Band Brake Holder/Lever

The invention is a device which holds the band of a band brake while also providing a simple lever mechanism to actuate the band brake.

Band brakes are popularly used in minibikes, garden tractors and a variety of small engine powered equipment such as sports vehicles including all terrain vehicles (ATV's), go karts and the like. In order to retain simplicity and reduce expense a simple cable and a hand or foot lever is commonly used to actuate them. However, a mounting means for the band is still needed and the brake actuation force is limited by the strength of the cable and cable retainer ends.

The invention provides a holder for the band of the band brake and also provides a simple and powerful mechanical lever to actuate the brake. A cable or rod actuated by a pedal or hand lever can still be used with the invention. Also with this device, three times the braking force usually obtained on a same size brake is easily possible. In addition, an extension can be mounted to the brake lever so that the need for an additional cable or linkage rod can in some usage situations be eliminated .

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view illustrating the complete brake assembly.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view illustrating the lever mechanism at rest (A), and in phantom (B,C) at alternate positions of tension.

FIG. 1 shows the brake drum 1 which includes a hub 2 mounted on a driven shaft 3. A key 4 is provided to secure the brake drum 1 to the shaft 3. One curled end 6 of a brake band 5 with lining 18 is mounted between opposing legs of a U-shaped bracket 8 by a bolt 9 which passes through one leg of the U-shaped bracket 8, through the curled end 6 of the brake band 5 and threads into the opposite leg of the U-shaped bracket 8. Slots 20 are arranged in opposite legs of the U-shaped bracket 8 and are sized to receive a lever plate 7. The lever plate 7 has a rounded end 16 and flat shoulders 17. A stud 11 is rotatably mounted and passes through a hole 15 in the rounded end 16 of the lever plate 7. A socket cap screw 12, which is preferably hardened, is placed in a hole through the stud 11 forming an angled linkage. A pin 10 passes through the opposite curled end 19 of the brake band 5. The cap screw 12 passes perpendicularly through the opposite curled end 19 and is threaded into the pin 10 so that this opposite curled end 19 is connected to the lever plate 7 and can also be between opposing legs of the U-shaped bracket 8. This opposite curled end 19 of the brake band 5 holds the lever plate 7 within the slots 20 of the U-shaped bracket 8. The lever plates rounded end 16 extends beyond the bottoms of the slots 20 and prevents movement of the lever plate 7 on the bottom of a slot 20 when the lever plate is pivotally moved.

In operation, the U-shaped bracket 8 is mounted at its base to a suitable framework with provided mounting holes 14. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (A) the holder/lever is shown in a non-braking position so that the brake drum 1 with the driven shaft 3 are free to rotate. Mounting holes 13 are provided on the lever plate 7 so that a cable, linkage rod, or even an extension with a handle can be mounted to the lever plate 7 so that a push or pull force on the lever plate 7 causes it to move within the slots 20 of the U-shaped bracket 8. In FIG. 2 (B and C) it can be seen that when this movement occurs the lever plate 7 pivots on either of its shoulders 17 and the rounded end 16 with its hole 15 is raised thereby tightening the lined band 5 of the band brake around its drum 1 slowing or stopping the driven shaft 3. The socket cap screw 12 being threaded into the band brake pin 10 provides adjustment so that the band 5 can be kept close to its drum 1 and little movement of the lever plate 7 is needed to actuate the brake.

During testing of the device, it was found that it works very well and a 4 inch (10.16 centimeters) diameter band brake having a 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) wide band stopped over 180 lbs.-ft. (244 neuton-meters) of shaft torque.