneously to avoid the hand truck pulling in one direction when the brakes are applied.

Abstract: A drum reel with a spool brake for balancing the differential rotational velocities of spool and fishline. The spool brake comprises an annular brake drum and a band brake having a pair of arcuate brake parts connected to each other and placed in the brake drum. A brake operating member, having a link engaging part, is placed between the free ends of the brake parts in order to bias the brake parts in opposed directions. A link is provided on one of the frames and engages the brake operating member for rotating this member, and has a slit engaging with the link engaging part such that rotation of the slit causes rotation of the member. A lever is interposed between the frames and hinged to the link such that the lever moves rotating the link and in turn rotating the brake operating member.

Abstract: An S-cam assembly (33) is disclosed for expanding internal shoe brakes of the type comprising a pair of pivotally mounted brake shoes (17) located within a brake drum (11), each brake shoe carrying a cam follower (31). The assembly comprises an S-cam member (35) comprising a pair of substantially identical working portions (37), each working portion defining a working surface (39) and defining a nominal lift circle having a diameter D1. Each working portion includes a ramp member (43) pivotable about a pin (47) from a retracted position (FIG. 2) in which a ramp surface (51) is disposed within the nominal lift circle. Each ramp member has an extended position (FIG. 5) in which the ramp surface is disposed outward of the nominal lift circle and in engagement with the adjacent cam follower (31) and defining a larger lift circle having a diameter D2. The substantially increased reserve lift is accomplished without increasing the minimum installation diameter of the S-cam assembly.

Abstract: A truck brake having a brake assembly mounted to an axle housing and a brake drum placed over the brake assembly attached to a wheel where the brake assembly has a pivoted cam acting against a cam roller mounted to a brake shoe where the cam pivot is located approximately midway between the outer diameter of an axle and the inner surface of the brake drum and the brake shoe has a slot in the brake table to allow removal of an actuation return spring and the drum has a plurality of generally axially extending airflow channels in an outer surface and a squealer band located at an edge of the brake drum opposite a partially closed face.

Abstract: A drum brake including a backing plate adapted to be mounted on a non-rotatable member of a vehicle, the backing plate having a shaft hole formed therethrough at the center thereof for accommodating a shaft of the vehicle, a drum adapted to be mounted on a rotatable member of the vehicle, a pair of brake shoes mounted on the backing plate and arranged to be expandable in the radial direction of the drum, a connector connecting respective ends of each of the brake shoes together, an anchor with which the other end of each of the brake shoes are engageable, and mounting bolts for mounting the backing plate on the non-rotatable member of the vehicle. The mounting bolts are located outwardly of the shaft hole and close to each other. The anchor is also fixed to the non-rotatable member of the vehicle by the mounting bolts.

Abstract: An anchor bracket (100) is provided for securing return springs (36) and (36') in close proximity to a cam (32) of a rotary drum brake assembly (200). Bracket (100) has an inverted "U" type configuration comprising a bridging portion (40) from opposite sides of which extend legs (42) and (42') that are spaced apart from each other and have a height sufficient to enable the close proximity between cam (32) and bracket (100) that operates to increase mechanical advantage in enabling return springs (36) and (36') to move a pair of brake shoe assemblies (20) and (20') towards each other upon release of the brakes by an operator.

Abstract: An anchor collar or bracket (100) is provided that is adapted to fit loosely about a shaft (34) of a rotary drum brake assembly such as assembly (200). Bracket (100) is adapted to secure at least one pair of resilient biasing members such as coiled springs (36 and 36') to respective pivotally mounted opposed brake shoe assemblies (20 and 20') and resiliently urge them towards each other upon release of the brake while being able to be moved to enable access to hidden portions therebehind.

Abstract: A duo servo drum brake assembly having a parking brake actuating lever combined with an automatic brake adjuster strut, the combined lever and strut engaging adjacent ends of the brake shoes of the assembly for brake adjustment and parking brake actuation of the drum brake assembly. The parking brake actuating lever is pivotally and slidably mounted on the strut for planar pivotal and limited planar translational movements as the lever is subjected to parking brake apply and release forces. The lever has a cam end acting on the end of one brake shoe and on the strut to expand the combined lever and strut mechanism for parking brake actuation. The lever is shorter in overall length than the strut and is no longer than about 1/2 of the radius of the friction braking surface of the brake drum of the brake assembly, yet has effective force multiplication ratios for parking brake apply. The arrangement eliminates the spreader bar typically used in such priior art brake assemblies.

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: An improved S-cam (100) for expanding internal shoe (20) drum brakes (10) is provided. The working surfaces (116) of the S-cam are provided at their ends with an extremely high rise/low mechanical advantage portion (122) providing a warning ramp to indicate to the operator that brake relining is required and to minimize the possibility of cam flip.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dust-proof caster assembly including a caster having a peripheral annular recess disposed thereon and a casing having a corresponding annular peripheral flange which can be fitly engaged with the annular recess when the caster and the casing are assembled together, thus effectively preventing dust or fragmental threads in a textile factory from getting into the fissure between the wheel hub and the bearing, improving the operation of the caster and enhancing the longevity thereof.

