Friction pad assembly for a disc brake

Abstract

A caliper of a disc brake assembly includes a housing with a cavity configured to receive a disc brake of a disc brake assembly. The cavity includes opposing recesses configured to nest first and second friction pad and plate assemblies on opposite sides of the disc. A drive within the caliper housing advances the first friction pad assembly into contact with the disc along an advancement axis. A retaining structure for the first friction pad and plate assembly includes a pad retention clip attached to the housing within the cavity, the pad retention clip defining an elongate track extending along the advancement axis. A retention tab on a plate of the first friction pad and plate assembly is configured to snap fit with the pad retention clip and to move along the advancement axis within the elongate track as the first friction pad and plate assembly is advanced along the advancement axis by the caliper drive.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001] This application claims priority from United States Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 195,560, filed Apr. 6, 2000, entitled "Mechanical Disc Brake Caliper", the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002] The present invention is directed toward bicycle disc brakes, and more particularly toward a retaining structure for a friction pad and plate assembly of a caliper of a disc brake.BACKGROUND ART[0003] Disc brakes are being included on more and more bicycles as consumers are ever increasingly demonstrating a preference for disc brakes over conventional rim brakes such as caliper brakes, cantilever brakes and side pull cantilever brakes. Disc brakes typically include a friction pad and plate assembly which is operatively associated with a caliper of the disc brake assembly. More particularly, the caliper typically includes a cavity configured to receive a disc of the disc brake assembly, with the cavity having ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The first aspect of the present invention is a retaining structure for a friction pad and plate assembly of a caliper of a disc brake assembly. The caliper of the caliper disc brake assembly includes a housing with a cavity configured to receive a disc of the disc brake assembly. The cavity includes opposing recesses configured to nest first and second friction pad and plate assemblies on opposite sides of the disc. A drive within the caliper housing advances the pad of the first friction pad and plate assembly into contact with the disc along an advancement axis. The retaining structure includes a pad retention clip attached to the housing within the cavity. The pad retention clip defines an elongate track extending along the advancement axis. A retention tab on a plate of the first friction pad and plate assembly is configured to snap fit with the pad retention clip and to move along the advancement axis within the elongate track as the first friction pad and plate assembly is advanced along the advancement axis by the caliper drive. The retention clip preferably extends along the advancement axis substantially the same distance as the cavity mouth. Each plate of the first and second friction pad and plate assemblies has a retention tab and both the first and second pad and plate assemblies are snap fit into the same retention clip on opposite sides of the disc. The retaining structure preferably further includes a pressure foot associated with the caliper drive abutting a back side of the plate of the first pad and plate assembly opposite the pad. A keyed engagement structure between the pressure foot and the back side of the plate is brought into engagement by advancing the pad and plate assembly toward the pressure foot along the advancement axis with the keyed engagement structure, when engaged, preventing release of the pad and plate assembly from the pad retention clip by movement of the pad and plate assembly transverse the advancement axis. The plate of the pad and plate assembly may be made of a ferrous material and the pressure foot may includes a magnet to releasably attach the plate to the pressure foot.

[0008] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of releasably attaching a friction pad and plate assembly to a caliper of a disc brake assembly. The caliper has a housing with a cavity configured to receive a disc of the disc brake assembly. The cavity includes a mouth at a leading end for receiving first and second pad and plate assemblies on opposite sides of the disc received therein. A drive within the housing advances the pad of the first pad and plate assembly into contact with the disc along an advancement axis. The method includes providing a releasable snap fitting between the plate of the first friction pad and plate assembly and a wall of the caliper housing cavity. The releasable snap fitting, when engaged, permits movement of the pad and plate assembly along the advancement axis and resists movement of the pad and plate assembly along an engagement axis transverse the advancement axis. The method further includes providing a keyed fitting aligned along the advancement axis between a backside of the plate opposite the pad of the pad and plate assembly and a pressure foot associated with the caliper drive. The keyed fitting, when engaged, prevents movement of the pad and plate assembly along the engagement axis. The friction pad and plate assembly is advanced within the cavity along the engagement axis to engage the releasable snap fitting and then advanced within the cavity along the advancement axis to engage the keyed fitting.

[0009] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a backing plate of a pad and plate assembly for use with a caliper of a bicycle disc brake assembly. The backing plate includes a body having a leading planar surface for attachment to a brake pad. A handle is attached to and extends from the body. A structure is provided on the handle for enhancing gripping of the handle.

[0010] The retaining structure for a friction pad and plate assembly of the present invention allows for quick and easy installation and removal of the friction pad and plate assemblies. The structure also provides for secure engagement of the pad and plate assembly to the caliper. Once installed, inadvertent dislodging or misalignment of the pad and plate assembly with the disc removed is highly unlikely. This is particularly important when a wheel of the bicycle is removed, such as when the bicycle is attached to certain carrying racks. Notwithstanding the sure engagement, the pad and plate assembly can be quickly and easily disengaged from the caliper without tools by a simple two-step movement, first along an advancement axis and then along an engagement axis. The retaining structure consists of a minimum number of parts which can be inexpensively manufactured and readily assembled.

Problems solved by technology

The friction pad of the pad and plate assembly is intended to wear with use and the pad and plate assembly must be replaced from time to time.

While this later structure has the advantage of not requiring any tools to install and remove the friction pad and plate assembly, it does not adequately secure the pad and plate assembly to prevent unintentional disengagement or misalignment of the pad and plate assembly when the disc is not disposed between opposing recesses receiving the pad and plate assemblies.

Images