U.S. patent application number 10/798659 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-23 for dual piston disc brake caliper compressor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lisle Corporation. Invention is credited to Garcia, Louis J., Juliano, George P., Juliano, Martha, Ploeger, Randall J..
Application Number | 20040255445 10/798659 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32711036 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040255445 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ploeger, Randall J. ; et
al. |
December 23, 2004 |
Dual piston disc brake caliper compressor
Abstract
A tool for spreading dual piston brake pads and for compressing
the dual pistons of a dual piston disc brake assembly of the type
including a disc brake caliper housing for the pads and pistons.
The tool includes manually operated handles which drive a bracket
assembly that engages the dual piston disc brake pads. The housing
for the tool includes a plate which is engaged against the caliper
housing. The plate and bracket assembly are driven in a manner
which causes them to become spaced from one another. A mechanical
advantage is achieved by utilization of handles with a lever arm
extension associated with a pivotal handle.
Inventors: |
Ploeger, Randall J.;
(Clarinda, IA) ; Garcia, Louis J.; (Gary, IN)
; Juliano, George P.; (Pittsburgh, PA) ; Juliano,
Martha; (Pittsburgh, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
TEN SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
SUITE 3000
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Lisle Corporation
800 E. Main Street
Clarinda
IA
51632
|
Family ID: |
32711036 |
Appl. No.: |
10/798659 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10798659 |
Mar 11, 2004 |
|
|
|
10339091 |
Jan 9, 2003 |
|
|
|
60533898 |
Jan 2, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
29/239 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16D 65/0043 20130101;
B25B 27/0035 20130101; Y10T 29/53683 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
029/239 |
International
Class: |
B23P 019/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tool for spreading brake pads and compressing the pistons of a
dual piston disc brake assembly, said assembly including disc brake
caliper housing, said pistons mounted in generally parallel,
spaced, side by side cylinders mounted to the housing, said pads
mounted on opposed pad mounts attached respectively to the pistons
and the housing for engagement with a disc member therebetween,
said housing including a frame leg in opposed relation to the
cylinders and spaced therefrom, said tool comprising, in
combination: a manual drive mechanism mounted in a frame and
including a projecting drive rod having an outer end, said drive
mechanism further including a manually acuable handle attached to
the frame for incrementally advancing the rod in a first axial
direction from the frame, and a latch mechanism for retaining the
rod in an advanced position, said latch mechanism being releasable
to enable reverse axial movement of the rod in a direction opposite
advancement thereof; a bracket assembly attached to the outer end
of the drive rod, said bracket assembly including a first cross
member for engaging the frame leg, axial extension members
extending axially from the cross member and a piston engaging
member attached to the axial extension members; and a retention
plate attached to the frame and extending axially from the frame in
alignment with the rod, said retention plate including a flange for
engaging the frame leg on the side opposite from the first cross
member whereby the piston engaging member may be positioned against
the pistons, with the cross member on one side of the frame leg and
the flange on the opposite side with the rod extended to thereby
clamp the frame leg and also drive the piston engaging member to
effect movement of the pistons retracting into their respective
cylinders.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a utility application based upon and incorporating
by reference provisional application Ser. No. 60/533,898 entitled
"Dual Piston Disc Brake Caliper Compressor" filed Jan. 2, 2004 for
which priority is claimed, and utility application Ser. No.
10/339,091 filed Jan. 9, 2003 entitled "Disc Brake Pad Spreading
Tool" incorporated herewith by reference and for which priority is
claimed. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a
tool for compressing the caliper pistons of a vehicle, dual piston
disc brake assembly so that the disc pads may be removed and
replaced. The invention thus comprises a manually actuated dual
piston disc pad spreading tool.
