The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 11, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 12, 2000
Jeffrey L. Michael, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Brian P. Dennis, Dowagiac, MI (US);
Theodore E. Hornus, Coloma, MI (US);
Brett A. Starr, Michigan City, IN (US);
Michael J. Murphy, Stevensville, MI (US);
Ausco Products, Inc., Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A brake ( ) for a wheel of a vehicle includes a housing ( ) having one end closed by an end plate ( ) which is adapted to be attached to the vehicle. An axle assembly ( ) is received in the housing ( ) and is adapted to be attached to the wheel for rotation therewith. The axle assembly includes a drive surface ( ) which carries a shaft sleeve ( ) having a splined outer surface ( ). A disc brake assembly ( ) is immersed in a fluid in the housing ( ) and includes a plurality of rotatable discs ( ) carried by the splined surface ( ) and a plurality of stationary discs ( ) which alternate with the rotatable discs ( ) to form the disc brake assembly ( ). Each of the stationary discs ( ) has ears ( A, B) which are received in brackets ( ) carried by the housing ( ). A piston ring ( ) is moveable to cause the stationary discs ( ) to engage the rotatable discs ( ) to apply a braking torque to the wheel. Return springs ( ) act on ears ( A) of the end stationary disc ( A) and thus on the piston ring ( ) to separate the discs ( ) upon removal of the braking torque.