GB2253447A

GB2253447A - Disc brake for a wheeled vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2253447A
Application number: GB9100595A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David John Kenneth Evans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-01-11
Filing date: 1991-01-11
Publication date: 1992-09-09
Also published as: GB9100595D0

Abstract

A cable operated disc brake comprises a pair of calipers 32 each attached to, or bearing on, a respective plate 38 pivoted at 40 to chassis portion 12 of a wheeled vehicle and carrying one or more brake pads 42 for engagement with a brake disc 30 secured to the rear axle 26. The brake pads may be of different thicknesses so that, on brake operation, the lower pads will engage the disc before the upper pads. A pivoting front chassis portion 14 carries adjustably mounted hand grips 22, and a block of shock absorbing material 18 is located between the chassis portions 12, 14. <IMAGE>

Description

Disc Brake for a Child's Wheeled Vehicle The present invention relates to a disc brake for use particularly, though not exclusively, with a child's wheeled vehicle.

Brakes for childrens' wheeled vehicles can comprise a pair of caliper mounted brake blocks operated to grip the rim of a wheel or one or more brake shoes which can be brought into contact with the circumference of a wheel of a child's vehicle.

The present invention seeks to provide a disc brake for a child's wheeled vehicle in which the disc is mounted on an axle of the vehicle.

Accordingly the present invention provides a disc brake for a wheeled vehicle comprising at least one disc mounted for rotation with an axle of the vehicle, a pair of brake pad mounting plates, one being mounted on each side of said disc, each plate being pivotally attached to a chassis of the vehicle, and each plate having at least one brake pad mounted thereon, and brake operating means to move the plates towards and away from the at least one disc.

Each plate can be provided with more than one brake pad, for example each plate can be provided with four brake pads.

The brake operating means can comprise a pair of cable operated calipers, the ends of each caliper being attached to or bearing on one of the plates.

The wheeled vehicle can comprise a steerable wheeled sledge comprising a chassis and a pivotally mounted steerable front portion, a brake lever being mounted on the front portion and connected by a cable to the pair of calipers in order to operate the disc brake The present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a rear end elevation of one form of child's wheeled vehicle incorporating a disc brake according to the present invention, Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the wheeled vehicle shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows an underneath plan view of the wheeled vehicle shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and Fig. 4 shows in greater detail, a side elevation of one form of disc brake according to the present invention, only a part of which is shown in Figs 1, 2 and 3.

Referring to the drawings a wheeled vehicle comprises a chassis 10, including a main portion 12, a front portion 14 which is pivotally mounted to the main portion 12 on a pivot 16. A block of shock absorbing material 18 is located between the main portion 12 and the front steerable portion 14.

The front portion (14) is provided with a pair of independently mounted spherical wheels (20) and a pair of adjustably mounted hand grips (22). Each hand grip (22) is mounted in a pair of clamps (24) so that the grips (22) can be brought closer together or further apart.

The main portion (12) of the chassis is provided with an axle (26) which is rotatably mounted in fixed brackets (28), and a pair of spherical wheels (30) are mounted on the axle (26). A disc (30) which forms part of a disc brake according to the present invention is secured for rotation with the axle (26).

A pair of callipers (32) are pivotally mounted to the underside of the main portion (12) and are operated by a cable (34) which is connected to a brake lever (36) mounted on one of the grips (22). The callipers (32), cable (34) and lever (36) are of the same type as commonly used on bicycles.

Referring now particularly to figure 4 a pair of brake pad plates (38) are mounted on pivots (40) to the underside of the main portion (12) of the chassis (10), each plate (30) being mounted on opposite sides of the disc (30). Each plate (38) is provided with four brake pads (42) and is formed with an opening (44) so that the disc (30) can be examined.

Each of the-callipers (32) is connected at its end to one of the plates (38) so that'when the brake is operated the plates (38) move towards or away from the disc 30.

Alternatively the ends of the calipers can only bear upon the plates 38, biassing means being provided to ensure that the plates 38 bear against the ends of the calipers. For example springs can be provided between the plate 38 and the main portion 12 of the chassis.

It should be noted that a spring 46 is provided between the steerable front portion 14 and the main portion 12 of the chassis.

It should also be noted that the lower ones of the pads 42 on the plate 38 are made slightly wider than the upper ones of the pads.

This means that the lower pads are clamped against the brake disc by the combined action of the calipers, and the flexibility of the plates 38, the upper pads following the lower pads to contact the disc.

The wheeled vehicle illustrated in the figures can be used on grassy slopes and is steered by using the handle grips 22 to rotate the front portion 14 on the pivot 16. The spring 46 will tend to return the steerable portion 14 to central position and also will limit the degree to which the front portion 14 can be rotated.

In order to brake the vehicle the brake lever is pulled by the rider which will cause the calipers 32 to move towards one another and the plates 38 will pivot on the pins 40 bringing the pads 42 into contact with the disc 30 on the axle 26. Upon release of the handle 36 the calipers 32 will move apait releasing the plates 38 and therefore the pads 42 will cease to contact the disc 30.

It will be appreciated that a disc brake according to the present invention is relatively simple in construction and can be applied to any form of wheeled vehicle, whether in the form of a child's sledge or for other purposes.

Claims

1. A disc brake for a wheeled vehicle comprising at least one disc mounted for rotation with a axial of the vehicle, a pair of brake pad mounting plates, one being mounted on each side of said disc, each plate being pivotally attached to a chassis of the vehicle and each plate having at least one brake pad mounted thereon, and brake operating means to move the plates towards and away from the at least one disc.

2. A disc brake as claimed in claim 1 in that each plate is provided with one or more brake pads.

3. A disc brake as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the brake operating means comprises a pair of cable operated callipers, the ends of each calliper being attached to or bearing on one of the plates.

4. A disc brake as claimed in claim 3 in which the wheel vehicle comprises a steerable wheeled sledge comprising a chassis and a pivotally mounted steerable front portion, a brake lever being mounted on the front portion and connected by a cable to the pair of callipers in order to operate the disc brake.

5. A disc brake constructed and arranged for use in operation substantially as herein described.

6. A wheeled vehicle including a disc brake as claimed in claim 5.