Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
336 words
In a disc brake: a rotor having a pair of friction faces; a pair of friction elements, one of said elements being disposed adjacent each of said friction faces; a fixed support; a caliper housing slidably mounted on said fixed support and straddling said rotor, said caliper housing engaging each of said friction elements for urging the latter into braking engagement with their corresponding friction faces when a brake application is effected; mechanical actuating means within said housing for forcing said friction elements into braking engagement with their corresponding friction faces; said mechanical actuating means including an axially extensible member slidably mounted in said housing, means for driving said extensible member toward said rotor when a brake application is effected, and ratchet means for extending said extensible member as the extensible member is driven toward said rotor, said extension of the extensible member taking place during brake actuation before substantial braking forces are transmitted through the extensible member; said caliper housing defining a bore therewithin; a piston member slidably mounted in said bore and associated with a corresponding one of said friction elements; said axially extensible member being located between said piston and said means for driving the extensible member toward the rotor, said extensible member engaging said piston during a brake application to urge the latter and the friction element associated therewith toward said rotor, and resilient means operably connected to said extensible member for urging the latter away from the rotor upon brake release; said ratchet means being carried by said piston member and by said extensible member; said resilient means urging said extensible member away from said piston upon brake release; said ratchet means being effective upon release of the brake and movement of the extensible member away from the piston member to index said ratchet means if the extensible member moves away from the piston member by more than a predetermined amount, said ratchet means after indexing upon brake release being effective to extend said extensible member upon a subsequent brake application.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
336 words
In a disc brake: a rotor having a pair of friction faces; a pair of friction elements, one of said elements being disposed adjacent each of said friction faces; a fixed support; a caliper housing slidably mounted on said fixed support and straddling said rotor, said caliper housing engaging each of said friction elements for urging the latter into braking engagement with their corresponding friction faces when a brake application is effected; mechanical actuating means within said housing for forcing said friction elements into braking engagement with their corresponding friction faces; said mechanical actuating means including an axially extensible member slidably mounted in said housing, means for driving said extensible member toward said rotor when a brake application is effected, and ratchet means for extending said extensible member as the extensible member is driven toward said rotor, said extension of the extensible member taking place during brake actuation before substantial braking forces are transmitted through the extensible member; said caliper housing defining a bore therewithin; a piston member slidably mounted in said bore and associated with a corresponding one of said friction elements; said axially extensible member being located between said piston and said means for driving the extensible member toward the rotor, said extensible member engaging said piston during a brake application to urge the latter and the friction element associated therewith toward said rotor, and resilient means operably connected to said extensible member for urging the latter away from the rotor upon brake release; said ratchet means being carried by said piston member and by said extensible member; said resilient means urging said extensible member away from said piston upon brake release; said ratchet means being effective upon release of the brake and movement of the extensible member away from the piston member to index said ratchet means if the extensible member moves away from the piston member by more than a predetermined amount, said ratchet means after indexing upon brake release being effective to extend said extensible member upon a subsequent brake application.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention of claim 1: said extensible member including a pair of portions threadedly engaged with one another; and means preventing rotation of one of said portions and of said piston member relative to said caliper housing; said ratchet means rotating said other portion with respect to the one portion to thereby extend said extensible member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 2: said ratchet means including ratchet teeth mounted on one of said members and a spring loaded pawl on the other member to engage said ratchet teeth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The invention of claim 3; and a flange extending from said other portion of the extensible member said teeth being carried on said flange and facing said pawl and engageable thereby; said pawl indexing upon brake release to engage a succeeding tooth on said flange when the extensible member moves away from said piston by more than a predetermined amount, said pawl turning said flange upon a subsequent brake application.