Abstract: An electric brake actuator for actuating a brake arrangement. The actuator includes an electric drive unit (15, 15′) and a load multiplier (17). the electric drive unit (15, 15′) is in cable connection through a first cable unit (16, 16′) with the load multiplier and the load multiplier (17) is arranged for cable connection through a second cable unit (19) with the brake arrangement. Whereby the electric drive unit (15, 15′) is operable to apply a load to the load multiplier (17) through the first cable unit (16, 16′) and the load multiplier (17) is operable to multiply the load for application to the brake arrangement through the second cable unit (19).

Abstract: An adjuster strut (10) for use in a drum brake assembly. The adjuster strut (10) has an adjustable elongate extent with first and second engagement means (17,37) disposed at opposite ends thereof for engaging opposed braking members (11,12,35) of a brake assembly. The first engagement means (17) is arranged for receipt and support within an inwardly opening slot (19,20) formed in one of the braking members (11,12,35) and includes an end face (18) for abutting engagement with the inner end wall (19a,20a) of the slot opening (19,20). The first engagement means (17) further includes a first channel (21) extending rearwardly from the face (18), for receiving therein an edge or wall portion (hereinafter an “edge portion”) defining the slot opening (19,20). The braking members can include opposed cross-sectionally T-shaped brake shoes and a parking brake lever disposed adjacent the inwardly extending web of one of the brake shoes.

Abstract: An electric brake actuator for actuating a brake arrangement. The actuator includes an electric drive unit (15, 15′) and a load multiplier (17). The electric drive unit (15, 15′) is in cable connection through a first cable means (16, 16′) with the load multiplier and the load multiplier (17) is arranged for cable connection through a second cable means (19) with the brake arrangement. Whereby the electric drive unit (15, 15′) is operable to apply a load to the load multiplier (17) through the first cable means (16, 16′) and the load multiplier (17) is operable to multiply the load for application to the brake arrangement through the second cable means (19).

Abstract: A drum brake assembly including a rotatable drum having a radially inner braking surface and a brake shoe of single piece construction and of generally circular form mounted within the drum against a backing plate. The brake shoe has a radially outer face and a friction lining mounted thereon in facing relationship to the radially inner braking surface. Actuator having actuated brake on and released brake off conditions and being operable in the actuated condition to diametrically expand the brake shoe is provided. Positioners are also provided for positioning the brake shoe within the drum when the actuator is in the brake off condition to provide for complete clearance between the outer face of the friction lining and the inner braking surface of the drum. A grinding jig for grinding friction lining is also provided. A brake assembly having a connector for connecting the brake shoe to the backing plate.

Abstract: An adjuster strut (10) for use in a drum brake assembly (1) to shift the brake shoes (3) of the assembly (1) radially outwardly so as to compensate for wear in brake friction lining. The strut (10) being of adjustable elongate extent and having axially extended and retracted conditions. The strut (10) including engagement means (11, 35) disposed at opposite ends thereof for engaging opposed braking members (3) of the brake assembly (1), a rotatable member (27) which is rotatable about the lengthwise axis of the strut (10), an axially movable member (34) which is movable axially upon forward rotation of rotatable member (27) to lengthen the elongate extent of the strut (10) in the retracted condition, and biasing means (24) for biasing the strut (10) toward the axially extended condition upon radial expansion of the brake shoes (3) of the brake assembly (1) during brake actuation.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly is disclosed which incorporates a disc 50 which includes radially inner and outer portions (54 55) which are separated by a gap 56. Two pad assemblies (11, 12) are located on respective sides of the disc and are interconnected by a draw bar 29 which extends through the gap and is connected to a piston cylinder assembly. Actuation of the piston cylinder assembly imparts a force to the pad assemblies through the draw bar which causes them to move either towards or away from the disc to thereby effect actuation and release of the brake assembly The draw bar is rotatable about its axis 71 and is releaseably coupled to the outboard pad assembly 12 so as to be operative to move between an engaged configuration with the pad assembly to a released configuration on rotation about the draw bar axis.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly is disclosed which incorporates a disc 50 which includes radially inner and outer portions (54 55) which are separated by a gap 56. Two pad assemblies (11, 12) are located on respective sides of the disc and are interconnected by a draw bar 29 which extends through the gap and is connected to a piston cylinder assembly. Actuation of the piston cylinder assembly imparts a force to the pad assemblies through the draw bar which causes them to move either towards or away from the disc to thereby effect actuation and release of the brake assembly. The draw bar is rotatable about its axis 71 and is releaseably coupled to the outboard pad assembly 12 so as to be operative to move between an engaged configuration with the pad assembly to a released configuration on rotation about the draw bar axis.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly is disclosed which incorporates a disc 50 which includes radially inner and outer portions (54 55) which are separated by a gap 56. Two pad assemblies (11, 12) are located on respective sides of the disc and are interconnected by a draw bar 29 which extends through the gap and is connected to a piston cylinder assembly. Actuation of the piston cylinder assembly imparts a force to the pad assemblies through the draw bar which causes them to move either towards or away from the disc to thereby effect actuation and release of the brake assembly. The draw bar is rotatable about its axis 71 and is releaseably coupled to the outboard pad assembly 12 so as to be operative to move between an engaged configuration with the pad assembly to a released configuration on rotation about the draw bar axis.