[0003] In the repair of vehicles and, for example, with respect to
the repair of vehicle braking systems, many special tools are
desirable. Disc brakes thus may require special tools to facilitate
repair. Disc brakes typically include a caliper housing which is
mounted adjacent a wheel. The housing includes opposed disc pads
which are piston driven toward one another for clamping a rotating
disc associated with a rotating wheel of the vehicle to brake or
stop the vehicle. From time to time, it is necessary to replace the
pads due to the fact that they wear from frictional contact with
the rotating disc. In such circumstances, the caliper housing is
typically removed from the wheel assembly of the vehicle, and the
disc pads mounted in the housing are caused to be spread apart by
retracting the pad driving piston or pistons into the caliper
housing. The pads which have been spread apart may then be easily
removed and replaced. The caliper housing may then be replaced in
the wheel assembly and positioned for engagement with the brake
disc.
[0004] Heretofore, applicant's assignee has made available in the
marketplace a disc brake pad spreader tool, Lisle Product Model No.
24400. The Model No. 24400 disc brake pad spreader comprises a
plate having a threaded rod through the center of the plate with a
plunger mounted on the end of the rod. The plunger and plate are
positioned between the opposed pads of a disc brake caliper and are
separated by rotating the threaded bolt or rod which connects the
plate and plunger to thereby separate the pads.
[0005] More recently, applicant's assignee introduced an improved
brake pad spreader tool, particularly designed for use with single
piston disc brake constructions. The product, identified as Model
No. 24300, is the subject matter of a separate patent application;
U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 10/339,091, filed Jan. 10, 2003,
entitled Disc Brake Pad Spreading Tool, which is incorporated
herewith by reference.
[0006] The described tools work quite well and have been widely
accepted by auto mechanics responsible for the repair of disc
brakes. A difficulty occurs with such tool designs; however, since
the tools are not especially useful for repair of a dual piston
disc brake assembly. This results because two separate, parallel
drive, pistons mounted on the caliper housing are associated with
such an assembly. That is, the pistons are mounted on a frame or
housing wherein placement of a drive rod of the type in the above
described tools is not possible because of the particular
construction of the housing. The housing includes a center foot
which interferes with positioning of the drive rod associated with
the described tools.
[0007] Thus, there has developed a need for an improved disc brake
pad spreading tool which can effectively spread the pads mounted in
the caliper housing for a dual piston disc brake and which can also
compress simultaneously both of the pistons associated with the
caliper housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Briefly, the present invention is a tool for spreading the
brake pads associated with a dual piston disc brake caliper. The
tool includes a bracket assembly mounted on the end of a slidable
rod which, in turn, is mounted in a hand actuated rod advancement
mechanism. The rod advancement mechanism further includes a plate
positioned in opposed relationship to the bracket assembly. The
plate may be fitted against one side of a dual piston caliper brake
pad frame, and the bracket assembly may then be driven into
engagement with opposed pads and pistons opposite the frame side
thereby separating the disc pads and/or disc pad mounts and also
simultaneously compressing the dual brake pistons into their
cylinders.
[0009] The mechanism for advancing the rod upon which the plunger
is mounted comprises a fixed handle and a pivotal handle. The
pivotal handle engages a feed dog that drives the rod incrementally
forward with each reciprocal movement of the pivotal handle. A rod
brake or pawl comprised of a second pivotal plate is provided for
engaging the drive rod and precluding backwards movement of the
rod. In other words, as the rod is moved forward in incremental
steps, the rod braking plate maintains the rod in a desired or
fixed advanced position.
[0010] With the combination of the invention, an improved
mechanical advantage is achieved for driving the pads of the dual
piston disc brake apart and for driving the pistons associated with
the disc brake caliper into the housing or frame. In this manner,
new pads may be placed upon pad mounts in the caliper so as to
permit the caliper to be reassembled with the disc brake
assembly.
[0011] Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a dual
piston disc brake pad and piston compressing device which provides
for improved mechanical advantage and ease of use.
[0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide a dual
piston disc brake pad spreading device which is easy to use,
economical, rugged, and easy to fit and position during repair of a
disc brake assembly.
[0013] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tool for
spreading dual piston disc brake pads and for compressing pistons
of a disc brake assembly wherein the tool is comprised of a pair of
handles, one of which is reciprocal with respect to the other to
effect separation of a bracket assembly and plate wherein the
bracket assembly and the plate are respectively engaged with
opposed, generally parallel spaced disc brake pads or disc brake
pad mounting plates.
