Abstract:
A deflashing device for removing excess friction material from a dovetail guide of a brake includes a base for supporting an actuator attached to the base, a slide, at least one pair of cutters and a slide guide attached to the base. The slide is in communication with the actuator and positionable by the actuator. The at least one pair of cutters is positioned on the slide opposed to one another and adapted to engage the dovetail guide of the brake. The slide guide is in communication with the slide for slidably mounting the slide to the base wherein the actuator manipulates the slide for removing excess friction material from the dovetail guide of the brake.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to devices and tools, typically used in brake manufacturing processes in connection with deflashing brakes and, more specifically, to a device capable of removing flash from a dovetail guide of a disc.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Disc brakes are commonly used in railroad applications having various systems for attachment of the disc brakes to a brake head. Dovetail guides are a common way of connecting the disc brake with the brake head, particularly in railroad applications, and thus are generally known in the art. These disc brakes may have a disc pad comprised of friction material that may be molded or otherwise affixed to a backing plate of the disc brake. The dovetail guides are often a feature of the backing plate and are provided to interlock with the brake head. Accordingly, the brake head will have corresponding wedged shaped groves to receive the dovetail guides of the backing plates for employing the disc brakes on the railroad machinery. Various locking devices are known for preventing the installed disc brake from coming out of the corresponding wedge shaped grooves while permitting removal of the same.  
         [0005]     In the manufacture of the disc brakes, it is known that molding the friction material to the backing plate is an affordable and effective method for attaching the backing plate to the brake pad. However, during the molding process, excess friction material may adhere to the backing plate. This excess friction material is commonly referred to as flash. The flash on the backing plate, and more particularly that which collects within the dovetail guides, creates many problems including a lack of conformity to specifications required for proper installation on standardized brake heads for railroad applications. When flash builds up in the dovetail guide area, the disc brakes are unable to be slid into the corresponding wedge shaped grooves of the brake head, thus requiring additional work in order to use such disc brakes.  
         [0006]     In order to prevent waste due to non-conforming disc brakes having flash on the backing plate, disc brake manufacturers have used many labor-intensive processes to clean and remove any problematic areas of the backing plate having flash. For example, it has been known to grind the flash off of the backing plate, thus deflashing the backing plate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,972 to Grele describes such a process for cleaning up and deflashing the backing plate. Often, the deflashing is accomplished via filing the flash in the dovetail guide by hand with special modified files that add significant expense to the cost of manufacturing. Further, hand filing of backing plates adds significant labor expense to effectively file the backing plates and requires the laborer to physically handle and work on the backing plate which could result in injury where the laborer does not follow recommended procedures. Accordingly, many of the prior art processes are inefficient, labor intensive, and may not accurately remove flash, which thus creates waste and confounds the initial purpose of deflashing the backing plate.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a deflashing device that addresses one or more of the above-identified concerns and overcomes the shortcomings of conventional processes in the art of deflashing disc brakes. It is another object of the present invention to provide an accurate deflashing device that includes beneficial structure to enhance and optimize the deflashing process required to effectively and accurately deflash the backing plate and, more specifically, the dovetail guide. The present invention will reduce the amount of labor required for deflashing and will decrease waste while providing consistent results. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a deflashing device that provides additional safety to a user when deflashing the backing plate. In accordance with the broad teachings of the present invention, a deflashing device is provided.  
         [0008]     In particular, a deflashing device is provided for engaging, contacting, cutting and/or separating flash from, or otherwise deflashing, a backing plate including the dovetail guide. The deflashing device includes a base for supporting an actuator attached to the base, a slide, at least one pair of cutters and a slide guide. The slide is in communication with the actuator and positionable by the actuator. The at least one pair of cutters is positioned on the slide opposed to one another and are adapted to engage the dovetail guide of the brake. The slide guide is attached to the base and is in communication with the slide for slidably mounting the slide to the base. Further, the actuator manipulates the slide for removing excess friction material from the dovetail guide of the brake.  
