Abstract: A disk brake having elements which enable the friction pads to retract together with the pistons when the braking fluid pressure is released, and which can also suppress brake squeaks. In order to retract the friction pads together with the pistons, first and second shims are disposed between the pad and the pistons on each side of the disk. The first shim, provided near the pad, has first claws gripping the back plate of the pad. The second shim, provided near the pistons, has third claws resiliently engaging the pistons. The first or second shims have second claws resiliently gripping the other shims so that the first and second shims can slide relative to each other in the radial direction of the disk.

Abstract: A disc brake arrangement for motor vehicles is disclosed which comprises at least two brake pads (4,5) supported by a brake yoke (1), one side of said pads exhibiting a friction surface (11), which is arranged to face towards a rotatable brake disc (3). In a vehicle braking position, each brake unit is brought to an active position by means of two actuators (8,9) which act against the second side (10) of said brake unit. Thereby, each actuator exhibits an end portion (21) which is intended to transfer movement of the actuators from each respective second side of the brake pad to each respective brake pad. On the second side, each brake pad exhibits a first coupling member (27,28), arranged for each actuator. The end portions of the actuators exhibit second coupling members (37,38) for positioning of the brake pads.

Abstract: A brake shoe includes two rails each having an arcuate body with prong-receiving notches defined therein, as well as anchor-receiving notches defined therein. A strut-forming anchor element extends between the two rails and has threaded ends that extend through holes defined through the rail bodies in the anchor-receiving notches. Two brake pad supporting plates are mounted on the rails and each has two prongs adjacent to each rail body in position to be received in the prong-receiving notches. Anchors are mounted on the brake pad supporting plates to be received in the anchor-receiving notches and have holes defined therethrough. The ends of the strut-forming anchor elements are received through the holes in the rails and the holes defined through the anchors and have nuts threadably attached thereto to attach the strut-forming elements to the rails. One form of the rail has the anchor-receiving notches omitted and the prong-receiving notches defined completely through the rail body.

Abstract: A brake shoe assembly is formed by precision stamping a net shaped web blank having a series of tabs projecting outward therefrom and stamping a corresponding table member provided with tab receiving apertures and bending the table member into a semi-cylindrical segment. The web blank and the table are assembled causing the web tabs and table apertures to be interlocked securely locating the parts temporarily prior to the cooperating tabs and apertures being permanently joined together using a hot staking process without any portion thereof extending substantially beyond the outer semi-cylindrical surface of the table.

Abstract: A brake shoe assembly is formed by precision stamping a net shaped web blank out of steel forming a series of tabs projecting outward therefrom, stamping a corresponding table member provided with tab receiving apertures, and bending the table member into a semi-cylindrical segment. The web blank and the table are assembled causing the web tabs and table apertures to be interlocked securely locating the parts temporarily together. The cooperating tabs and projections are then permanently joined together using a hot staking process which quickly heats, radially deforms and self quenches the tab to metallurgically strength the joint.

Abstract: A friction brake includes a friction disk assembly having high dynamic stability against undesired vibration during a braking event. The friction disk assembly comprises an annular structural carrier of carbon and/or ceramic or other suitable structual material, preferably a fiber reinforced composite material, including a plurality of recessed regions and torque drive notches spaced around its circumferential direction, and a friction lining of carbon and/or ceramic or other suitable structural material, preferably a fiber reinforced composite material, mounted on the carrier, the friction lining having a flat wear (rubbing) face and an obverse face including raised areas corresponding to and matingly engaging the recessed regions of the carrier to prevent rotation of the lining relative to the carrier. The lining may be formed of of virgin or recycled carbon, ceramic or other suitable friction material. The lining may be retained to the carrier by mechanical fasteners such as rivets or clips.

Abstract: An open-top disc brake can prevent brake pads from being dragged by a piston while the brake is not applied by causing the pads to follow the piston, and permits easy replacement of the pads. Shims are provided between the pads and the pistons. The shims have first claws engaged with grooves formed in the pistons, and second claws engaged with the front face of a backing plate of each pad. The second claws comprise claws that engage both ends of the pad with respect to the tangential direction of the disc, and claws that engage the edge of the pad on the radially inner side of the disc. The piston retracting force imparted to each piston by its piston seal is transmitted to the pad through the shim, so that the pad is separated substantially entirely from the disc.

Abstract: A brake shoe assembly is formed by precision stamping a net shaped web blank having a series of tabs projecting outward therefrom and stamping a corresponding table member provided with tab receiving apertures and bending the table member into a semi-cylindrical segment. The web blank and the table are assembled causing the web tabs and table apertures to be interlocked securely locating the parts temporarily prior to the cooperating tabs and apertures being permanently joined together using a hot staking process without any portion thereof extending substantially beyond the outer semi-cylindrical surface of the table.

Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly where the actuator tube is positioned in a relief portion formed in the periphery of a brake spider and a pair of separated return springs are respectively attached to a pair of brake shoes pivotably mounted to the spider where an actuator mounting flange is positioned against a shoulder formed in the actuator tube. The brake assembly overall size is minimized for use in a reduced diameter wheel while maximizing the travel of the brake shoes using a cam type actuator.

