Caliper type brake structure

Claim 1

A caliper brake assembly for retarding the rotation of a disc mounted on a rotating shaft comprising mounting means for mounting said assembly adjacent a peripheral portion of the disc and including caliper means for embracing the disc, first and second plate means respectively positioned on opposite sides of said disc and supported by said mounting means for engagement with said disc during energization of said assembly, said first plate means being supported for limited rotative movement with said disc, secondary plate means fixed to said mounting means and positioned adjacent to and in confronting relationship with said first plate means, said secondary plate means including bore means therethrough having a wall, a ball movable axially within and retained by said bore means and engaging said wall and said first plate means, force application means axially spaced from said bore and engaging said ball for axially shifting said ball and initially moving said plate means into engagement with said disc whereby said disc imparts limited rotational movement to said first plate means, automatic brake actuating means comprising opposing cam surfaces on said first plate means and said secondary plate means and ball means between and engaging said surfaces and responsive to said limited rotational movement for forcing said first plate means into further engagement with said disc, and said caliper means being connected to and preventing spreading of said secondary plate means and said second plate means.