         [0009]     The deflashing device may also include cutters that have a cutting end adapted to engage the dovetail guide of the brake and an attachment end for attaching the cutters on the slide. The cutters may also have an angular profile for engaging and removing excess friction material from the dovetail guide of the brake. Further, the deflashing device may have at least one push bar adapted to communicate with and reposition at least one of the cutters when the push bar is forced into contact with the at least one of the cutters. This embodiment may also provide that the cutters are pivotably attached to the slide at the attachment end of the cutters, wherein the slide has chamfer portions adapted to permit the attachment end of the at least one of the cutters to be repositioned by the at least one push bar.  
         [0010]     In other embodiments, the slide of the deflashing device has opposing attachment portions each having at least one of the cutters positioned thereon. Further, the deflashing device may include at least two pairs of cutters positioned on the slide opposed to one another.  
         [0011]     A second pair of cutters may also be provided and positioned on a second slide opposed to one another to engage the dovetail guide of the brake. The second slide may be in communication with a second actuator attached to the base, wherein the second slide is positionable by the second actuator. A second slide guide may also be included that is attached to the base and in communication with the second slide guide for slidably mounting the second slide to the base. Further, the second actuator manipulates the second slide for removing excess friction material from the dovetail guide of the brake.  
         [0012]     The deflashing device may further include a lid having a handle attached wherein the lid is adapted to enclose the slide and the cutters for protecting a user from the cutters when the lid is closed against a compartment base. An indicator may also be attached to the lid to communicate with the actuator when the lid is in a closed position to activate the actuator.  
         [0013]     In one embodiment, the deflashing device may include a piston positioned between the slide and the actuator to position the slide. Further, the slide guide may be affixed to an end plate attached to the base at one end and attached to the slide at an opposing end of the slide guide. The deflashing device may further comprise a locator positioned on the end plate adapted to prevent the slide from being manipulated beyond the locator.  
         [0014]     Another embodiment includes a deflashing device for removing excess material from a dovetail guide of a brake comprising a base, a first actuator, a second actuator, a first end plate, a second end plate, a first slide, a second slide, a first slide guide, and a second slide guide. The base has a first end and a second end. The first actuator may be attached to the first end of the base, wherein the first actuator has a first piston extending away from the first actuator toward the second end. The second actuator may be attached to second end of the base, wherein the second actuator has a second piston extending away from the second actuator toward the first end. The first end plate may be attached to the base having the first piston extending therethrough, while the second end plate may be attached to the base having the second piston extending therethrough. The first slide may be attached to the first piston and may have a forward attachment portion and a rearward attachment portion, wherein the attachment portions are positioned opposed to each other and each attachment portion has at least one first cutter positioned thereon. The second slide may be attached to the second piston and may have a second forward attachment portion and a second rearward attachment portion, wherein the second attachment portions are positioned opposed to each other and each second attachment portion has at least one second cutter positioned thereon. The first slide guide extends between the first end plate and the first slide for slidably mounting the first slide to the base, wherein the first actuator is adapted to manipulate the first slide toward the first end for removing excess friction material from the dovetail guide of the brake with the at least one first cutter. In addition, the second slide guide extends between the second end plate and the second slide for slidably mounting the second slide to the base, wherein the second actuator is adapted to manipulate the second slide toward the second end for removing excess friction material from the dovetail guide of the brake with the at least one second cutter.  
         [0015]     The deflashing device may further include a lid adapted to enclose the first and second slides and the first and second cutters for protecting a user from the first and second cutters when the first and second the cutters are manipulated. An indicator may also be provided and attached to the lid for communicating with the first and second actuators when the lid is in a closed position to activate the actuators. The first and second actuators may also manipulate the first and second slides toward each other when the lid is moved from a closed position with the indicator communicating with the first and second actuators to an open position wherein the indicator is no longer in communication with the first and second indicators. In addition, the first and second cutters may have an angular profile for engaging and removing excess friction material from the dovetail guide of the brake.  
