Abstract: A brake comprises a rotor which is permitted to float axially and a friction pad which is carried by a support. The support is movable towards and away from a braking surface of the rotor and is urged to a datum position under the action of a return force. A spring or other resilient device is provided which is yieldable when the return force exceeds a predetermined amount to permit movement of the friction member beyond its datum position to compensate for float of the rotor surface, the spring urging the friction pad towards the datum position when the return force is reduced below the predetermined amount.

Abstract: A brake assembly comprises opposed brake parts arranged to be applied in unison to associated rotor surfaces. Each brake part comprises a friction pad or shoe and an adjustable length strut which transmits brake-actuating forces to the friction pad and which adjusts the position of the friction pad relative to the rotor surface to compensate for wear. Also provided is an equalizing device which ensures that the lengths of the adjustable struts are adjusted equally.

Abstract: A brake comprises a friction pad carried by a support and engageable with a braking surface of a rotor. An adjusting device moves the friction pad relative to the support to compensate for wear of the friction material. The adjusting device comprises a screw extending parallel with the direction of movement of the friction pad and a thrust member in screw threaded engagement with the screw member and engaging the friction pad. The thrust member transmits braking forces from the screw member to the friction pad and can rock into force-transmitting engagement with the support under the action of the braking and reaction forces.

Abstract: In a disc for a disc brake a clamping assembly having a certain amount of resilience holds two identical braking portions in engagement with a central plate, and a coupling device is provided for transmitting torque from the braking portions to the central plate and for maintaining the braking portions concentric with the plate.

Abstract: A diaphragm valve has a relatively long seating formed by a plurality of ribs which engage with one air operated diaphragm. An annular valve is provided by slotting the outer surface of an annular seating member which engages an endless diaphragm, alternate slots communicating with the inlet or outlet of the valve. A pneumatic actuator for a vehicle braking system is provided with internal valve means for controlling the flow of air through the movable wall carrying the actuating member. An anti-skid braking system employs such a pneumatic brake actuator, the internal valve means being operated by skid sensing means.

Abstract: A vehicle brake comprises a plurality of elongated friction members for engagement with the brake rotor, the friction members being laterally supported close to their rotor-engaging ends, and an actuating mechanism having an elongated thrust-transmitting member substantially co-extensive with the friction members and an abutment member carried by the thrust-transmitting member and engageable with the friction members.

Abstract: A thrust device of the kind in which an axial thrust is produced by relative angular movement between two substantially parallel thrust plates between which balls or rollers co-operate with inclined ramp surfaces, for use in a spreading type disc brake for example. Deformable means are provided between a ramp member and a thrust plate carrying it to allow the ramp member to be displaced axially on initial actuation of the device to even out the load between the balls or rollers for subsequent actuations. The deformable means is provided by having a localized area of contact between the wedge member and its thrust plate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a friction disc for use, inter alia, in a disc brake, the friction disc including a metal backing plate and a plurality of friction pads carried by the backing plate. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of powder compacts of friction material at the required positions on the backing plate, and resistance heating the powder compacts to sinter the compacts into the required friction pads and to bond the pads to the backing plate.

Abstract: A vehicle brake having a plurality of elongated, laterally supported friction members for engagement with the brake wheel. An adjustable actuating mechanism engages the members and includes a screw surrounded by a guide tube of friction material which engages the wheel.

Abstract: A friction plate for use, inter alia in a vehicle disc brake includes a metal backing plate and a plurality of friction pads carried by the backing plate on one major surface thereof. The friction pads are arranged on one major surface in first and second, circular rows which bound respectively first and second concentric, circular annuli. The external diameter of the first annulus is less than the external diameter of the second annulus, but is greater than the internal diameter of the second annulus so that the annuli overlap.