US4649370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Brake condition indicator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-06-15
•
Granted: 1987-03-10
•
Expires: 2004-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A brake condition indicator attachable to a conventional brake shoe comprising a thermocouple carried at one end by a tubular member crimped around the thermocouple and at its extremity, a hollow dimensioned rivet securing the crimped extremity of the tubing to a brake shoe without damage to the shoe itself, said thermocouple connected at the other end to a grounded temperature gauge whereby the heat generated within the brake shoe may be visually displayed to the driver of the vehicle to provide a warning in the event of overheating the brake shoe.
Inventors
- 👤 Linda R. Thomason
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:25
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D66/00; F16D2066/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A temperature indicator adapted for use with a brake system including a brake drum or rotor and a brake shoe having a backing plate and a friction lining mounted on the backing plate, the friction lining material possessing a first surface for selective frictional engagement with the brake drum or rotor, a second surface for interfacing engagement with the backing plate, and a third surface, said temperature indicator comprising: heat conductive means for penetrating into the third surface of the friction lining without damaging or modifying the structure of the brake shoe to create intimate and direct heat conductive contact with the friction lining; a conductive metal member engaging said heat conductive means, said heat conductive means attaching said metal member to the third surface; thermocouple wire engaging said metal member at one end of said wire; and a pyrometer gauge engaging said thermocouple wire at the other end of said wire.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A temperature indicator adapted for use with a brake system including a brake drum or rotor and a brake shoe having a backing plate and a friction lining mounted on the backing plate, the friction lining material possessing a first surface for selective frictional engagement with the brake drum or rotor, a second surface for interfacing engagement with the backing plate, and a third surface, said temperature indicator comprising: heat conductive means for penetrating into the third surface of the friction lining without damaging or modifying the structure of the brake shoe to create intimate and direct heat conductive contact with the friction lining; a conductive metal member engaging said heat conductive means, said heat conductive means attaching said metal member to the third surface; thermocouple wire engaging said metal member at one end of said wire; and a pyrometer gauge engaging said thermocouple wire at the other end of said wire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A temperature indicator according to claim 1 wherein said heat conductive means comprises a substantially hollow rivet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A temperature indicator according to claim 2 wherein the thickness of the wall of said rivet is in the range of substantially twelve gauge to sixteen gauge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A temperature indicator according to claim 2 wherein the internal diameter of said rivet is in the range of substantially 0.0666 to 0.0865 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A temperature indicator according to claim 2 wherein said rivet is adapted to penetrate the friction lining such that the material compromising the friction lining both substantially surrounds and directly contacts said rivet and substantially fills the interior, hollow portion of said rivet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A temperature indicator according to claim 2 wherein the length of said rivet is within the range of substantially 3/16 to 1/2 inch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A temperature indicator according to claim 2 wherein said metal member comprises a tube, one end of said tube being crimped around said thermocouple wire and the other end of said tube being flattened, the flattened tube end being provided with an aperture adapted for accommodating the head of said rivet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A temperature indicator according to claim 7 further comprising a silicon based thermally insulating heat transfer compound disposed in said tubing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A temperature indicator according to claim 1 wherein said heat conductor means is reusable without modification after the friction lining has substantially overheated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A temperature indicator according to claim 1 wherein said metal member is disposed in substantially interfacing engagement with the third surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
A temperature indicator adapted for use with a brake system including a friction lining, said temperature indicator comprising: a substantially hollow rivet adapted to be driven into, to penetrate, and to be embedded in the friction lining without damaging or modifying the structure of the frictional lining to create intimate and direct heat conductive contact with the friction lining; means for monitoring the temperature of said rivet; and means responsive to said monitoring means for providing a warning when the friction lining has substantially overheated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
A temperature indicator adapted for use with a brake system including a friction lining, said temperature indicator comprising: a substantially hollow rivet adapted to be driven into, to penetrate, and to be embedded in the friction lining without damaging or modifying the structure of the frictional lining to create intimate and direct heat conductive contact with the friction lining; means for monitoring the temperature of said rivet; and means responsive to said monitoring means for providing a warning when the friction lining has substantially overheated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A temperature indicator according to claim 11 wherein the thickness of the wall of said rivet is in the range of substantially twelve gauge to sixteen gauge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A temperature indicator according to claim 11 wherein the internal diameter of said rivet is in the range of substantially 0.0666 to 0.0865 inches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A temperature indicator according to claim 11 wherein the length of said rivet is within the range of substantially 3/16 to 1/2 inch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
A temperature indicator according to claim 11 wherein said rivet is adapted to be driven into, to penetrate, and to be embedded in the friction lining such that the material comprising the friction lining both substantially surrounds and directly contacts said rivet and substantially fills the interior, hollow portion of said rivet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A temperature indicator according to claim 11 wherein said rivet is reusable without modification after the friction lining has substantially overheated.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
64 words
A temperature indicator according to claim 11 further including a heat conductive body attached by said rivet to said friction lining, said rivet being in substantially intimate and heat conductive contact with said heat conductive body and said heat conductive body being in substantially interfacing engagement with said friction lining, and wherein said monitoring means comprises a thermocouple operatively engaging said heat conductive body.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1957051A
Cited
US3010184A
Cited
US3674114A
Cited
US3689880A
Cited
GB2030635A
Cited
DE2909247A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-03-09 | 1990-09-08 | 1991-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-09 | 1994-09-08 | 1995-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-09 | 1998-09-08 | 1999-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |