Abstract: A spring brake actuator is for braking a wheel of a vehicle. The spring brake actuator has an axially elongated housing having a parking brake chamber and a service brake chamber; a main compression spring in the parking brake chamber; a flexible diaphragm in the parking brake chamber; and a pressure plate in the parking brake chamber, the pressure plate located axially between the main compression spring and the flexible diaphragm. The flexible diaphragm has a contoured portion that inhibits radial shifting of the pressure plate with respect to the flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator is for braking a wheel of a vehicle. The spring brake actuator has an axially elongated housing having a parking brake chamber and a service brake chamber; a main compression spring in the parking brake chamber; a flexible diaphragm in the parking brake chamber; and a pressure plate in the parking brake chamber, the pressure plate located axially between the main compression spring and the flexible diaphragm. The flexible diaphragm has a contoured portion that inhibits radial shifting of the pressure plate with respect to the flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator is for braking a wheel of a vehicle. The spring brake actuator has an axially elongated housing having a parking brake chamber and a service brake chamber; a main compression spring in the parking brake chamber; a flexible diaphragm in the parking brake chamber; and a pressure plate in the parking brake chamber, the pressure plate located axially between the main compression spring and the flexible diaphragm. The flexible diaphragm has a contoured portion that inhibits radial shifting of the pressure plate with respect to the flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: A brake pad retractor system, comprising, a torsional mount and an adjustable torsion arm having an angular relation with the torsional mount, wherein the torsion arm is sprung responsively to at least some movement of a brake pad and the torsional mount being operative such that upon movement of a brake pad by a first distance, the torsion arm is sprung and communicates an action upon the brake pad through a contact between the torsion arm and the brake pad, the communicated action sufficient to positively retract the brake pad upon release of the brake system, the torsional mount further operative such that upon further movement of a brake pad beyond the first distance the angular relation between the torsion arm and the torsional mount is adjusted responsively to the further movement. Further aspects include a novel a brake caliper and method.

Abstract: A brake pad retractor system, comprising, a torsional mount and a torsion arm having an angular relation with the torsional mount, wherein the torsion arm is sprung responsively to at least some movement of a brake pad and the torsional mount being operative such that upon movement of a brake pad by a first distance, the torsion arm is sprung and communicates an action upon the brake pad through a contact between the torsion arm and the brake pad, the communicated action sufficient to positively retract the brake pad upon release of the brake system, the torsional mount further operative such that upon further movement of a brake pad beyond the first distance the angular relation between the torsion arm and the torsional mount is adjusted responsively to the further movement. Further aspects include a novel a brake caliper and method.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator is for braking a wheel of a vehicle. The spring brake actuator has an axially elongated housing having a parking brake chamber and a service brake chamber; a main compression spring in the parking brake chamber; a flexible diaphragm in the parking brake chamber; and a pressure plate in the parking brake chamber, the pressure plate located axially between the main compression spring and the flexible diaphragm. The flexible diaphragm has a contoured portion that inhibits radial shifting of the pressure plate with respect to the flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: A floating disc brake assembly, and method of assembly, comprising a disc brake rotor comprising an outer friction ring, an inner circumferential flange having a plurality of rotor tabs spaced about the flange and a circumferential groove about the inner circumferential flange, a hat comprising a cylindrical axial body, an outer circumference, a rotor mounting flange extending radially about the outer circumference and having a plurality of rotor mounting tabs spaced about the rotor mounting flange and forming slots interspersed therebetween structured and arranged for receiving the rotor tabs, and a circumferential groove about the outer circumference of the axial body, structured and arranged to align with the circumferential groove of the disc brake rotor, and at least one expander ring structured and arranged to fit within the circumferential grooves of both the rotor and the hat.

Abstract: A brake pad retractor system, comprising, a torsional mount and an adjustable torsion arm having an angular relation with the torsional mount, wherein the torsion arm is sprung responsively to at least some movement of a brake pad and the torsional mount being operative such that upon movement of a brake pad by a first distance, the torsion arm is sprung and communicates an action upon the brake pad through a contact between the torsion arm and the brake pad, the communicated action sufficient to positively retract the brake pad upon release of the brake system, the torsional mount further operative such that upon further movement of a brake pad beyond the first distance the angular relation between the torsion arm and the torsional mount is adjusted responsively to the further movement. Further aspects include a novel a brake caliper and method.

