Frictional brake mechanism

A frictional brake mechanism for detaining a first body relative to a second body having a surface, comprising a brake pad coupled to the first body and disposed adjacent to the surface and movable to and from a braking condition, wherein the brake pad frictionally engages the surface, and a non-braking condition, wherein the brake pad is disposed in a spaced relation to the surface; a biasing structure for biasing the brake pad to the braking condition; a release structure operably coupled to the brake pad and movable to and from a non-release position, wherein the brake pad is biasable to the braking condition, and a release position, wherein the brake pad is disposed substantially in the non-braking condition; and a release key in operable communication with the release structure and movable to and from first and second positions relative thereto, wherein when the key is disposed in either of the first or second positions, the release structure is disposed substantially in the release position and when the key is disposed between the first and second positions, the release structure is disposed in the non-release position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates generally to frictional brake mechanisms, and, more particularly, to frictional brake mechanisms that detentably detain the movement of a first body relative to a second body.

When a first body must be detained relative to a second body, some form of brake mechanism, either frictional or mechanical, must engage the second body. Such mechanisms are generally mechanically or manually set to the detaining condition, wherein the first body is detained, or a non-detaining condition, wherein the first body is not detained.

There is a need for a frictional brake mechanism which is biased to a detaining condition and which can be disengaged to the non-detaining condition with a force that is substantially co-planar with the desired directional movement of the first body relative to the second body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application discloses a frictional brake mechanism that detentably detains the movement of a first body relative to a second body and which is capable of being released when a force having a magnitude is applied to a release key. Accordingly, the first body is temporarily detained relative to the second body by the frictional brake mechanism.

The frictional brake mechanism of the present application includes a brake pad coupled to the first body and disposed adjacent to a surface of the second body and movable to and from a braking condition, wherein the brake pad frictionally engages the surface, and a non-braking condition, wherein the brake pad is disposed in a spaced relation to the surface. The frictional brake mechanism further includes a biasing structure for biasing the brake pad to the braking condition and a release structure operably coupled to the brake pad and movable to and from a non-release position, wherein the brake pad is biasable to the braking condition, and a release position, wherein the brake pad is disposed substantially in the non-braking condition. The release structure is actuated via a release key that is in operable communication with the release structure and movable to and from first and second positions relative thereto, wherein when the key is disposed in either of the first or second positions, the release structure is disposed substantially in the release position and when the key is disposed between the first and second positions, the release structure is disposed in the non-release position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figures, an embodiment of the frictional brake mechanism of the present application, generally referred to as numeral10, is shown. In an embodiment, the brake mechanism10is adapted to detentably detain or control the relative movement between a first body11and a second body12having a surface13. It will be understood and appreciated that the first body111can move relative to the second body12, the second body12can move relative to the first body11, or both the first and second bodies11,12can move relative to each, without changing the scope or spirit of the present application.

In an embodiment, the brake mechanism10is coupled to the first body11and includes a frictional brake pad14disposed adjacent to the surface13of the second body12. In an embodiment, the brake mechanism10can be coupled to the second body12wherein the brake pad14is adapted to engage the first body11. The brake pad14is movable to and from a braking condition, wherein the brake pad14frictionally engages the surface13(as seen inFIG. 2) and a non-braking condition wherein the brake pad14is disposed in a spaced relation to the surface13(as seen inFIGS. 1 and 3). The brake pad14can be constructed of any material, but preferably is constructed of a material that enhances the frictional interaction between the brake pad14and surface13.

In an embodiment, the brake pad14includes a depending leg15pivotally coupled to a bottom side of the brake pad14that transversely opposes the side of the brake pad14that frictionally engages the surface13.

The brake mechanism10may include a housing17defining a cavity17aand having transversely opposing first and second sides18a,18bwith respective first and second apertures19a,19bcommunicating with the cavity17a, with the first aperture19adisposed adjacent to the brake pad14. The depending leg15may extend through the first aperture19ainto cavity17a.

In an embodiment, the brake mechanism10includes a biasing structure20for biasing the brake pad14to the braking condition. In an embodiment, the biasing structure20includes a compression spring21that is disposed on a bottom side of the brake pad14between the bottom side and the first side18aof the housing18adjacent to the first aperture19a. In another embodiment, the biasing structure20includes a plurality of compression springs21.

The brake mechanism10also includes a release structure30that is operably coupled to the brake pad14. The release structure30may be generally pliable. In an embodiment, the release structure30is pivotally coupled the leg15with a pivotal joint16. The release structure30may be disposed in the cavity17aand operably coupled to the brake pad14through the first aperture19awith leg15. The release structure30is movable to and from a non-release position, wherein the brake pad14is biasable to the braking condition (as seen inFIGS. 1 and 3), and a release position, wherein the brake pad14is disposed substantially in the non-braking condition (as seen inFIG. 2). Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the position of the release structure30controls the positional condition of the brake pad14. In an embodiment, the release structure30is formed of a pliable material and is pliably bendable to and from the release and non-release positions.

The release structure30may include first and second arms31,32having proximal ends33,34and distal ends35,36. The arms31,32may be pliably coupled to each other at the proximal ends33,34to cooperatively define a pliable joint37that is pivotally coupled to the leg15with pivotal joint16.

The first and second arms31,32may further respectively include first and second feet38,39respectively disposed at the distal ends35,36and extending therefrom.

The brake mechanism10further includes a release key40that is in operable communication with the release structure30. The release key40is movable to and from first and second positions, relative to the release structure30. The release key40may be slidably disposed in the second aperture19band slidable to and from the first and second positions. When the release key40is disposed in either of the first or second positions, the release structure30is disposed substantially in the release position (as seen inFIGS. 1 and 3). When the release key40is disposed between the first and second positions, the release structure30is disposed substantially in the non-release position (as seen inFIG. 2). Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the position of the release key40, relative to the release structure30, controls the position of the release structure30.

In an embodiment, the release key40includes a tang41, which cooperatively engages the first and second feet38,39for positional movement of the release structure30.

The brake mechanism10also includes a brace structure50that is disposed between the first and second feet38,39adjacent to the tang41. The brace structure50has a length that is less than the distance between the first and second feet38,39. The brace structure50includes a first edge51that is disposed adjacent to the first foot38and a second edge52that is disposed adjacent to the second foot39.

When the tang41is disposed in the first position with a force generally directed towards the first position, the tang41forcefully abuts the first foot38, thereby moving the release structure30towards the first position, relative to the brace structure50, until the second foot39abuts the second edge52of the brace structure50(as seen inFIG. 1). Continued forceful abutment causes the first and second arms31,32to pliably bend at the pliable joint16towards the brace structure50, thereby disposing the release structure30in the release position and the brake pad14in the non-braking condition through relative movement of leg15.

When the tang41is disposed in the second position with a force generally directed towards the second position, the tang41forcefully abuts the second foot39, thereby moving the release structure30towards the second position, relative to the brace structure50, until the first foot38abuts the first edge51of brace structure50(as seen inFIG. 3). Continued forceful abutment also causes the first and second arms31,32to pliably bend at the pliable joint16towards the brace structure50, thereby disposing the release structure30in the release position and the brake pad14in the non-braking condition.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that a force applied to the release key40, which may be substantially co-planar with the desired directional movement of the first body11relative to the second body12, thus causing the release key40to move relative to the first body11, causes positional actuation of the release key40to and from the first and second positions. When the release key40is in either of the first or second positions, the release structure30is disposed in the release position, wherein the brake pad14is disposed substantially in the non-braking condition. When the release key40is disposed between the first and second positions, the release structure30is disposed in the non-release position, wherein the brake pad14is disposed in the braking condition. As such, movement of the release key40, relative to the first body11, controls the position of the release structure30, which in turn controls the positional condition of the brake pad14.