An adjustable friction brake assembly may adjust a variable amount of frictional force required to translate or rotate a shaft, rather than merely locking or unlocking the shaft. The brake assembly includes a housing for internally receiving the shaft, the external portion of the housing including external threading leading into circumferentially spaced fingers extending axially and oriented radially inward to engage the shaft. The brake assembly includes a rotatable adjuster having an internally threaded throughbore for engaging the housing and directing the fingers radially inward to engage the shaft, thereby increasing the required frictional force. For example, by rotating the adjuster clockwise, the required force can be increased; similarly, by rotating the adjuster counterclockwise, the required force can be decreased.

The present invention provides a system and method for providing drive shaft braking for an irrigation machine. According to an exemplary preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a system for providing drive shaft braking during the operation of an irrigation machine where the irrigation machine includes a drive system having a drive motor and a drive shaft. According to a preferred embodiment, the system in accordance with the present invention preferably includes a cam attached to the drive shaft, an extension arm having a first securing point, a securing arm having a second securing point and a spring attached between the first securing point and the second securing point. According to a further preferred embodiment, the system of the present invention preferably further includes a follower mechanism secured to the extension arm, which applies continual frictional pressure to the drive shaft in response to the force applied by the spring to the follower through the extension arm. According to a further preferred embodiment, an exemplary system according to the present invention functions to hold the drive shaft in place when rotational force is not actively applied to the drive shaft by the drive motor.

A centrifugal brake mechanism for a controlled descent device, and a drum device employing it, are described. The mechanism comprises a circular wheel configured and operable to rotate about an axis of rotation thereof, an axle extending along and rotatable about the axis inside a central cavity of the wheel and having two or more parallel shaft rods extending inside the cavity substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, a gear system for transferring rotations of the wheel into counter-rotations of the axle, one or more brake elements each having pass-through bores for slidably mounting over the two or more parallel shaft rods, springs mounted over the parallel shaft rods between the brake element and the axle, and a friction enhancement mechanism for increasing friction forces between the brake elements and the inner wall the wheel responsive to increase in angular velocity of the wheel.

A retractable leash (10, 38) for rolling up and unrolling a leash (12), especially for leading an animal, with a leash roller (13), which is mounted rotatably on a carrier (11) and can be retracted by a retracting device into a rolled-up position, in which the leash (12) is wound up onto the leash roller (13); and with a blocking device for blocking the unrolling of the leash (12) from the leash roller (13), the radius of action of an animal being led can be effectively limited in a gentle and especially jerk-free manner by the blocking device having a brake (17) frictionally engaged with the leash roller (13) even in case of a bolting animal.

A retractable leash (10, 38) for rolling up and unrolling a leash (12), especially for leading an animal, with a leash roller (13), which is mounted rotatably on a carrier (11) and can be retracted by a retracting device into a rolled-up position, in which the leash (12) is wound up onto the leash roller (13); and with a blocking device for blocking the unrolling of the leash (12) from the leash roller (13), the radius of action of an animal being led can be effectively limited in a gentle and especially jerk-free manner by the blocking device having a brake (17) frictionally engaged with the leash roller (13) even in case of a bolting animal.

Disclosed herein are a clearance control swash plate device for a transmission or reducer and a single-shaft two-speed drive system, including the clearance control swash plate device, with a friction clutch applied thereto. The clearance control swash plate device includes: an action plate mounted on a power transfer shaft; a first thrust bearing disposed on the action plate, and configured to prevent rotation force, received from the action plate, from being transferred; a first clearance swash plate disposed on the first thrust bearing; a second clearance swash plate disposed on the first clearance swash plate; a worm engaged with a worm gear formed on the outer circumference of the second clearance swash plate; a second thrust bearing disposed on the second clearance swash plate, and configured to prevent rotation force, received from the second clearance swash plate, from being transferred; and a thrust washer disposed on the second thrust bearing.

A braking system may include a brake assembly having a brake shaft and a brake lever coupled to the brake shaft. The system may also include a brake cylinder having a first chamber, a second chamber, a piston positioned between the chambers and a piston rod extending outwardly from the piston. The piston rod may be configured to be coupled to the brake shaft such that movement of the piston rod results in rotation of the brake shaft. In addition, the system may include a first valve configured to control a supply of working fluid to the first chamber and a second valve configured to control a supply of the working fluid to the second chamber. By adjusting a position of the first valve and/or the second valve, a braking force applied between the brake assembly and a drum of the draw works may be controlled.

A braking system may include a brake assembly having a brake shaft and a brake lever coupled to the brake shaft. The system may also include a brake cylinder having a first chamber, a second chamber, a piston positioned between the chambers and a piston rod extending outwardly from the piston. The piston rod may be configured to be coupled to the brake shaft such that movement of the piston rod results in rotation of the brake shaft. In addition, the system may include a first valve configured to control a supply of working fluid to the first chamber and a second valve configured to control a supply of the working fluid to the second chamber. By adjusting a position of the first valve and/or the second valve, a braking force applied between the brake assembly and a drum of the draw works may be controlled.

A brake apparatus for restricting rotation of a rotatable member of a mowing machine, thereby controlling rotation of a wheel of the mowing machine, includes a brake member fixable on the rotatable member, and a gripping member for engaging and disengaging the brake member for restricting or permitting rotation of the rotatable member. A thrust link is coupled to the gripping member such that movement of the thrust link causes the gripping member to engage or disengage a radially outer surface of the brake member. For example, the gripping member may be biasedly engaged with at least a partial circumferential extent of the brake member such that actuation of the thrust link causes disengagement of the gripping member from the brake member.

A brake apparatus for restricting rotation of a rotatable member of a mowing machine, thereby controlling rotation of a wheel of the mowing machine, includes a brake member fixable on the rotatable member, and a gripping member for engaging and disengaging the brake member for restricting or permitting rotation of the rotatable member. A thrust link is coupled to the gripping member such that movement of the thrust link causes the gripping member to engage or disengage a radially outer surface of the brake member. For example, the gripping member may be biasedly engaged with at least a partial circumferential extent of the brake member such that actuation of the thrust link causes disengagement of the gripping member from the brake member.