Abstract: A brake pad retractor system, comprising, a torsional mount and a torsion arm having an angular relation with the torsional mount, wherein the torsion arm is sprung responsively to at least some movement of a brake pad and the torsional mount being operative such that upon movement of a brake pad by a first distance, the torsion arm is sprung and communicates an action upon the brake pad through a contact between the torsion arm and the brake pad, the communicated action sufficient to positively retract the brake pad upon release of the brake system, the torsional mount further operative such that upon further movement of a brake pad beyond the first distance the angular relation between the torsion arm and the torsional mount is adjusted responsively to the further movement. Further aspects include a novel a brake caliper and method.

Abstract: A floating disc brake assembly, and method of assembly, comprising a disc brake rotor comprising an outer friction ring, an inner circumferential flange having a plurality of rotor tabs spaced about the flange and a circumferential groove about the inner circumferential flange, a hat comprising a cylindrical axial body, an outer circumference, a rotor mounting flange extending radially about the outer circumference and having a plurality of rotor mounting tabs spaced about the rotor mounting flange and forming slots interspersed therebetween structured and arranged for receiving the rotor tabs, and a circumferential groove about the outer circumference of the axial body, structured and arranged to align with the circumferential groove of the disc brake rotor, and at least one expander ring structured and arranged to fit within the circumferential grooves of both the rotor and the hat.

Abstract: A parking brake actuator for a disc brake caliper. The parking brake actuator includes a tapered collet having an axial bore, the tapered collet slidably positionable within a bore of the disc brake caliper; an actuator rod having a first end and a second end, the actuator rod slidably positionable within the axial bore of the collet; means for receiving a force for placing the parking brake actuator in a non-actuated condition; and a first biasing means structured and arranged to apply a force sufficient to place the parking brake actuator in an actuated condition when the force for placing the parking brake in a non-actuated condition is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: The floating brake drum and hat assembly includes a brake drum (12) having a braking surface (14) and an attachment flange (16), a hat (18) having an outer diameter (20) and a brake drum mounting flange (22) for mounting to the attachment flange (16) of the brake drum, and means for coupling (24) the attachment flange of the brake drum to the brake drum mounting flange of the hat, the means for coupling structured and arranged to allow radial thermal expansion and contraction of at least a portion of the attachment flange of the brake drum and/or at least a portion of the brake drum mounting flange of the hat.

Abstract: The floating brake drum and hat assembly includes a brake drum (12) having a braking surface (14) and an attachment flange (16), a hat (18) having an outer diameter (20) and a brake drum mounting flange (22) for mounting to the attachment flange (16) of the brake drum, and means for coupling (24) the attachment flange of the brake drum to the brake drum mounting flange of the hat, the means for coupling structured and arranged to allow radial thermal expansion and contraction of at least a portion of the attachment flange of the brake drum and/or at least a portion of the brake drum mounting flange of the hat.

Abstract: The floating brake drum and hub assembly includes a brake drum (12) having a braking surface and an attachment flange (16); a hub (18) having an outer diameter and a brake drum mounting flange (22) for mounting to the attachment flange of the brake drum; and means for coupling (24, 26) the attachment flange of the brake drum to the brake drum mounting flange of the hub, the means for coupling structured and arranged to allow radial thermal expansion and contraction of at least a portion of the attachment flange of the brake drum and/or at least a portion of the brake drum mounting flange of the hub.

Abstract: A parking brake actuator for a disc brake caliper having at least one service piston. The parking brake actuator includes a tapered collet having an axial bore for receiving the service piston; a release piston, said release piston in axially alignment with the service piston and said tapered collet, said release piston having an internally disposed taper for co-acting with the taper of said tapered collet; and a biasing means, said biasing means structured and arranged to apply a force to said release piston sufficient to place the parking brake actuator in an actuated condition.

Abstract: A parking brake actuator for a disc brake caliper. The parking brake actuator includes a tapered collet having an axial bore, the tapered collet slidably positionable within a bore of the disc brake caliper; an actuator rod having a first end and a second end, the actuator rod slidably positionable within the axial bore of the collet; means for receiving a force for placing the parking brake actuator in a non-actuated condition; and a first biasing means structured and arranged to apply a force sufficient to place the parking brake actuator in an actuated condition when the force for placing the parking brake in a non-actuated condition is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A parking brake actuator for a disc brake caliper having at least one service piston. The parking brake actuator includes a tapered collet having an axial bore for receiving the service piston; a release piston, said release piston in axially alignment with the service piston and said tapered collet, said release piston having an internally disposed taper for co-acting with the taper of said tapered collet; and a biasing means, said biasing means structured and arranged to apply a force to said release piston sufficient to place the parking brake actuator in an actuated condition.