The Bendix Corporation

Andrew F Kazmierzak

Donald D Johannesen

Orla L Holcomb, Jr

A disc brake assembly includes a frame (28) which is movably disposed relative to a rotor (18) and a central opening (29) on the frame carries a pair of friction elements (30, 33) facing opposite sides of the rotor. An adjuster assembly (43) is disposed within the central opening to control the position of the pair of friction elements relative to the rotor. The adjuster assembly includes a lever (44) pivotally engaging the frame and an extendible assembly (48) cooperating with the lever and frame to control the pivotal position of the lever relative to the frame. An actuator (36) extends into the central opening and is engageable with one of the friction elements and the lever. Upon operation of the actuator, the one friction element separates from the lever to engage the rotor and the frame moves to engage the other friction element with the rotor. A pawl (50) is responsive to movement of the one friction element relative to the lever to control extension of the extendible assembly. The extendible assembly is carried on the lever at an end remote from the pivotal engagement with the frame. The lever carries a roller (40) which is engageable with the actuator and a U-shaped section of the lever forms a pocket to receive the roller.

Disc brake and improved adjuster therefor

A band brake assembly includes a band which carries a friction lining for engagement with a rotatable member. A casing surrounds the band and a hydraulic actuator cooperates with a pair of links which are engaged with respective ends of the band. When the hydraulic actuator is operated, the hydraulic actuator is moved toward the rotatable member such that the pair of links are pivoted oppositely about the moving hydraulic actuator. The pivoting links are coupled to the band such that movement of the hydraulic actuator causes the band to contract the friction lining into engagement with the rotatable member. The pair of links are optionally provided with rollers which roll on the casing and the hydraulic actuator when the latter is operated. It is also possible to eliminate the casing so that the rollers roll on the band when the hydraulic actuator is operated.

Growing community of inventors

South Bend, IN, United States of America

Andrew F Kazmierzak