Brakes – With condition indicator – Wear
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-02
2001-05-29
Oberleitner, Robert J. (Department: 3613)
Brakes
With condition indicator
Wear
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237723
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
0
F THE INVENTION
This invention relates to gauge used with a disc pad and caliper piston checking to indicate excessive wear to a pad. It is employed without removing the tire and wheel assemblies of the vehicle. Particular application is found when the vehicle is subject to a lot of stop and go travel, such as that normally encountered by school buses and other street maintenance vehicles, where disc brake pads wear more due the heat and friction generated in this type of driving.
Wear indicators for disc brake systems or their pads are known. In one such invention an insertion hole for the indicator extends through a backing plate and into the pad for a distance equal to the length of the wear indicator. When the pad is worn away a sufficient amount the electrically conductive indicator is encountered by the disc and an alarm is generated. In another prior art invention, the brake wear indicator a prong and flange combination is used. When the prong engages a rotating disc or drum, the flange vibrates to generate an audible warning signal.
Still another invention discloses a disc brake with a stationary member secured to a non-rotatable part of a vehicle and a friction pad disposed on each side of the rotatable disc. A wear warning piece has one end secured to the stationary member and its other end extending between the disc and a backing plate of the friction pad by a predetermined distance. As wear occurs to the pads, the indicator is eventually contacted by the backing plate in applying the brakes resulting in a keen vibrational noise.
A more recent invention uses a visible wear indicator to indicate the remaining usable thickness of the brake block used in a drum brake system. The indicator is molded integrally in the brake block and has a safe surface indicated and a minimum safe point.
The present invention is a visual wear indicator for a disc brake system utilizing one caliper mounted gauge at each vehicle wheel all as will be described in detail hereafter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Devices that alert a motor vehicle operator that the brakes are worn are known. For example, in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,167 to Hirai et al. an insertion hole for the indicator extends through a backing plate and into the pad for a distance equal to the length of the wear indicator. When the pad is worn away a sufficient amount, the electrically conductive indicator is encountered by the disc and an alarm is generated.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,826 to Ritsema et al. discloses a brake wear indicator having a prong and flange combination. When the prong engages a rotating disc or drum, the flange vibrates to generate an audible warning signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,311,214 to Haraikawa et al. discloses a disc brake wear indicator with a stationary member secured to a non-rotatable part of a vehicle and a friction pad disposed on each side of the rotatable disc. A wear warning piece has one end secured to the stationary member and its other end extending between the disc and a backing plate of the friction pad by a predetermined distance. As wear occurs to the pads, the indicator is eventually contacted by the backing plate in applying the brakes resulting in a keen vibrational noise.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,114 to Rodriguez et al. discloses a visible brake block indicator to indicate the remaining usable thickness of the brake block in a drum brake system. The indicator is is molded integrally in the brake block and has a safe surface indicated and a minimum safe point.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a gauge to visually indicate excessive pad wear in a vehicle disc brake system. The gauge has a hollow housing which housing is fixed to a mounting bracket. Extending through the housing is single bar. Along the length of the bar are two different color coded segments indicating either a contacted pad is operating in a safe range when both bar segments are visible or, if only the outer most second bar segment is visible and extending from one end of the housing, that excessive pad or rotor wear is detected. This second bar segment has a different second color coded segment from the first bar segment and when only it is displayed the user is informed that the brake pad contacted or associated rotor needs replacement.
It is three primary objects of the present invention to provide for an improved gauge to indicate wear on a vehicle's disc brakes, piston travel to piston seal leaks and rotor wear.
Another object is to provide for such an indicator wherein a color code warning indicator is displayed when excessive pad wear is detected.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to readers from a consideration of the ensuing description and the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3976167 (1976-08-01), Hirai et al.
patent: 4085826 (1978-04-01), Ritsema et al.
patent: 4279214 (1981-07-01), Thorn
patent: 4311214 (1982-01-01), Haraikawa et al.
patent: 4757300 (1988-07-01), Sebalos
patent: 4776438 (1988-10-01), Schandelmeier
patent: 5139114 (1992-08-01), Rodriguez et al.
patent: 5140932 (1992-08-01), Goldfein et al.
patent: 5226509 (1993-07-01), Smith
patent: 6076639 (2000-06-01), Dahlen et al.
McGlynn Joseph H.
Oberleitner Robert J.
Patent & Trademark Services
Pezzlo Benjamin A.
Zack Thomas
LandOfFree
Quick check brake indicator does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Quick check brake indicator, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Quick check brake indicator will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2509493