Abstract: A bearing and brake support assembly includes a drive shaft and a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly has an inner race and an outer race. The inner race is secured around the drive shaft. The bearing and brake support assembly further includes a one-piece housing having a central passage extending therethrough. The outer race of the bearing assembly is secured to the one-piece housing at a location within the central passage. The bearing and brake support assembly further includes a yoke secured to the drive shaft. The bearing and brake support assembly moreover includes a brake drum secured to the yoke. The bearing and brake support assembly also includes a brake shoe assembly secured to the one-piece housing. The brake shoe assembly cooperates with the brake drum so as to selectively prevent rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A vehicular brake assembly comprises brake shoes and a brake disc. The brake shoes are fastened to a sheet plate and mounted inside an inner drum portion of the brake disc. The brake disc is operatively connected to an axle placed within a stationary axle housing that carries a mounting flange. The sheet plate is fastened to the mounting flange. An anchor pin is attached to the mounting flange and an opening is made in the sheet plate for the anchor pin to project therethrough to thereby serve as an abutment surface for the brake shoes transferring any force exerted on the brake shoes directly to the mounting flange. The brake disc is operatively engaged with a caliper adapted to grip an outward portion of the brake disc. The caliper slides are provided on the mounting flange to receive the caliper.

Abstract: A disk brake having at least one piston (14) which slides in a caliper (12), the caliper (12) sliding over a stationary support. The piston (14) being actuateable by a mechanical subassembly (22) having substantially first (24) and second (26) parallel plates. The first plate (24) being driven in rotation by a lever (32) about an axis (X--X') perpendicular to its surface. The second plate (26) being held in a stationary position with respect to rotation and secured to piston (14). A face on at least one of the first (24) and second (26) plates has a groove formed therein for receiving balls (28) to convert rotational movement of the first plate (24) into axial transulational movement of the second plate (26). The lever (32) has a first part (34) fastened onto an end (36) of a sheath of an actuating cable (38). The sheath (40) bearing on an end stop member (42) which is held stationary with respect to the caliper (12). The sheath (40) has an end stop member (42) which is formed on a brace member (44).

Abstract: A two-piece stamped caliper adapter includes a cast iron anchor and a stamped steel adapter plate. The stamped adapter plate includes reinforcement ribs for providing structural rigidity and stiffness to withstand the loads imposed by a vehicle wheel brake system. A stamped caliper adapter makes a redundant drum brake assembly more readily adaptable to most vehicles and provides other cost-saving economies. In the preferred embodiment, the cast iron anchor and the stamped steel adapter plate are bolted together and the stamped steel adapter plate is spot welded to a drum brake assembly backing plate.

Abstract: An aircraft brake (11) typically includes a torque tube (16) supported by a pedestal (24) upon an axle (18). The torque tube (16) is connected with the plurality of stators (20) which interface with a plurality of rotors (22) connected with a surrounding wheel (10). In order to improve the configuration stability of torque tube (16) during operation of the brake (11), a spacer member (40) is located between the inner diameter surface (17) of the torque tube (16) and the outer diameter surface (15) of the axle (14). The spacer member (40) has an outer diameter surface (42) which supports the inner diameter surface (17) of the torque tube (16) and an inner diameter surface (46) which is supported by the axle (14). A splined support ring (50) engage splines (47) at the inner diameter surface (46) of the spacer member (40) and is press fitted to the axle (14).

Abstract: An improved operating mechanism for a drum brake assembly including a mounting flange for securing the brake assembly to a vehicle component, a hollow abutment block secured to the mounting flange, and a backing plate secured to the mounting flange. A pair of arcuate drum brake shoes are supported relative to the backing plate. The hollow abutment block located on the mounting flange between a pair of adjacent ends of the brake shoes. According to one feature of the present invention, the operating mechanism is at least partially disposed in the chamber for engaging and actuating the brake shoes, and is coupled to an actuation cable having an end portion supported in a generally perpendicular relationship relative to the backing plate.