Abstract: A novel brake shoe assembly is provided with a brake shoe table having a generally arcuate friction material support surface, a friction material preform supported by the brake shoe table friction material support surface and having a peripheral side groove, fixed retainer clips mounted on the brake shoe table and engaging the friction material form groove, and relatively rotatable retainer clips removably and threadably mounted on the brake shoe table, engaging the friction material form groove, and imparting additional clamping forces to said friction material preform when being tightened and rotated counterclockwise relative to the brake shoe table.

Abstract: A composition type brake shoe for a railroad car in which the backing plate keybridge is filled with composition brake lining material to reinforce the keybridge. A recess formed in the braking face of the brake lining extends beyond the keybridge so that a relatively thin area of brake lining is formed between the recess and backing plate outboard of the keybridge opening, and to which thin section area cracks that may develop in the brake lining are encouraged to migrate in order to redirect backing plate flexure away from the critical keybridge area to a stronger area of the backing plate.

Abstract: A friction disk assembly comprises an annular structural carrier including a plurality of recessed regions and torque drive notches spaced around its circumferential direction, and a friction lining mounted on the carrier, the friction lining having a flat wear (rubbing) face and an obverse face including raised areas corresponding to and matingly engaging the recessed regions of the carrier to prevent rotation of the lining relative to the carrier. The carrier may be formed of steel or other suitable structural material. The lining may be formed of virgin or recycled carbon, ceramic or other suitable friction material. The lining may be retained to the carrier by rivets. The lining may be provided with a structural casing configured to engage the recessed regions of the carrier. The assembly may be refurbished by simple replacement of the worn lining. The carrier and the lining may be formed as unitary annular members or as segments of annular members.

Abstract: A brake shoe assembly is formed by precision stamping a net shaped web blank having a series of tabs projecting outward therefrom and stamping a corresponding table member provided with tab receiving apertures and bending the table member into a semi-cylindrical segment. The web blank and the table are assembled causing the web tabs and table apertures to be interlocked securely locating the parts temporarily prior to the cooperating tabs and apertures being permanently joined together without any portion thereof extending substantially beyond the outer semi-cylindrical surface of the table.

Abstract: A brake return spring retention system for a cast brake shoe where a slot is located on the inside rib of the brake shoe having a width which exceeds that of a spring hook formed on one end of a brake return spring where the spring hook passes into the slot and engages a spring retention pin which is positioned transverse to the slot.

Abstract: A drum brake shoe is provided by fine blanking the brake shoe web (50) so that the web (50) has radially extending weld projections (60) at a circumferential edge (52), with a radial recess (62) disposed on each side of a weld projection (60). As a brake shoe rim (40) is fed through a welding and forming mechanism (65), a flat surface (41) of the rim (40) engages a radially extending weld projection (60) and a weld is effected. Welding wheels (90, 100) of the mechanism (65) rotate to bend the rim (40) and engage the rim (40) with the next weld projection as a weld is effected between the rim (40) and web (50). The manufacturing method will provide a more consistent welding process that will result in a higher percentage of quality welds and less scrappage.

Abstract: A brake shoe mounting assembly is provided for a brake mechanism mounted within an axle housing located on the inboard side of a wheel mechanism and having an arcuate brake drum assembly mounted therein. The mounting assembly includes an arcuate brake shoe disposed in the housing for confronting the brake drum assembly and an actuator apparatus mounted in the housing and being engageable with the brake shoe and responsive to engagement of the brake pedal for expanding the brake shoe into frictional engagement with the brake drum. The actuator and the brake shoe are interconnected for sliding and in particular, a slotted beam assembly is attached to either one of the actuator and the brake shoe and an insertion assembly is attached to the other. The slotted assembly extends in an inboard direction and slidably receives the insertion assembly.

Abstract: A drum brake shoe is provided with a plurality of reinforcements which are arranged at irregular intervals on the inner periphery of a rim.

Abstract: A brake shoe assembly for a vehicle includes a generally arcuate platform, to which a pad of friction lining is attached, and which is selectively connectable to a pair of supporting webs. Each web has a plurality of radially extending peripheral projections received by corresponding slots provided in the platform. Clamp members are provided for pressing the webs against the platform such that the projections and slots cooperate to locate the webs immovably on the platform. The platform and friction lining may thereby be removed from the webs while the webs remain installed within the brake drum of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improvement in mounting brake shoes on disk brakes for railroad cars in which securing member is mounted beneath the open ended groove in the brake assembly to which the shoe is mounted. The securing member moves a predetermined longitudinal distance after being unbolted from the brake assembly, is pivotable relative thereto. The securing member has an anchoring pin protruding therefrom on which a brake shoe may rest as it is being lowered from the brake assembly so that a single person can change a heavy brake shoe without fear of injury.

Abstract: The attachment device incorporates a bearing zone (78) and a projection (80) formed in the web (16) of a shoe of a drum brake. A portion (68) of the component (46) to be attached to the shoe is retained in a working position between the bearing zone (78) and the projection (80) by a spring (82).

Abstract: A brake shoe structure which provides resiliency and increased lateral strength at at least one end of the table of a fabricated brake shoe. A portion of the web at that one end of the brake shoe is spaced inward from the radially inner surface of the table to provide a relief area to accommodate deformation of the table at that end of the brake shoe under dynamic braking conditions. The table at that end of the brake shoe extends longitudinally beyond the circumferential edge of the web where it is formed as a lip extending laterally across the table and radially inwardly to provide lateral strength to that end of the brake shoe table.