Patent ID: 6135243
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
An apparatus for braking a rotating member, the apparatus having an engaged state and a disengaged state wherein rotation of the rotating member is inhibited by the apparatus when the apparatus is in the engaged state, comprising:a) a housing;b) an actuator; andc) a first brake structure including a brake pad, the brake pad having a contact surface, the brake structure being pivotally connected to the housing and further connected to the actuator;wherein the actuator is operable to cause pivotal motion of the brake structure, thereby causing motion of the contact surface in a first arcuate direction toward the rotating member, and wherein subsequent frictional force between the rotating member and the contact surface and elastic deformation of one of the rotating member and the contact surface cause further motion of the contact surface in the first arcuate direction toward the rotating member and places the apparatus in the engaged state.