# US 2013/0153341 A1 · Integral Braking Surface Wear Indicator

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2013/0153341 A1
- Document ID: US20130153341A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/326,705
- Filed: 2011-12-15
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-15
- Assignees: Webb Wheel Products, Inc.
- Inventors: Johnathon Kent Capps
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153341A1

## CPC

- F16D 65/10: Drums for externally- or internally-engaging brakes
- F16D 66/02: Apparatus for indicating wear
- F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES

## Abstract

A brake drum configured for providing an visual indication of braking surface diameter safe operating limits while the brake drum is mounted on a vehicle that includes one or more axially-oriented indentations defined in the braking surface, each of which is defined to a depth that is less than or corresponds to the maximum safe operating diameter of the braking surface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A brake drum comprising:
a cylindrical drum body having an open end and a hub mounting plate;
a cylindrical braking surface within said drum body; and
an indentation defined in said braking surface, extending toward said hub mounting plate from said open end and having a depth such that when said braking surface is worn away through use said indentation is less perceivable; and
wherein said depth at least corresponds to a pre-defined braking surface diameter.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The brake drum of claim 1, wherein said depth is less than the level at which the pre-defined braking surface diameter occurs.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The brake drum of claim 1, further comprising at least two indentations.

### Claim 4

A vehicle comprising:
a brake drum defining an interior cylindrical braking surface and configured for providing an visual indication of braking surface diameter safe operating limits while installed on said vehicle, said brake drum including one or more axially-oriented indentations defined in said braking surface, each said one or more indentations extending from an inboard end of said braking surface toward an outboard end and having a depth at least corresponding to a prescribed safe operating diameter of said braking surface.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The vehicle of claim 4, wherein said depth is less than the level at which the prescribed safe operating diameter occurs.