Abstract: A parking brake is described which has a backplate, first and second brake shoe portions mounted on the backplate, a drum encircling the brake shoe portions, a parking lever pivoted adjacent one end on one of the brake shoe portions, and a strut extending between a first abutment on the parking lever and a second abutment on the other of the brake shoe portions. The backplate includes a viewing opening, and the parking lever and the one brake shoe portion include datum surfaces visible through the viewing opening from which the position of the parking lever relative to the brake shoe portion can be assessed.

Abstract: A brake has a pair of brake pads (12), each pad being moveable generally radially outwardly into contact with a brake drum by a respective operating lever (14) acted on at one end by a brake applying means (15) and pivoted (16) at the other end from a backplate (11). Each pad is contacted by a portion (14c) of the respective operating lever intermediate the lever ends and moving radially outwardly between a pair of circumferentially spaced abutments (45) which extend generally perpendicular to the backplate and which react braking torque when the brake is applied. One end of each abutment (45) is supported from the backplate and the other free ends of the abutments is linked circumferentially (46) to each other to brace the pair of abutments against relative circumferential deflection when the brake is applied. The pivots (16) of the levers may also be connected by a bracing link (75) to help to control the deflection of the pivots when the brake is applied.

Abstract: A drum brake (10) is provided which has a pair of brake pads (12), each pad being moveable generally radially outwardly into contact with a brake drum by a respective operating lever (14) which is acted on at one end by a brake applying means (15) and pivoted (16) at the other end from a backplate (11). Each pad is contacted by a portion (14c) of the respective operating lever intermediate the lever ends and is moved radially outwardly between a pair of circumferentially spaced abutments (45) which extend generally perpendicular to the backplate (11) and which react braking torque when the brake is applied. The required pad to drum clearance is established by knock-back of the drum on the pads (12).

Abstract: A brake adjuster for adjusting the working clearance of the shoes of an automotive drum brake. The adjuster has three co-axial elements, a first end element having a head portion for engagement with a first brake shoe and a threaded stem portion, an intermediate element in threaded engagement with the first end element, and a second end element having a head portion for engagement with a second brake shoe and a stem portion slideably connected with the intermediate element and free to rotate relative thereto. A reaction member is mounted on the intermediate element, and a toothed ring gear rotates with the intermediate element and is axially located between the second end element and the reaction member. A leaf spring acts between the second end element and the reaction member for pushing the second end element away from the intermediate element.

Abstract: A drum brake backplate having a vibration damping mass secured thereto. One or more portions of the mass are secured to the backplate and the remainder of the mass is spaced from the backplate and defines one or more further portions which are tuned to vibrate relative to the backplate at a frequency which reduces the noise generated by one or more a target frequencies (or range of frequencies) of the backplate. The mass may be in the form of an elongate rod or strip member of arcuate form which is secured to the backplate at one or more locations adjacent the rim of the backplate. This can be effective in reducing noise which emanates from the vibration of the backplate in a region adjacent a hydraulic actuating cylinder of the brake.

Abstract: A parking brake (10) having a drum containing first and second brake shoe portions (11, 12), a handbrake lever (18) pivoted (19) adjacent one end on one (11) of the brake shoe portions and a strut (20) extending between a first abutment on the handbrake lever and a second abutment (21) on the other (12) of the brake shoe portions. Pivoting of the handbrake lever relative to said one brake shoe portion (11) moves the strut (20) which in turn moves the other brake shoe portion (12) away from said one brake shoe portion to bring the shoe portions into contact with the drum thus applying the parking brake. One of the abutments is in the form of a biased wedging means (21) which acts on the strut (20) to take up all play in the thrust path between the handbrake lever (18) and the other brake shoe portion (12) via the strut.

Abstract: A brake has a pair of brake pads (12), each pad being moveable generally radially outwardly into contact with a brake drum by a respective operating lever (14) acted on at one end by a brake applying means (15) and pivoted (16) at the other end from a backplate (11). Each pad is contacted by a portion (14c) of the respective operating lever intermediate the lever ends and moving radially outwardly between a pair of circumferentially spaced abutments (45) which extend generally perpendicular to the backplate and which react braking torque when the brake is applied. One end of each abutment (45) is supported from the backplate and the other free ends of the abutments is linked circumferentially (46) to each other to brace the pair of abutments against relative circumferential deflection when the brake is applied. The pivots (16) of the levers may also be connected by a bracing link (75) to help to control the deflection of the pivots when the brake is applied.

Abstract: A cable operated drum brake has an internal brake operating lever with a quick-attach device for an operating cable. A cable attachment tube projects from a backplate of the brake and the operating cable has an inner cable with a latching formation on the end thereof and a cable outer sleeve. An end portion of the operating cable is slideable towards the backplate within the tube up to a first position at which further movement towards the backplate is stopped by contact between an abutment on the tube and a cooperating abutment on the cable outer sleeve. When the latching formation has moved past the quick-attach device, the cable is then subsequently moveable away from the backplate within the tube to a second position in which the latching formation is fully engaged with the quick-attach device. A fastener maintains the latching formation engaged with the quick-attach device during subsequent operation.

Abstract: A drum brake has a pair of brake shoes (40) moveable radially outwardly into contact with an associated brake drum to provide a handbrake function by a cross strut (100) which acts between the brake shoes or between pivoting brake operating levers (14) which actuate the brake shoes. A handbrake lever (18) is pivoted on one brake shoe or brake operating lever (14) and contacts one end of the strut to displace the other brake shoe or brake operating lever towards the drum to apply the associated shoe against the drum and by reaction through the strut to also force the other brake shoe or brake operating lever toward the drum to apply the other shoe against the drum. The strut (100) is in two parts (101,102), one part being connected for movement with each respective brake shoe or operating lever, the strut parts having inter-engageable formations in the form of teeth (103,104) which when engaged allow the strut (100) to transmit axial force between the shoes or operating levers.

Abstract: A brake adjuster for adjusting the working clearance of the shoes of an automotive drum brake. The adjuster has three co-axial elements, a first end element having a head portion for engagement with a first brake shoe and a threaded stem portion, an intermediate element in threaded engagement with the first end element, and a second end element having a head portion for engagement with a second brake shoe and a stem portion slideably connected with the intermediate element and free to rotate relative thereto. A reaction member is mounted on the intermediate element, and a toothed ring gear rotates with the intermediate element and is axially located between the second end element and the reaction member. A leaf spring acts between the second end element and the reaction member for pushing the second end element away from the intermediate element.

Abstract: A drum brake backplate having a vibration damping mass secured thereto. One or more portions of the mass are secured to the backplate and the remainder of the mass is spaced from the backplate and defines one or more further portions which are tuned to vibrate relative to the backplate at a frequency which reduces the noise generated by one or more a target frequencies (or range of frequencies) of the backplate. The mass may be in the form of an elongate rod or strip member of arcuate form which is secured to the backplate at one or more locations adjacent the rim of the backplate. This can be effective in reducing noise which emanates from the vibration of the backplate in a region adjacent a hydraulic actuating cylinder of the brake.

Abstract: A drum brake (10) is provided which has a pair of brake pads (12), each pad being moveable generally radially outwardly into contact with a brake drum by a respective operating lever (14) which is acted on at one end by a brake applying means (15) and pivoted (16) at the other end from a backplate (11). Each pad is contacted by a portion (14c) of the respective operating lever intermediate the lever ends and is moved radially outwardly between a pair of circumferentially spaced abutments (45) which extend generally perpendicular to the backplate (11) and which react braking torque when the brake is applied. The required pad to drum clearance is established by knock-back of the drum on the pads (12).