Patent ID: 6629586
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: G06K,Y10T

Abstract:
A braking apparatus for use with a utility vehicle having a frame, a brake pedal and first and second brake assemblies, said braking apparatus comprising:an elongate pivoting shaft having a longitudinal axis, said shaft being pivotably mounted relative to said frame, said pivoting being substantially about the longitudinal axis of said shaft; at least one brake pedal linkage intermediate said brake pedal and said elongate shaft such that the operation of said brake pedal causes pivoting of said shaft; first and second fixed brackets rigidly fixed relative to said shaft such that pivoting of said shaft causes pivoting of said first and second fixed brackets relative to said frame; first and second pivoting brackets independently pivotably attached relative to said shaft and thus also pivotably mounted relative to said frame; first and second compression springs, said first compression spring intermediate said first fixed bracket and said first pivoting bracket, and said second compression spring intermediate said second fixed bracket and said second pivoting bracket; first and second compression spring precompression and retaining members for maintaining said first and second compression springs in a precompressed state; at least one first brake linkage member intermediate said first pivoting bracket and said first brake assembly, said linkage configured such that pivoting of said first pivoting bracket relative to said frame causes operation of said first brake assembly; and at least one second brake linkage member intermediate said second pivoting bracket and said second brake assembly, said linkage configured such that pivoting of said second pivoting bracket relative to said frame causes operation of said second brake assembly, such that operation of said brake pedal causes movement of said brake pedal linkage, which causes pivoting movement of said pivoting shaft, which causes pivoting movement of said first and second fixed brackets, which transfer force through said first and second precompressed compression springs to said first and second pivoting brackets, which causes said first and second pivoting brackets to pivot relative to said shaft and said frame, which causes said first and second brake assemblies to be operated.