Abstract: The present invention provides a disc for a disc brake, the disc comprising two annular members arranged coaxially with respect to each other and joined together by generally radially extending vanes and pillars, which project from a central web located between the annular members. The vanes extend for part of the radial extent of the annular members, and the pillars are located in a region not occupied by the vanes and preferably radially beyond the vanes. Power absorption and noise generation is reduced considerably as a result of the reduced vane overall diameter, as compared to a disc of like diameter with the conventional long radial vanes. However, the desired cooling is maintained due to the surface area presented by the combination of shorter vanes and pillars.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pad retaining plate assembly which can be operated to allow for pad replacement without any part having to be removed and without the inconvenience of having to deal with nuts, bolts, etc. The pad retaining plate assembly comprises a latch member which is movable relative to a guide, the guide being secured to a brake shoe so that the latch member can then attain an operative position wherein the latch member projects through an aperture in the brake shoe. A spring also mounted on the brake shoe is arranged to grip the latch member and to hold the latch member in the said operative position when this position is attained. The latch member can be moved away by a simple tool against the grip of the spring to facilitate pad replacement.