Abstract: A brake drum is provided having an inner drum defining an outboard, radially inwardly extending flange. The flange defines a first plurality of apertures configured to receive fasteners for coupling the inner drum to a wheel. The inner drum further defines a braking surface. The brake drum further includes an outer drum configured to receive the inner drum therein. The outer drum defines an outboard, radially inwardly extending flange defining a second plurality of apertures aligned with the first plurality of apertures and configured to receive the fasteners for coupling the outer drum to the wheel. The inner drum is comprised of a first material such as iron while the outer drum is comprised of a second material such as aluminum.

Abstract: A lock washer for releasably locking a fastener to an object is provided. The washer includes a body defining a bore configured for alignment with a bore disposed in the object. The bores are configured to receive a shank of the fastener and are disposed about a center axis along which the fastener extends. The washer further includes one or more fingers each having a first end coupled to the body and a second end configured to selectively engage a flat on either a head of the fastener or a nut. The finger is movable between a disengaged position wherein the second end of the finger is configured for disengagement from the flat and an engaged position wherein the second end of the finger is configured for engagement with the flat. The finger is biased towards the engaged position.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, and for installing and removing brake pads, without the need to employ brake pad retaining devices which radially over-top the brake pads. A preferred embodiment includes a retaining element, preferably a spring steel clip, having protrusions which face in opposite directions to engage corresponding slots in a brake pad lateral edge and in a brake pad carrier brake pad-facing surface. When installed in a radially-inward direction, the brake pad carrier side protrusion engages the brake pad carrier slot, and cooperates with the brake pad lateral side protrusion to resist brake pad movement in the radially-outward direction. The brake pad carrier side protrusion may be manually pressed toward the brake pad to disengage the protrusion from the carrier slot to permit withdrawal of the brake paid from the carrier.

Abstract: A brake shoe for a drum brake is provided. The brake shoe includes an arcuate brake table defining a radially outer side configured to receive a brake lining and a radially inner side opposite the radially outer side. The brake table further defines a plurality of sleeves proximate a first end of the brake table. The sleeves are aligned along an axis and axially spaced from one another. Each of the sleeves is configured to receive an anchor pin therein through which the brake shoe may be pivotally coupled to a brake spider. The sleeves are disposed about more than half of a perimeter of the anchor pin.

Abstract: A drum brake shoe has first and second webs, with the first web including a first end section to be located adjacent a brake shoe actuation element, a second end section to be located adjacent a brake shoe anchor element, and a central section extending between the first and second end sections. Similarly, the second web includes a first end section to be located adjacent the brake shoe actuation element, a second end section to be located adjacent the brake shoe anchor element, and a central section extending between the first and second end sections of the second web. At least one lining table is disposed at circumferentially outer portions of the first and second webs, and a pin or other return spring mounting is provided by at least the first web.

Abstract: A rotary lever disc brake actuating mechanism and a method for operating the rotary lever disc brake mechanism is provided. The mechanism includes a rotary lever which rotates a pinion to further rotate brake pad application racks. The racks are arranged to rotate toward an inboard brake pad to advance the brake pad toward a brake disc. The racks may further cooperate with lateral pins fixed to an outboard portion of the brake such that the outboard portion simultaneously advances an outboard brake pad toward the brake disc when the racks rotate. The brake mechanism may be assembled into a cartridge to be placed within an inboard portion of a brake caliper. The brake caliper may be located on a caliper mount via adjustment pins, whereby during new brake pad installation the caliper is self-centered by application of the brake, followed by securing the caliper to the adjustment pins.

Abstract: A spring-type brake actuator for a pneumatically-operated vehicle brake is provided, in which the parking brake release piston is formed from at least one stamped actuator piston plate, preferably a stamped aluminum plate. Preferably the biasing force of the power spring of the spring brake actuator bears on a stamped spring seat cap element which is interposed between the power spring and the stamped actuator piston plate. In addition, the parking brake release piston flexible diaphragm may be captured between the stamped actuator piston plate and a stamped backing plate by affixing the backing plate to a joining member, where the joining member includes a threaded insert to receive a manually-actuated parking brake release actuation tool.

Abstract: A rotary lever disc brake actuating mechanism and a method for operating the rotary lever disc brake mechanism is provided. The mechanism includes a rotary lever which rotates a pinion to further rotate brake pad application racks. The racks are arranged to rotate toward an inboard brake pad to advance the brake pad toward a brake disc. The racks may further cooperate with lateral pins fixed to an outboard portion of the brake such that the outboard portion simultaneously advances an outboard brake pad toward the brake disc when the racks rotate. The brake mechanism may be assembled into a cartridge to be placed within an inboard portion of a brake caliper. The brake caliper may be located on a caliper mount via adjustment pins, whereby during new brake pad installation the caliper is self-centered by application of the brake, followed by securing the caliper to the adjustment pins.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a disc brake is provided, in which a torque plate affixed to a vehicle axle and a brake caliper mounting frame affixed to the torque plate have corresponding opposing projections and recesses provided to laterally and circumferentially limit relative motion between the torque plate and the mounting frame. A wedge element with at least one angled face is located between correspondingly-angled faces of the mounting frame and/or the torque plate to generate lateral and/or circumferential loading in response to tightening of vertically-oriented fasteners. The use of the angled components substantially reduces the amount of loading required to be applied by the vertical fasteners to resist relative motion between the torque plate and the mounting frame.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.