Abstract: A slack adjuster (1) for a cable operated system, such as a brake assembly operable by a brake lever (2), includes two drive parts (9) and (10) which are engageable to form a drive connection between the brake lever (2) and the cable (29) to enable the lever (2) to impart an actuating force to the cable 929) during movement of the lever (2) between a rest and a fully actuated position. The slack adjuster (1) further includes a pivotal lever (23) which is operable to disengage the drive parts (9) and (10) during a predetermined portion of one of either the applied or release strokes of the brake lever (2), but inoperative during other portions of the strokes, thereby enabling adjustment of slack in the cable (29) by movement of one drive (9, 10) relative to the other drive part (10, 9) to occur only during the one stroke.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly (1) of the kind including a caliper (6) and two pad assemblies (3, 4), each of which is operable to engage a respective opposite side of a brake disc (5) when the brake assembly is installed on a vehicle. The caliper includes a housing (8) having a cylinder formed therein, and a piston which carries one of the pad assemblies (3) is slidable within that cylinder. The caliper (6) also has a bridge (7) which is connected to the housing (8) and which carries the other pad assembly (4). A mounting arm (12, 13) extends generally transverse relative to the axis of the caliper cylinder and is deflectable relative to the associated support (2) in the general direction of that axis so as to allow the pad assemblies (3, 4) to move towards and away from their respective adjacent sides of the disc (5).

Abstract: The invention is drum brake assembly having a dual brake actuator. A piston-cylinder assembly forms the primary brake actuator, and a lever member, together with the piston-cylinder assembly, forms a composite structure which acts as a secondary brake actuator. The lever member pivots about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum, and the lever member is contained within the drum brake assembly. The piston-cylinder assembly is operable independent of the composite structure to actuate the brake.

Abstract: A brake booster mounting including a support to which the booster is securable by means of at least one mounting bolt, and a captive nut located on a side of the support opposite to that to which the booster is to be attached and which is engageable by the bolt so as to effect attachment of the booster to the support. The captive nut is held against separation from the support and is also held against rotation by a retainer so that connection of the bolt to the nut can be effected from the side of the support to which the booster is to be attached. A pilot section on one end of the bolt locates within the captive nut so as to thereby automatically position the nut to be cooperable with a threaded portion of the bolt. The bolt also serves to hold separable parts of the booster housing against separation, and is rotatable relative to those parts to permit the booster to be attached to or detached from the support.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly including a brake member comprised of a substantially circular shoe having a radially outer face on which at least one lining is mounted. The shoe is made from a high strength resilient material and is of substantially constant cross-section along its entire length. The brake member is arranged to be diametrically expanded by an actuation device on the brake assembly. When the actuation device is released the resilience of the shoe material causes the shoe to diametrically contract. The lining may be machined to a circular form prior to the brake member being fitted to the brake assembly, and that machining is preferably done after the shoe has been expanded a predetermined extent. The disclosure extends to a method of manufacturing a brake member and to a brake member for a drum brake assembly.

Abstract: The invention is particularly concerned with a caliper for a disc brake assembly. The caliper includes a cylinder and a bridge, the bridge having an inboard portion which attaches to the cylinder, a central portion, and an outboard portion. Inboard and outboard friction pad assemblies are arranged to be brought into contact with opposite faces of the disc. The bridge is formed of a resiliently flexible material and is shaped and configured such that under braking conditions the outboard portion is able to resiliently deflect relative to the inboard portion in a direction transverse to the axis of the cylinder and substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the disc at the region where the friction pad assemblies are in engagement with the faces of the disc. The bridge and cylinder may be separately formed and connected together or they may be integrally formed.

Abstract: A sliding caliper disc brake including an anchor bracket adapted to be mounted in a fixed relation to a motor vehicle, the anchor bracket having a pair of facing slideways arranged substantially parallel to the axis of a disc with which the brake is to be used, inboard and outboard friction pads adapted to be brought into frictional contact with opposite faces of the disc, each pad being attached to a backing plate and each backing plate terminating at each end in an abutment portion slidable in one of said slideways and a caliper housing including at its inboard end a cylinder in which a piston is slidable, the piston being attached to the backing plate of the inboard pad, a bridge portion extending outwardly and having at its outboard end, attachment means attached to the backing plate of the outboard friction pad, the arrangement being such that on operation of the brakes, sliding motion of the backing plates is guided by the slideways on the anchor plate, wherein the shape of the slideways and the abutmen

Abstract: A disk brake operating mechanism including an hydraulically operated piston in a cylinder arranged to move a friction pad into contact with a disc, in which a mechanically actuated brake operating mechanism is provided, the mechanism consisting of a piston rod abutting the piston and being axially movable in relation to it. An actuating collar is arranged around the piston rod at a position outside the piston and is supported at a part of its circumference against movement towards the cylinder by a stop. A strut or other device is provided to enable an actuating force to be applied to the part of the collar diametrically opposite the stop to cause it to lock onto the piston rod and move the piston rod to effect application of the pad to the disk.