Abstract: A brake camshaft (22), having a cam (23) at one end for actuation by rotation of the camshaft to expand the brake shoes of a drum brake, has two spaced bearing assemblies (16, 21), preferably both self-aligning, releasably secured on an axle beam (1) at mountings (8, 9). The mountings have apertures, conveniently slots (10, 13), at least one of which is open or openable laterally of the brake camshaft (22) to enable the camshaft (22) to be manoeuvred, with tilting or lateral movement, out of engagement with the apertures when the bearing assemblies (16, 21) have been released from the mountings, to withdraw the camshaft with its bearing assemblies from the mountings. In one example the mounting (9) remote from the cam, a bearing mounting bracket, has an open-ended slot (10) opening to the edge of the mounting for withdrawal of the camshaft, and the other mounting (8) has a slot (13) with which the cam (23) has to be aligned for withdrawal.

Abstract: An improvement in process for reinforcing a structure against fatigue failure and the resulting structure are set forth. The structure comprises joined weldable structural portions having adjoining surfaces which meet at a junction and diverge therefrom to form a gap between each other. A brace with weldable terminal feet spans the gap. Each such foot rests against a structural portion, and the brace is plug-welded to at least one of the structural portions through a hole in a foot, or a hole in a structural portion or holes in each such portion where they interface. The invention is especially efficient for bracing an air chamber bracket that is designed for automotive use. A preferred rigid structure has the feet welded at both ends.

Abstract: For a vehicle having a relatively large axle tube, a mechanically operated drum brake is provided having a hollow abutment post between adjacent ends of a pair of opposed arcuate brake shoes and having an improved actuating mechanism for the brake shoes mounted partially within the abutment post.

Abstract: An anchor collar or bracket (100) is provided that is adapted to fit loosely about a shaft (34) of a rotary drum brake assembly such as assembly (200). Bracket (100) is adapted to secure at least one pair of resilient biasing members such as coiled springs (36 and 36') to respective pivotally mounted opposed brake shoe assemblies (20 and 20') and resiliently urge them towards each other upon release of the brake while being able to be moved to enable access to hidden portions therebehind.

Abstract: An internal shoe brake, which is being used as a parking brake in a disc hub, is designed so that it can be preassembled in a ready-to-be-installed fashion. For that purpose, the anchor plate, serving as a cover plate, is mounted to a support by at least two fixing members. The fixing members are provided with heads which mesh free from play with bores provided in the axle support. Fixing of the support and the anchor plate to the axle support is effected through the intermediary of a screw. The screw and the fixing members jointly transmit the circumferential forces onto the axle support.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an integrated disc brake (50) and drum brake (120) construction. A support member (12) is supported by a vehicle axle (14) and extends radially outwardly to provide support for a housing (52) of the disc brake (50). The housing (52) is secured by bolts (93 or 94) to the support member (12), the housing (52) having through openings (54) for receiving rod members (75). The rod members (75) each have one end (76) secured to the support member (12) and a second part (90) and the other end has an opening (77) for an internal bore (78) extending therein. The disc brake (50) includes an axially movable yoke (60) attached to guide pins (82) extending into bores (78) of the rods (75) for slidable movement therein. The second part (90) extends radially to provide support for an inner brake pad (20) and may extend axially away from the housing (52) to provide an anchor support (91) for shoulders (132, 142) of drum brake shoes (130, 140).

Abstract: An improved "expanding-shoe" drum brake (100), including an immovable spider member (38) to which brake shoes (18, 19) are pivotally mounted to move into engagement with a rotating annular brake drum (10). As is common, the shoes move in response to motion of a brake-actuating rotatable S cam (12), which is located between first adjacent ends of the brake shoes. The cam applies force to two cam followers (14, 15), which are rollers rotatably fixed to respective brake shoes. At the second end of each brake shoe an anchor pin (30, 31) is fixedly mounted to with webs of the respective brake shoe, as by welding (57A, 57B). In the embodiment described, a corresponding receptacle (43, 45) in the immovable spider has a semicircular surface (49, 51) at its bottom to serve as a bearing. The bearing surface engages the anchor pin, for rotation of the shoe. The brake shoe is resistant to twisting and misalignment.

