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:
Mar. 16, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 27, 2001
Michael L. Noll, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Tom E. Harting, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Gayle D. Goodrich, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Trevor T. Downes, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC, Warrenville, IL (US);
Abstract
A vehicle has a park brake system, which has set a set operational state for holding the vehicle in a parked position, and a released operational state in which the vehicle may be driven. The park brake system includes a park brake actuator and connecting linkages which are driven by an operator of the vehicle in an engaging direction in order to effect the set operational state of the park brake system. The park brake system further includes a return spring engaged to the connecting linkages in such a manner to drive them and the park brake actuator in a disengaging direction and to ensure maintenance of the released operational state of the park brake system after it is effected by an operator. The park brake system also includes an impact-reduction energy absorber such as a spring, damper, or some combination thereof for absorbing some of the energy transferred to the connecting linkages when the return spring drives the connecting linkages and the park brake actuator in their disengaging directions.