Engine braking system

• US 5,086,890 A
• Filed: 12/21/1990
• Issued: 02/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Original Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Inventors: Gracyalny, Gary J., Baylor, David W., Turczyn, James F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bonck, Rodney H.
• Application Number:
  US07/631,630
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 192/1.36, 192/1.4, 192/1.44, 192/1.37, 192/1.38, 192/1.43, 192/1.45, 192/1.46, 192/1.47, 192/1.48, 192/1.49, 192/1.5, 56/11.3, 74/98, 74/480 R, 188/166, 188/74, 188/105
• US Class Current: 477/204
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 2101/00 Lawn-mowers
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/6812 Braking or clutching mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 49/00 Brakes with a braking member co-operating with the periphery of a drum, wheel-rim, or the like similar clutches F16D13/10
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 59/02 spring-loaded and adapted to be released by mechanical, fluid, or electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1888 Geared connections

Abstract

A brake mechanism wherein a bracket is attached to a small engine. The bracket comprises two rotating arms, a spring, a brake pad and cable attachments. When an operator of a small engine releases a cable attached to the brake assembly, the spring rotates an arm which further engages a brake pad for slowing the engine and stopping it. The cable may be attached to either arm for releasing and engaging the brake pad, which allows the small engine to be mounted on an apparatus in more than one orientation.

Claims

1. Apparatus for slowing a rotating member of an internal combustion engine, the apparatus having at least one cable and a brake surface, comprising:

a bracket attached to the engine;

a first arm in pivotal engagment with said bracket at a first pivot point and attached to said at least one cable;

a second arm in pivotal engagement with said bracket at a second pivot point;

a brake pad attached to either said first arm or said second arm that engages said brake surface;

a spring having a first end and a second end, said first end being attached to said first arm and said second end being attached to said second arm; and

a first engagement means interconnected with said first arm and a second engagement means interconnected with said second arm, said first and second engagement means for engaging each other in response to movement by said cable.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said brake pad comprises a surface that engages said brake surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine also has an ignition ground switch that is attached to said bracket, and wherein said first or said second arm actuates said ignition ground switch.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first or second engagement means comprises a rack having teeth for meshing engagement.