Abstract: A disc brake comprises a brake support which is to be mounted on a first side of a brake disc and comprises a bridge portion engaging over onto the other side. Two brake pads are arranged on either side of the brake disc and supported against braking forces on the brake support. For direct actuation of a brake pad an actuator is arranged on the first side of the brake disc. For transmitting actuating forces to the other indirectly actuable brake pad a floating caliper engages over the brake disc. The brake support comprises two arms on the first side of the brake disc. Of the arms, a first arm of lower rigidity is loaded with the braking forces of the directly actuated brake pad. The other arm, which has a greater rigidity carries the bridge member and is loaded with braking forces of the indirectly actuated brake pad.

Abstract: A disc brake has a disc rotor, a pair of confronting friction pad assemblies arranged on both sides of the disc rotor, a pad assembly support member fixed to an automotive vehicle body, and a caliper driving piston for moving one of the friction pad assemblies relative to the other in an axial direction of the disc rotor. The pad assemblies are each provided with a pair of lower two engaging steps for transmitting the brake torques to the support member, and also with upper corner shoulders for transmitting the brake torques. The support member is provided with step portions corresponding to the engaging steps and the upper corner shoulders of the brake assemblies. Thus, it is possible to reduce or suppress a deformation of the brake assemblies when the disc rotor rotates upon the brake application.

Abstract: The supporting and attaching device is connected to non-rotating parts of at least one brake caliper or yoke intended to cooperate with a brake disk and it comprises an attaching piece in a generally arcuate form, situated beyond the periphery of the disk and of which at least part of the transversal section is U-shaped with two legs one of which legs constitutes the section of a plate clamped onto a single arm for wheel suspension, while the other leg constitutes the section of at least one tab secured on either side to a brake caliper straddling a brake disk and is applied to double disk brakes for motorcycles.

Abstract: A brake spider for supporting a brake assembly on a vehicle axle which includes a mounting portion and diametrically opposed, first and second support portions, a pair of laterally spaced bores through the second support portion and mounting a pair of anchor pins, and a boss adjacent each bore and projecting from oppositely disposed surfaces of the second support portion of the brake spider.

Abstract: A stamped metal plate for supporting a brake assembly on a vehicle axle which includes a substantially planar and circular mounting portion, diametrically opposed, planar first and second support portions substantially parallel to and offset in opposite directions from the mounting portion and a pair of reinforcing ribs with each rib extending continuously along opposite edges of the plate. A bracket extending across the second support portion in spaced relation thereto and welded at its laterally spaced edges to the reinforcing ribs of the metal plate provides an assembly for mounting a pair of brake shoes.

Abstract: A stamped metal plate supports a brake assembly on a vehicle axle. The plate includes a planar and circular mounting portion having a circular aperture pressed on and welded to the axle, diametrically opposed, planar first and second support portions substantially parallel to and offset in opposite directions from the mounting portion and a pair of reinforcing ribs with each rib extending continuously along opposite edges of the plate. A bracket extending across the second support portion in spaced relation thereto and welded at its laterally spaced edges to the reinforcing ribs provides a pair of axially aligned bores mounting bushings which support anchor pins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protective device of drum-brake operating shafts of trucks and touring trailers. This device is essentially constituted by a protective sleeve (4) mounted on the bushing (5) of the operating shaft (1) of the clearance cam (3) of the brake shoes. This sleeve (4), extended up to the operating lever (2), comprises a packing (6) at each one of the extremities of its bore. The axis of the bore (4d) is upwardly offset in relation to the axis of the sleeve (4), of a distance X corresponding to one half of the clearance arranged between the shaft (1) and the bore (4d). A sectoral wearing plate (10) is disposed at the lower portion of the bore (4d). The sleeve (4) is mounted at the connecting bridge (8) by an annular collar (4a) with an indexing key (4b) and of the housing (9), existing at the beginning, or of a tab molded with the sleeve (4).

