Abstract: A balance weight retention system for a vehicle whcel or a vehicle hub including an inner portion and an outer portion having a non-threaded opening formed therethrough and a balance weight having a non-threaded opening formed therethrough. A fastener extends through the non-threaded opening of the balance weight and into the non-threaded opening of the outer portion of the wheel or hub to thereby secure the balance weight to the associated vehicle wheel or vehicle hub.

Abstract: A piston for use in a vehicle disc brake assembly includes a generally hollow cylindrical body having an open end and a closed end. The body is formed from a plastic material and includes inner and outer cylindrical surfaces which extend axially between the open end and the closed end. A generally cylindrical steel cover is integrally molded about the closed end and the outer surface of the body of the piston. The cover includes an end wall, an outer side wall and an open end. The end wall of the cover extends about the closed end of the body of the piston, and the outer side wall of the cover extends axially along the outer surface of the body of the piston. The outer side wall of the cover extends past the open end of the body of the piston, in the direction of the brake shoe. Accordingly, during the braking operation it is the steel cover which urges the brake shoe against the rotor, instead of the body of the piston urging the brake shoe against the rotor.

Abstract: A piston for use in a disc brake assembly includes: a hollow plastic body defining an axis and including an open end and a closed end, the body defining an inner surface and an outer surface extending axially between the open end and the closed end; and a first steel cover integrally molded about portions of the outer surface and the closed end of the body, the first cover including an outer side wall and an end wall, the outer side wall of the first cover extending axially inwardly toward the open end along a portion of the outer surface of the body, and the end wall of the first cover extending radially inwardly along a portion of the closed end of the body.

Abstract: An improved structure for a brake drum adapted for use in a drum brake assembly includes a generally closed outer end, a generally axially extending cylindrical main body, and an open inner end. The closed outer end of the brake drum includes a centrally located wheel spindle opening formed therein, and a plurality of lug bolt mounting holes spaced circumferentially around the wheel spindle opening. The cylindrical main body of the brake drum includes a plurality of generally axially extending raised ribs provided on an outer surface thereof. Preferably, the ribs define at least three distinct strengthened areas on the brake drum.

Abstract: A composite brake drum for use in a drum brake assembly includes a one-piece mounting flange and shell and a liner cast integrally in a shell portion thereof. The method for forming the composite brake drum of this invention includes the steps of: (a) providing a generally flat sheet of a first material; (b) forming the flat sheet into a generally flat circular blank; (c) subjecting to the blank to a series of metal forming operations to produce a one piece mounting flange and shell; and (d) casting a liner formed from a second material within the one-piece mounting flange and shell to thereby produce the composite brake drum.

Abstract: Uniformly distributed compressive stresses are induced in the machined surfaces of brake drums and brake rotors. The compressive stresses cancel residual tensile stresses induced in the surfaces by machining operations during fabrication. Cancellation of the surface tensile stresses delays formation of cracks during service brake use and extends the service life of the brake drum or rotor. Shot peening is an applicable prestressing process which also imparts a surface roughness that reduces the time required to burnish brake pads to match the shape of the drum or rotor surface. The reduction of burnishing time reduces the amount of surface cracking caused by surface heating by brake pad high spots as the high spots are ground down.

Abstract: An improved structure for a disc brake piston heat shield adapted for use in a disc brake assembly includes a caliper provided with at least one cylindrical recess formed therein. A piston is slidably disposed in the recess. The piston includes a closed end and an open end. The open end of the piston is provided with at least a pair of projections extending therefrom. The projections define a pair of abutment surfaces and a pair of end surfaces located axially inward relative to the abutment surfaces, A pair of brake shoes are carried by the disc brake assembly and are disposed on opposite axial sides of an associated rotor. Each brake shoe includes a backing plate and a friction pad. An actuation system is carried by the caliper for selectively moving the brake shoes between a non-braking position, wherein each of the friction pads is spaced apart from the adjacent side of the rotor, and a braking position, wherein each of the friction pads frictionally engages the adjacent side of the rotor.

Abstract: A method for producing a brake component involves providing a cast gray iron rotatable brake component where the gray iron has a carbon content between 3.4% and 4.0%. The brake component is subjected to an austempering heat treatment process. Then it is subjected to a re-tempering process to provide a microstructure which consists of spheroidized pearlite carbon in a matrix of bainitic and austenitic ferrite.

Abstract: An improved method for final balancing the brake drum determines the location and length of a constant depth cut along the squealer band which is necessary to correct the imbalance, and using a cutting machine, makes the constant depth cut at the predetermined location and for the predetermined length along the squealer band to produce a final balanced brake drum. Preferably, the cutting machine is a milling machine which produces a plunge type entrance/exit cut. It is a further feature of the invention to provide a feather type entrance/exit cut to reduce the stress concentrations, and produce a cosmetically more appealing final balanced brake drum.

Abstract: A bleeder screw for use in a disc brake assembly including a caliper provided with at least one cylindrical recess formed therein and at least one aperture formed therein. The aperture in the caliper includes a non-threaded portion and a threaded portion. A piston is slidably disposed in the recess, and a pair of brake shoes are carded by the disc brake assembly and disposed on opposite axial sides of an associated rotor. Each of the brake shoes includes a backing plate and a friction pad. An actuation system is carded by the caliper for selectively moving the brake shoes between a non-braking position, wherein each of the friction pads is spaced apart from the adjacent side of the rotor, and a braking position, wherein each of the friction pads frictionally engages the adjacent side of the rotor. The bleeder screw is threadably disposed in the aperture of the caliper. The bleeder screw includes an elastomeric seal disposed about a portion thereof.

