Patent ID: 6053288
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
A braking system for a vehicle fluid drain unit, the vehicle fluid drain unit comprising a vehicle fluid drain bowl, a plate with a channel wall defining a tube channel, and a drain tube supporting the vehicle fluid drain bowl, the drain tube aligned substantially vertically and passing substantially vertically through the tube channel defined by the channel wall, the channel wall substantially constraining the lateral movement of the drain tube, the brake system comprising:a latch mechanism to hold the drain tube against the force of gravity, the latch mechanism comprising:a ball;a first fixed element fixedly connected to the plate and having a sloped face adapted to guide the ball downward and toward the drain tube when the ball is suitably constrained;a means for lifting the ball from:a first position where the ball exerts sufficient force upon the drain tube to hold the drain tube against the force of gravity toa second position where the ball presents no substantial impediment to motion of the drain tube downward;a motion resisting contact area for contact with the drain tube to impart frictional resistance to the downward movement of the drain tube; anda brake adjustment for adjusting the frictional resistance applied by the motion resisting contact area to the drain tube.