[0014] Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an
improved tool for spreading dual piston disc brake pads during
repair of a disc brake assembly.
[0015] These and other objects, advantages and features of the
invention will be set forth in the detailed description which
follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0016] In the detailed description which follows, reference will be
made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the tool of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an end view of the tool of FIG. 1 taken along the
line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the tool of FIG.
1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an isometric view illustrating the tool of FIG.
1;
[0021] FIG. 5 is an isometric view illustrating the use of the tool
of FIG. 1; and
[0022] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the retention not used
in the tool of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] Referring to the figures, the tool of the invention
comprises a body or frame member 10. The frame member 10 includes a
depending fixed handle 12 with an upper frame element 14 comprising
a first or forward frame section 16 and a second or rear frame
section 20. The frame sections 16 and 20 are generally parallel to
one another and spaced to define a window 22. A reinforcing rib 24
with a mounting projection 26 is provided on the top of the frame
element 14. The rear frame section 20 includes a throughbore 28
into which a cylindrical hollow fitting 30 with throughbore 31 is
inserted. The front frame section 16 also includes a throughbore 32
into which a cylindrical flanged nut 34 having external threads, an
internal axial throughbore 36 with axial counterbore 38 on the
inside end and an axial counterbore 40 on the outside end being
provided. The flanged nut 34 is threaded into the front frame
section 16 and holds a U-shaped plate 42 onto the front frame
section 16. The plate 42 is a U-shaped plate having a leg 43
retained by nut 34 on frame 16, an axial run 45 and a depending leg
47 parallel to and spaced forwardly from leg 43. Nut 34 is fully
threaded as depicted to assure adequate strength and holding
ability.
[0024] The flanged nut 34 and, more particularly the throughbore 36
as well as the throughbore 31 of the fitting 30 receive an elongate
rod 50 defining a longitudinal axis 51. Elongate rod 50 comprises
an end 52 with a plunger 52A and a coil spring 52B and a straight
section fitting through or projecting respectively through the
bores 31, 36 of the fitting 30 and nut 34. A bracket assembly 54 is
attached to the outer end 56 of the rod 50. The rod 50 is thus
slidable through the frame element 14 with the sliding movement
controlled by means of a biased feed dog 60 and a biased locking
bar, plate or pawl 62 in combination with a pivotal handle 64
mounted on the frame member 10 by means of a pivot pin 66. The
plunger 52A and spring 52B limit movement of rod 50 and also
prevent rod 50 from binding and locking in position on plate
62.
[0025] The pivotal handle 64 includes a lever arm extension 67
which, when pivoted on pin 66, engages with a lower side or end 61
of the dog 60 and advances the dog 60 as well as the rod 50 against
the biasing force of a coil spring 68 mounted on the rod 50
intermediate the dog 60 and a land 70 in the counterbore 38.
Counterbore 38 functions to maintain the spring 68 appropriately
guided in alignment for biasing of the dog 60.
[0026] The tool further includes a locking bar 62 biased by a
spring member 80 about a pivot axis 82 on the reinforcing rib 24.
The locking bar 62 includes a throughpassage into which the rod 50
fits, and when the biasing spring 80 biases the locking bar 62 in
the manner depicted in FIG. 1 the edges of the throughpassage
engage the rod 50, precluding the rod 50 from moving in the
direction of the arrow or to the right as depicted in FIG. 1. The
rod 50 may, however, be manually moved in the opposite direction or
to the left as depicted in FIG. 1. The dog lever extension arm 67
of handle 64 provides a mechanical advantage when advancing the rod
50 to the left. In other words, the dog 60 includes a
throughpassage which is oversized relative to the diameter of the
rod 50. Driving the dog 60 forward by means of actuation of the
pivotal handle 64 causes the dog 60 to become canted slightly. It
will thus engage the rod 50 and drive the rod 50 to the left as
illustrated in FIG. 1. The dog 60 will return to its uncanted,
initial position upon release of the handle 64 thereby enabling the
spring 68 to transport dog 60 to the right and position the dog 60
for additional incremental movement of the rod 50. In this manner,
the end 56 of the rod 50 can be driven so as to be further spaced
from the backing plate 42.
