Brake evaluation gauge
First Claim
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1. A method of utilizing a measurement gauge for use with brakes comprising:
- providing a gauge having a shank connected to a first end, said first end having a toe extending a first predetermined distance from a back, a recess intermediate the first end and the shank, said recess having an interior surface spaced from the toe by a predetermined-recess distance;
applying brakes on a vehicle having a brake shoe table connected to at least one brake lining which act on a brake drum;
measuring brake lining wear by inserting the first end with one of the back of the gauge against the brake shoe table with the brakes applied and inserting the toe of the gauge against the brake shoe table with the brakes applied, and if the gauge passes between the brake shoe table and the brake drum along the width of the at least one brake lining, indicating to the user of the gauge that at least the first predetermined distance exists as a thickness of the at least one brake lining, and if the gauge sticks or does not pass between the brake shoe table and the brake drum along the width of the at least one brake lining, indicating to the user of the gauge that the first predetermined distance does not exist as a thickness of the at least one brake lining; and
measuring brake drum wear by performing the steps of inserting the recess over a ridge of the brake drum; and
with the toe contacting the brake drum where the lining contacts the brake drum when the brakes are applied, examining to see if the interior surface of the recess contacts the ridge, if the ridge contacts the interior surface then indicating that brake drum wear exceeds a maximum allowable wear, but if the ridge does not contact the interior surface of the recess, then indicating that brake drum wear does not exceed the maximum allowable wear.
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Abstract
A brake evaluation gauge is useful to determine a brake lining thickness and/or brake drum wear. Depending on the particular embodiment selected, one of a thickness measurement, a percentage of brake life left, a pass or a fail indication may be indicated for the thickness of the brake lining. A first end of a gauge is inserted between a brake shoe table and a brake drum of applied air brakes to provide this reading. Furthermore, a recess in the gauge is placed over a ridge created by wear of the brake lining on the brake drum. If the ridge contacts the interior surface of the recess, then excessive wear of the brake drum is indicated.
24 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of utilizing a measurement gauge for use with brakes comprising:
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providing a gauge having a shank connected to a first end, said first end having a toe extending a first predetermined distance from a back, a recess intermediate the first end and the shank, said recess having an interior surface spaced from the toe by a predetermined-recess distance; applying brakes on a vehicle having a brake shoe table connected to at least one brake lining which act on a brake drum; measuring brake lining wear by inserting the first end with one of the back of the gauge against the brake shoe table with the brakes applied and inserting the toe of the gauge against the brake shoe table with the brakes applied, and if the gauge passes between the brake shoe table and the brake drum along the width of the at least one brake lining, indicating to the user of the gauge that at least the first predetermined distance exists as a thickness of the at least one brake lining, and if the gauge sticks or does not pass between the brake shoe table and the brake drum along the width of the at least one brake lining, indicating to the user of the gauge that the first predetermined distance does not exist as a thickness of the at least one brake lining; and
measuring brake drum wear by performing the steps of inserting the recess over a ridge of the brake drum; and
with the toe contacting the brake drum where the lining contacts the brake drum when the brakes are applied, examining to see if the interior surface of the recess contacts the ridge, if the ridge contacts the interior surface then indicating that brake drum wear exceeds a maximum allowable wear, but if the ridge does not contact the interior surface of the recess, then indicating that brake drum wear does not exceed the maximum allowable wear. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of utilizing a measurement gauge for use with brakes comprising;
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providing a gauge having a shank connected to a first end, said first end having a toe extending a first predetermined distance from a back, a recess intermediate the first end and the shank, said recess having an interior surface spaced from the toe by a predetermined recess distance; applying brakes on a vehicle having a brake shoe table connected to at least one brake lining which act on a brake drum; measuring brake lining wear by inserting the first end with one of the back of the gauge against the brake shoe table with the brakes applied and inserting the toe of the gauge against the brake shoe table with the brakes applied, and if the gauge passes between the brake shoe table and the brake drum along the width of the at least one brake lining, indicating to the user of the gauge that at least the first predetermined distance exists as a thickness of the at least one brake lining, and if the gauge sticks or does not pass between the brake shoe table and the brake drum along the width of the at least one brake lining, indicating to the user of the gauge that the first predetermined distance does not exist as a thickness of the at least one brake lining; and
a brake stroke tool connected to the gauge, said brake stroke tool having a ruler and a marker, and further comprising the step of measuring brake stroke with the brake stroke tool. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method for measuring brake drum wear comprising the steps of:
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providing a gauge having a shank connected to a first end, said first end having a toe extending a first predetermined distance from a back, a recess intermediate the first end and the shank, said recess having an interior surface spaced from the toe by a predetermined recess distance; providing a vehicle having a brake shoe table connected to at least one brake lining which act on a brake drum; and inserting the recess over a ridge of the brake drum; and
with the first end contacting the brake drum, examining to see if the interior surface of the recess contacts the ridge, if the ridge contacts the interior surface then indicating that brake drum wear exceeds a maximum allowable wear, but if the ridge does not contact the interior surface of the recess, then indicating that brake drum wear does not exceed the maximum allowable wear. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method of utilizing a measurement gauge for use with brakes comprising:
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providing a gauge having a shank connected to a first end, said first end having a toe extending a first predetermined distance from a first step, and a second predetermined distance related to a thickness of the first end intermediate a second step and the toe; applying brakes on a vehicle having a brake shoe table connected to at least one brake lining which act on a brake drum; measuring brake lining wear by inserting the first end with the brakes applied, and if the gauge passes between the brake shoe table and the brake drum along the width of the at least one brake lining along the first step, indicating to the user of the gauge that at least the first predetermined distance exists as a thickness of the at least one brake lining, and if the gauge passes between the brake shoe table and the brake drum along the width of the at least one brake lining along the first second step, indicating to the user of the gauge that at least the second predetermined distance exists as a thickness of the at least one brake lining, and if the gauge sticks or does not pass between the brake shoe table and the brake drum along the width of the at least one brake lining, indicating to the user of the gauge that the first predetermined distance does not exist as a thickness of the at least one brake lining; and
wherein the first end further comprises a recess intermediate the first end and the shank, said recess having an interior surface spaced from the toe by a predetermined recess distance; and
further comprising measuring brake drum wear by performing the steps of inserting the recess over a ridge of the brake drum; and
with the toe contacting the brake drum where the lining contacts the brake drum when the brakes are applied, examining to see if the interior surface of the recess contacts the ridge, if the ridge contacts the interior surface then indicating that brake drum wear exceeds a maximum allowable wear, but if the ridge does not contact the interior surface of the recess, then indicating that brake drum wear does not exceed the maximum allowable wear. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification