April 3, 1956 A. R.

TRAHERN, JR 2,740,498
FLOATING SHOE BRAKE
Filed Nov. 16, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l

BY
224 2227 i
INVENTOR.
April 3, 1956 A. R. TRAHERN, JR 2,740,498
FLOATING SHOE BRAKE
Filed Nov. 6, 195 2. Sheets-Sheet 2

INVENTOR.

BY
 United States Patent Office 2,740,498
Patented Apr. 3, 1956
2
this particular brake assembly being primarily adapted for
the rear wheels of a rear drive motor vehicle or the like;
2,743,498 Fig. 1A is a sectional elevational view taken along the
line 1A-1A of Fig. 1;
FOATING SHOE BRAKE 5 Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of
Arlie R. Trahern, Jr., Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich, as a brake assembly embodying another form of this inven
signor to Chrysler Corporation, Highlafad Park, Vich., tion, this particular brake assembly comprising two lead
a corporation of Delaware ing shoes and being primarily adapted for the front wheels
of a rear drive motor vehicle or the like;
Application November 16, 1951, Serial No. 256,706 10 Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken along the
9 Claims. (Cl. 188-78) line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing the araringement of one of
the
bly;
brake shoe return springs in the Fig. 2 brake assem -
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational view taken
This invention relates to so-called "floating shoe' brake 15 line 4-4 of Fig. 2 showing the arrangement of a brake
along the
assemblies including the "sliding anchor' type of brake as shoe centering spring in the Fig. 2 brake assembly.
sembly and particularly to the arrangement of the brake Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the brake shoe
shoe return springs in brake assemblies of the aforemen return spring anchor brackets utilized in the brake as
tioned types. - sembly shown in Fig. 2; and
It is a primary object of this invention to arrange the 20 Fig. 6 is a graph that demonstrates the advantages ob
brake shoe return springs in so-called "floating shoe” tained with application of this invention to "floating shoe'
brake assemblies such that the return springs will not brakes over conventional brake shoe return spring ar
exert forces on the brake shoes that would tend to alter rangements that provide uncontrolled brake drum engag
the predetermined desired manner of movement of the ing movement.
shoes whereby equal unit braking pressures are obtained 25 Fig. 1 of the drawings discloses a "floating shoe' brake
along the shoes during all braking. assembly comprising an annular support or backing plate
t is a further object of this invention to provide an 10 having a wheel axle receiving opening 11 at the center
arrangement of brake shoe return springs in a so-called
"fioating shoe" or "sliding anchor" brake assembly where on an axlePlate
thereof. i0, that is adapted to be rigidly mounted
by the shoe return springs will not exert forces on the 30 wheel cylinder 12 9mounted
carrier or the like, has a brake shoe actuating
thereon adjacent a peripheral
shoes during braking actuation thereof that will alter the portion thereof. Wheel cylinder 12 is of the opposed
predetermined initial rolling of the brake shoes into drum piston type wherein pressurized fluid is admitted to the
engagei ment. centrally located portion of the cylinderbore 16 through
it is still another object of this invention to provide an
arrangement of brake shoe return springs in a so-called 35 bore 16 forces the opposed pistons 14 and 15 apart sotoasthe
an inlet port 13. Admission of pressurized fluid
to
"floating shoe' brake assembly whereby the shoe return provide the brake shoe applying force.
springs will not exert forces on the brake shoes during Mounted on the backing plate 10, in diametrically op
drum engaging movement thereof that will interfere with
or alter either the initial rolling of the shoes into engage anchorrelation
posed to the wheel cylinder 2, is a brake shoe
ment with the brake drum or the subsequent substantially 40 block ofmember 8. Anchor member 18 comprises a
rigid material of more or less trapezoidal periph
radially directed sliding movement of the shoe heel por eral configuration having symmetrically arranged, op
tions along the heel engaged surfaces of the brake shoe posed sides or ramp surfaces 19 and 20 that are substan
anchor members as the braking forces are increased. tially flat and smooth and converge towards the center of
it is still another object of this invention to provide an the backing plate 10. The anchor member 18 is fixedly
arrangement of brake shoe return springs in a so-called connected to the backing plate 10 by the rivet connector
"floating shoe" brake assembly whereby the shoe return 45 2.
springs will not exert forces on the brake shoes that will Extending between each of the wheel cylinder pistons
tend to cause any relative siding between the shoe heel 4, 15 and one of the ramp surfaces 9 or 20 of the
portions and the heel engaged surfaces of the shoe anchor anchor member 18 is an arcuately shaped brake shoe
members during either shoe expanding or shoe retracting 25 or 26. Brake shoes 25 and 26 are identical in construc
novement.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an 50 described.
tion and for that reason only shoe 25 will be specifically
From Fig. 1A it is apparent that the brake
arrangement of brake shoe return springs and brake shoe shoe 25 is of substantially T-shaped cross sectional con
drum clearance adjusting means in a so-called "floating figuration and is composed of an arcuately formed, strip
shoe' brake assembly wherein both the shoe return springs like, rim portion 27 and a flat, arcuate shaped, web por
and the shoe adjusting means are located so as to prevent 5 5 tion 28 that extends normal to the rim portion 26 along
the development of forces on the brake shoes other than the longitudinally extending center line thereof. The toe
forces that might cause rolling movement of the shoes portion 31 of the brake shoe 25 has the end edge 32 there
about their respective anchor member contact points. of connected to the wheel cylinder 4 through a thrust
It is still another object of this invention to arrange transmitting link 33. The heel portion 35 of brake shoe
the eccentrically mounted brake shoe clearance adjusting 60 25 has the end edge 36thereof formed as an arcuate Sur
means of a "floating shoe" brake assembly such that it face adapted for rolling, as well as sliding movement,
will not cause relative sliding between the associated brake along the ramp surface 9 of the anchor member 18.
shoe heel portion and the shoe anchor member when the The outer surface of the brake shoe rim portion 27 is
shoe is engaged with the clearance adjusting means in covered for the most part of its length with a friction
shoe retracted position. 65 lining 39.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will be Extending concentrically about the line rims 27 of the
come readiy apparent from a review of the following de brake shoes 25, 26 is a brake drum flange portion 40.
scription thereof and a consideration of the drawings re On brake application pressurized fluid admitted to the
lating thereto wherein: wheel cylinder bore 16 forces the pistons 14, 15 apart
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a 70 and this piston motion rolls or rotates the heel ends 36,
brake assembly embodying one form of this invention, 37 of shoes 25, 26 along the ramp surfaces 19, 20 of the
 ?,740,498
3 4
anchor member 18 until the lined rims 27 of the shoes 19, 20 during either brake shoe expansion or retraction.
25, 26 engage the inner surface of the drum flange 4t Accordingly, the brake shoes 25, 26 are rolled into en
along the full length of the linings 39. Thereafter some gagement with brake drum 40 in a manner that provides
sliding movement of the shoe heel portion end edges 36, drum engagement along the full length of the linings 39.
37 along the anchor ramp surfaces i9, 20 may occur ) This overall engagement of the linings 39 with the drum
as the drum flange 40 and the lined shoe rims 21 auto 40 results in low unit braking pressures. As the brake
matically adjust themselves to each other during braking applying forces increase, the linings 39 on the somewhat
engagement. As the drum flange 40 and the shoes 25, flexible shoes 25, 26 are forced against the somewhat
26 are usually of such materials and design as to be flexible drum flange 40 with the result that the drum
somewhat elastic and flexible, there will be minute changes flange 49 and/or the shoes 25, 26 may be deformed
in configuration of the concentrically arraged, engaged slightiy. Notwithstanding, all areas of the linings 39
elements 40, 27 during brake application. These changes remain in frictional engagement with the drum 49 and
in configuration and the accompanying shift of the shoe the unit braking pressures along the linings 39 are uniform
heel edges 36, 37 along the ramps i9, 20 insure contact and relatively low. During the deformation of the shoes
of the linings 39 with the inner surface of drum 40 and/or the drum, the shoe heel portion end edges 36,
throughout the entire exposed area of the shoe linings 37 may slide along the anchor block ramp surfaces i9,
39. This gives maximum braking with minimum unit 26 until they automatically adjust themselves to the change
lining pressures and insures the best brake with the least in shape of the drum flange 40 and/or shoes 25, 26. YM
amount of, as well as uniform, shoe lining wear. On release of the brake applying forces the elasticity of
The inner edges of the shoe webs 28, adjacent the toe the flexible shoes 25, 26 and/or drum 40 causes these
portions 3i, are each formed with a co-planar, inwardly engaged elements to first return to their more or less
extending finger 44 having an edge surface 45 that is normal shapes or configurations with accompanying slid
adapted to be engaged by an eccentrically mounted, ro ing of the shoe heels 36, 37 along the ramps 19, 20.
tatable pin 46. Rotation of the mounting for pin 46 Thereafter, the shoes 25, 26 return by rotative or rolling
will provide for adjustment of the clearance between movement about the ramps 19, 20 to their inormally re
the shoe linings 39 and the inner surface of the drum tracted positions. As a result of the return springs 50
flange 49 when the brake shoes are in brake released or being positioned so as not to cause sliding of the shoc
retracted positions. The location of the pins 46 and their heel portions 36, 37 along the anchor block ramp sur
points of contact 47 with the finger edge surfaces 45 is . faces 9, 20, during either brake shoe expansion or brake
based upon the same geometry used in locating the return shoe retraction, the shoes are always positioned for initial
springs for the brake shoe mounting as will be more rolling movement into drum engagement with the initial
clearly brought out in the subsequent description. drum engagement being along all face portions of the
One of the basic features of this invention involves linings. This insures a substantially noiseless, readily
the specific location of the brake shoe return springs 50 controllable, easily applied brake. In addition the shoes
are always positioned for easy adjustment by the eccentrics
with relation to the geometry of the other brake shoe
supporting elements. It will be noted that the line of 46, and the lining wear will be uniform so as to give
action of the wheel cylinder piston 14 relative to the brake long brake life.
shoe 25 is along the line 5. Also, it will be noted that In applying the principles of this invention, it has been
the line of reaction between anchor member 18 and the () established that the same reasoning that applied in deter
heel portion 35 of the shoe 25 is along the line 52 that is mining the optimum location of the shoe return springs
normal to the anchor block ramp surface 19 at the con 50 is also beneficial in determining the optimum location
tact point 41. The lines of action and reaction 51, 52 of the shoe clearance adjusting eccentrics 46 and their
for shoe 25 intersect at a point 53. it has been established engaged shoe surfaces 45. By having the surface 45 on
that improved brakes of the "floating shoe' type are the shoe web finger 44 project at such an angie that a
achieved if the brake shoe return springs are positioned tact normal 60 to this surface 45, through the point of con
such that they do not interfere with the normal rolling 47 of this surface with the pin 46, passes through the
drum engaging movement of the shoe heels 36, 37 along intersection 53 of the action and reaction lines 5i, 52,
the improved geometry of the brake is maintained and the ,
the anchor block ramp surfaces 19, 29. Each brake shoe
return spring 50 is so located in this brake assembly that eccentric clearance adjusting pins 46 will not cause rela
tive sliding between the heel end edges 36, 37 and the
its line of action 54 intersects the point of intersection anchor block ramp surfaces 19, 20 during either brake
53 of the lines of force 51, 52 for the respective brake
shoes 25, 26. shoe adjustment or brake shoe retraction. As the shoes
Return springs 50 are each connected by their hook-like are adjusted they will be rolled about their anchor block
ends between openings 55 in the shoe webs 27 and open contact points 41 on the ramps 19, 20. On shoe retraction
by the return springs 50, engagement of the finger surfaces
ings 56 in a plate 57 that is mounted on the central por 45 with pins 46 will not tend to shift the contact points
tion of the backing piate it. Rivet-like connectors, 58
fixedly mount the spring anchor plate 57 on the backing 4i of the shoe heels 36, 37 with the ramps 19, 20 nor
plate it. As the shoe anchor member 18 is positioned block cause sliding of the shoe heels 36, 37 along the anchor
between the plates i0 and 57, it is obvious that the heel 60 return ramp surfaces is, 20. It should be noted that the
springs 50 must be so positioned as to press the
portions 35 of the brake shoes 25, 26 are sandwiched shoe heels 36, 37 against the ramp 19, 26 with such a
between the plates 10 and 57 so as to be guidingly retained
in their proper positions and prevented from tilting or force that when the shoes are in retracted positions the
cocking. A pair of J-shaped spring elements 59 may be coefficient of friction between the shoe heels 36, 37 and
mounted on the backing plate 10 and engaged with the the ramp surfaces 19, 20 will prevent movement of the
webs 28 of the shoes to further assist in centering the shoe heels along the ramps 19, 20 by wheel vibration,
shoes. gravity forces or the like. The shoes are thus maintained
With the return spring arrangement herein disclosed it in their optimum location for effective braking. -
is thought to be apparent that on brake application the . While Fig. 1 shows the lines of action 51, 52, 54 an
return springs 50 will exert forces along the force lines 60 of the forces applied to the shoe 25 as all passing
54 and these forces will not alter the manner of rolling through the single intersection point 53, it is to be under
of the shoe heel portions 36, 37 along the anchor block stood that this is the ideal situation but that this invention
ramp surfaces 19, 26 respectively. Furthermore, springs is not to be so restricted but is intended to cover suitable
56 will not cause any relative sliding between the shoe variations wherein the several noted force lines may not
5 all pass through the same point but all are nevertheless
heel edges 36, 37 and the anchor block ramp surfaces
 2,740,498
7 8
relative to said support, said last-mentioned ramp means said shoe that will cause said second portion of said shoe
providing the means for applying the braking reaction of to slide relative to said ramp means, said line of force of
the shoe to the support, the reaction force acting along a said brake shoe retracting means being so arranged that
second line that intersects said first line, and a pair of it is prevented from exerting a force on the second por
resilient shoe retracting elements connected between said 5 tion of the brake shoe that would cause said shoe second
support and said shoe arranged such that the resultant portion to move along said ramp means and said point of
line of force of said resilient elements substantially intersection being in substantially the immediate vicinity
passes so close to the intersection of said first and second of said brake assembly.
jines of force that said resilient shoe retracting elements 5. In a floating shoe brake assembly, a Support, all
will be prevented from exerting a force on said shoe O annular brake drum rotatably mounted on said support,
during actuation thereof that will cause relative move a wheet cylinder mounted on said support and arranged
ment between said second portion of said shoe and said within said brake drum, said cylinder having a movable
support, said point of intersection being located in sub pressure fluid operated motion transmitting means
stantially the immediate vicinity of the brake assembly. adapted to exert a first line of force extending in a direc
3. In a brake assembly comprising a support, a rotat tion towards said drum, an anchor member mounted on
able annular brake drum encircling said support, a liai said support within said drum and spaced circumferen
tary brake shoe floatingly mounted on said support hav tially of said drum from said wheel cylinder, said anchor
ing arcuate portions concentrically arranged within Said member having a ramp surface extending at an angle to
drum adapted to be moved outwardly into engagement the direction of said first line of force, an arcuately shaped
with arcuate portions of said drum, shoe actuating unitary brake shoe arranged concentrically within said
means mounted on said support and connected to a first brake drum and adapted for engagement therewith hav
portion of said brake shoe arranged to provide a foice ing a toe portion positively connected to said wheel cyl
acting along a first line adapted to effect engagement of inder motion transmitting means for movement thereby
said brake shoe arcuate portions with said drum arcuate and a heel portion seated on said anchor member ramp
portions, ramp means connecting a second portion of 2i surface for rolling and sliding movement therealong, said
said brake shoe to said support so as to permit rolling ramp surface providing the reactica member for said shoe
and/or sliding movement of said second portion of said and acting to provide a second shoe applied line of force
shce along said ramp means, said last-mentioned ramp extending in a second direction towards said drum and
means providing the means for applying the braking re 30 adirected stressed
such that it intersects said first line of force, and
resilient means connected between said support
action of the shoe to the support, the reaction force act and a portion of said shce intermediate the toe and heel
ing along a second iine that intersects said first line, a portions thereof, said resilient means providing a third
resilient brake shoe retracting means connected between line of force applied to said shoe that substantially inter
said support and said brake shoe arranged to exert a shoe
retracting force that acts along a line that passes through 3 5 sects the point of intersection of said first and second
lines of force and is arranged such that it is prevented
the point of intersection of said first and second lines of from exerting a force on said shoe that would cause the
force, and a drum ciearance adjusting means for said shoe
comprising stop means movably mounted on said support ramp engaged heel portion of the shoe to move along said
ramp surface, and said point of intersection being in the
and engageable with portions of said shoe so as to provide immediate vicinity of the brake assembly.
