Disk brake caliper having re-enforcing bridge

Abstract

A brake apparatus includes a caliper with two housing members secured together by a C-section bridge. The housing members straddle a rotor, so as to be able to urge one or more pistons disposed therein to apply brake pads against the rotor, thereby effectuating a braking force on the rotor. The C-section bridge provides support for the members and reduces the clamshell effect generated by application of the breaking force.

1 . A disk brake assembly comprising a rotor, a brake caliper for applying braking force to said rotor, said brake caliper having first and second members straddling said rotor, said first and second members connected by at least one bridge, said bridge having at least one cross member and at least two anchor members, each said anchor member having at least one hole formed therein, wherein said bridge is removably connected to said first and second members.  
   
   
       2 . The brake caliper as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said bridge is comprised of a cross member and two anchor members, each said anchor member having at least one hole formed therein.  
   
   
       3 . The brake caliper of  claim 2 , wherein said anchor members are arms integrally formed with said cross member.  
   
   
       4 . The brake caliper of  claim 2 , wherein said anchor members are arms fixedly connected to said cross member.  
   
   
       5 . The brake caliper of  claim 2 , wherein said anchor members are plates attached to said cross member.  
   
   
       6 . The brake caliper as recited in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first member includes at least one channel provided therein for receiving an anchor member of said bridge, said first member further having at least one hole formed therein in substantial alignment with said channel;    said second member includes at least one channel provided therein for receiving an anchor member of said bridge, said second member further having at least one hole formed therein in substantial alignment with said channel;    said anchor members of said bridge capable of fitting in said channel of said first member and said channel of said second member, such that said holes in said anchor members coaxially align with said hole in said first member and said hole in said second member;    a securing means is capable of passing through said hole in said first member and engaging said hole in said bridge for securing said first member to said bridge; and    a securing means is capable of passing through said hole in said second member and engaging said hole in said bridge for securing said second member to said bridge.    
   
   
       7 . The brake caliper as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first member and said second member are secured by a plurality of said bridges.  
   
   
       8 . The brake caliper as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first member and said second member include a plurality of channels therein for receiving a plurality anchor members of said bridges.  
   
   
       9 . The brake caliper as recited in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first member includes at least one hole formed therein;    said second member includes at least one hole formed therein;    said bridge includes two anchor members;    each said anchor member of said bridge having at least one hole formed therein;    said bridge capable of abutting said first member and said second member, such that said holes in said anchor members coaxially align with said hole in said first member and said hole in said second member;    a securing means is capable of passing through said hole in said first member and engaging said hole in said anchor member for securing said first member to said bridge; and    a securing means is capable of passing through said hole in said second member and engaging said hole in said bridge for securing said second member to said bridge.