Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
275 words
A wheel brake mechanism fitted with an automatic brake gap adjuster for an automotive vehicle comprising in combination: a rotatable brake drum adapted for unitary revolution with an automotive vehicle wheel to be braked; a backing plate fixedly mounted on a stationary part of said vehicle; a first and a second brake shoe pivotally mounted on said backing plate and expandable towards and against said drum; an expandable hydraulic actuator mounted on said backing plate and adapted for engagement with one end of each of said shoes; a stationary anchor mounted on said backing plate and adapted for engagement with the other end of said shoes; return spring means operatively connected to each of said shoes and adapted for release of pressure contact of said brake shoes with said brake drum; an automatic brake gap adjuster unit located in proximity to said hydraulic actuator between said brake shoes in operative engagement therewith, said adjuster unit comprising first and second expansible members, and adjusting lever, and ratchet wheel means actuated by said adjusting lever for expanding said first and second members between said brake shoes; a parking lever having one end pivotably mounted on one of said brake shoes, said parking lever operatively engaging one end of said adjuster unit for expanding said brake shoes in cooperation with said adjuster unit; first spring means provided between said adjuster unit and either of said brake shoes; second spring means having one end operatively connected to one of said brake shoes and the other end operatively connected to said adjusting lever to rotate said ratchet wheel for adjusting the clearance between said brake shoes and said brake drum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
275 words
A wheel brake mechanism fitted with an automatic brake gap adjuster for an automotive vehicle comprising in combination: a rotatable brake drum adapted for unitary revolution with an automotive vehicle wheel to be braked; a backing plate fixedly mounted on a stationary part of said vehicle; a first and a second brake shoe pivotally mounted on said backing plate and expandable towards and against said drum; an expandable hydraulic actuator mounted on said backing plate and adapted for engagement with one end of each of said shoes; a stationary anchor mounted on said backing plate and adapted for engagement with the other end of said shoes; return spring means operatively connected to each of said shoes and adapted for release of pressure contact of said brake shoes with said brake drum; an automatic brake gap adjuster unit located in proximity to said hydraulic actuator between said brake shoes in operative engagement therewith, said adjuster unit comprising first and second expansible members, and adjusting lever, and ratchet wheel means actuated by said adjusting lever for expanding said first and second members between said brake shoes; a parking lever having one end pivotably mounted on one of said brake shoes, said parking lever operatively engaging one end of said adjuster unit for expanding said brake shoes in cooperation with said adjuster unit; first spring means provided between said adjuster unit and either of said brake shoes; second spring means having one end operatively connected to one of said brake shoes and the other end operatively connected to said adjusting lever to rotate said ratchet wheel for adjusting the clearance between said brake shoes and said brake drum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
An automatic wheel brake mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first member has a cavity formed therein, said cavity having female threads, said ratchet wheel means having an elongated portion formed with male threads thereon corresponding to said female threads of said first member, said adjusting lever being pivotably mounted on said adjuster unit and having a pawl portion adapted for engagement with ratchet teeth on said ratchet wheel means, whereby a screw shifting operation between said male threads and said female threads is attained.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
Automotive wheel brake mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first spring means is compressed between said second shoe and said adjuster, and said second spring means is selected to have a larger spring force than that for overcoming the rotational resistance of said screw shift operation influenced by said return spring means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
Automotive wheel brake mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first spring means is compressed between said second shoe and said automatic adjuster and said second spring means is so selected to have a smaller spring force than that for overcoming the rotational resistance of said screw shift operation influenced by said return spring means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
Automotive wheel brake mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first spring means is compressed between said first shoe and said automatic adjuster and said second spring means is so selected to have a larger spring force than that for overcoming the rotational resistance of said screw shift operation influenced by said back spring means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
Automatic wheel brake mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first spring means is compressed between said first shoe and said automatic adjuster and said first spring means is so selected to have a smaller spring force than that for overcoming the rotational resistance of said screw shift operation influenced by said back spring means.