         [0016]     The deflashing device may further include a first locator positioned on the first end plate adapted to prevent the first slide from being manipulated beyond the first locator. In addition, a second locator may be positioned on the second end plate adapted to prevent the second slide from being manipulated beyond the second locator.  
         [0017]     These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a known disc brake;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a known disc brake;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a disc brake before deflashing;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the disc brake shown in  FIG. 3  after deflashing;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side plan view of one embodiment of a pair of cutters of the deflashing device engaging a backing plate according to the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the cutters in  FIG. 5  in a plane intersecting push bar bores, wherein the cutters of the deflashing device are in a disengaged position;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a side plan view of an embodiment of a cutter according to the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is rear plan view of the cutter in  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a side plan view of one embodiment of a slide according to the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a rear plan view of the slide shown in  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is a side plan view of another embodiment of a slide according to the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 12  is a rear plan view of the slide shown in  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view of an embodiment of a deflashing device according to the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a deflashing device according to the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the deflashing device shown in  FIG. 14  having a disc brake positioned thereon;  
         [0033]      FIG. 16  is a front plan view, illustrating a cutaway of a compartment base, of the deflashing device shown in  FIG. 13  having a compartment lid and a disc brake positioned thereon;  
         [0034]      FIG. 17  is a side plan view of the deflashing device shown in  FIG. 16 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 18  is a front plan view of a deflashing device in use in deflashing a disc brake according to the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 19  is a front plan view of a deflashing device in use in deflashing a disc brake having a lid covering the disc brake according to the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 20  is a bottom plan view of a base in the deflashing device shown in  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 21  is a front plan view of the base shown in  FIG. 20 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 22  is a side plan view of a locator of the deflashing device shown as shown in  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0040]      FIG. 23  is a top plan view of the first locator shown in  FIG. 22 ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 24  is a front plan view of the first locator shown in  FIG. 22 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 22   a  is a top plan view of a locator of the deflashing device shown as shown in  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0043]      FIG. 23   a  is a side plan view of the first locator shown in  FIG. 22   a ;  
         [0044]      FIG. 24   a  is a front plan view of the first locator shown in  FIG. 22   a ;  
         [0045]      FIG. 25  is a side plan view of a first end plate in the deflashing device shown in  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0046]      FIG. 26  is a bottom plan view of the first end plate shown in  FIG. 25 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 27  is a front plan view of the first end plate shown in  FIG. 25 ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 28  is a side plan view of a second end plate in the deflashing device shown in  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0049]      FIG. 29  is a bottom plan view of the second end plate shown in  FIG. 28 ; and  
         [0050]      FIG. 30  is a front plan view of the second end plate shown in  FIG. 28 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0051]     For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal” and derivatives and/or variations thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative configurations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.  
         [0052]     The present invention is directed to a deflashing device  10 , as shown in various embodiments in various views, as well as in use, in  FIGS. 5, 6  and  15 - 19 . The deflashing device  10  is used to remove flash  100 , shown in  FIG. 3 , through a cutting process to deflash a disc brake  20 .  FIGS. 1, 2  and  4  illustrate deflashed disc brakes  20 .  
         [0053]     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the disc brake  20  has friction material  22  and a backing plate  26 . The friction material  22  may have a horizontal surface  24  on one side of the friction material  22  that may be formed, molded and/or connected to the backing plate  26 . The backing plate  26  is generally provided for attachment of the disc brake  20  to a brake head (not shown) of a railroad machine. The illustrated embodiment of backing plate  26  has at least one dovetail guide  28  that may assist the disc brake  20  in attachment to the railroad machine.  
         [0054]     As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the disc brake  20  has not gone through a deflashing process. Thus, as shown, the backing plate  26  has excess friction material, also known as flash  100 , located within the dovetail guide  28 . More specifically, it is often the case in the molding process that flash  100  will commonly reside on the outer portions of the dovetail guide  28  while the central portion of the dovetail guide  28  will remain relatively clean and free of flash  100 .  FIG. 4  shows the clean, deflashed disc brake  20  as may be accomplished by the processes and devices of the present invention described herein.  
