Abstract: An integrated axle spindle and brake spider assembly for axles of heavy duty vehicles such as trucks, and trailer axles. The assembly is a one-piece member comprising a cylindrical hollow axle spindle and a brake spider extending radially outwardly from the axle spindle. The brake spider includes an actuator support plate provided with a support opening for a brake actuator cam shaft, and a pivoting end support plate provided with a pair of pivot pin bores receiving brake shoe supporting pivot pins. The integrated axle spindle and brake spider assembly is manufactured from a single steel alloy billet as a one-piece forging. The one-piece assembly reduces the overall weight of the component, cost of manufacturing, and improves positioning accuracy of brake components and structural integrity.

Abstract: A shock absorber (13) is provided between the anchor (9) and the ends (2b, 3b) of the brake shoes (2, 3) facing the anchor (9) to reduce the impact noise between the brake shoe and the anchor.

Abstract: The drum brake has a brake support plate which is divided into a supporting body (10) and a back plate (22). The supporting body (10) has a central ring (12) for centering and securing to an axle housing of a vehicle, and an abutment carrier (16) against which brake shoes (38) can bear in a circumferential direction. The brake shoes (38) can bear against the back plate (22) in an axial direction. At the supporting body (10) a mounting means (20) for a wheel speed sensor (46) and a rest (56) for a jacket (58) of a brake cable (60) are additionally formed.

Abstract: A brake support assembly for a vehicle including a stamped metal spider having a planar mounting portion and a pair of diametrically opposed support portions. A first support portion includes a first pair of ribs extending along opposite edges thereof as involuted ribs. A second support portion includes a second pair of ribs extending along opposite edges thereof to form flanges. A bracket extends across and connects the first pair of ribs. The bracket and the first support portion of the spider include laterally spaced apertures which receive press fit sleeve-type bushings. Anchor pins disposed in said sleeve-type bushings carry one end of a pair of brake shoes each comprised of a pair of spaced generally parallel webs secured to a table. The opposite end of the brake shoes is supported by cam follower rollers. Springs bias the brake shoes into contact with a cam actuator which may be rotated to displace the brake shoes.

Abstract: A backing plate is formed by way of a liquid metal forging process or a die-casting process by using an aluminum alloy or an aluminum-based composite material. Essential portions to which forces are applied are formed with a large thickness, and the remaining portions with a small thickness. In addition, as another embodiment, iron pieces are embedded in portions to which forces are applied or which are liable to be worn.

Abstract: A brake spider for a braking system on over the road trailers. The brake spider is to be welded to a tubular axle of the vehicle and is of composite construction. An inner annular member is formed from a pair of rolled, semi-circular steel plates which are joined end to end to form a circular hub. An outer member is cast from ductile cast iron. The inner member includes apertures disposed about the circumference and extend through the hub such that the cast iron fills the apertures and mechanically interlocks the two members together as a composite of cast iron and steel. Because the inner hub portion is steel, it can readily be welded to the vehicle axle. A method of casting the spider of this construction is disclosed including an alternative which uses hollow tubular steel, pierced to form apertures, and sliced to provide the circular inner member.

Abstract: An anchor pin for a brake band having a reaction surface which provides at least a line of contact between itself and the surface of the brake band anchor bracket and also allows the pin to be oriented such that its centerline need not pass through the center of the brake drum. The reaction surface angle relative to the centerline of the pin is defined by a plane which includes the axis of rotation of the drum and a point of contact between the brake band and the pin. The reaction surface is normal to the direction of force applied by the brake band.

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: 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 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 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: 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: An improved spider assembly (46) for expanding shoe drum brakes (10) of the type utilizing cantilever mounted anchor pin members (18) is provided. The anchor pin includes a pivot surface portion (62) and a slightly enlarged headed portion (66) extending from the outboard side of the spider member (14). A specially configured washer (80) is slidably received upon the pivot surface portion of the anchor pin and is of a sufficient outer diameter (82) to axially retain the brake shoe webs (26) upon the anchor pin. The washer (80) is provided with a radially extending portion (94) and an axially extending portion (84) extending from the outer periphery of the radially extending portion at a diameter (86) greater than the outer diameter (88) of the anchor pin.