Abstract: An improved self-adjusting automatic slack adjuster for reducing slack in the brake of a vehicle is provided, in which an easily accessible external operating feature permits the automatic slack adjuster's one-way clutch assembly to be readily disengaged to allow smooth release and retraction of the brake shoes of a vehicle brake without damage to the one-way teeth of the clutch assembly. When the external feature is operated in a brake release direction, the motion of the feature is translated into a motion which axially displaces an output part of the one-way clutch away from an input part of the clutch a distance sufficient to disengage the parts' one-way teeth, thereby disengaging the one-way clutch to permit brake shoe retraction without resistance from the one-way clutch.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.

Abstract: A brake spider for a drum brake is provided. The brake spider includes a mounting portion configured for mounting the spider to a vehicle frame and an anchor pin support portion extending from the mounting portion. The mounting portion defines an aperture centered about a first axis and configured to receive a vehicle axle extending therethrough along the first axis. The anchor pin support portion includes a pin receiving section defining a bore centered about a second axis and configured to receive an anchor pin extending therethrough along the second axis. The pin support portion further includes bracket support sections extending axially from opposite sides of the pin receiving section. The bracket support sections face one another and diverge from one another approaching the mounting portion of the spider.

Abstract: A brake system and a valve device for a brake system are provided which provide at least partial front brake actuation in the event of a failure in the front brake pneumatic supply circuit. The valve device may be configured as a biased orifice double check valve which permits compressed air flow from the front brake pneumatic supply circuit to a front brake actuator during normal brake operation, but in the event of lack of sufficient front brake pneumatic pressure permits compressed air to be supplied to the front brake actuator from a rear brake pneumatic supply circuit, as well as permitting compressed air in the front brake actuator to be ventilated back through the rear brake pneumatic supply circuit when the brake is released.

Abstract: A brake pad retaining device is provided for holding a brake pad within a brake caliper of an air disc brake system. The device may be formed as a spring which provides at least four retention forces at longitudinal ends of the brake pad in order to suppress brake pad kick motion and vibration, while applying a biasing force that pre-loads a caliper to its mounting pins. The device may include a mounting section that is coupled to a brake carrier, a first projection and a second projection. The first projection extends from one region of the mounting section to a region near a longitudinal end of the brake pad to thereby exert a radially inward force against the brake pad. The second projection extends from another region of the mounting section to an inner surface of the brake caliper to thereby exert a biasing force against the brake caliper.

Abstract: An anchor assembly is provided that permits adjustment of the brake shoes in a drum brake to account for wear. The assembly includes first and second adjuster shafts each having a plurality of threads and first and second pilot connectors. The pilot connectors each have a plurality of threads in engagement with the threads of a corresponding adjuster shaft. The pilot connectors each engage one end of a corresponding brake shoe. Rotation of each adjuster shaft causes longitudinal movement of a corresponding pilot connector in engagement with a corresponding brake shoe along an axis to adjust a position of the brake shoe.

Abstract: An improved self-adjusting automatic slack adjuster for reducing slack in the brake of a vehicle is provided, in which an easily accessible external operating feature permits the automatic slack adjuster's one-way clutch assembly to be readily disengaged to allow smooth release and retraction of the brake shoes of a vehicle brake without damage to the one-way teeth of the clutch assembly. When the external feature is operated in a brake release direction, the motion of the feature is translated into a motion which axially displaces an output part of the one-way clutch away from an input part of the clutch a distance sufficient to disengage the parts' one-way teeth, thereby disengaging the one-way clutch to permit brake shoe retraction without resistance from the one-way clutch.

Abstract: A wear adjuster, securable to disc brake caliper structure includes, a stem extending along an axis about which the stem is rotatable in opposite directions, a spindle driver securable to an axial end of the stem to transmit rotational motion of the stem to an adjusting spindle, and an input element receiving input force supplied to the wear adjuster to produce rotation of the stem. A running clearance element is rotatable together with the input element to a limited extent, and a ratchet arrangement, located between the input element and the running clearance element, initiates any necessary adjustment for wear after rotation of the input element beyond the limited extent, and completes such adjustment during return rotation of the input element. To avoid transmitting an excessive amount of the input force received by the input element, a lost motion connection is defined between the ratchet arrangement and the input element.

Abstract: A brake drum is provided having an inner drum defining an outboard, radially inwardly extending flange. The flange defines a first plurality of apertures configured to receive fasteners for coupling the inner drum to a wheel. The inner drum further defines a braking surface. The brake drum further includes an outer drum configured to receive the inner drum therein. The outer drum defines an outboard, radially inwardly extending flange defining a second plurality of apertures aligned with the first plurality of apertures and configured to receive the fasteners for coupling the outer drum to the wheel. The inner drum is comprised of a first material such as iron while the outer drum is comprised of a second material such as aluminum.