Right-angle brake tool

A brake tool for servicing an S-cam braking mechanism, comprising an essentially elongate member of generally uniform thickness and having a gripping portion and an engagement portion separated by a predetermined lateral distance;

• the engagement portion having a linear member, a distally extending transition portion of predetermined length and an engagement extent at a distal end thereof;
• an elevation portion coextensive with the predetermined lateral distance, located intermediate the gripping and engagement portions and positioned at a predefined gripping angle relative to the gripping portion and at a predetermined engagement angle relative to the engagement portion;
• wherein the linear member of the engagement portion transitions into the engagement extent along the distally extending transition portion, wherein the predetermined length is about 1″ to about 1.5″, with the transition portion having a predetermined acute transition angle of about 45°±5° relative to the linear member of the engagement portion, with the engagement extent located at a distalmost portion of the transition portion and extending distally from the transition portion, wherein the engagement extent is configured and dimensioned as a U-shaped member for engaging a component of an S-cam braking mechanism, wherein the component comprises one of a return spring shaft, an adjustment nut of a slack adjuster, one or more brake rollers, one or more brake shoes, one or more brake drums or one or more locking clips, wherein the gripping angle is provided in a range from about 75° to about 90° , wherein the engagement angle is provided in a range from about 75° to about 105° and wherein the U-shaped member comprises a forked head having a bridge section that is coextensive with the thickness of the elongate member and from which a pair of tines depend generally in parallel relative to one another, such that engagement of the component at the engagement extent facilitates pivotable and rotational movement of the brake tool.