Abstract: A drum brake spider assembly (100) for an expanding shoe drum brake (10) having a removable anchor pin (18) is provided. A spider member (14) is provided with an anchor pin receiving bore (39) in which the anchor pin is removably received. The anchor pin receiving bore is provided with a first counterbore (114) at the inboard end thereof and a second counterbore (118) at the outboard end thereof. The anchor pin is provided with two annular grooves (122 and 124) in which are received first and second snap rings (128 and 130). The diameter (116) of the first counterbore is smaller than the outer diameter of the first snap ring when the snap ring is radially expanded sufficiently to remove same from the first groove in the anchor pin.

Abstract: An improved spider-anchor pin assembly (14) for a drum brake (10) is provided. The improved assembly includes a stamped sheet metal spider body (42) and a one-piece forged anchor pin piece (46) removably attached to the spider body by a plurality of threaded fasteners (82, 84). Preferably, the anchor pin piece is symetrical about a plane (P) extending normal to the axis of the anchor pin sections (94 and 96) and bisecting of the flange section (76) thereof.

Abstract: An anchor pin assembly (100) for a drum brake (10) is provided. The anchor pin assembly is mountable to a drum brake spider (14) provided with an anchor pin receiving bore (34). The assembly includes two anchor pin pieces (102 and 104) having inclined ramps (116 and 118) formed on the inner ends thereof, an expansion member (120) having mating ramps (122 and 124) formed thereon and a bolt (132) and nut (138) for applying an axially inward compressive force to the pieces to cause radially outward expansion of the expansion member.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly includes a pair of brake shoes (16, 18) which are movable by a hydraulic actuator (14) to a braking position. A parking brake lever assembly (24) is operable to also move the pair of brake shoes to the braking position. An anchor assembly (40) is attached to a backing plate (12) and is engageable with the pair of brake shoes to either absorb braking torque during a service brake application, or impart movement from one brake shoe to the other during a parking brake application. The anchor assembly includes a connecting member (44) engageable with the pair of brake shoes and rotatable in response to operation of the parking brake lever assembly to a released position on the anchor assembly (40).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brake shoe and brake assembly for automotive vehicles, comprising a pair of brake shoes (14) having ends pivotably mounted on a brake spider (12), and a actuator cam (26) located between the opposite ends of the brake shoes (14). The webs (24) of brake shoes (14) have adequate apertures in the pivoting ends, to engage rotational anchor pins (16). The apertures have radial sections and lateral flats to engage radial sections and lateral flats in the ends of the anchor pins (16). The apertures form slidable, but not rotational, connections with anchor pins (16), to support brake shoes (14), and allow a pivoting movement of brake shoes (14), through anchor pins (16), when an application and release of the brake is effected.

Abstract: A brake support assembly to be mounted on a vehicle axle housing for supporting a brake shoe assembly and an actuator therefor comprising a backing plate adapted to be fixedly mounted on a vehicle axle housing and two anchoring plates removably attached to the backing plate for pivotally supporting the brake assembly. Each anchoring plate includes projections which correspond to bores in the backing plate for positioning the anchoring plate at a predetermined position on the backing plate whereby the anchoring plate may be removed and replaced while maintaining a constant positioning of the brake assembly. In a first embodiment, the anchoring plate includes integral projections extending therefrom. In a second embodiment, the anchoring plate includes a tapered bore extending therethrough for supporting a pin. The pin extends from the plate defining the projection which corresponds with the bore in the backing plate.

Abstract: An anchor plate is disclosed for a drum brake assembly having a backing plate and a pair of brake shoes arranged in end-to-end relationship thereon. The anchor plate engages a knob integral with the backing plate, the knob extending from the backing plate a distance to extend into the plane defined by the brake shoe webs. The backing plate knob defines a pair of knob faces, each knob face facing a corresponding brake shoe web. Disposed in overlying and force-fit engagement with the knob is an anchor plate of thin material having a planar surface and two substantially perpendicular tabs extending therefrom. The tabs define load bearing surfaces for receiving the brake shoe webs. The tabs are spaced apart a distance equal to, but preferably slightly less than, the distance between the knob faces for snug intereference fit therewith. The planar top surface of the anchor plate has, integral therewith, retaining tabs extending substantially parallel to, and overlying the brake shoe webs.