Abstract: An improved air chamber mounting bracket (40) for mounting an air chamber (41) to a rotary cam (32) actuated brake (10) is provided. The bracket includes a slot aperture (70) and a multiple hole aperture (72) for receiving air chamber mounting fasteners (44 and 46) for properly and positively positioning the air chamber for use with various length (54) slack adjuster levers (39). The slot aperture and the multiple hole aperture are centered about a longitudinal axis (74) for constant alignment of the air chamber in each selected mounting position thereof.

Abstract: A floating caliper disc brake including a fixed mounting block, a caliper mounted to float on the fixed mounting block and being located in a position to bridge the edge of a disc, a first friction pad supported by the caliper for movement into engagement with one side of the disc, a housing mounted on said caliper on the opposite side of the disc, a second friction pad supported in the housing for movement into engagement with the other side of the disc, the caliper moving in response to the engagement of the second friction pad with the disc to move the first friction pad into engagement with the other side of the disc and a rubber spring on the mounting block to bias the caliper on release of the second friction pad from the disc to release the first friction pad from the disc, the caliper being free to move with respect to the ribs wherever the retraction capability of the ribs is exceeded by the movement of the caliper.

Abstract: A clamping bracket arrangement is provided which tightly grips the mounting boss of a wheel cylinder and the axle housing to which the brake assembly of which the wheel cylinder is a part is mounted, preventing movement of the wheel cylinder relative to the axle housing. The bracket arrangement may be quickly and easily installed in field service without the need for removing any parts of the brake assembly.

Abstract: A hand-operated bicycle brake assembly includes a pair of complementary, similar, preferably identical, caliper arms having a pre-formed configuration, central supporting structure including a central aperture through the elongated caliper arm and a complementary central aperture through an offset planar portion extending from the central area of the arm, one end of the arm provided with a concave recess and threaded aperture for a locking bolt therein, a brake shoe, a support hub integral therewith and provided with spherical projections at each end for mating with a recess in the caliper arm and a bushing and secured to the caliper arm by a through bolt, the caliper arm being forked and provided with a cable clamp nut and bolt. The cable clamp nut and bolt is in two parts for engaging a cable as passed through a slot in the bolt.

Abstract: A brake cylinder lever on a railway car is supported in a substantially vertical orientation by a roller mounted on an inclined ramp to bias the brake system toward a "brake off" or nondrag condition.

Abstract: A guide bearing for mounting unit brake beams, for application to railroad car truck side frame unit brake beam guide brackets, in place of the conventional spring steel wear plate now generally used, comprising a one piece body formed from an ultra high molecular weight polymer or other plastic grades of dry self lubricating characteristics that is of elongate trough configuration defining a web portion and spaced apart side walls shaped and proportioned for force fit seating in the guide bracket, with the inner surfacings of the body side walls being formed to closely receive the brake beam guide lug to be mounted in same, to dispose the brake beam guide lug in substantial coplanar alignment with the desired brake beam movement path radially of the axle wheel to be braked, on actuation of the brakes. The inner surfacings of the body walls have a coefficient of friction with respect to steel of about 0.

Abstract: A brake system for a railway vehicle and method of making same are provided and such brake system comprises a brake rod member, a horizontal supporting member which is adapted to support the rod member for sliding movements thereon, and an antifriction component carried by the supporting member with the component serving to minimize wear and enable antifriction movements during the sliding movements and wherein the component comprises a solid strip portion of substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration with the system further comprising at least one self-contained clip device for locking the strip portion against the supporting member and the clip device comprises a pair of resilient parallel legs and locking projections extending from the outer end portions of the parallel legs toward each other, with the clip device being disposed with the parallel legs embracing opposed vertical surfaces of the supporting member and with the projections snap locked beneath a bottom surface thereof.

