Brakes – Wheel – Axially movable brake element or housing therefor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-12
2001-07-10
Schwartz, Christopher P. (Department: 3613)
Brakes
Wheel
Axially movable brake element or housing therefor
C188S072400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257378
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to vehicle disc brake assemblies and in particular to an improved structure for a caliper adapted for use in such a vehicle disc brake assembly.
Most vehicles are equipped with a brake system for slowing or stopping movement of the vehicle in a controlled manner. A typical brake system for an automobile or light truck includes a disc brake assembly for each of the front wheels and either a drum brake assembly or a disc brake assembly for each of the rear wheels. The brake assemblies are actuated by hydraulic or pneumatic pressure generated when an operator of the vehicle depresses a brake pedal. The structures of these drum brake assemblies and disc brake assemblies, as well as the actuators therefor, are well known in the art.
A typical disc brake assembly includes a rotor which is secured to the wheel of the vehicle for rotation therewith. The rotor includes a pair of opposed friction plates which are selectively engaged by portions of a caliper assembly. The caliper assembly is slidably supported by pins secured to an anchor plate. The anchor plate is secured to a non-rotatable component of the vehicle, such as the vehicle frame. The caliper assembly includes a pair of brake shoes which are disposed on opposite sides of the rotor. The brake shoes are operatively connected to one or more hydraulically actuated pistons for movement between a non-braking position, wherein they are spaced apart from the opposed friction plates of the rotor, and a braking position, wherein they are moved into frictional engagement with the opposed friction plates of the rotor. When the operator of the vehicle depresses the brake pedal, the piston urges the brake shoes from the non-braking position to the braking position so as to frictionally engage the friction plates of the rotor and thereby slow or stop the rotation of the associated wheel of the vehicle.
In order to reduce the weight of the disc brake assembly, it is known to reduce the weight of the caliper assembly of the disc brake assembly. Specifically, it is known to reduce the weight of an associated caliper of the caliper assembly. However, during braking, the caliper must be sufficiently stiff to withstand the braking forces which are generated. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a reduced weight caliper structure which was simple and economical, yet sufficiently stiff to withstand braking forces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved structure for a caliper adapted for use in a vehicle disc brake assembly. The caliper is preferably formed from aluminum and includes an inboard leg portion and an outboard leg portion interconnected by an intermediate bridge portion. The intermediate bridge portion defines a pair of opposed lateral sides. A recess is provided in each of the lateral sides of the intermediate bridge portion of the caliper. Each of the recesses defines a lower rib and an upper rib. The lower rib extends uninterrupted from the inboard leg portion to the outboard leg portion of the caliper. The upper rib extends uninterrupted and inwardly from the outboard leg portion to the inboard leg portion of the caliper and at an acute angle relative to the lower rib. As a result, a relatively lightweight caliper structure is provided.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3245500 (1966-04-01), Hambling et al.
patent: 3435922 (1969-04-01), Schmid
patent: 3734243 (1973-05-01), Girauldon
patent: 4072214 (1978-02-01), Haraikawa et al.
patent: 4509619 (1985-04-01), Baynes et al.
patent: 5181588 (1993-01-01), Emmons
patent: 5249649 (1993-10-01), Emmons
patent: 5535856 (1996-07-01), McCormick et al.
patent: 5785156 (1998-07-01), Warwick et al.
patent: 5957245 (1999-09-01), Anger et al.
patent: 1016565 (1966-01-01), None
patent: 1155647 (1969-06-01), None
Evans Anthony C.
Girkin Robert I.
Traub George S.
Kelsey Hayes Company
MacMillan Sobanski & Todd LLC
Schwartz Christopher P.
Talavera Melanie
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