Abstract: A brake shoe assembly and an apparatus and method for making same wherein the brake shoe includes a pair of spaced parallel arcuate ribs having outside radii secured to the underside of an arcuate plate with the inside radii of the arcuate ribs having a greater thickness than the outside radii. In accordance with the apparatus and method for making the brake shoe assembly, a straight length of rectangular bar stock having opposite faces is bent into an arcuate shaped member while maintaining the bar stock substantially flat with the opposite faces extending transversely to the axis of bending at a bending station. Subsequently, a plurality of holes are pierced between the opposite faces of the arcuate member at a piercing station.

Abstract: An apparatus for bonding brake linings to the tables of brake shoes for heavy duty vehicles by applying heat and pressure. A pair of brake shoes received in movable carrier members are forced by a ram into engagement with brake linings received in a pair of spaced apart restrainer members located in opposed face to face relationship. The brake shoes are heated to a bonding temperature by a pair of movable electric heater units associated with each restrainer member.

Abstract: A fixture for bonding an elastomeric solid tire to a rim of a wheel. The fixture has mating first and second die portions defining an annular cavity constructed and arranged to receive the wheel and the tire with a bonding agent therebetween to be cured. The cavity and the tire define a circumferentially continuous passage into which a fluid is admitted under pressure to urge the tire radially inward into firm engagement with the rim of the wheel and heating elements are disposed radially inward of and adjacent the rim to raise the rim to an elevated temperature to cure the bonding agent and thereby firmly adhere the tire to the wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for bonding brake linings having a plurality of fixtures on a conveyor. Pairs of linings and brake shoes with a bonding material therebetween are releasably clamped in each fixture between a load ring and a pair of generally opposed pressure block assemblies. The bonding material is heated to an elevated curing temperature in each fixture by electric heater elements disposed in the block assemblies. The heated fixtures and shoes are cooled by a stream of air at ambient temperature produced by a blower and the brake shoes are clamped in and released from the fixtures by press assemblies associated with the conveyor.

Abstract: A brake shoe lining bonding fixture wherein a brake shoe support is encompassed by a tension band which has a shoe support with radial finger locators and buffer pads at each end of the shoe to carry the band near the ends of the pressured brake lining to prevent corner crushing of the lining. A pressure bar to urge the shoe support against the tension band is interengaged with guide slots on the shoe support and lies in contact with a heavy leaf spring to maintain pressure when mechanically applied and locked in to the shoe support mechanism.

Abstract: A pre-bond process for brake linings which includes a curing process by the application of infrared heat for a short period of time to prepare the surface of the molded brake linings, after which the bonding material is applied to the brake shoes or tables, and high pressure applied during a further curing process to set the bonding material.