Abstract: A spider for a brake having dual web brake shoes to be utilized at the wheel end of a heavy duty truck or trailer axle includes a pivoting end support plate mounted at a hole therethrough at a first axial location on the axle to extend radially outwardly therefrom to include at its extended end a pair of pivot pins for the support of each of the webs of each brake shoe. An actuation support plate is mounted at an opening therethrough at a second axial location on the axle which is separated from the first axial location. The extended end of the actuation support plate is capable of supporting a cam actuator which will operate on the opposite ends of the brake shoes from the pivot pins. There are included side plates which extend axially along opposite sides of the axle to secure the pivotal support plate and the actuation support plate to each other.

Abstract: An improved slide pin device for guiding a floating caliper assembly which urges a pair of braking pad assemblies onto either side of a disc rotor, while being shifted in a parallel direction to the axis of the disc rotor. The slide pin device comprises a bolt, which is screwed into a torque receiving member, at one end thereof, a sleeve of cylindrical form being pierced through by the bolt, an anti-sleeve-rotation plate, disposed between one end surface of the sleeve and the head of the bolt for being engaged with an anti-rotation-tool with the object of preventing undesirable rotation of the sleeve together with the turning of the bolt when the sleeve is fixed to the torque receiving member.

Abstract: A disc brake comprises a rigid caliper which straddles the peripheral edge of a rotatable disc, and friction pads for engagement with the disc are located in the caliper. One pad is applied directly to the disc by an actuator which is provided in adjacent limb of the caliper, and the other pad is applied to the disc by the reaction on the caliper which causes the caliper to move with respect to the disc and a relatively stationary drag-taking part from which the caliper is carried by a drag-transmitting arm. The arm is connected at one end to the stationary part by a single pivot pin which pivots the arm for movement about an axis normal to the axis of the disc, and the arm is coupled to the caliper by of a spherical joint.

Abstract: An arrangement for a foundation brake rigging on a railway car includes a dead brake lever anchoring arrangement which comprises a bracket supported in openings extending through the walls of the wheel truck bolster. The bracket includes hook-shaped elements which support a generally horizontal connector rod disposed below the bolster. One end of the connector rod is provided with a hinged linkage arrangement, which includes an eye portion which engages and supports a hook-shaped lower end portion of the dead brake lever.

Abstract: A disc brake is provided with a torque member having a pair of arms which define a recess which slidably receives one of the friction elements. The torque member and one friction element are designed so that braking torque is transmitted from the one friction element to the torque member through a primary abutment located on the lower edge of the recess, and a pair of secondary abutments. The other friction element is carried by a caliper which is slidably mounted on removable rails mounted on the upper end of the arms. The braking torque generated by the other friction element is transmitted through the caliper and the rails mounted on the other arm. Consequently, the braking torque is divided so that it is taken by several different portions of the torque member, thereby permitting a smaller and more efficient torque member.

Abstract: A brake comprises an elongate friction pad engageable with a rotor surface, the friction pad being supported close to the rotor surface by a support. A connecting link connects the support to a fixed structure and transmits the braking drag forces to the fixed structure whilst permitting a degree of substantially friction-free movement of the body of friction material toward and away from the rotor surface.

Abstract: A torque plate in the form of a sheet metal disc having a central opening for positioning of the torque plate around a shaft and a peripheral flange on the outer edge of the disc with spaced-apart supporting surfaces for mounting a slider support on which the caliper and friction lining carriers are slidably mounted. The torque plate may have a mounting surface around the opening and a second surface offset from the mounting surface at intermediate positions between the opening and flange.

Abstract: Pneumatic and electrical components of an anti-skid braking system are assembled upon and within an elongated housing frame, which is mounted in a free space under the vehicle chassis. The air tanks are strapped to the top of the frame in a triangular array in indentations in ridged ends. The pneumatic control elements are disposed in a staggered array within the housing. An indented cover panel, which receives the electrical computer components is secured to the bottom of the housing. The cover panel is permanently or removably attached to the bottom of the housing.