a third line of force acting on said shoe that passes 40 6. In a floating
through the point of intersection of the first and second annular brake drumshoe brake assembly, a support, an
rotatably mounted on said support,
lines of force, said line of force of said brake shoe retract an actuating means mounted on said support and ar
ing means being so arranged that it is prevented from ranged within said brake drum, said actuating means
exerting a force on the second portion of the brake shoe
that would cause said shoe second portion to move along having motion transmitting means adapted to exert a
said ramp means and said point of intersection being in first drum,
line-of force extending in a direction towards said
an anchor member mounted on said support within
substantially the immediate vicinity of said brake as said drum and spaced circumferentially of said drum
sembly.
4. In a brake assembly comprising a support, a rotat from a ramp
said actuating drum, said anchor member having
surface extending at an angle to the direction
able annular brake drum encircling said support, a uni of said first line of force, an arcuately shaped unitary
tary brake shoe floatingly mounted on said support hav
ing arcuate portions concentrically arranged within Said brake shoe arranged concentrically within said brake
drum and adapted for engagement therewith having a
drum adapted to be moved outwardly into engagement toe portion positively connected to said motion transmit
with arcuate portions of said drum, shoe actuating means ting means for movement thereby and a heel portion
mounted on said support and connected to a first portion 55 seated on said anchor member ramp surface for sliding
of said brake shoe arranged to provide a force acting and rolling movement therealong, said ramp surface pro
along a first line adapted to effect engagement of said viding the reaction member for said shoe and acting to
brake shoe arcuate portions with said drum arcuate por provide a second shoe applied line of force extending
tions, ramp means connecting a second portion of said
brake shoe to said support so as to permit sliding and/or 60 in a second direction towards said drum and directed
rolling movement of said second portion of said shoe such that it intersects said first line of force, and a re
silient means connected between said support and said
along said ranp means, said last-mentioned ramp means
providing the means for applying the braking reaction of shoe, said resilient means providing a third line of force
the shoe to the support, the shoe reaction force acting applied to said shoe that substantially intersects the point
along a second line that intersects said first line, a resilient of intersection of said first and second lines of force
brake shoe retracting means connected between said sup a force and is arranged such that it is prevented from exerting
port and said brake shoe arranged to exert a shoe retract on said shoe that would cause the ramp engaged
ing force that acts along a line that passes through the heel portion of the shoe to move along said ramp sur
point of intersection of said first and second lines of face, and said point of intersection being in the imme
diate vicinity of the brake assembly.
force, and a drum clearance adjusting means for said shoe 7. In a foating shoe brake assembly, a support, an
comprising stop means movably mounted on said support annular brake drum rotatably mounted on said support,
and engageable with portions of said shoe so as to provide an actuating means mounted on said support, and ar
a third line of force acting on said shoe that passes so ranged within said brake drum, said actuating means
close to said point of intersection of said first and second
lines of force that said drum clearance adjusting means having motion transmitting means adapted to exert a
for said shoe will be prevented from exerting a force on 75 first line of force extending in a direction towards said
 2,740,498
9 10
drum, an anchor member mounted on said support within said shoe that substantially intersects the point of in
said drum and spaced circumferentially of said drum tersection of said first and second lines of force and
from said actuating means, said anchor member having is arranged such that it is prevented from exerting a
a ramp surface extending at an angle to the direction force on said shoe that would cause the ramp engaged
of said first line of force, an arcuately shaped unitary heel portion of the shoe to move along said ramp sur
brake shoe arranged concentrically within said brake face, and said point of intersection being in the imme
drum and adapted for engagement therewith having a diate vicinity of the brake assembly.
toe portion positively connected to said motion trans 9. In a floating shoe brake assembly, a support, an
mitting means for movement thereby and a heel portion
seated on said anchor member ramp surface for slid 10 annular brake drum rotatably mounted on said Support,
a first wheel cylinder mounted on said Support and ar
ing and rolling movement therealong, said ramp Sur ranged within said brake drum, said cylinder having
face providing the reaction member for said shoe and a movable pressure fluid operated motion transmitting
acting to provide a second shoe applied line of force means mounted therein and adapted to exert a first
extending in a second direction towards said drum and line of force extending in a direction towards said drum,
directed such that it intersects said first line of force, and a second wheel cylinder mounted on said support
a resilient means connected between said support and within said drum and spaced circumferentially of said
said shoe, said resilient means providing a third line of drum from said first wheel cylinder, said second wheel
force applied to said shoe that substantially intersects cylinder having a slot formed in an exteriorly disposed
the point of intersection of said first and second lines end surface thereof providing a substantially radially
of force, and a drum clearance adjusting means for directed ramp surface extending at an angle to the direc
said shoe comprising stop means movably mounted on tion of said first line of force, an arcuately shaped brake
said Support and engageable with portions of said shoe shoe arranged concentrically within said brake drum,
so as to provide a fourth line of force applicable to said said shoe being of T-shaped cross sectional configuration
shoe that is directed such that it substantially inter and comprising a web element and a peripherally disposed
sects the point of intersection of said first and second rim
lines of force, said resilient means being so arranged tivelyelement, said web element having a toe portion posi
connected to said wheel cylinder motion transmit
that it is prevented from exerting a force on said shoe ting means for movement thereby and a heel portion
that would cause the shoe heel portion to move along end edge thereof formed with an arcuate contour that
the ramp surface. is seated on the slot in said second wheel cylinder for
8. In a floating shoe brake assembly, a support, an an rolling and sliding movement along the ramp surface
nular brake drum rotatably mounted on said support, thereof, said ramp surface providing the reaction mem
a wheel cylinder mounted on said Support and arranged ber for said shoe and acting to provide a second shoe
within said brake drum, said cylinder having a movable
pressure fluid operated motion transmitting means mounted applied line of force extending in a second direction
towards said drum and directed such that it intersects
therein and adapted to exert a first line of force ex said first line of force, and a resilient means connected
tending in a direction towards said drum, an anchor between said support and a portion of said shoe web
member mounted on said support within said drum and element intermediate the toe and heel portions thereof,
spaced circumferentially of said drum from said wheel said resilient means providing a third line of force that
cylinder, said anchor member having a substantially ra substantially intersects the point of intersection of said
dially directed ramp surface extending at an angle to 40 first and second lines of force and is arranged such that
the direction of said first line of force, an arcuately shaped it is prevented from exerting a force on said shoe that
unitary brake shoe arranged concentrically within said
brake drum, said shoe being of T-shaped cross Sectional would cause the ramp engaged heel portion of the shoe
configuration and comprising a web element and a pe to move along said ramp surface, and said point of inter
section being in the immediate vicinity of the brake as
ripherally disposed rim element, said web element having 45 sembly.
the toe portion thereof positively connected to said wheel
cylinder motion transmitting means for movement thereby
and the heel portion end edge thereof formed with an References Cited in the file of this patent
arcuate contour that is seated on said anchor member
ramp surface for rolling and sliding movement there 50 UNITED STATES PATENTS
along, said ramp surface providing the reaction member for 2,206,030 Pick-------------------- July 2, 1940
said shoe and acting to provide a second shoe applied 2,218,201 LapWood -------------- Oct. 15, 1940
line of force extending in a second direction towards 2544,030 House ---------------- Mar. 6, 1951
said drum and directed such that it intersects said first 2,595,143 House ---------------- Apr. 29, 1952
line of force, and a resilient means connected between 55 FOREIGN PATENTS
said support and a portion of said shoe web element in
termediate the toe and heel portions thereof, said re 737,914 France ------------------ Oct. 10, 1932
silient means providing a third line of force applied to 823,894 France ------------------ Oct. 25, 1937