[0027] The bracket assembly 54 comprises a first plate 55 attached
to the distal forward end 56 of the rod 50. The plate 55 includes
opposite ends 57, 59 from which axially extending bracket frame
members or pins 61, 63 extend generally parallel to the axis 51.
The opposite ends of the pins or extensions 61, 63 are attached to
a second arcuate, planar plate 65 which is generally parallel to
and spaced from the first plate 55. Plate 65 is arcuate with the
center of the arc extending toward the center of the disc as
depicted in FIG. 5. This enables alignment of plate 65 with the
associated dual pistons of the brake assembly. The bracket assembly
54 thus moves in response to movement of the rod 50. The leg 47
which depends from the run 45 of the plate 42 fits between the rods
61, 63 and the plates 55, 65. Thus, the bracket assembly 54 may
move in response to movement of the rod 50 while the plate 42
including leg 47 remains in a fixed position.
[0028] By positioning leg 47 of the plate 42 against one side of a
pad mount leg 75 of the caliper housing 77 of a disc brake
assembly, such as depicted in FIG. 5, and the plate or cross member
55 against the opposite side of leg 75, one may effect spreading of
the pads. That is, the leg 47 and cross member 55 will be
compressed onto leg 75 and the bracket assembly 54 will be
effectively extended as rod 50 is axially extended to thereby
compress dual pistons 72A, 72B in the frame 77. Once the pads are
spread, (i.e. the pistons 72A, 72B compressed), the brake pads may
be easily removed from the caliper housing since the tool may be
removed. Thus, the spreading operation causes dual brake pistons
72A, 72B, which drive the pads toward each other, to be retracted
into the cylinders where they stay since there is no fluid driving
force imparted through the cylinders during repair. The pads may
thus be removed, replaced and will maintain the spread distance one
from the other until the caliper is replaced within the brake
assembly and attached to the brake line system. By pre-spreading
the pads in the manner described, one can be assured that the
caliper can be positioned so that the pads will fit over and on
opposite sides of the disc of the disc brake assembly.
[0029] The described construction provides a mechanical benefit in
that the handles 64 and 12, when used in combination with the other
elements of the apparatus, enable the operator to provide a
significant mechanical advantage due to the long extension of the
typical handle 64 relative to the extension lever arm 67. The
utilization of a locking dog 60 in combination with a locking plate
62 and associated biasing springs arranged in the manner depicted
enables movement of the rod 50 to spread the pad spreading elements
and maintain that spread. Release of the element from a spread
position is effected by pressing on the brake lever or locking
plate 62 and moving it clockwise in the direction shown by the
arrow in FIG. 1 against the force of the biasing spring 80. The rod
50 is then free to move.
[0030] Importantly, as shown in FIG. 6, the flanged nut 34 includes
counterbores 38 and 40 at the opposite ends thereof. The
counterbores are greater in diametrical dimension than the bore 36
for the rod 50. This enables the inside bore 38 to act as a guide
for a dog biasing spring 68. The outside counterbore 40 enables the
plunger to be positioned more closely to the plate 42 inasmuch as a
mounting nut 55A for the bracket assembly 54 may fit within the
recess defined by the counterbore 40. Thus, the pad engaging
elements associated with the described tool will have a more
universal application inasmuch as they can be used with calipers
having a wide variety of caliper sizes.
[0031] Variations of the construction may be adopted. For example,
the particular arrangement of the handle may be reversed with the
back handle 12, which is a fixed handle, being made to be pivotal
and the forward handle 64 being made to be fixed. The particular
arrangement of the locking bar 62 may also be altered. The
construction of bracket assembly 54 may be varied as may that of
plate 42. Thus, while there has been set forth a preferred
embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the
invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *