Abstract: A brake spring comprising: one or more hooking portions for attaching the brake spring to an arm of a support bracket, two or more locking tabs; and at least one first flexible arm connected to and extending from the hooking portion, wherein the at least one first flexible arm folds back so that at least a portion of the first flexible arm extends along a surface of the hooking portion, wherein the at least one first flexible arm extends from the hooking portion so that the at least one first flexible arm abuts a contact surface of a caliper body and provides forces to restrain the caliper body.

Abstract: The present invention is predicated upon friction material and more particularly to chopped basalt reinforcement fibers within a friction material.

Abstract: A caliper assembly comprising: a brake pad comprising a carrier plate having two opposing faces and a top edge a bottom edge and two opposing side edges, wherein on one face is friction material and on the opposing face is a projection adapted to seat in a matched hole or recess in a caliper body, the two opposing side edges each having an ear which is adapted to seat in pad locator indentations in a support structure; a support structure comprising a recess for housing at least one brake pad and at least two pad locator indentations adapted for receiving the ears located on the two opposing sides of the brake pad and at least two caliper body locator indentations for seating two ears defined by the caliper body; and a caliper body having a hole or recess adapted for seating the projection on the opposing face of the brake pad and having two ears on each opposing side which are adapted to seat in the caliper body locator indentations of the support structure; wherein the ears of the brake pad are seated in th

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a unique solution for caliper assemblies, brake pads utilized in such caliper assemblies, support structures utilized in caliper assemblies and disc brake systems containing such caliper assemblies which utilize push pull or pull push abutment designs.

Abstract: The present invention is premised upon a clip and housing plate assembly capable of (“to accommodate”) loading, unloading and retaining a cable end within the housing plate assembly. Of particular interest is the clip and housing plate assembly used in a drum brake assembly and where the cable end is part of a cable assembly for a parking brake. The clip and housing plate assembly having clip member and a housing plate member and wherein the clip member is generally disposed outside an outer surface (or inside an inside surface) of the of the housing plate member and rotatably connected thereto.

Abstract: A disc brake operable to apply a clamping force to a rotatable disc, the disc brake comprising: a support bracket including a pair of spaced apart frame members at opposite ends of the support bracket, each frame member having a surface with at least three arms extending therefrom, the at least three arms include a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm, each arm having an opening and being disposed in series with a spacing, therebetween, two opposing spaced apart slide pins engaged with the openings of the first, second and third arms such that at least one of the first, second, and third arms are configured to support the slide pins, inner and outer brake shoes, and a caliper body slidably supported by the slide pins, the caliper body having a slidable piston operable to cause the inner and outer brake shoes to move towards one another.

Abstract: The present invention is predicated upon improved vehicle brake assemblies, caliper assemblies, or combinations thereof, having at least one slide pin including an exterior surface and a first end, a caliper body including at least one pin bore for receiving the at least one slide pin at an inboard end, the at least one pin bore has an exterior surface and a cap groove that includes a groove wall defining a recess into the exterior surface of the at least one pin bore, and at least one pin cap that includes an edge portion that is engageable with the groove wall of the cap groove and a hinge portion extending in between the edge portion and a lid portion, the hinge portion including at least one bend that displaces the lid portion relative to the hinge portion to allow for deformation of the at least one pin cap.

Abstract: The present invention is predicated upon improved vehicle brake assemblies, parking brake assemblies, parking brake actuating mechanisms, or combinations thereof, having simplified attachment features and for assembling a brake cable within the parking assembly with substantially limited or no visual access therein.

Abstract: The present invention is predicated upon a brake caliper assembly, comprising a finger portion including a first end that is free and a second end, an inner surface and an outer surface, a cylinder portion including a first end that is free and a second end, an inner surface and an outer surface, and a bridge portion, including an inner surface and an outer surface, for connecting with the second end of the finger portion at a finger corner region having an inner surface and an outer surface, and for connecting with the second end of the cylinder portion at a cylinder corner region having an inner surface and an outer surface, and for defining a continuous surface that includes the inner surfaces of each of the finger portion, the cylinder portion, the finger corner region, the cylinder corner region and the bridge portion, wherein the inner surface of at least one of the finger or cylinder corner regions includes an inclined surface that is generally flat for a span of at least about 2 mm.

Abstract: A disc brake return spring comprises a V-shaped spring having two spring members, with each member ending in an engagement leg. Each engagement leg is angled with respect to the spring legs in a fashion so that the spring applies a moment to the friction pad to counteract rotation that occurs about the backing plate supports. The return spring is employed in a disc brake assembly having friction pads with backing plates that are disposed on either side of a rotor for braking purposes.

Abstract: A brake caliper mounting clip is disposed between a brake caliper having a brake pad channel and a brake pad having an edge member. The edge member moves in the brake pad channel between a rotor gap and a caliper housing. The clip further comprises a pad holding portion slidingly engaged with the edge member and having a plurality of pad retaining members. The pad retaining members are connected to the pad holding portion and disposed between the edge member and the rotor gap. The plurality of the pad retaining members is further configured to prevent the brake pad from falling into the rotor gap. Additionally the edge member of the brake pad and the plurality of pad retaining members are configured to prevent improper installation of the brake pads in the caliper.

Abstract: A pad clip (12) for a disc brake includes a first part configured to engage a brake pad support bracket (2). The clip further includes a spring leg that is positioned to engage the brake pad (4) and apply a force to the brake pad that generates an axial friction force on the brake pad. The clip has a support for receiving a pad return spring (18) and the support for the pad return spring is positioned so that it holds the pad return spring such that the pad return spring applies a return force that is in substantial alignment with the axial friction force. The disc brake is further arranged so that the center of gravity of the brake pads lies between the pad abutment force and the axial friction force.

Abstract: A disc brake caliper assembly is provided including a support bracket, a pair of slide pins, and a caliper body. The support bracket includes an inboard rail and an outboard rail. The inboard rail defines a pair of engagement bores. The pair of slide pins engage the pair of engagement bores. The caliper body slidably engages the pair of slide pins. The caliper body includes an inboard portion and an outboard portion. The inboard and outboard portions balance each other such that the caliper body has a center of gravity that is substantially axially aligned with the location of engagement between the slide pins and the engagement bores.

Abstract: An improved method of producing a friction material for use in the production of brake pads. A first mixing step blends binder, fiber, and filler materials together in a mixer to create a pre-mix, with one of the materials doubling as a wetting agent promoting the homogeneity of the mixture. A second non-asbestos material is added to the pre-mix in the same mixer, and the two are mixed together to produce the final friction material.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly includes a brake mechanism, a coupling mechanism and an apply mechanism. The brake mechanism includes a piston that clamps brake pads against a rotor. The coupling mechanism couples the apply mechanism to the brake mechanism. The coupling mechanism includes a first member having a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to engage the piston. The second end includes a pocket. The coupling mechanism includes a second member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the second member defines a roller surface. The roller surface has a ramp portion. The coupling mechanism includes a rolling member held by the pocket and disposed between the pocket and the roller surface. The rolling member travels along the roller surface when the first member moves a first distance increment along a first axis and the second member moves a second distance increment along a second axis.

Abstract: A pad clip positioned between a brake pad and a support bracket in a caliper assembly, the pad clip including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion provides an abutment surface for the brake pad and retains the brake pad in a guide channel of the support bracket. The first portion includes a first wall that is continuous with a second wall along a lateral edge of the first wall. The second wall is substantially perpendicular to the first wall. A third wall is continuous with the second wall along a lateral edge of the second wall and is substantially parallel to the first wall. At least one of the first wall, the second wall and the third wall act as a first abutment for the brake pad. A second portion provides an abutment surface for the brake pad. The second portion includes a fourth wall parallel to the third wall. The fourth wall is continuous with the third wall along a longitudinal end of the third wall.

Abstract: A boot-type seal having a seal and a valve. The seal has a first seal member, which is configured to sealingly engage a first surface, and a second seal member, which is configured to sealingly engage a second surface. The valve is coupled to the seal and is operable in a first condition, which inhibits fluid communication therethrough, and a second condition, which permits fluid communication therethrough. The condition of the valve changes from the first condition to the second condition in response to a fluid pressure exerted on a side of the seal that exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure. A brake assembly that incorporates the boot-type seal is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a brake pad or shoe and method to manufacture the same. The brake pad or shoe includes a first friction material such as a non-asbestos organic material and a second friction material such a semi-metallic material. The friction materials are configured as discrete buttons or other suitable shapes and connected to a structural backing of the brake pad or shoe in a spaced-apart configuration. The first friction material may be located at an outboard location of the structural backing and the second friction material may be located at an inboard location. Use of the two friction materials provides superior performance compared to use of a single friction material. Configuring the friction material as discrete buttons makes the friction material fabrication process independent of the structural backing configuration, which reduces complexity and cost.

Abstract: A brake system includes a caliper and a brake element. The brake system further includes an adhesive that adheres the brake element to the caliper. The adhesive stops adhering the brake element to the caliper after the adhesive heats to an elevated temperature. The adhesive retains the brake element in the caliper during shipping and component handling but stops adhering the brake element after a first service use of the vehicle.