Patent ID: 6662676
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: B60T,Y10T

Abstract:
A self-adjusting parking brake system which automatically removes slack from a parking brake cable, said system comprising, in combination:a fixed support; a lever pivotably connected to said support for movement between brake-releasing and brake-engaging positions; a locking mechanism adapted to releasably maintain said lever in said brake-engaging position; said locking mechanism including: a main ratchet fixed relative to said support and having a plurality of ratchet teeth; and a main pawl pivotably connected with said lever and having a pawl-for releasable engagement with said ratchet teeth of said main ratchet; a self-adjust mechanism adapted to releasably connect the cable with said lever, said self-adjust mechanism including: an adjuster ratchet having a plurality of ratchet teeth and adapted for connection with the cable; an adjuster pawl pivotably connected with said lever and having three equally spaced pawl teeth adapted for releasable engagement with said ratchet teeth of the adjuster ratchet, said adjuster pawl being pivotable relative to said lever about a pivot axis; and a pawl spring member biasing said adjuster pawl toward engagement with said adjuster ratchet; and wherein said adjuster pawl has an approach angle extending between a tangential force direction and a force direction from a tooth contact point engaging the adjuster ratchet to the pivot axis of the adjuster pawl and wherein said approach angle is greater than 45 degrees.