Patent ID: 6286639
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A brake drum comprising:a generally axially extending cylindrical flange having a radially inner braking surface adapted to be engaged by brake shoes in a braking operation and also having a radially outer surface,means for adding mass to the brake drum to suppress noise comprising a plurality of stabilizing sections on the radially outer surface of said flange,said stabilizing sections being secured to and arranged in equally circumferentially spaced apart relation about said radially outer surface and each being of predetermined circumferential extent, said sections are circumferentially spaced apart by a distance greater than zero, anda plurality of circumferentially spaced slots in each of said sections to decrease the stiffness and increase the flexibility of said sections,wherein there are four, and only four, of said sections at 90.degree. intervals around the radially outer surface of said flange, said sections being formed integrally with said flange.