Abstract: A disc brake for a vehicle wherein first and second friction member have projections thereon that are located in grooves in first and second rails of an anchor. On movement of the first and second frictions members during a brake application, the projections slide in the grooves to maintain a parallel alignment between a braking surface thereon and radial braking surfaces on a rotor and at the same time transmit reactions forces into a rotor to oppose the rotation of the rotor. Braking surfaces on the projections engage the rotor to assist in opposing the rotation of a rotor during each brake application.

Abstract: A parking brake including a disc fixed to a vehicle and a plurality of clips attached to the disc to align channels on first and second brake shoes with a braking surface on a drum. Each clip has a rectangular shape with a flat first end fixed to the disc and a U-shaped second end defined by parallel first and second sides separated by a spacer. A projection on the first end is mated with the disc to align the second end along a radial plane of the axis of the drum. The sides of the second end resiliently engage the channels and align friction surfaces on the first and second brake shoes with the braking surface. In addition, the clips attenuate any vibration that may occur between first and second brake shoes and the drum during movement of the vehicle to reducing the creation of noise in the brake.

Abstract: A disc brake having an anchor bracket fixed to a vehicle, a rotor fixed to and rotatable with a wheel and a caliper that spans the disc and supports a pair of opposed braking pads with respect to the rotor. Parallel alignment members fixed to the caliper and having a corresponding set of generally parallel bores for receiving the alignment members in the anchor bracket to allow limited relative movement and caliper translation during a brake application and subsequent release. Plastic inserts disposed intermediate an alignment member and a corresponding bore to provide a desired minimum running clearance there between. The plastic inserts being formed and remaining in situ within the respective bores through a sprues or gate that extend from and are generally transversely to a bore to align the alignment members with the bores and corresponding the braking pads with the rotor.

Abstract: A disc brake having a caliper straddling a rotor; a fixed carrier, an actuator comprising a primary cylinder located in the caliper and closed by a piston; a guide arrangement including first and second pins for allowing the caliper to slide relative to the carrier on actuation, the first and second pins have a bound end fixed to the caliper and a free end respectively retained in first and second bores in the carrier by annular roll-back seals to define first and second auxiliary or secondary hydraulic cylinders. Inboard and outboard friction pads are positioned on opposite faces of the rotor by the piston and the caliper. In operation, the caliper, cylinder, and outboard brake pad are hydraulically moved to engage the outboard brake pad with the rotor while the primary cylinder hydraulically moves the inboard brake pad into engagement with the rotor to effect a brake application.

Abstract: A parking brake having first and second brake shoes each of which has a first end that engages an anchor post on a backing plate and a second end that engages an adjuster. An actuator that is located adjacent an anchor post engages a first end and an adjuster engages a second end of webs for the first and second brake shoes. A brake cable that is connected to the actuator provides a force for moving the first and second brake shoes into engagement with a drum to effect a brake application. The adjuster is characterized by the adjuster mechanism including a yieldable member for reducing the space between the second end engagement between the webs to limit braking force to a predetermined maximum. A strut of the adjuster compresses at loads above a predetermined set load to thereby reduces the effective braking diameter, input loads and hence output torque.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a disc brake that retains a clamping force that holds first and second friction members into engagement with a rotor to sustain a brake application. The locking mechanism is characterized by a first threaded member integrally attached to a piston located in a bore. The piston is moved within the bore to establish a clamping force and is prevented from rotating with respect to the bore by means of anti rotation members associated with the piston. A second threaded member rotates on the first threaded member with movement of the piston. A third member is moved into contact with the second threaded member to prevent rotation of the second threaded member and retaining clamping force on the friction members to affect a parking brake application.

Abstract: A drum brake having a disc with a peripheral surface with a plurality of radial guides interspersed between a first radial abutment and a second radial abutment. The plurality of radial guides receive a first arcuate channel member on a first brake shoe and a second arcuate channel member on a second brake to align a first reaction surface on the first channel with the first radial abutment and a second reaction surface with the second radial abutment. An actuator provides a force to move the first reaction surface moves away from the first radial abutment and the second reaction surface from the second radial abutment to initiate a brake application.

Abstract: A mechanical actuator (40) for a disc brake assembly (10) to effect a parking brake application. The mechanical actuator (40) includes a housing (62) for retaining an end plate (56) which is rotationally retained in a bore (60) and connected to an end plate (48) which is axially retained in the bore (60). End plate (56) is connected to end plate (48) by a plurality of pivotal connecting rods (50,52,54). The connecting rods (50,52,54) each have an end retained in indentations (74,76,78) in end plate (56) and indentations (75,77,79) in end plate (48). An input applied by lever (46) causes end plate (48) to rotate about an axis (70) of bore (60) and connecting rods (50,52,54) to pivot about indentations (74,76,78) and since end plate (56) is rotationally restrained the force from connecting rods (50, 52,54) is translated into an axial force component which moves end plate (56). The force component varies as a function of angle of rotation of end plate (48).

Abstract: The brake shoe retainer comprises a retainer (30) having a substantially flat portion (34) which is attached by rivets (32) to the plate (20) of the inner brake shoe (22). The substantially flat portion (34) extends into a plurality of resilient legs (36), each resilient leg (36) having an angled base portion (38) extending from the substantially flat portion (34) to a leg portion (40) disposed substantially orthogonally relative to a plane of the substantially flat portion (34). Each resilient leg (36) includes an end portion (42) extending from the leg portion (40), the end portion (42) angled inwardly toward the substantially flat portion (34). Each leg portion (40) includes a lanced dimple (44) which extends outwardly away from the substantially flat portion (34), the lanced dimple (44) capable of biting into the surface (14) of an opening (12) within a piston (10) so that the plate (20) and brake shoe (22) are coupled to the piston (10) for movement therewith.

Abstract: An injection molded universal joint (10) includes a central retaining member (40) captured between spherical balls (30, 32, 34, 36) seated in bores (22, 24, and 26, 28) located in diametrically opposed arms (14, 16, and 18, 20) of respective shaft members (11, 12). The spherical balls are each pressed through an associated bore until a portion of the ball extends radially inwardly of the arm, and then maintained in position by a plastic material (80) insert molded into and retained in the bore. The insert molded plastic material (80) retains each of the spherical balls in place and permits the central retaining member (40) to be accurately positioned and with a predetermined preload applied to the universal joint (10).

Abstract: An injection molded universal joint (10) includes a central retaining member (40) captured between spherical balls (30, 32, 34, 36) seated in bores (22, 24, and 26, 28) located in diametrically opposed arms (14, 16, and 18, 20) of respective shaft members (11, 12). The spherical balls are each pressed through an associated bore until a portion of the ball extends radially inwardly of the arm, and then maintained in position by a plastic material (80) insert molded into and retained in the bore. The insert molded plastic material (80) retains each of the spherical balls in place and permits the central retaining member (40) to be accurately positioned and with a predetermined preload applied to the universal joint (10).

Abstract: The universal joint (10) comprises a first shaft (12) having a head (14) with an annular cavity (16) therein in communication with an opening (18) in face (20) of head (14). A second shaft (30) has a pair of spaced arms (32) each terminating in an ear (34). The ears (34) are captured within the recesses (44) of a plastic cage member (40) mounted within cavity (16) by a pin (26). Resilient inserts (50) exert biasing force against the ears (34) to preload the universal joint (10) and eliminate free lash.