Gripper for a disc brake

A gripper for a disc brake having a disc keyed on a shaft, notably for use in handling equipment, comprising

• two gripping pads located for gripping the disc,
• two levers with one of each of said levers connected to one of said gripping pads,
• spring means to produce the gripping of said two pads on the disc,
• electromagnetic means having a fixed yoke and a movable armature to produce the releasing of said pads from the disc by opposing said spring means,
• each of said levers having a pivot assembly, each of said assemblies including
• one end of each of said levers connected to act on one of said pads,
• an opposite end of each of said levers being an actuated end,
• said electromagnetic means arranged between said actuated ends and said levers having the form of a hollow body enveloping said electromagnetic means,
• adjusting means having a substantial portion thereof received within the confines of said hollow body form of said levers.
• the gripper having a total lateral bulk in the direction parallel to the shaft carrying the disc of less than the sum of the thicknesses of said two levers and of said electromagnetic means,
• said adjusting means including
• a torque arm,
• a rachet wrench connected for angular movmement actuated by said torque arm,
• a bearing connected fast to said movable armature,
• a fixed part forming a stop,
• a counter-lever having a portion mounted for turning in said bearing and another portion for engagement with said torque arm and for abutting against said fixed part,
• a nut fixed to one of said pivot assemblies,
• a spindle having a threaded end portion engaged with said nut and a head end at the other of said pivot assemblies fixedly connected to said rachet wrench, rotation of said spindle to tighten said threaded end portion of said spindle in said nut causing tightening of the gripper about the disc.