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

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,701,977 A
- Document ID: US5701977A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/730,347
- Filed: 1996-10-15
- Granted: 1997-12-30
- Earliest claimed: 1996-10-15
- Inventors: Theodore Shane Vrevich
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5701977A

## CPC

- B60T 7/14: operated upon collapse of driver (deadman's devices for electrically propelled vehicles B60L3/02)
- B60T 13/04: by spring or weight (fluid released B60T13/10)
- B60T 13/22: Brakes applied by springs or weights and released hydraulically
- F16D 59/02: spring-loaded and adapted to be released by mechanical, fluid, or electromagnetic means
- F16D 2127/008: {Trigger mechanisms}
- B60T: VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL (electrodynamic brake systems for vehicle, in general B60L; brakes per se, i.e. devices where braking effect occurs, including ultimate brake actuators, F16D); ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
- F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2

A braking system for an all terrain vehicle comprising:
a secondary master cylinder capable of routing hydraulic fluid to actuate at least one brake caliper, said secondary master cylinder comprising:
a main bore comprising a piston capable of contacting an actuating arm;
said actuating arm connected at one end to a first portion of said cylinder by a tension spring,
said arm connected at an opposite end to a second portion of said cylinder by a trigger pin to maintain said arm in an energized condition;
said trigger pin connected to a tether which is adapted to be attached to the driver of an all terrain vehicle;
whereupon removal of the trigger pin allows said tension spring to contract causing said actuating arm to contact said piston to pressurize hydraulic fluid at a caliper port to actuate said at least one caliper brake.