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 brake caliper has a retention spring to eliminate excessive movement of the pressure plates or pad pin with respect to the caliper housing. The retention spring has a pad pin contacting portion to exert a force on the pad pin. The spring includes a retention portion continuous with the pad pin portion to provide counterforce to maintain the pad pin in position.

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: The error of a sensor in motion capture system is corrected. An acceleration sensor determines the direction of gravity (G1) in a still initial state. The direction G1 will never change always if a drift dose not occur. However, actually if an object to which an acceleration sensor is attached moves along a coordinate axis, the direction gradually changes due to a drift with time. According to the invention, after a given time has passed, the acceleration sensor is stopped to determine the direction of gravity. Referring to the data on this determination, the true direction of gravity to be judged is compared with the direction of gravity G1 influenced by the drift. The difference between them is assumed to be an error due to a drift, and the error is subtracted from the determined value to correct the error of the measurement value.

Abstract: A cam mechanism 7 provided as a shoe drive mechanism includes a cam supporting plate 21 being loosely and rotatably fitted on an anchor pin 10 for receiving a shoe operating force, a first cam plate 23 rotatably connected to the cam supporting plate 21 at an outer cam supporting position which is a position shifted away from the anchor pin 10 radially outwardly of the drum, a second cam plate 25 rotatably connected to the cam supporting plate 21 at an inner cam supporting position which is away from the anchor pin 10 toward an operating force generator 6, so that a pair of brake shoes 3, 4 are opened outwardly by the separate cam plates 23, 25, respectively.

Abstract: A brake apparatus having an automatic clearance adjusting mechanism with an overadjustment preventer constituted such that a piston is constituted by a structure of being divided in a plug piston 16 and a ring piston 14. The plug piston 16 is integrated with an adjusting nut 20, a bearing 21, a bearing support plate 22 and a spring holder 23. An outer side claw portion 23a of the holder is locked by an outer side groove 16 of the plug piston. The plug piston 16 integrated with the respective parts is inserted to fit to the ring piston 14 to thereby prevent the outer side claw portion 23a of the holder from being detached.

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 pad clip 12 is provided between a backing plate 6 and an engaging portion 4 of a support member 1 to prevent rattling of the backing plate 6 during non-braking period and generation of hitting sound during braking period. In order to restrain the hitting sound, the backing plate 6 is resiliently pressed in the rotational direction of the rotor by a pressing portion 14b and a second abutting portion 24. The above-described problem can be solved by increasing the force to press the backing plate 6 and reducing the possibility that a torque transmitting surface 16 on the backing plate 6 and a torque receiving surface 17 on the support member 1 hit against each other with great force is during braking period reduced correspondingly.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a brake apparatus which can facilitate slope starting and slope climbing and which can be produced small in size and light in weight. In addition, another object of the invention is to provide a brake apparatus which can obtain a stable brake force under any conditions including running in the rain. The invention provides a brake apparatus in which a restriction is imposed on the rotation of a wheel (101) via a brake drum (3) provided on a rotational shaft of the wheel (101) so as to rotate together with the rotational shaft, the brake apparatus being characterized by comprising a brake shoe (30) for imposing a restriction on the rotation of the brake drum (3) in a forward or backward direction through wedge engagement with an inner circumferential surface of the brake drum (3) when the brake drum (3) rotates either in the forward direction or in the backward.

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 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: An automatic clearance adjusting device 10 that automatically adjusts the position of brake shoes (3, 4) based on the wear includes an adjuster gear that is rotatably depending on the amount of how much the brake shoes are parted from each other, a cam plate (25) rotated integrally with the adjuster gear (23) to drive the strut (27) that restricts the position of the brake shoes (3, 4), and an adjuster restricting lever (33) that restricts the rotation of the adjuster gear (23) based on the pressing force from the wheel cylinder (6) that parts between the pair of brake shoes (3, 4).