Axially movable, rim grip spring applied, fluid released spot brake with additional release means manually actuated

Claim 1

A BRAKE UNIT COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ROTOR DISKS MOUNTED ON A ROTATABLE MEMBER FOR ROTATION THEREWITH AND COAXIAL WITH THE AXIS THEREOF AND ADAPTED FOR AXIAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, FIXED FRAME MEANS INCLUDING A GENERALLY C-SHAPED SECTION AND OPPOSED LEG PORTIONS ENCLOSING LIMITED PERIPHERAL PORTIONS OF SAID ROTOR DISKS, A PLURALITY OF STATOR MEANS EACH INCLUDING AN ELONGATED PLATE MEMBER DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID LEG PORTIONS AND BETWEEN SAID ROTOR DISKS, EACH PLATE MEMBER HAVING APERTURES THROUGH ADJACENT OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF, SPACED PARALLEL GUIDE RODS MOUNTED BETWEEN SAID LEG PORTIONS AND EXTENDING THROUGH THE APERTURES IN THE PLATE MEMBERS FOR SLIDABLY SUPPORTING THE SAME, SAID FRAME MEANS INCLUDING A CYLINDER PORTION CONNECTED WITH ONE OF SAID LEG PORTIONS, A RECIPROCABLE PLUNGER MEMBER DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CYLINDER PORTION AND PROJECTING THEREFROM FOR RELEASABLY CLAMPING SAID ROTOR DISKS AND SAID STATOR MEANS WITH RESPECT TO THE LEG PORTION OPPOSITE TO SAID CYLINDER PORTION, A FLUID PRESSURE OPERABLE PISTON WITHIN SAID CYLINDER PORTION FOR URGING SAID PLUNGER AWAY FROM THE ROTOR DISKS AND STATOR MEANS FOR DEENERGIZING THE BRAKE UNIT, A ROD EXTENDING AXIALLY INTO SAID CYLINDER PORTION THROUGH THE END THEREOF OPPOSITE FROM SAID PLUNGER MEMBER AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID PISTON, MECHANICAL MEANS INCLUDING A PIVOTED LEVER CONNECTED WITH SAID ROD FOR AXIALLY SHIFTING SAID ROD FOR ACTUATING THE PISTON AND PLUNGER MEMBER IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM THE ROTOR DISKS AND STATOR MEANS FOR DEENERGIZING THE BRAKE UNIT, MEANS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING SAID LEVER AT A LOCATION LATERALLY OFFSET FROM SAID ROD, AND COMPRESSION SPRING MEANS WITHIN SAID CYLINDER PORTION BETWEEN AN OUTER END OF THE CYLINDER PORTION AND SAID PISTON FOR URGING THE PISTON AND PLUNGER MEMBER TOWARD THE ROTOR DISKS AND STATOR MEANS FOR ENERGIZING THE BRAKE UNIT.