Parking brake operating means including a stationary cam

Claim 1

Brake cable operating means for axially displacing a vehicle parking brake cable from a brake-released position toward a brake-engaged position, comprising a. a housing adapted for rigid connection with a vehicle body for axially receiving the free end of said brake cable; b. a foot-operated parking brake lever adapted for connection with the free end of said brake cable; c. means connecting said lever for pivotal coplanar movement relative to said housing, said connecting means including 1. a cam member rigidly connected in parallel relation with said housing, said cam member including an opening one wall of which defines a first cam surface, said cam member including a wall portion defining a second cam surface; 2. a pair of cam follower members connected with said lever for continuous camming engagement with both said cam surfaces, respectively, said cam surfaces having such a configuration and said cam follower members being so arranged that during the initial pivotal movement of said lever relative to said housing from a brake-released position toward a brake-engaged position, the lever effects relatively fast cable take-up with low mechanical advantage, and during fInal pivotal movement of the lever, the lever effects relatively slow cable take-up with high mechanical advantage; d. pawl and ratchet means for locking said lever in the brakeengaged position, said pawl and ratchet means including a ratchet formed on one wall of said cam opening; and e. brake release means for releasing said lever locking means.