Abstract: A brake assembly including a pair of brake shoes having adjacent ends pivotally mounted to a support and an actuator disposed between the ends of the brake shoes. The brake shoe webs are recessed at one end to engage a fixed anchor pin. The recess provides an arcuate bearing surface adapted to bear against a portion of the pin and permit pivoting movement of the brake shoe about the pin as the brake is actuated and released. The recess is also so oriented relative to the pin that the recess abuts the pin and prevents the brake shoe from moving away from the anchor pin. The brake assembly also includes an anchor pin having axially spaced cylindrical bearing areas adapted to radially, slidably receive the open ended recesses of a dual web brake shoe and a pair of oppositely facing surfaces extending radially outward at axially spaced locations on the pin to abut the brake shoe webs and prevent the anchor pin from being axially displaced from the support.

Abstract: A pin type floating caliper disc brake for an automotive vehicle is disclosed in which the brake shoe assemblies transfer the braking torque directly to the anchor plate support. The caliper containing the hydraulic actuation piston is slidably supported upon pins extended inboard of the anchor plate support and carries no braking torque. The caliper assembly in combination with the anchor plate support are configured to permit brake shoe assemblies of varying areas and thickness and to accommodate solid or vented rotor designs without modification to the caliper or anchor plate support. The rotor may readily be removed without removal of the anchor plate support.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly includes a backing plate which supports a pair of brake shoes and a hydraulic actuator cooperates with the pair of brake shoes to move the latter to a braking position. An anchor pin extends from the backing plate to oppose torque developed by the pair of brake shoes during braking. In order to align the pair of brake shoes with the hydraulic actuator, a single clip is carried by the anchor pin and the clip opposes axial movement between the backing plate and the pair of brake shoes opposes separation between the backing plate and the hydraulic actuator. In an alternative embodiment the single clip forms a hook at one end to releasably engage the backing plate.

Abstract: In an internal shoe-drum brake a thrust transmitting member is interposed between a shoe-end and an abutment for that shoe-end. The thrust transmitting member has a planar face engaging with the abutment and an arcuate face which is received in a complementary recess of arcuate outline in the shoe-end.

Abstract: The brake assembly in an air brake system where the brake shoes have double mounting flanges is simplified both as to ease of assembly/disassembly and as to number of conponents by anchoring each brake shoe so that, in operative position, it is fixedly pivoted on an anchor pin but may be pivoted out of operative position around the anchor pin to a position in which it may be disengaged therefrom.

Abstract: A weight transfer rail traction vehicle adapted for travel on alternate sets of rail or road wheels which is characterized by a number of features including: a spring and shock absorber system which cooperate to maintain the springs, while in a rail travel mode, in an active condition despite substantial weight transfer loads being placed thereon; a hydraulic system which enables the differential axles to be optionally spring supported to the frame or in a rigid fixed relationship therewith; a differential axle suspension system wherein the spring supported axle moves in a substantially vertical plane without lateral shifting; a shock absorbing coupler; a coupler mounting arrangement which includes a coupler carriage directly mounted to a lateral frame member of the vehicle which serves as a guideway for directing travel of the coupler carriage and hence the coupler mounted thereto in a horizontal direction and wherein the coupler itself is mounted for vertical movement with respect to the coupler carriage; a

Abstract: A drum brake for a motor vehicle includes a backing plate secured to a nonrotatable portion of the motor vehicle. The backing plate mounts a hydraulic actuator which, in turn, carries a pair of brake shoes. The backing plate includes a first portion that attaches to the nonrotatable portion of the motor vehicle and a second portion that extends radially from the first portion. The second portion includes an opening and the hydraulic actuator extends into the opening for mounting the same on the second portion. The pair of brake shoes define a space therebetween and the backing plate is radially disposed substantially within the space. A shield engages the backing plate and extends radially past the pair of brake shoes to engage the pair of brake shoes in order to guide the radial expansion of the latter during braking.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly for a vehicle wheel includes an axle housing flange extending upwardly and provided with an opening through which the wheel cylinder hydraulic line input and bleed fittings extend. A thin wall backing plate is secured to the flange and supports the wheel cylinder but does not take brake torque. The anchor pin is assembled through the backing plate directly to the flange, also fastening the backing plate to the flange at this point. This provides a precise anchor pin location with the anchor pin also acting as a braking unit mounting bolt, taking the place of two mounting bolts in common usage. A pair of backing plate mounting bolts generally opposite the anchor pin also secure the backing plate to the flange. The wheel cylinder is retained on the backing plate by a wire clip instead of the commonly used mounting bolts. The brake shoes, springs and other control elements are mounted on the backing plate in the usual manner.