US 5,701,977 A · ESTOP--emergency stopping device for motorized uncaged vehicles

Abstract

ESTOP is a braking device causing a motorized vehicle, such as a snowmobile or ATV, to stop when the driver is ejected. When the ESTOP is armed, with a trigger pin attached by a tether and clip to a driver, the vehicle braking system functions normally. When the driver is ejected, removing the trigger pin, the ESTOP, unarmed, releases a force applying pressure, mechanically or hydraulically, to brake pads stopping the vehicle's brake rotor and bringing the vehicle to rest. Mechanically, ESTOP applies pressure from a released spring to brake pads on a caliper mounted on the vehicle's brake rotor. Hydraulically, the ESTOP applies pressure from a released spring to the vehicle's hydraulic brake system through a secondary master cylinder. ESTOP potential energy is not limited to a coiled wire spring, but may include a compressed gas canister, engine provided vacuum or an electrical solenoid.

Claims2

Dependent claims

A braking system for an all terrain vehicle comprising:

a caliper, an arming shaft slidably connected to the caliper, an actuating lever connected to the caliper and attached at one end to the arming shaft, a connecting element connected to a brake pad and adapted to apply a braking force through said pad to a brake rotor, and at least one compressed spring connected to the arming shaft which maintains the arming shaft in an energized condition by a releasable trigger pin connecting said shaft to said caliper, said trigger pin attached to a tether which in turn is adapted to be attached to the driver of an all terrain vehicle;
whereupon removal of the trigger pin allows said at least one compressed spring to expand thereby moving said arming shall from said energized condition to an activated condition to apply said brake pad to said rotor, via transmission of force through said actuating lever and said connecting element to said brake pad.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

ESTOP--emergency stopping device for motorized uncaged vehicles

Life of this patent

ESTOP--emergency stopping device for motorized uncaged vehicles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims2