US 7,464,797 B2
Centrifugal brakes for wheels
Michael T. Kidd, Delton, Mich. (US); and Gerald L. Cline, Delton, Mich. (US)
Assigned to Jarvis/Pemco, Inc., Kalamazoo, Mich. (US)
Filed on Apr. 20, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/379,499.
Application 11/379499 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/080290, filed on Mar. 15, 2005, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2006/0207838 A1, Sep. 21, 2006
Int. Cl. B60B 33/00 (2006.01); B60T 8/72 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 188—1.12  [188/82.8; 188/185] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. In a wheel assembly including a frame and a wheel, the wheel assembly having a braking mechanism that is activated by centrifugal force, the braking mechanism comprising:
a tension ring having a first pocket and a brake pad;
a thread guard having a second pocket fixed relative to the frame; and
an internal ball between the tension ring and the thread guard;
a ball bearing housing in a center of the wheel and adjacent to the brake pad of the tension ring;
wherein the internal ball can be flung from the first pocket to the second pocket by centrifugal force to cause a braking action when the internal ball is in the second pocket.