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:
Apr. 08, 2008
Filed:
Aug. 25, 2005
Brian P. Dennis, Kalamazoo, MI (US);
Kenneth A. Dodd, Dowagiac, MI (US);
Brian P. Dennis, Kalamazoo, MI (US);
Kenneth A. Dodd, Dowagiac, MI (US);
Ausco Products, Inc., Benton Harbour, MI (US);
Abstract
A brake () for the drive shaft of a vehicle or machine includes a housing () having an open end () which is adapted to be attached to the vehicle. A shaft is received in the housing () and is adapted to be attached to the vehicle drive shaft for rotation therewith. The shaft has a splined outer surface. A disc assembly () includes a plurality of rotatable discs () carried by the splined surface of the shaft, a plurality of stationary discs () which alternate with the rotatable discs () and a primary stationary disc () located at the end of the disc assembly (), proximate to the open end () of housing (). As mounted, a plurality of springs () cause the stationary discs () to engage the rotatable discs () to apply a braking torque to the shaft. A piston () is moveable to oppose the spring force and allow free rotation of the rotating discs (). Prior to mounting, a plurality of shipping bolts () hold the disc assembly () together and axially aligned. Prior to mounting, springs () are held in place by a spring retaining ring () and by pin assemblies ().