Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A brake for an elongate member wound on a drum, comprising a control member having a cam portion, and a non-linear recoverable elongate brake member having a cam surface coactable with said cam portion, said brake member being mounted at one end and having its other end free to engage and effect braking of the elongate member; in which the control member is movable in a direction generally parallel to the elongate orientation of said brake member to a braking position to effect braking of the elongate member by an increase in the effective linear length of the brake member and to a brake release position at which the free end of the brake member is disengaged from the elongate member and the brake member has returned to its original unstrained condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A brake for an elongate member wound on a drum, comprising a control member having a cam portion, and a non-linear recoverable elongate brake member having a cam surface coactable with said cam portion, said brake member being mounted at one end and having its other end free to engage and effect braking of the elongate member; in which the control member is movable in a direction generally parallel to the elongate orientation of said brake member to a braking position to effect braking of the elongate member by an increase in the effective linear length of the brake member and to a brake release position at which the free end of the brake member is disengaged from the elongate member and the brake member has returned to its original unstrained condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A brake as claimed in claim 1, in which the brake member is curved when its free end is disengaged from the elongate member, and is at least partially straightened when it effects braking of the elongate member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A brake as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the free end of the brake member reacts with a stop member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A brake as claimed in claim 1, in which the brake member has an increased thickness at its centre portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A brake as claimed in claim 1, in which the control member is movable linearly between said braking position and said brake release position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A brake as claimed in claim 1, in which the brake member includes at least one recess to receive said cam portion when the control member is in its braking position thereby providing positive locking of the brake member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A brake as claimed in claim 6, in which the brake member includes a plurality of recesses to receive said cam portion; said recesses being spaced to provide progressive positive locking of the brake member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A brake as claimed in claim 1, further including a casing for said drum, in which the brake member is a curved member located near a drum casing wall of corresponding curvature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A brake as claimed in claim 1, in which the brake member includes an aperture to receive said cam portion when the control member is in its release position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A brake as claimed in claim 9, in which the cam portion and at least one aperture defined by the brake member are shaped to reduce the movement required of the control member to move the control member between said braking and release positions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A brake as claimed in claim 1, in which the elongate member is curved in its transverse direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A brake as claimed in claim 11, in which the free end of the brake member has a corresponding curvature to said elongate member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A brake as claimed in claim 1, in which an end piece is mounted on an end of the elongate member, and the portion of the brake member adjacent to the elongate member has a cut-out portion shaped to clear said end-piece.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A brake as claimed in claim 1, in which said elongate member comprises a steel tape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A brake as claimed in claim 1, further including a casing, and in which said brake member is mounted in said casing, and said control member is slidably mounted on said casing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A brake as claimed in claim 15, in which said brake member has a portion of increased thickness defining said cam surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A brake as claimed in claim 4 in which said cam surface is defined by said centre portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
78 words
A brake as claimed in claim 1, which includes a casing having an outer wall, and in which said drum is contained within said casing, said brake is contained within said casing between said drum and said outer wall, and said control member is slidably supported on said outer wall, said brake member having a portion thereof movable inwardly and in the direction of said drum in response to movement of said control member to its braking position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
A brake as claimed in claim 18 which includes a stop member mounted in fixed position in said casing near said other end and engageable with the inner surface of said other end when said control member is in its braking position.