Drum brake operating mechanism

Abstract

An improved operating mechanism for a drum brake assembly including a mounting flange for securing the brake assembly to a vehicle component, a hollow abutment block secured to the mounting flange, and a backing plate secured to the mounting flange. A pair of arcuate drum brake shoes are supported relative to the backing plate. The hollow abutment block located on the mounting flange between a pair of adjacent ends of the brake shoes. According to one feature of the present invention, the operating mechanism is at least partially disposed in the chamber for engaging and actuating the brake shoes, and is coupled to an actuation cable having an end portion supported in a generally perpendicular relationship relative to the backing plate. According to another feature of the present invention, the operating mechanism includes at least two juxtaposed elongated links disposed between the brake shoes each including an angled elongated slotted opening formed therein, and an actuating arm oriented generally perpendicular to the links. The actuating arm is engageable with each of the slotted openings for effecting lengthwise movement of the links in opposite directions to engage and cause outward movement of the brake shoes when the actuating arm is moved generally perpendicularly in one direction relative to the links.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.