Devices and systems for preventing misalignment in vehicle brake assemblies

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10503200-B2
Application number	US-201414276760-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 13, 2014
Priority date	May 13, 2014
Publication date	Dec 10, 2019
Grant date	Dec 10, 2019

Abstract

An alignment device may include a saddle element configured to sit on a pedal arm of a brake assembly. The saddle element may include first and second U-shaped ends configured to receive the pedal arm. The first and second U-shaped ends may be spaced apart from one another by an opening defined by first and second lateral wing elements. The first and second lateral wing elements may form a catchment area configured to guide and position a push rod of a brake booster into alignment with the pedal arm.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of constructing a vehicle brake assembly, comprising:
joining an alignment device with a pedal arm, the alignment device comprising a pair of wings extending outwardly relative to the pedal arm and defining a catchment area between the pair of wings;
subsequently guiding a clevis into the catchment area with an end portion of a push rod of a brake booster to align the clevis with the pedal arm; and
coupling the clevis to the pedal arm.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein joining the alignment device to the pedal arm comprises welding the alignment device to the pedal arm.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein joining the alignment device to the pedal arm comprises forming the alignment device with the pedal arm.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein aligning the clevis with the pedal arm comprises guiding the clevis over the pedal arm such that the pedal arm is positioned between a pair of prongs of the clevis and a hole in each of the pair of prongs is aligned with a bushing hole in the pedal arm.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein coupling the clevis to the pedal arm comprises inserting a pin through the aligned holes of the clevis and the pedal arm.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein coupling the clevis to the pedal arm secures the push rod to the pedal arm.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to guiding the clevis with the push rod, securing the clevis to the end portion of the push rod.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Ganguly Snehasis
• Hargitt' Curtis
• Lemmer Brian Marvin

Classifications

• Y10T29/49897

  Registering mating opposed tool parts [e.g., registering a punch and a cooperating die] · CPC title

• Y10T74/20528

  Foot operated · CPC title

• B60T17/00

  Component parts, details, or accessories of power brake systems not covered by groups B60T8/00, B60T13/00 or B60T15/00, or presenting other characteristic features (air compressors per se F04) · CPC title

• B60T11/18

  Connection thereof to initiating means · CPC title

• G05G1/506 Primary

  Controlling members for foot-actuation · CPC title