George A Mathews

US Patent:

40196127, Apr 26, 1977

Filed:

Jul 14, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/705378

Inventors:

George P. Mathews - Birmingham MI
Thaddeus Lech - Roseville MI

Assignee:

Borg-Warner Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F16D 6556

US Classification:

188196BA

Abstract:

A slack adjuster for vehicle brakes that utilizes an adjustment means actuated by the brake piston rod comprising a load biased rotatable worm shaft and clutch actuated by a reciprocable rack. The piston rod operated by the vehicle brake pedal is operatively connected to the slack adjuster lever and housing through a clevis pivotally mounted intermediate its ends to the lever and connected through a second pivotal connection on the free end of the clevis with an actuating rod that is connected to the reciprocable rack through a lost motion connection.

US Patent:

40156923, Apr 5, 1977

Filed:

Nov 6, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/629424

Inventors:

George P. Mathews - Birmingham MI

Assignee:

Borg-Warner Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F16D 6556

US Classification:

188 795K

Abstract:

An automatic slack adjuster for vehicle brakes that automatically and continuously compensates for the wear of the brake linings and does not depend on a fixed reference point on the vehicle chassis for actuation of the adjustment mechanism. The present invention has a control arm integral with a ring journalled in the braking lever, an actuating piston rod to rotate the braking lever and actuate the vehicle brake and a flexible strut member extending between and rigidly connected to the piston rod and a transverse surface at the outer end of the control arm. The flexible strut member allows the outer end of the control arm to act as a reference point but allows it to float during operation of the braking lever and returns the reference point to its desired location upon retraction of the braking lever and piston rod.