Abstract: An automatic adjusting mechanism for a drum-type brake including a pair of slidably supported tappets for actuating the brake. The tappets are comprised of two threadably connected components which effect adjustment for wear upon relative rotation of the components. An interconnecting shaft insures simultaneous rotation of the respective components of the pair and an automatic adjusting device including an over-adjustment preventing mechanism operates on an extension of this interconnecting shaft.

Abstract: An automatic adjuster includes a two part strut interconnected by a non-reversible thread so that extension of the strut under the influence of an adjuster device is effected by relative rotation between the two parts. The adjuster device includes a spigot, rotation of which is controlled by a clutch member as a result of a cooperation between helical teeth respectively on the strut part and spigot and also uni-directionally couples the spigot to a fixed member so that in the event of temporary clutch disengagement due to vibration, rotation of the spigot in the de-adjusting direction is prevented by rotation thereof is the adjusting direction is permitted when required.

Abstract: An automatic braking-gap adjuster system for a mechanical drum brake which has a pair of brake shoes pivotally mounted at one end on a back plate. A cam member is located between the free ends of the brake shoes. The cam member, actuated through a brake arm, expands the brake shoes to urge them against the brake drum.

Abstract: An improved expanding shoe drum brake (10) is provided. The brake includes a pair of brake shoes (20) pivotably retained on an anchor structure (18). The shoes include brake tables (22) and webs (26), the webs are resiliently urged by a spring (132) into constant sliding engagement with three guide surfaces (78, 88 and 114) to locate the webs on a plane (P) relative to the spider and to retain a substantially parallel relationship between the shoe friction material (24) and the brake drum (12) thereby minimizing the required running clearance (44) or slack of the brake.

Abstract: An improved expanding shoe drum brake (10) is provided. The brake includes a shaft-like mounting structure (42) for retaining the hook ends (40) of a heavy duty brake return spring (28). The retaining assembly includes a fixed portion (44) and an axially movable portion (46). The axially movable portion is normally abutting with the fixed portion but may be selectively axially moved away therefrom for assembly and disassembly of return spring (28) from the brake assembly (10).

Abstract: An automated braking-gap adjuster system for mechanical drum brakes includes back plate, a pair of brake shoes having one end pivotally supported on the back plate, a cam member interposed between the other free ends of the brake shoes and adapted to be rotated by a brake arm and a wedge adjuster having its tapered cam surface slidingly abutting directly or indirectly upon the brake shoes. The wedge adjuster is disposed in the cam member such that it is rotatable with the cam member and slidable in the direction extending at right angles with the expanding direction of the brake shoes. The adjuster system also includes an adjusting rod abutting upon the wedge adjuster and threadedly connected to the cam member and an adjusting gear engaged with the adjusting rod and rotated to extend threadedly the adjusting rod, so that the wedge adjuster is urged to thereby expand the brake shoes.

Abstract: An automatic slack adjuster comprises a pair of thrust assemblies. Each thrust assembly acts between a cam and a respective shoe-end and is guided to slide axially in a bore in a housing. Each thrust assembly comprises a nut which engages with, and is held against rotation with respect to, a respective shoe-end, and a screw-threaded tappet having a piston part which slides in the bore, and an integral threaded stem of reduced diameter which is screwed through the nut. The piston parts are both provided with gear teeth to enable them to be rotated together by the engagement of a crown wheel, or a pair of pinions carried by opposite ends of a transverse shaft which is rotatable in a bore normal to a bore in which the cam shaft carrying the cam is rotatable.

Abstract: An improved drum brake (10) is provided with an improved retaining spring (28) which passes over or close to the axis of the brake anchor structure (18). The improved retaining spring is a one-piece coil tension spring comprising a coil portion (46) and an attachment portion (50) extending axially from the opposite ends of the coil portion. Each attachment portion comprises a downwardly extending first section (52), an upwardly and outwardly extending second section (56), a downwardly extending third section (62) and an axially extending fourth section (64).

Abstract: A wheel brake assembly in which the webs of brake shoes are held in a planar alignment between and supported by a pair of parallel-spaced interconnected supporting plates, in turn supported by an axle or spindle. A pair of brake contracting springs interconnect the brake shoes, and these springs are positioned with one spring being against the outer surface of each plate. An inner edge of each of the plates is circular and independently adapted to attach to an axle housing, whereby the brake assembly may be readily welded to an axle housing.

Abstract: A brake assembly for a vehicle includes a stamped spider member, an air chamber mounting bracket attached to one end of the stamped spider member, a cam shaft supported in the air chamber mounting bracket having an S-cam member affixed to one end thereof, cam spacer selectively locatable on the cam shaft for adjusting the relative position of the S-cam and the spider member, and an anchor pin supported on the spider member opposite from the air chamber mounting bracket with the anchor pin being supported in a cantilevered fashion at one end thereof by the spider member. A pair of brake shoes are provided having an anchor pin end engaging the anchor pin and an S-cam end engaging the S-cam member. Rotation of the S-cam effects pivotal movement of the braking shoes about the anchor pin to brake a vehicle associated therewith. An anchor pin spacer is selectively locatable on the anchor pin to selectively adjust the relative position of the brake shoes and the spider member.

Abstract: The brake shoe of the present invention comprises a wear brake shoe body against which there has been cast a layer of metal consisting of hardenable material. By making the casting sufficiently thick the wear layer is prevented from losing its surface hardness.