Patent ID: 9322446
Filing Date: 2016-04-26
CPC Classification: F16D

Claim Text:
1. A drum for a drum brake assembly, the drum comprising: an annular drum wall having an open end and an attachment end, wherein the drum wall further comprises an outer drum surface and an inner braking surface each of which extends between the open end and the attachment end; a hub attachment section that is attachable to an associated wheel hub, wherein the hub attachment section extends radially about the attachment end of the drum wall forming a primary opening into which the associated wheel hub is receivable; and a drum wall connection section extending between the attachment end of the drum wall and the hub attachment section, wherein the drum wall connection section comprises a plurality of radially angled vanes interspersed with a corresponding plurality of air openings, wherein the plurality of radially angled vanes are curved such that a length of the plurality of radially angled vanes is greater than a radial width of the drum wall connection section, and wherein each of the plurality of air openings is circumferentially enclosed at an inner radial end by the hub attachment section and, at an outer radial end, by the attachment end of the drum wall, wherein the plurality of radially angled vanes are structurally configured to provide a radial expansion of the attachment end of the drum wall during operational rotation of the drum that reduces a bell mouthing effect at the open end of the drum wall during operational rotation of the drum.