Abstract: A suspension assembly couples a wheel assembly (16) and a brake assembly (60) to a frame (10). The suspension assembly includes a support (20) for receiving an axle (24). The axle carries the wheel assembly (16) at one end of the support (20) and forms a drum (46) at the other end of the support (20) for engagement with the brake assembly (60). Therefore, the support (20) separates the wheel assembly (16) from the brake assembly (60) so that the brake assembly (60) brakes the wheel assembly (16) via the axle (24).

Abstract: A disc brake 10 has a caliper 34 including apparatus 52 for retracting the piston 68 of the fluid motor portion 44 of the caliper to a non-braking position when the brake is not applied. Consequently, runout, wobble, or axial movement of the brake disc 12 may space the friction elements 62, 64 of the brake from the friction faces 18, 20 of the brake disc so that the friction elements do not drag on the disc when the brake is not applied.

Abstract: A duo servo drum brake includes a pair of brake shoes which are movable by a hydraulic actuator during a service brake application to a braking position in engagement with a rotatable member. A strut and parking lever are engageable with respective brake shoes to separate the same during a parking brake application. In order to control a running clearance between the pair of brake shoes and the rotatable member, an extendible assembly is disposed between the pair of brake shoes opposite the hydraulic actuator. The extendible assembly is also responsive to a parking brake application to expand the pair of brake shoes into engagement with the rotatable member.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly includes a pair of brake shoes which are carried by a backing plate and engageable with a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is operable to move the pair of brake shoes from a rest position to a braking position. A strut extending between the pair of brake shoes cooperates with a parking arm to move the pair of brake shoes to the braking position during a parking brake application. A support assembly on the backing plate is disposed opposite the hydraulic actuator for the purpose of absorbing braking torque developed by the pair of brake shoes. The support assembly comprises a pair of slots and a lever. The lever is movable in response to movement of the parking arm to adjust the position of the pair of blocks relative to each other. In a first position the blocks are in abutment with the backing plate while in a second position the blocks are free to move a limited amount relative to the backing plate.

Abstract: A disc brake includes at least one pin assembly (24) for movably supporting a caliper 14 relative to a torque plate 12. The pin assembly comprises a bolt (54), a sleeve (46) and a pair of arcuate washers (70, 72) which are adapted to accommodate angularity between the pin assembly and the caliper opening (38).

Abstract: A wheel cylinder in a brake assembly includes a housing for movably carrying a pair of pistons. An intermediate wall of the housing separates the pair of pistons from each other and cooperates with each piston to substantially form a first chamber facing one of the pistons and a second chamber facing the other piston. An inlet communicates fluid pressure to the chambers via a first path and a second path within the housing. A pressure responsive member is disposed within one of the paths and is biased to a position opening communication through the one path. When the fluid pressure within one of the chambers reaches a predetermined value, the pressure responsive member is movable to restrict fluid communication to the one chamber while the fluid pressure within the other chamber is free to increase in value during actuation of the wheel cylinder.