         [0055]     In particular, referring to  FIG. 5 , the deflashing device  10  includes first flash cutters  40 , each with a first distal cutting end  41  and a first attachment end  49 . The first attachment end  49  of the first flash cutters  40  may each additionally have a first pivot  48 . As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the cutting ends  41  of the cutters  40  are in direct contact with the dovetail guides  28  of the backing plate  26 . The cutting ends  41  are configured with an angular profile for conforming to the contours of the dovetail guide  28 . The position of the backing plate  26  between the cutting ends  41  of the cutters  40  is referred to as the engaged position, referring to the cutting ends  41  engaging, in direct contact, the dovetail guides  28  for deflashing the same.  
         [0056]     As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the cutters  40  may be released into a disengaged position via actuation of one or more push bars  66 . Push bars  66  may be positioned within a push bar bore  67  and may be actuated together or individually in an upward direction to contact the underside of the cutter  40  causing at least one of the cutting ends  41  of the cutter  40  to rotate in an upward direction. As one or more cutting ends  41  are rotated upward, the backing plate  26  may then be released from between the cutters  40  and will thus disengage the dovetail guides  28  and permit removal of the disc brake  20 .  
         [0057]     Second flash cutters  50 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 7, 8 ,  13 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  and  19 , may also be employed.  FIGS. 7 and 8  provide detail of the second flash cutter  50 , which is substantially similar to first flash cutter  40 . The second flash cutter  50  has a second distal cutting end  51 , a second attachment end  59  and a second pivot  58  positioned within the cutter  50 . Like that illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  for first cutters  40 , second cutter  50  likewise has an angular profile at the cutting end  51  for conforming to the contours of the dovetail guide  28 . This angular profile may be varied for applications where the contour of the dovetail guide  28  may vary from a standard configuration.  
         [0058]      FIGS. 5, 6 ,  9 ,  10  and  13  further illustrate a slide  30  that is connected to the cutters  40  at the attachment end  49 . More particularly, the slide  30  has a rearward attachment portion  32  attaching to at least one cutter  40  via first pivot  48 , and a forward attachment portion  34  attaching to at least one cutter  40  via first pivot  48 . Each first pivot  48  may extend from one cutter  40  through a pivot bore  35  and connect to another cutter  40  positioned on an opposite side of the forward or rearward attachment portion  34 ,  32 . In this embodiment, chamfer portions  38  are provided in the upper surface of a slide base  36  that is located at the outer extremes of the upper surface below cutters  40 . Chamfer portions  38  thus allow cutters  40  to rotate in the upward direction about the first pivots  48 . The base  36  and the rearward and forward attachment portions  32 ,  34  may be of a unitary construction or otherwise. The base  36  further provides a piston bore  31 , a rearward slide guide bore  37  and a forward slide guide bore  39 . Thus, a first rearward slide guide  42  may be positioned within the rearward slide guide bore  37  and a first forward slide guide  44  may be positioned within the forward slide guide bore  39 . The slide  30  may further be connected to a first piston  62 , which may be positioned within the piston bore  31 .  
         [0059]     Referring to  FIGS. 5, 6 ,  9 ,  10  and  13 , the first cutters  40  are attached on either side of rearward and forward attachment portions  32 ,  34 . The configuration of slide  30  permits attachment of the cutters  40  on either side of the rearward attachment portion  32 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . Accordingly, the base  36  may be wider than the rearward and forward attachment portions  32 ,  34 . This reduction in width is capable of accommodating at least one cutter  40 , and preferably two cutters  40 , on either side of the rearward attachment portion  32 . Likewise, the forward attachment portion  34  is similarly constructed allowing two cutters  40  to be positioned thereon. Thus, the base  36  provides appropriate structure to allow cutters  40  to operate and be positioned properly.  
