Abstract: A brake shoe key of the spring-type for affixing a brake shoe to a brake head, the key being formed from a flat strip of spring metal including a shank portion having a generally curvilinear profile and a head portion that is integral with the shank portion and is characterized by an open-loop configuration to provide a space in which a pry bar may be inserted, the open-loop configuration being formed by a stop leg that is outturned from one face of the shank and a pry leg that is spaced-apart from the stop leg on the opposite side thereof from the shank.

Abstract: An improved disc brake pad backing plate assemblage of the dovetail type wherein dovetail end strength for resisting deformation is increased by the use of a special secondary backing plate member in conjunction with a primary backing plate member having a dovetail for mating engagement with the dovetail groove in a disc brake holder. The resultant absence of dovetail end deformation facilitates removal of the disc brake pad from the mating dovetail groove.