Combined foot brake and parking brake

Abstract

A combined foot brake and parking brake mechanism is disclosed which is particularly useful for machines having a hydrostatic transmission, such as a tractor. The combined brake mechanism includes a foot brake for normal braking operation and a parking brake mechanism which is connected to the foot brake. The parking brake mechanism is also functionally connected to the transmission shift arm such that the parking brake cannot be engaged unless the transmission shift arm is in its neutral position, and the parking brake must be released before the hydrostatic transmission can be actuated by the shift arm from neutral into forward or reverse. The parking brake mechanism includes a pivotal lock arm assembly that may be selectively pivoted into locking engagement with the transmission shift arm when the shift arm is in its neutral position only. The lock arm assembly is pivoted at one end by a control lever assembly which has two detent positions. One detent position being used to hold the lock arm assembly engaged with the transmission shift arm, and the other detent position holding the lock arm assembly in a disengaged position. The other end of the lock arm assembly is connected to the ratchet pawl of the parking brake latch mechanism so that when the lock arm assembly is pivoted into locking engagement with the transmission shift arm, the ratchet pawl is simultaneously forced into engagement with the rack of the parking brake latch mechanism. Thereafter, the foot brake pedal may be depressed to any desired point for tensioning the brake cable, and it will be held in the desired position by the engagement between the ratchet pawl and rack of the parking brake latch mechanism.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.