Adjustable brake pad spreader

The adjustable brake pad spreader (20) compresses a brake pad against a brake caliper with the brake pad having a first flank and a second flank at opposite edges of the brake pad. The adjustable brake pad spreader (20) comprises a pair of frames (122, 222) and a pair of rods (138, 238) with each of the rods (138, 238) extending through the rear of each of the frames (122, 222) and along a pair of spreading axes (A, B) parallel and spaced an adjustment length (L) from one another. The adjustable brake pad spreader (20) further comprises an adjustment mechanism (84) supporting each of the frames (122, 222) for adjusting the adjustment length (L) between each of the spreading axes (A, B) to engage a brake pad at various distances between the first flank and second flank of the brake pad.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an adjustable brake pad spreader that compresses a brake pad against a brake caliper with the brake pad having a first flank and a second flank at opposite edges of the brake pad.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A brake pad spreader is designed to compress a brake pad against a brake caliper. Such a brake pad spreader is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,217, issued on Apr. 5, 2005, in the name of Plogeger et al. This brake pad spreader includes a frame having a front and a rear opposing each other. A rod extends through the rear of the frame and along a spreading axis. The rod engaged the brake pad in the middle of the brake pad, which requires considerable force to compress the brake pad.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides such an adjustable brake pad spreader characterized by an adjustment mechanism supporting a pair of frames for adjusting the adjustment length between a pair of spreading axes to engage the brake pad at various distances between the first flank and second flank of the brake pad.

Advantages of the Invention

The adjustable brake pad spreader in its broadest aspect allows a user to easily compress any size brake bad because the force needed to compress the brake pad is much less by compressing the brake pad at the first flank then the second flank than the force needed to compress the brake pad at the middle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, an adjustable brake pad spreader20for compressing a brake pad against a brake caliper with the brake pad having a first flank and a second flank at opposite edges of the brake pad.

The adjustable brake pad spreader20, as generally shown inFIGS. 1 through 3, consists of a pair of frames122,222with each frame122,222having a front and a rear, which oppose each other. Each frame122,222has a top and a pair of sides extending between the front of the frame122,222and the rear of the frame122,222. A rib124,224extends along and upwardly away from the top of each frame122,222. The rib124,224further extends from the front of each frame122,222to the rear of each frame122,222to present a butt end126,226that extends outwardly from the rear of each frame122,222.

As best shown inFIG. 2, each frame122,222presents a bore128,228that extends through the sides of each frame122,222at the top of each frame122,222. Each frame122,222further presents a guideway130,230that extends into the sides of each frame122,222and away from the top of each frame122,222, as well as adjacent to the bore128,228of each frame122,222between the front of each frame122,222and the rear of each frame122,222. Each frame122,222further presents an insert132,232extending through the sides of each frame122,222that is spaced from the guideway130,230of each frame122,222.

The rear of each frame122,222presents a first channel134,234that extends through the rear of each frame122,222at the top of each frame122,222, and into the bore128,228of each frame122,222below the butt end126,226of the rib124,224. The front of each frame122,222presents a second channel136,236that extends through the front of each frame122,222at the top of each frame122,222, and into the bore128,228of each frame122,222. The first channel134,234of the rear of each frame122,222defines a first wall that extends circumferentially about a pair of spreading axes A, B which are parallel and spaced an adjustment length L from one another. The second channel136,236of the front of each frame122,222defines a second wall that is threaded and extends circumferentially about the spreading axes A, B. Furthermore, the second wall of the second channel136,236of the front of each frame122,222extends a greater radius circumferentially about the spreading axes A, B than the first wall of the first channel134,234of the rear of each frame122,222extends circumferentially about the spreading axes A, B.

A pair of rods138,238, with each rod138,238having a curved end140,240and a distal end142,242with a straight section144,244therebetween, extends along the spreading axes A, B through the first channel134,234of the rear of each frame122,222and the second channel136,236of the front of each frame122,222. The curved end140,240of each rod138,238extends outwardly from the straight section144,244of each rod138,238away from the first channel134,234of the rear of each frame122,222. The distal end142,242of each rod138,238is threaded and extends outwardly from the straight section144,244of each rod138,238away from the second channel136,236of the front of each frame122,222. Each frame122,222further presents a stop146,246disposed in the bore128,228of each frame122,222that extends between the guideway130,230of each frame122,222and the rear of each frame122,222spaced from the straight section144,244of each rod138,238.

A locking bar148,248is mounted to the butt end126,226of the rib124,224and extends downwardly from the butt end126,226of the rib124,224toward the first channel134,234of the rear of each frame122,222and is spaced from the rear of each frame122,222. The locking bar148,248defines a cutout150,250that extends circumferentially about the straight section144,244of each rod138,238at the curved end140,240of each rod138,238. A rear spring152,252is disposed helically about the straight section144,244of each rod138,238at the curved end140,240of each rod138,238between the first channel134,234of the rear of each frame122,222and the cutout150,250of the locking bar148,248.