         [0060]     Another embodiment of slide  30  provides an alternate slide  30   a , as shown in  FIGS. 11, 12 . In this embodiment, only one pair of cutters  40  may be implemented having one cutter  40  positioned on a rearward side opposite another cutter  40  on a forward side. Thus, the first pivot  48  may be positioned through first alternate rearward attachment portion  32   a , the cutter  40  and second alternate rearward attachment portion  32   b . Likewise, opposite the rearward side, another cutter  40  may be similarly attached on the forward side of alternate slide  30   a . Thus, the cutter  40  may still be positioned above an alternate slide base  36   a  such that it would allow cutters  40  to engage the dovetail guides  28 . In addition, alternate slide  30   a  would likewise be provided with the piston bore  31 , the rearward slide guide bore  37  and the forward slide guide bore  39 .  
         [0061]     A preferred embodiment of the deflashing device  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . First and second cutters  40 ,  50  are attached to rearward attachment portions  32  and forward attachment portions  34 . Each base  36  is connected to its respective first or second piston  62 ,  72 . As mentioned above, one slide  30  has the piston bore  31  for receiving and attaching to the first piston  62 . The other slide  30 , attached to the second cutters  50 , is similarly attached to the second piston  72 . The attachment of slides  30  to pistons  62 ,  72  allows the slides  30  to be manipulated along the forward and rearward slide guides,  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 . Accordingly, slides  30  are slidably mounted to slide guides  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54  and travel therealong. In order to facilitate movement of the cutters  40 ,  50  in a linear direction away from each other, the first rearward and forward slide guides  42 ,  44  are provided for the first cutters  40  to travel along due to their connection to slide  30 . Likewise, second rearward and forward slide guides  52 ,  54  are provided for the second cutters  50  for facilitating travel away from cutters  40 . First and second rearward and forward slide guides  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54  remain stationary with respect to slides  30  and provide structure along which slides  30  may travel. In order to affix slide guides  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54  in a stationary position, first and second couplings  46 ,  56  are provided to assist in maintaining the position of the slide guides  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 .  
         [0062]     In order to manipulate the cutters  40 ,  50 , slides  30  rely on the first and second pistons  62 ,  72  which are driven by a first and a second slide actuator  60 ,  70 . Actuators  60 ,  70  are capable of causing first and second pistons  62 ,  72  to move linearly away from and toward opposing actuators  60 ,  70 . Actuators  60 ,  70  may employ known technologies to accomplish the extension and retraction of first and second pistons  62 ,  72  such as, for example, mechanical fluids, thermal energy, or electrical energy that may be converted into mechanical motion. Accordingly, pistons  62 ,  72  merely translate the forces provided by actuators  60 ,  70  given the motion provided by actuators  60 ,  70  for the given application.  
         [0063]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 13-17 , the deflashing device  10  may be in a rest position wherein the slides  30  that house first and second cutters  40 ,  50  are positioned in close proximity to one another. In this rest position, the cutters  40 ,  50 , which are in the disengaged position, will be properly oriented to engage and contact the dovetail guides  28  of the disc brake  20  near the central portion of the dovetail guides  28 . In use, an operator would position the disc brake  20  above the cutters  40 ,  50  and place the central portion of the dovetail guides  28  over the cutters  40 ,  50  as shown in  FIGS. 15-17 . The operator would then force the disc brake  20  downward into an engaging position with the cutters  40 ,  50 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 15 - 17 . Once engaged, the operator would grasp a handle  86  to enclose a deflashing compartment  80 , in which the deflashing device  10  is housed, by closing a compartment lid  82  having the handle  86  attached thereto until it reaches a compartment base  84 . The lid  82  is attached to the base  84  via a compartment hinge  88  and further has an indicator  83 . See  FIGS. 14, 15 ,  17  and  19 . Upon the lid  82  becoming closed, the indicator  83  would communicate to first and second actuators  60 ,  70  via receiver  85 , causing the deflashing device  10  to be activated. Thus, indicator  83  would communicate with receiver  85  to cause the actuators  60 ,  70  to retract the first and second pistons  62 ,  72  attached to the slides  30 . Thus, the pistons  62 ,  72  manipulate the cutters  40 ,  50  and cause them to travel toward their respective actuators  60 ,  70 . Accordingly, the dovetail guides  28  will be deflashed and/or cleaned of flash  100  as the cutters  40 ,  50 , in the engaged position, are forced along the dovetail guides  28  and are conformed to and in direct contact with the same. This contact between and travel along the dovetail guides  28  by the cutters  40 ,  50  may move, cut, slice, separate or otherwise deflash the flash  100  from the dovetail guides  28 .  
