Patent Application
20050081355
This application relates to commercial vehicle systems, and particularly heavy vehicles that use air disc brakes. Briefly, and as is generally known, a revolving disc is used for heavy duty braking operations and achieves a required braking force through a caliper assembly that uses brake linings carried on pistons to squeeze or grip opposite faces of the revolving disc. Over time, and after frequent use, it becomes necessary to service and/or replace the brakes of the vehicle and to remove the brake caliper and/or brake carrier. Some brake caliper assemblies weigh approximately one hundred pounds, and depending on the work being conducted on the heavy vehicle, could be located as high as five feet off the ground during servicing. This weight and height thus requires a substantial amount of human effort to remove and install, i.e., service, the brakes of the vehicle. A need exists for a tool that advantageously assists in servicing the brakes in a reliable manner.
In one embodiment, a jack assembly for supporting a brake assembly includes a base, a selectively extensible member extending from the base, and a support member secured to the extensible member.
In one aspect, the jack assembly further includes a means for securing the support member to an associated brake assembly.
In another aspect, the securing means includes first and second arms having threaded ends for securing the arms to the associated brake assembly.
In another aspect, the securing means includes third and fourth arms. The first, second, third, and fourth arms are in spaced relation.
In another aspect, the support member includes a plurality of arms dimensioned for support of the associated brake assembly.
In another aspect, the support member is mounted to the extensible member for selective pivotal movement relative thereto.
In another aspect, the base includes rollers allowing the assembly to be transported across a floor surface.
In another aspect, the extensible member is rotatable for selective movement about a vertical axis relative to the base.
In another aspect, the extensible member is a fluid cylinder.
In another aspect, the fluid cylinder is pneumatic.
In another aspect, the extensible member is a mechanical actuator.
In another aspect, the extensible member is an electric actuator.
In another embodiment, a method of unmounting/mounting a brake caliper with respect to a heavy vehicle includes positioning a tool adjacent to the brake caliper, unmounting the brake caliper from the vehicle, and mounting the brake caliper to the tool.
In another embodiment, a tool for loading/unloading a brake assembly from a vehicle includes a selectively extensible member extending from a base, and a plurality of arms for supporting the brake housing.
In the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, embodiments of the invention are illustrated, which, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to exemplify the embodiments of this invention.
More particularly, and in addition to
A support member 40 is mounted to the upper end of the linear displacement cylinder 30. The support member in the illustrated arrangement includes a bracket 42 from which individual, spaced arms 44 extend in a desired fashion. Here, four such arms are employed and are disposed in generally parallel relation. Selective ones of the arms include securing means 46 at outer terminal ends for securing the support member to the caliper 14 housing. One arrangement of a securing means uses threaded ends on two or more of the arms so that in conjunction with fastener nuts 48 (
A boom 50 allows the support member to be selectively rotated about a vertical axis defined by the telescoping cylinder. It can also provide pivoting action at its connection point therewith. In addition to the adjustment provided by the extensible, telescoping cylinder, the wheeled base provides the translation for horizontal movement.
In operation, a mechanic can raise or lower the support member of the jack assembly to the desired height. The outer ends of the support members are aligned and positioned in desired orientation with the caliper 14. In one embodiment, at least two of the arms are aligned with openings of the caliper 14 that are provided when the brake chamber is removed from the assembly 12 (see
The embodiment of the tool described above includes a base 22, a linear displacement mechanism 30 and a connection point for the brake assembly 12, as well as an optional boom extension mechanism 50 to reduce the human effort required in the removal and installation process. It provides for time savings as well as flexibility during installation by providing greater control of the caliper movement. The linear displacement mechanism 30 allows for vertical and rotational movement of the brake assembly 12 about the longitudinal axis of the linear displacement mechanism 30. Connection of the linear displacement mechanism 30 or some other location allows for rotational movement about two or more axes at the connection point. By rolling the tool into position underneath or adjacent the vehicle wheel end containing the brake assembly 12 to be removed, the brake can hover over the wheel end while the jack assembly 20 is still out of the way. The linear displacement mechanism 30 is then extended to place the brake in close proximity to its final location on the vehicle. The cylinder shaft can be rotated, which rotates the brake, and the brake can also be rotated at the connection point in the cylinder. These rotations, along with extension or retraction of the hydraulic cylinder, are performed until the brake is in the final, desired position for installation of the mounting fasteners or nuts 48.
Another embodiment is illustrated in
The invention has been described with reference to the illustrated embodiment. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