A fitting154,254is disposed in the first channel134,234of the rear of each frame122,222and circumferentially about the straight section144,244of each rod138,238. A tab156,256are disposed in the bore128,228of each frame122,222, circumferentially about the straight section144,244of each rod138,238, and extends from the straight section144,244of each rod138,238toward the guideway130,230of each frame122,222for slidingly engagement with the guideway130,230of each frame122,222.

A pair of handles158,258with each handle158,258having an upper end160,260and a lower end162,262with the upper end160,260of each handle158,258defining a notch164,264that extends into the upper end160,260of each handle158,258towards the lower end162,262of each handle158,258. The upper end160,260of each handle158,258defines a first hole166,266that extends through each handle158,258and perpendicular to the notch164,264of each handle158,258. The upper end160,260of each handle158,258further defines a second hole168,268that extends through each handle158,258below the first hole166,266of each handle158,258and perpendicular to the notch164,264of each handle158,258. The first hole166,266of each handle158,258is aligned with the guideway130,230of each frame122,222. The second hole168,268of each handle158,258is aligned with the insert132,232of each frame122,222. A first peg170,270extends though the first hole166,266of each handle158,258and slidingly engages the guideway130,230of each frame122,222between the tab156,256and the stop146,246of each frame122,222. A second peg172,272extends through the second hole168,268of each handle158,258and the insert132,232of each frame122,222.

A pair of bolts174,274with each bolt174,274threadedly engaging the distal end142,242of each rod138,238and is spaced from the front of each frame122,222. Each bolt174,274includes a flange portion176,276with a screw portion178,278that extends from the flange portion176,276of each bolt174,274and threadingly engages the second wall of the second channel136,236of the front of each frame122,222. A front spring180,280is disposed in the bore128,228of each frame122,222and extends helically about the straight section144,244of each rod138,238between the tab156,256and the screw portion178,278of each bolt174,274. A pair of plungers182,282with each plunger182,282having a concave surface and a convex surface that threadingly engage the distal end142,242of each rod138,238and are spaced from the flange portion176,276of each bolt174,274for engaging the brake pad. A pair of nuts threadingly engage the distal end142,242of each rod138,238to secure each plunger182,282on the distal end142,242of each rod138,238with at least one of the nuts engaging the concave surface of each plunger182,282and the other nut engaging the convex surface of each plunger182,282.

As best shown inFIG. 3, the adjustable brake pad spreader20is characterized by an adjustment mechanism84that supports each of the frames122,222for adjusting the adjustment length L between the spreading axes A, B to engage the brake pad at various distances between the first flank and second flank of the brake pad. The adjustment mechanism84is disposed between the front of each of the frames122,222and the flange portions176,276of the bolts174,274to define a pair of slots186,286with each slot186,286extending circumferentially about the spreading axes A, B with the straight section144,244of each rod138,238extending through each slot186,286of the adjustment mechanism84. As best shown inFIG. 1, the adjustment mechanism84further defines a slit88that extends from at least one of the slots186of the adjustment mechanism84and is spaced from the opposite slot286of the adjustment mechanism84to allow the straight section144,244of each rod138,238to slide along the slit88of the adjustment mechanism84to position each plunger182,282at the first flank and the second flank of the brake pad.

In operation, a user adjusts each of the rods138,238along the adjustment mechanism84to position each plunger182,282at each flank of the brake pad. When the plungers182,282are properly positioned at each flank of the brake pad, the user may tighten each bolt174,274to lock each frame122,222in position. Once in position, the user then actuates one of the handles158to push the rod138forward and have the plunger182compress that flank of the brake pad. Once one flank of the brake pad has been compressed, the user actuates the other handle258to push the other rod238forward and have the other plunger282compress the opposite flank of the brake pad. As a result, the user can easily compress any size brake bad because the force needed to compress the brake pad is much less at the flanks of the brake pad than right in the middle. It should be appreciated that the same operation could be accomplished having only one frame122including an alternating gear to actuate both plungers182,282with only one handle158by actuating the handle158twice to compress the first flank of the brake pad and then the second flank of the brake pad, one at time.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the appended claims. That which is prior art in the claims precedes the novelty set forth in the “characterized by” clause. The novelty is meant to be particularly and distinctly recited in the “characterized by” clause whereas the antecedent recitations merely set forth the old and well-known combination in which the invention resides. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted to cover any combination in which the inventive novelty exercises its utility. The use of the word “said” in the apparatus claims refers to an antecedent that is a positive recitation meant to be included in the coverage of the claims whereas the word “the” precedes a word not meant to be included in the coverage of the claims. In addition, the reference numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting.