Beam mounted friction pads for use in friction brakes and clutches

A beam mounted brake shoe for use in a shoe type brake mechanism of the type that includes a plurality of brake shoes that are hydraulically activated and restricted by a spring, the brake shoe comprising:

• a base;
• a layer of high friction material having a friction surface;
• a curved friction material support surface spaced from the base having a first and second sides, the first side being convexly curved about an axis of curvature and the second side being concavely curved about an axis of curvature, the support surface supporting the friction material on the first side thereof;
• and a flexible support structure extending from the second side of the support surface to the base for supporting the high friction material and the friction material support surface away from the base so as to permit the high friction material and the friction material support surface to pivot about a predetermined pivot point so as to orient the pad under load.

A beam mounted brake shoe for use in a shoe type brake mechanism of the type that includes a plurality of brake shoes that are hydraulically activated and restricted by a spring, the brake shoe comprising:

• a base;
• a support structure extending from the base, the support structure comprising at least two legs that extend away from the base toward one another;
• a curved friction material support surface having a first and second sides, the first side being convexly curved about an axis of curvature and the second side being concavely curved about an axis of curvature and extending between first and second spaced circumferential edges, wherein the second side of the support surface is supported away from the base by the support structure;
• and
• a layer of high friction material having a friction surface supported on the first side of the curved friction material support surface.