Abstract: The present invention comprises a heat shield element (60) having a central opening (62) for receiving the reduced diameter portion (40) of a piston (16) of a disc brake (10). The heat shield element (60) is disposed between a metallic retainer ring/heat shield (50) and the convolutions of a flexible boot seal (30). The retainer ring/heat shield (50) maintains the axial position of the heat shield element (60) and a bead (36) of the boot seal (30), such that the heat shield element (60), which extends radially outwardly of the retainer (50), provides effective shielding of the boot (30).

Abstract: A disc brake includes a caliper cooperating with a pair of friction elements to oppose rotation of a rotor during braking. A torque member supports the caliper and defines a tie bar reinforcing a pair of arms for the torque member. A connecting member extends between a caliper inner and outer leg and cooperates with the tie bar to oppose static caliper droop and dynamic caliper lift.

Abstract: A disc brake includes a caliper assembly with a reaction leg and an actuation leg on opposite sides of a rotor. The caliper assembly includes a pair of end bridges and an integrally formed center bridge to connect the legs together and substantially prevent deflection between the legs.

Abstract: A disc brake includes a torque member for carrying a caliper relative to a rotor. The torque member forms a pair of arms defining a recess receiving a part of the caliper. A tie bar cooperates with the pair of arms to reduce deflection during braking and the tie bar is disposed adjacent that portion of the rotor cooperating with a pair of friction elements.

Abstract: A rotor for a disc brake assembly includes at least two members (40, 42) opposing a pair of friction elements (16, 18). The members are stamped to form projections (46) in abutment with each other to join the members together. The projections (46) also space the members from each other to form a clearance (58) and a connecting portion (44) cooperates with some of the projections (46) to prevent rotation between the connecting portion (44) and the two members (40, 42).

Abstract: A disc brake includes a caliper assembly (12) cooperating with a pair of friction elements ((14, 16) to brake a rotor (10). A pin assembly (30) supports the caliper assembly (12) and includes a bolt (34) defining an axial spacing for a sleeve (36) which engages the caliper assembly (12) via a resilient bushing (32). The sleeve is permitted to move axially through a clearance (62) with each brake application and a spring (38) biases the sleeve and caliper to always retract through the clearance upon termination of braking.

Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle having front wheel drive includes a parking brake assembly (58, 60) comprising a band brake which is engageable with an existing universal joint (62, 64). The parking brake is independent from a pair of front brake assemblies 30 and a pair of rear brake assemblies 34. Each band brake is independently operated via cables (44, 46) so that failure of one band or cable does not affect the parking brake operation for the other band or cable.

Abstract: A retraction seal (32) for a disc brake is disposed within a caliper groove (34). The retraction seal (32) cooperates with a forward wall (42) of the groove (34) to define a space (72) which substantially prevents the retraction seal (32) from engaging a radially inner edge (80) of the forward wall (42) during braking, thereby preventing nibbling of the retraction seal (32).

Abstract: A disc brake 10 has a caliper 34 including apparatus 52 for retracting the piston 68 of the fluid motor portion 44 of the caliper to a non-braking position when the brake is not applied. Consequently, runout, wobble, or axial movement of the brake disc 12 may space the friction elements 62, 64 of the brake from the friction faces 18, 20 of the brake disc so that the friction elements do not drag on the disc when the brake is not applied.

Abstract: A disc brake having a piston retraction assembly includes a caliper (12) receiving a piston (14) for biasing a friction pad (16) into engagement with a rotor (18). A recess (30) on the caliper receives the retraction assembly 32 and a boot assembly 34 cooperates with the retraction assembly (32) to limit movement of the latter with the piston (14). A resilient member (40) engages the boot assembly (34) to bias the piston (14) via friction ring (36) to return to its rest position.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly includes a wheel cylinder (36) and extendible assembly (60) disposed between adjoining ends of a pair of brake shoes. The wheel cylinder includes a pair of pistons (40,42) which are in abutting relation with each other and with the extendible assembly to substantially define a non-braking position for the pair of brake shoes. The extendible assembly is operable to move the pair of pistons within the wheel cylinder in response to an excessive clearance between the pair of brake shoes and a rotating drum.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly includes a caliper assembly (20) which is movably mounted on a torque plate (14) to engage a pair of friction elements (26, 28) with a rotor (12). The caliper assembly defines a central opening (30) with abutment surfaces (32, 34) and the torque plate extends into the central opening to engage one of the abutment surfaces.

Abstract: A disc brake includes at least one pin assembly (24) for movably supporting a caliper 14 relative to a torque plate 12. The pin assembly comprises a bolt (54), a sleeve (46) and a pair of arcuate washers (70, 72) which are adapted to accommodate angularity between the pin assembly and the caliper opening (38).

Abstract: A disc brake includes a torque plate (14) which supports a caliper (20) via at least one pin assembly (24). The pin assembly comprises a first part (48) and a second part (50). The second part defines a first friction surface (55) with the first part and a second friction surface (57) with the caliper. The first friction surface generates less friction than the second friction surface to assist a rotor 12 in "knocking-back" a pair of friction elements (42) and (44), thereby substantially eliminating drag between the rotor and the pair of friction elements.

Abstract: A disc brake includes an outer shoe retention device that releasably connects the outer shoe and its corresponding backing plate to a reaction arm portion of a caliper. The caliper reaction arm is provided with an opening and the outer shoe backing plate is provided with a tab and a flange that extend into the opening. The retention device comprises an elliptical spring with end projections that are inserted in slots on the flange and a cross piece that is releasably engaged with the tab. The reaction arm opening includes grooves that receive ear portions of the elliptical spring in order to mount the elliptical spring on the reaction arm and the elliptical spring is accessible from the outside of the caliper via the reaction arm opening so that the spring is releasable to remove the outer shoe and backing plate.

Abstract: A disc brake for a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a motorcycle, is disclosed. The brake includes a torque member fastened to a non-rotative part of the vehicle, a two-piece caliper carried by the torque member, and a pair of pins carried by the caliper which slidably support a pair of friction elements adjacent opposed friction faces of a convention disc brake rotor. In one embodiment of the invention, the torque member is rigidly secured to the pins, a sliding connection being provided between the pins and the caliper to permit the latter to slide axially with respect to the rotor. Bolts are provided to hold the pieces of the caliper together. In the other embodiment of the invention, the torque member and the caliper are integral with one another, and the attachment between the torque member and the vehicle permits the brake to move axially with respect to the rotor. In this embodiment, the pins which slidably support the friction elements are bolts which also hold the two pieces of the caliper together.

Abstract: A disc brake for a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a motorcycle, is disclosed. The brake includes a torque member fastened to a nonrotative part of the vehicle, a two-piece caliper carried by the torque member, and a pair of pins carried by the caliper which slidably support a pair of friction elements adjacent opposed friction faces of a convention disc brake rotor. The torque member is rigidly secured to the pins, a sliding connection being provided between the pins and the caliper to permit the latter to slide axially with respect to the rotor. Bolts are provided to hold the pieces of the caliper together. The pins which slidably support the friction elements are bolts which also hold the two pieces of the caliper together.

Abstract: A disc brake having a piston retraction assembly includes a caliper (12) receiving a piston (14) for biasing a friction pad (16) into engagement with a rotor (18). A recess (30) on the caliper receives the retraction assembly 32 and a boot assembly 34 cooperates with the retraction assembly (32) to limit movement of the latter with the piston (14). A resilient member (40) engages the boot assembly (34) to bias the piston (14) via friction ring (36) to return to its rest position.