Granted Patent B2

US 7,677,369 · App. 11/290,673 · Granted Mar 16, 2010

Abstract

Claims (25)

1. A hydroformed drum brake shoe assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a hydroformed drum brake shoe; and

a friction lining secured to said hydroformed drum brake shoe;

wherein said hydroformed drum brake shoe is a monolithic structure being integral, unitary, and one-piece; and

wherein said hydroformed drum brake shoe comprises a bottom wall, a pair of opposed side walls extending generally perpendicular from said bottom wall, a pair of arm walls extending outwardly, each arm wall of said pair of arm walls extending generally axially and radially from a respective side wall of said pair of side walls, and a top wall extending between said arm walls.

2. A hydroformed drum brake shoe assembly as set forth in claim 1 including an adhesive to secure said brake lining member to said hydroformed drum brake shoe.

3. A hydroformed drum brake shoe assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said adhesive joins said brake lining member to a surface of said top wall of said hydroformed drum brake shoe.

4. A hydroformed drum brake shoe assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hydroformed drum brake shoe has a generally arcuate shape.

5. A hydroformed drum brake shoe assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hydroformed drum brake shoe has a generally “Y” cross-sectional shape.

6. A hydroformed drum brake shoe assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hydroformed drum brake shoe has a closed perimeter with a hollow interior.

7. A hydroformed drum brake shoe assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hydroformed drum brake shoe is made of a metal material.

8. A hydroformed drum brake shoe assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said brake lining member is made of a friction material.

9. A hydroformed drum brake shoe assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a hydroformed drum brake shoe comprising a bottom wall, a pair of opposed side walls extending generally perpendicular from said bottom wall, a pair of arm walls extending outwardly, each arm wall of said pair of arm walls extending generally axially and radially from a respective side wall of said pair of side walls, and a top wall extending between said arm walls to form a closed perimeter having a hollow interior; and

a friction lining secured to said top wall of said hydroformed drum brake shoe;

wherein said hydroformed drum brake shoe is a monolithic structure being integral, unitary, and one-piece.

10. A method of making a hydroformed drum brake shoe assembly for a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a tubular member;

providing a brake lining member;

hydroforming the tubular member into a drum brake shoe comprising a bottom wall, a pair of opposed side walls extending generally perpendicular from said bottom wall, a pair of arm walls extending outwardly, each arm wall of said pair of arm walls extending generally axially and radially from a respective side wall of said pair of side walls, and a top wall extending between said arm walls to form a closed perimeter having a hollow interior and having a monolithic structure being integral, unitary, and one-piece; and

securing the brake lining member to the top wall.

11. A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said step of hydroforming comprises hydroforming the tubular member into a hydroformed drum brake shoe having a generally arcuate shape.

12. A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said step of hydroforming comprises hydroforming the tubular member into a hydroformed drum brake shoe having a generally “Y” cross-sectional shape.

13. A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said step of hydroforming comprises hydroforming the tubular member into a hydroformed drum brake shoe having a closed perimeter with a hollow interior.

14. A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said step securing comprises bonding the brake lining member to the top wall of the hydroformed drum brake shoe.

Assignments (12)