Abstract: An improved structure for a brake shoe hold down clip adapted for use in a disc brake assembly includes a caliper provided with at least one recess formed therein. A piston is slidably disposed in the recess, and a pair of brake shoes are carried by the disc brake assembly and disposed on opposite axial sides of an associated rotor. Each of said brake shoes includes a backing plate and a friction pad. An actuation system is carried by the caliper for selectively moving the brake shoes between a non-braking position, wherein each of the friction pads is spaced apart from the adjacent side of the rotor, and a braking position, wherein said each of the friction pads frictionally engages the adjacent side of the rotor. The brake shoe hold down clip includes a central mounting portion and a pair of end arms extending generally parallel to the central mounting portion from opposite sides thereof.

Abstract: An improved method for final balancing the brake drum determines the location and length of a constant depth cut along the squealer band which is necessary to correct the imbalance, and using a cutting machine, makes the constant depth cut at the predetermined location and for the predetermined length along the squealer band to produce a final balanced brake drum. Preferably, the cutting machine is a milling machine which produces a plunge type entrance/exit cut. It is a further feature of the invention to provide a feather type entrance/exit cut to reduce the stress concentrations, and produce a cosmetically more appealing final balanced brake drum.

Abstract: Uniformly distributed compressive stresses are induced in the machined surfaces of brake drums and brake rotors. The compressive stresses cancel residual tensile stresses induced in the surfaces by machining operations during fabrication. Cancellation of the surface tensile stresses delays formation of cracks during brake service use and extends the service life of the brake drum or rotor. Shot peening is an applicable prestressing process which also imparts a surface roughness that reduces the time required to burnish bake pads to match the shape of the drum or rotor surface. The reduction of burnishing time reduces the amount of surface cracking caused by surface heating by brake pad high spots as the high spots are ground down.

Abstract: A system for final balancing of first machined cast metal brake drums using a conventional static balancer with an electronic ounce/inch imbalance recorder and a conventional lathe with adjustable chuck and cutting tool controlled by computer developed analogs for a recorded ounce/inch imbalance.

Abstract: A spacer block for dual inner and outer tire carrying rims having a medial portion with a depending keeper tang for selective positioning within a keeper groove on the spoke ends of a wheel.

Abstract: Edge lugged tire carrying rims are locked by fastening assemblies on the spoke members of a vehicle wheel. The rim lugs project radially from a base edge portion carrying a removable bead flange and have an axially inwardly projecting curved body portion with a radially inner lateral surface intersecting a radially directed leg portion. FIGS. 1-3 disclose an outer dual rim mounting on a wheel felloe comprising a radially directed surface and an adjacent radially inner lateral surface using a fastening assembly having a clamp element with dual concentric and segmental axially oriented surfaces and parallel radially directed surfaces. FIGS. 4 and 5 disclose an outer dual rim mounting on a wheel felloe comprising wing portions providing a pair of axially oriented surfaces and a radially directed portion between the wing portions using a fastening assembly having a clamp element with lateral wing portions and parallel radially directed surfaces.

Abstract: Dual tire carrying rims seated and locked on a vehicle wheel by fastening assemblies. A wheel has spoke members with dimensioned fellow surfaces for mating engagement with coacting surfaces on a plurality of radially inwardly projecting clamp lugs. A rim base edge portion is confined and carried by the integrally secured clamp lugs which decrease the effective diameter of a rim.

Abstract: Reusable seal assemblies for heavy duty truck or semi-trailer wheels and axle assemblies. The reusable seal assemblies have an outer metal hub engaging shell formed with an outer generally axial surface which forms a clearance fit with the corresponding seal-receiving surface of the hub. The seals further have an axle engaging inner sheet metal shell formed with an inner surface which forms a clearance fit with the axle spindle. Each of the inner and outer shells are formed with annular recesses. These recesses are proportioned to receive square-cut static sealing rings. In one embodiment the annular recess formed in the outer shell may be provided with a radial inner portion which is tapered with respect to the adjacent surface of the hub, so that when an elastomer seal is received within the annular recess, the compression of the static seal between the recess and the hub causes the seal assembly to be biased inwardly into a seated position within the hub.

Abstract: Landing gears for semi-trailers or the like are disclosed in which the telescoping outer and inner legs of the landing gear are formed as a pair of identical, generally U-shaped sheet metal members which are welded along overlapping seams to form generally box sections. The inner legs are formed with vertical inwardly indented corrugations formed in the end and side walls thereof for added strength. In another embodiment, the outer leg is also formed with corrugations which interfit within the corrugations formed in the inner leg.

Abstract: Tire carrying rims seated and locked on vehicle wheels by fastening assemblies. A wheel has spoke members with dimensioned felloe surfaces for mating engagement with a radially inclined surface on a rim base edge portion and for coaction with a series of clamp lugs having radially inwardly directed leg portions and being integrally secured to a radially directed axially outer rim base surface. Rims may be dual mounted in mating, seating or full surface engagement with coacting felloe surfaces of the rim and wheel by full tightening of the fastening assemblies.