Abstract: A mounting bracket apparatus for a disc brake of a vehicle is provided for measuring torque in a disc brake mounting bracket. The invention includes a bracket capable of being secured to a non-rotatable part of a vehicle. The bracket includes first and second caliper bracket abutments and a cross member extending in the direction of the rotational axis of the disc. The cross member joins the first and second caliper bracket abutments at respective first and second corner-shaped portions. A force sensor is located adjacent the first corner-shaped portion of the bracket adapted to sense strain in the first corner-shaped portion.

Abstract: A mounting bracket apparatus for a disc brake of a vehicle is provided for measuring torque in a disc brake mounting bracket. The invention includes a bracket capable of being secured to a non-rotatable part of a vehicle. The bracket includes first and second caliper bracket abutments and a cross member extending in the direction of the rotational axis of the disc. The cross member joins the first and second caliper bracket abutments at respective first and second corner-shaped portions. A force sensor is located adjacent the first corner-shaped portion of the bracket adapted to sense strain in the first corner-shaped portion.

Abstract: A new and improved brake shoe hold down mechanism for retaining a brake shoe to an inside surface of a backing plate includes a nail having a head disposed on an outside surface of the backing plate limiting axial travel of the nail and a barb-like tip adapted to pass through apertures in the backing plate and a web of the brake shoe. A wire spring is disposed on a first end against the brake shoe and has a coil on a second aligned with the tip of the nail. A cup shaped retainer cap is compressively seated against the spring coil and engaged by the tip of the nail at a bottom of the cap thereby biasing the brake shoe against the backing plate. The retainer cap has a slot from a first position at which the nail tip is received and which is offset from the bottom of the cap to a second position at a bottom of the cap to which the tip is biased by the compressive spring load. The tip engages the bottom of the cap independent of orientation to the slot.

Abstract: An electrically actuated brake is provided with an adjustment mechanism to compenate for wear of the brake shoes. The brake in a preferred embodiment includes a motor driven actuator to apply the brake shoes and a first rotative member torsionally associated with a rotor of the motor. A spring returns the brake shoes from an actuated position to a release position causing the first rotative member to rotate in a releasing direction. A second rotative member having a first surface for making torsional transferring engagement with the first rotative member when the first rotative member is rotating in a friction member applying or releasing direction is provided. The second rotative member also has a second surface of a non-torsional transferring engagement. The second surface is exposed to the first rotative member when the first rotative member has rotated in an applying direction beyond a predetermined limit due to wear of the brake shoes.