초록 ▼

A brake (10) which is adapted to be rotationally coupled with an output shaft includes a housing (11). An inner shaft (33) is adapted to be attached to the output shaft for rotation therewith. A disc assembly (64) includes a plurality of stationary discs (63) carried by the housing (11) and a plural

A brake (10) which is adapted to be rotationally coupled with an output shaft includes a housing (11). An inner shaft (33) is adapted to be attached to the output shaft for rotation therewith. A disc assembly (64) includes a plurality of stationary discs (63) carried by the housing (11) and a plurality of rotating discs (62) carried by the inner shaft (33). The rotatable discs (62) are positioned to be engaged by the stationary discs (63). A least one spring (26) biases the stationary discs (63) to engage the rotatable discs (62). A piston (53) is movable to oppose the force of the spring (26). A spacing assembly (80) is positioned on the inner shaft (33) and rotatable therewith. The spacing assembly (80) includes a plurality of o-rings (83) to separate the rotating discs (62) a predetermined axial distance from an adjacent rotating disc (62).

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A brake adapted to be rotationally coupled with an output shaft, the brake comprising a housing, an inner shaft adapted to be attached to the output shaft for rotation therewith, a disc assembly including a plurality of stationary discs carried by said housing and a plurality

What is claimed is: 1. A brake adapted to be rotationally coupled with an output shaft, the brake comprising a housing, an inner shaft adapted to be attached to the output shaft for rotation therewith, a disc assembly including a plurality of stationary discs carried by said housing and a plurality of rotating discs carried by said inner shaft, said rotatable discs being positioned to be engaged by said stationary discs, a spacing assembly positioned on said inner shaft and rotatable therewith, said spacing assembly separating at least one of said rotating discs a predetermined axial distance from an adjacent rotating disc, wherein said spacing assembly includes a washer and at least one o-ring, said washer being secured around said shaft and positioned at an end of said disc assembly, said o-ring being positioned around said shaft and between said washer and said rotating disc that is adjacent to said washer. 2. A brake according to claim 1 wherein said disc assembly further includes a primary disc positioned at the end of said disc assembly proximate to said springs, said primary disc being prohibited from rotating. 3. A brake according to claim 2 wherein said housing includes an internal step and when said piston is actuated said primary disc is moved against said step. 4. A brake according to claim 3 wherein when said piston is actuated, said o-ring contacts said rotating disc proximate to said washer, thereby reducing frictional contact between said rotating disc and said primary disc. 5. A brake according to claim 2 wherein said piston is annular shaped and includes a plurality of axially projecting fingers, said fingers being adapted to apply force directly to said primary disc. 6. A brake according to claim 1, wherein said disc assembly is positioned in a vertically upstanding orientation defining a top end and a bottom end, said washer being positioned proximate to said bottom end. 7. A brake according to claim 6, wherein said shaft includes a circumferential channel and said spacing assembly further includes a retaining ring, said retaining ring being received in said channel and preventing downward axial movement of said washer. 8. A brake according to claim 1 further comprising at least one spring biasing said stationary discs to engage said rotatable discs, a piston movable to oppose the force of said spring. 9. A brake according to claim 1 wherein said spacing assembly includes a plurality of o-rings which are positioned around said shaft and between each said rotating disc. 10. A brake according to claim 1 wherein said o-ring is composed of a resilient material. 11. A brake according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of pins, said housing being provided a plurality of holes, said pins being received in said holes, said stationary discs being slidably mounted on said pins, thereby rotationally confining said stationary discs. 12. A brake according to claim 1 wherein when said piston is actuated and applies a force greater than the force of said spring, said stationary discs and said rotating discs disengage. 13. A brake comprising a housing, a shaft positioned within said housing and rotatable about an axis, a disc assembly including a plurality of stationary discs coupled to said housing and a plurality of rotating discs carried by said shaft, said rotatable discs being positioned to be engaged by said stationary discs, and a spacing assembly including at least one o-ring composed of a resilient material and positioned for rotation on said shaft and interposed between two said rotating discs such that when said disc assembly is disengaged, said at least one o-ring axially separates said rotating discs, thereby reducing frictional contact with said stationary discs. 14. A brake according to claim 13, wherein said spacing assembly further includes a washer and a second o-ring, said washer being positioned on said shaft for rotation therewith, and said second o-ring being positioned between said washer and one of said rotating discs. 15. A brake according to claim 14, wherein said disc assembly is positioned in a vertically upstanding orientation defining a top end and a bottom end, said washer being positioned proximate to said bottom end. 16. A brake according to claim 14, wherein said shaft includes a circumferential channel and said spacing assembly further includes a retaining ring, said retaining ring being received in said channel and preventing downward axial movement of said washer. 17. A brake according to claim 13 wherein said rotating discs are adapted to slide axially along said shaft and said stationary discs are adapted to slide axially along said housing. 18. A brake according to claim 17 wherein said housing is provided with a plurality of axially extending pins, said stationary discs slidably engaging said pins. 19. A brake according to claim 13 further comprising at least one spring biasing said stationary discs to engage said rotating discs, and a piston movable to oppose the force of said spring. 20. A brake for applying a braking force to an external shaft comprising a housing, an inner shaft adapted to be coupled with the external shaft and rotatable about an axis, a disc assembly including a plurality of stationary discs carried by said housing and a plurality of rotating discs carried by said shaft, said rotatable discs being adapted to selectively engage said stationary discs, said disc assembly being positioned in a vertically upstanding orientation defining a bottom end and a top end, a washer coupled to said shaft and positioned proximate to said bottom end of said disc assembly, a plurality of o-rings interposed between each said rotating disc and between said washer and a said rotating disc, wherein said washer and said o-rings vertically separate said rotating discs thereby minimizing frictional contact between said rotating discs and said stationary discs when said rotatable discs are not engaging said stationary discs.