An apparatus (100) for applying pressure to at least a portion of an edge surface (192), which bridges opposing faces (194) of a workpiece (190), comprises a frame (110), a first roller (120), a second roller (130), a rotation-control member (140), a first biasing member (150), and a second biasing member (160). The first roller (120) and the second roller (130) are coupled to the frame (110), rotatable relative to the frame (110) about a first pivot axis (125), and translationally fixed relative to the frame (110). The rotation-control member (140) is movable relative to the frame (110), controlling rotation of the first roller (120) and the second roller (130) relative to the frame (110). The first biasing member (150) is coupled to the frame (110) and is configured to operate in tension. The second biasing member (160) is positioned, in compression, between the frame (110) and the rotation-control member (140).

There is provided a configuration that can precisely detect abrasion of brake shoes of a railway vehicle. A brake shoe abrasion detection unit includes: at least one abrasion detection RF tag that is attached at a position of an abrasion limit of a brake shoe of a railway vehicle tread brake or a position closer to a braking surface than the abrasion limit; and a reference RF tag that is attached at a position beyond the abrasion limit of the brake shoe.

There is provided a configuration that can precisely detect abrasion of brake shoes of a railway vehicle. A brake shoe abrasion detection unit includes: at least one abrasion detection RF tag that is attached at a position of an abrasion limit of a brake shoe of a railway vehicle tread brake or a position closer to a braking surface than the abrasion limit; and a reference RF tag that is attached at a position beyond the abrasion limit of the brake shoe.

A towable crash-attenuating vehicle is shown having a frame; at least two axles coupled to the frame, each of the axles having wheels attached thereto; a T-shaped ballast coupled to the frame, and oriented such that the weight of the ballast is biased toward the front end of the frame; deflection shields coupled to the right and left sides of the frame, wherein the deflection shields cover the frame and a majority of the wheels on each side of the vehicle; a tow connection coupled to the front of the frame, pivotable from a deployed state to an undeployed state; an impact attenuator coupled to the rear of the frame; wherein the vehicle is provided with a brake system, and wherein said brake system may be locked and unlocked and wherein the vehicle is provided with an on-board mechanism for locking and unlocking the brake system.

In one embodiment, a system for imparting a force during operation of a wire bobbin comprises a main shaft for receiving a wire bobbin, and a brake element operably coupled to the main shaft. The system may further comprise an adjustment assembly comprising an adjustment block and at least one adjustment spring, wherein the at least one adjustment spring is biased to provide a force on the adjustment block in a vertically-upward direction. The adjustment block may be operably coupled to the main shaft, such that a mass of the main shaft imposed upon the adjustment block combined with resistance of the at least one adjustment spring determines a vertical position of the main shaft and the brake element. A brake assembly may provide a brake force on the brake element, wherein the brake force is imparted to the main shaft via the brake element.

A brake (200) comprising a braking surface (202); a brake lever (206) arranged to move between a retracted position and an engaged position; a brake lining (210) and at least one non-contact sensor (212). The brake lining is disposed between the braking surface and the brake lever such that when the brake lever is in the engaged position the brake lining is in contact with the braking surface. The at least one non-contact sensor is arranged to output a signal dependent on the distance between the non-contact sensor and the braking surface.

The invention relates to a safety brake for an elevator, a centrifugal regulator and a way of using this in a safety brake. According to the invention, the safety brake comprises a centrifugal regulator (3), a shaft (4), which rotates due to a coupling (5) to the elevator, a first (6) and a second (8) brake part movable against each other with friction surfaces (10, 11), the first brake part being rotatable with the shaft, a spring assembly (30) with which the brake parts are spring-biased with a pressure force, on release the centrifugal regulator is provided to couple the shaft (4) to the first brake part (6) to force rotation on it. The safety brake is self-regulating by comprising the pressure-relieving arrangement provided, due to the rotation of the shaft (4), to relieve the spring biasing by pressing the first brake part (6) towards the spring assembly's (30) spring action and thus from the other brake part (8), until a balanced position is obtained whereby both brake parts (6, 8) frictionally slide against each other.

A personal mobility vehicle, such as a scooter, includes at least one battery and motor for powering at least one driven wheel. The vehicle also includes a braking assembly configured to isolate the motor from the at least one driven wheel such that power is terminated from the motor to the at least one wheel in response to a user engaging a braking assembly of the vehicle. The vehicle can include a switch or position sensor that interacts with the braking assembly to initiate the isolation of the motor from the at least one driven wheel and the switch or position sensor preferably is inaccessible to the foot of the user.

A personal mobility vehicle, such as a scooter, includes at least one battery and motor for powering at least one driven wheel. The vehicle also includes a braking assembly configured to isolate the motor from the at least one driven wheel such that power is terminated from the motor to the at least one wheel in response to a user engaging a braking assembly of the vehicle. The vehicle can include a switch or position sensor that interacts with the braking assembly to initiate the isolation of the motor from the at least one driven wheel and the switch or position sensor preferably is inaccessible to the foot of the user.

A sphere drive line retarder is presented that is mounted to a drive shaft from an engine. The sphere drive line retarder comprises a sphere rotor mounted to the drive shaft and housed within a retarder housing. The sphere drive line retarded has a piston assembly comprising at least one piston, a brake shoe mounted to each piston, and hemispherical friction material mounted to the brake shoe. The hemispherical friction material is located between the sphere rotor and the brake shoe. Each piston is housed within a piston housing that is hydraulically isolated from the retarder housing. The retarder housing contains hydraulic fluid to cool the sphere rotor.