US3842950A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic parking or emergency brake system for motor vehicles
Assignee: FAIL SAFE BRAKE CORP
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Filing: 1973-05-31
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1993-05-31
Abstract
Abstract An Automatic Parking or Emergency Brake system for motor vehicles comprising means by which the parking or emergency brakes of a motor vehicle will become applied automatically when the engine of the vehicle is shut off or stalls, and by which the brakes will become released automatically and immediately when the engine is started, and then only when the driver''s seat is occupied and pressure exerted on the accelerator pedal. The described means includes also an arrangement by which, when the vehicle is halted at crossings and elsewhere on either level or hilly roadway, the parking or emergency brakes will be automatically applied within about three seconds after the vehicle comes to a complete stop and thus creeping of the vehicle is prevented, and this is particularly desirable when it is one of the automatic transmission type. A cylinder-and-piston is operated by fluid pressure from a steering pump on the vehicle to release these brakes when the engine is started. Once they are released, a valve is closed automatically to hold the fluid pressure in the cylinder and thereby maintain these brakes released, and another valve is opened to connect the steering pump to power steering apparatus on the vehicle. A portable pressure pump may be used to pressurize the cylinder for releasing these brakes, when desired.
Inventors
- 👤 J Fontaine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:46
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T11/00; B60T11/10; B60T11/103; B60T7/00; B60T7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
In a vehicle brake mechanism, a cylinder, a shaft axially movable through the cylinder, a piston carried by the shaft, said shaft being connected to brake-applying mechanism, means including a hydraulic pump and hydraulic line means connected to the cylinder for supplying hydraulic fluid therein and against one face of the piston to thereby cause the shaft to move in a direction to produce brake release, spring means contained within the cylinder and producing a pressure against the second face of the piston in opposition to the hydraulic pressure to thereby cause application of the brakes, valve means effective to retain the brakes in a released condition, and a normally open valve in the hydraulic line means, said normally open valve being operable to momentarily restrict hydraulic fluid, thereby increasing the pressure of said hydraulic fluid and diverting a portion of said increased pressurized hydraulic fluid to the brake cylinder, charging said cylinder and releasing said brakes, and means operable after said brakes are released for closing said valve means to hold the increased fluid pressure in said cylinder and for opening said normally open restrictive valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
In a vehicle brake mechanism, a cylinder, a shaft axially movable through the cylinder, a piston carried by the shaft, said shaft being connected to brake-applying mechanism, means including a hydraulic pump and hydraulic line means connected to the cylinder for supplying hydraulic fluid therein and against one face of the piston to thereby cause the shaft to move in a direction to produce brake release, spring means contained within the cylinder and producing a pressure against the second face of the piston in opposition to the hydraulic pressure to thereby cause application of the brakes, valve means effective to retain the brakes in a released condition, and a normally open valve in the hydraulic line means, said normally open valve being operable to momentarily restrict hydraulic fluid, thereby increasing the pressure of said hydraulic fluid and diverting a portion of said increased pressurized hydraulic fluid to the brake cylinder, charging said cylinder and releasing said brakes, and means operable after said brakes are released for closing said valve means to hold the increased fluid pressure in said cylinder and for opening said normally open restrictive valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a vehicle brake mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said momentarily restrictive valve is operable by vacuum and atmospheric means to move plunger within said valve in one direction, and further comprising spring means for moving said plunger in said valve in the opposite direction, and including therewith a diaphragm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
198 words
A brake system for a motor vehicle comprising brake-applying means including a cylinder in which fluid under pressure is entered to control movement in one direction of a piston located within the cylinder, a shaft on which the piston is mounted, said shaft being connected to brake-applying means whereby fluid under pressure in the cylinder will hold the brakes in released condition, a hydraulic steering pump driven from the vehicle engine, valve means between said pump and the cylinder, switch means for controlling the operation of the valve means to retain or relieve the fluid pRessure in the cylinder. spring means opposed to the fluid pressure in the cylinder and effective to apply the brakes when said fluid pressure is relieved, a restrictive valve connected between the output of the steering pump and power steering apparatus on the vehicle, and means operable when the vehicle engine is started for closing said restrictive valve to initially block the steering pump output from the power steering apparatus, and wherein said valve means between the steering pump and said cylinder is open when the engine is started, whereby to apply the pump output pressure to said cylinder for releasing said brakes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
198 words
A brake system for a motor vehicle comprising brake-applying means including a cylinder in which fluid under pressure is entered to control movement in one direction of a piston located within the cylinder, a shaft on which the piston is mounted, said shaft being connected to brake-applying means whereby fluid under pressure in the cylinder will hold the brakes in released condition, a hydraulic steering pump driven from the vehicle engine, valve means between said pump and the cylinder, switch means for controlling the operation of the valve means to retain or relieve the fluid pRessure in the cylinder. spring means opposed to the fluid pressure in the cylinder and effective to apply the brakes when said fluid pressure is relieved, a restrictive valve connected between the output of the steering pump and power steering apparatus on the vehicle, and means operable when the vehicle engine is started for closing said restrictive valve to initially block the steering pump output from the power steering apparatus, and wherein said valve means between the steering pump and said cylinder is open when the engine is started, whereby to apply the pump output pressure to said cylinder for releasing said brakes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A brake system according to claim 3, and further comprising means operable after said brakes are released for closing said valve means to hold the fluid pressure in said cylinder and for opening said restrictive valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A brake system according to claim 3, wherein said means for closing the restrictive valve comprises a solenoid valve operable to apply vacuum to said restrictive valve to close the latter when the vehicle engine is started.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A brake system according to claim 5, and further comprising means operable upon the release of said brakes for actuating said solenoid valve to remove the vacuum applied to said restrictive valve and thereby permit the latter to open, and means for closing said valve means between the steering pump and said cylinder to hold the fluid pressure in the cylinder when said restrictive valve opens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A brake system according to claim 3 and further comprising manually operable means for introducing hydraulic fluid into said cylinder for manually releasing said brakes when desired.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |