Abstract: A brake caliper has a brake pad having a backplate with a friction material attached to one side and a loading face on an opposite side. The caliper further includes a piston that applies a force to the loading face. The brake pad is releasably attached to the piston, thereby eliminating a separate brake pad retaining structure in the caliper.

Abstract: A brake caliper has a brake pad having a backplate with a friction material attached to one side and a loading face on an opposite side. The caliper further includes a piston that applies a force to the loading face. The brake pad is releasably attached to the piston, thereby eliminating a separate brake pad retaining structure in the caliper.

Abstract: A brake caliper has a brake pad having a backplate with a friction material attached to one side and a loading face on an opposite side. The caliper further includes a piston that applies a force to the loading face. The brake pad is releasably attached to the piston, thereby eliminating a separate brake pad retaining structure in the caliper.

Abstract: A brake system includes a brake disc having a first disc face and a second disc face on a first side and a second side, respectively, of the brake disc. The brake disc is mounted rotatably fast with but longitudinally slidable on a rotatable shaft. The brake disc is clampable between a first friction surface of a fixed brake pad positioned on the first side of the brake disc and a second friction surface of a moveable brake pad positioned on the second side of the brake disc. The system further includes a disc positioner operable to define a running clearance between the first disc face and the first friction surface. The disc positioner is adjustable to maintain the running clearance as the fixed brake pad wears. A biasing member located on the second side of the brake disc maintains contact between the disc positioner and first disc face of the brake disc.

Abstract: A force transmission device for a disc brake is operable to move a friction element of the brake into engagement with a rotary brake disc along a first axis in response to a loading from a thrust member. The device is restrained from movement transverse to the first axis near a first end engageable with the thrust member, but is unguided near a second end engageable with the friction element.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes a device for securing an axle to a selected suspension component. A seat member that is received between the axle and the suspension component includes an axle adaptor as part of the seat member. A first portion of the seat member is received between the axle and the suspension component. A second portion of the seat member extends away from the first portion and includes at least one support surface for supporting a brake component relative to the axle. In one example embodiment, the seat member includes an integrated brake carrier.

Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly includes a multi-component lever assembly. The lever assembly includes a push rod receiving insert received into a push rod receiving insert opening. The multi-component lever assembly provides for alternate final configurations during the final assembly stages of the brake assembly. The operating shaft is assembled into the brake housing through a housing opening which is closed off by a closing plate. The push rod receiving insert received is then passed through a push rod opening and into the push rod receiving insert opening until locked in place.

Abstract: A seal for sealing an interface between a piston shaft (4) of an expander mechanism for a disk brake and an inner surface of a housing (5) of the brake in which the shaft is received is described. The seal comprises: a laterally outwardly disposed portion (11) adapted to engage a portion of the housing in fixed relation therewith; a laterally inwardly disposed portion (12) which is adapted to form a static seal with a surface of the shaft; and an intermediate portion (13) interconnecting said laterally outwardly disposed portion (11) and said laterally inwardly disposed portion (12) such that the laterally inwardly disposed portion is permitted to move axially together with the shaft relative to the laterally outwardly disposed portion, in use, in static sealing relationship with the shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly includes a multi-component lever assembly. The lever assembly includes a push rod receiving insert received into a push rod receiving insert opening. The multi-component lever assembly provides for alternate final configurations during the final assembly stages of the brake assembly. The operating shaft is assembled into the brake housing through a housing opening which is closed off by a closing plate. The push rod receiving insert received is then passed through a push rod opening and into the push rod receiving insert opening until locked in place.

Abstract: A force transmission device for a disc brake is operable to move a friction element of the brake into engagement with a rotary brake disc along a first axis in response to a loading from a thrust member. The device is restrained from movement transverse to the first axis near a first end engageable with the thrust member, but is unguided near a second end engageable with the friction element.

Abstract: A brake caliper has a brake pad having a backplate with a friction material attached to one side and a loading face on an opposite side. The caliper further includes a piston that applies a force to the loading face. The brake pad is releasably attached to the piston, thereby eliminating a separate brake pad retaining structure in the caliper.

Abstract: A seal for sealing an interface between a piston shaft (4) of an expander mechanism for a disk brake and an inner surface of a housing (5) of the brake in which the shaft is received is described. The seal comprises: a laterally outwardly disposed portion (11) adapted to engage a portion of the housing in fixed relation therewith; a laterally inwardly disposed portion (12) which is adapted to form a static seal with a surface of the shaft; and an intermediate portion (13) interconnecting said laterally outwardly disposed portion (11) and said laterally inwardly disposed portion (12) such that the laterally inwardly disposed portion is permitted to move axially together with the shaft relative to the laterally outwardly disposed portion, in use, in static sealing relationship with the shaft.

Abstract: An axle and brake mounting assembly includes a brake carrier secured directly to the axle. In one example, the brake carrier includes a portion that completely surrounds a corresponding portion of the axle. The brake carrier in one example is welded directly to the axle.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes a device for securing an axle to a selected suspension component. A seat member that is received between the axle and the suspension component includes an axle adaptor as part of the seat member. A first portion of the seat member is received between the axle and the suspension component. A second portion of the seat member extends away from the first portion and includes at least one support surface for supporting a brake component relative to the axle. In one example embodiment, the seat member includes an integrated brake carrier.

Abstract: A disc brake includes a housing which straddles a braking disc and is slidably mounted in a torque taking member. The housing includes a brake actuator mechanism having at least one adjustable tappet assembly. The tappet assembly extends through a bearing aperture and a cover plate and is sealed thereto by a seal assembly. The bearing aperture is defined by the inside wall of a bearing projection formed with the cover plate. A lever and eccentric arrangement operates the tappet assembly via a force transmission member located in a groove in the eccentric. An intermediate member also located in the groove carries a gear drive which operates an adjuster mechanism for the brake.