AUTOMATIC BRAKE ADJUSTER

• US 3,566,996 A
• Filed: 03/21/1969
• Issued: 03/02/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Crossman, Richard L.
• Original Assignee: Crossman, Richard L.
• Inventors: Crossman, Richard L.
• Application Number:
  US04/809,260
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• US Class Current: 188/196.00P
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 65/54 by means of direct linear adjustment

Abstract

An automatic brake adjuster for use on disc brakes having a pressure plate axially movable with respect to the brake housing. The adjuster has a threaded pin with one end attached to the brake pressure plate with the threaded portion of the pin extending through an internally threaded gripping member which extends through the brake housing. The threaded portion of the internally threaded member is radially outwardly expandable to permit disengagement of the threaded portion of the member from the threaded pin thereby permitting the pin to be moved by the pressure plate axially with respect to the internally threaded member. As lining wear increases in the brake, the distance between the pressure plate and the brake housing increases and the threaded pin is moved farther and farther through the threaded member. The position of the threaded pin with respect to the brake housing determines the amount of spacing between the brake housing and the pressure plate and this in turn determines the amount of clearance in the brake.

Claims

1. In an automatically adjustable disc brake, the combination of:

a. a brake housing;

b. a pressure plate;

c. pressure means attached to the housing and operatively associated with the plate to cause movement of the plate away from the housing upon actuation of said pressure means; and

d. at least one adjuster separate from the pressure means attached to the housing and the pressure plate comprising;

1. a threaded member having one end attached to the pressure plate, 2. radially expandable threaded gripping means attached to the brake housing and engaging the threaded member for limited axial movement therewith, but adapted to release the member for further axial movement upon each application of the brake.

2. An automatically adjustable brake as claimed in claim 2 wherein the gripping means comprises:

a. an adjuster housing;

b. an internally threaded tubular member slidably mounted for limited movement within the housing; and

c. means urging the tubular member toward one end of the adjuster housing when the brake is released but permitting it to move to the opposite end when the brake is applied.

3. An automatically adjustable brake as claimed in claim 2 wherein a tapered surface on the adjuster housing engages a mating tapered surface on the tubular member to provide a wedging action which causes radial expansion of the threaded portion of the tubular member.

4. An automatic brake adjuster as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tubular member has a plurality of radial slots to permit radial expansion thereof.

5. An automatic brake adjuster for use in a disc bRake having a housing and a pressure plate movable with respect to the housing and a force means to move the pressure plate away from the housing when the brake is applied, the adjuster comprising:

a. a threaded pin having one end attached to the pressure plate;

b. a gripping member having an internally threaded portion for engaging the pin;

c. an adjuster housing attached to the brake housing in spaced apart relationship from the force means and enclosing the gripping member but permitting limited sliding movement thereof;

d. spring means within the adjuster housing urging the gripping member toward one end of the adjuster housing when the brake is released; and

e. the threaded portion of the gripping member being radially outwardly expandable to permit disengagement thereof from the threaded pin to permit the pin to slide axially with respect to the gripping member each time the pressure plate is moved away from the brake housing when the brake is applied.

6. An automatic brake adjuster as claimed in claim 5 wherein both the gripping member and the adjuster housing have mating frustoconical surfaces and wherein the frustoconical surface of the adjuster housing creates a wedging action against the frustoconical surface of the gripping member to cause radially outward expansion of the threaded portion each time the brake makes an adjustment for wear.

7. An automatic brake adjuster as claimed in claim 6 wherein the gripping member has a plurality of radial slots in the threaded portion to permit radial expansion thereof.