         [0064]     The deflashing device  10  may also include first and second end plates  64 ,  74 , first locator  68  and/or second locator  78  as shown in  FIGS. 13, 14 ,  16 ,  18  and  19 . The end plates  64 ,  74  and first and second locators  68 ,  78  are illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 22-30  and explained in greater detail below.  
         [0065]     The first locator  68  may be provided to assist the deflashing device  10  from becoming misaligned. In the event that piston  62  is fully retracted toward its respective actuator  60 , the cutters  40  may exit from engagement with the dovetail guide  28 . If misalignment occurs, upon forcing of the piston  62  back to its rest position, wherein the slides  30  are in close proximity to one another, the deflashing device  10  may bind and/or damage the disc brake  20  confounding the purpose for deflashing. Thus, first locator  68  may assist in preventing such misalignment wherein the first locator  68  fits between cutters  40  and first end plate  64 . As shown in  FIGS. 22-24  and  25 - 27 , first locator bores  69  may be provided for attaching the first locator  68  to the first end plate  64 .  
         [0066]     In order to accommodate first locator  68 , the first end plate  64  may be provided with first end plate locator bores  69   a . These bores  69   a  allow the first locator  68  to be attached in the proper orientation to prevent misalignment of the deflashing device  10 . Thus, first locator  68  may attach to the first end plate  64  via fasteners (not shown) secured from the first end plate  64  into the first locator  68 .  
         [0067]     The second locator  78  may similarly assist the deflashing device  10  from becoming misaligned on the other side of the deflashing device  10 . In the event that second piston  72  would become fully retracted toward its respective actuator  70 , the cutters  50  may exit from engagement with the dovetail guide  28 . Without second locator  78 , upon forcing of the piston  72  back to its rest position, misalignment could occur in a similar fashion. Accordingly, the deflashing device  10  may bind and/or damage the disc brake  20 . Thus, second locator  78  may prevent failure wherein the second locator  78  fits between cutters  50  and second end plate  74  to prevent misalignment. As shown in  FIGS. 22   a - 24   a  and  28 - 30 , second locator bores  79  may be provided for attaching the second locator  78  to the second end plate  74  via fasteners (not shown).  
         [0068]     The second end plate  74  may also be provided with second end plate locator bores  79   a  as shown in  FIG. 28 . These second end plate locator bores  79   a  allow the second locator  78  to be attached in the proper orientation to prevent misalignment of the deflashing device  10  as discussed above. Accordingly, second locator  78  may attach to the second end plate  74  via fasteners (not shown) secured from the second end plate  74  into the second locator  78 .  
         [0069]     As shown in  FIGS. 13, 20  and  21 , the deflashing device  10  may have a device base  90  that may have positioned and/or attached thereon first and second slide actuators  60 ,  70  and first and second end plates  64 ,  74  via fasteners (not shown). First base bores  91  are provided for attachment to the first end plate  64  and second base bores  92  are provided for attachment to the second end plate  74 .  
         [0070]      FIGS. 25-27  illustrate in detail the first end plate  64  being further configured with a first rearward slide guide bore  63  for accommodating and connecting to the first rearward slide guide  42 . First rearward slide guide  42  may be affixed within the first rearward slide guide bore  63  by the first coupling  46 . Likewise, the first end plate  64  is configured with a first forward slide guide bore  65  for accommodating and connecting to the first forward slide guide  44  via first coupling  46 . First piston bore  61  is also provided for accommodating and connecting to first piston  62 . Lastly, as shown in  FIG. 26 , first end plate  64  may also have first end plate base bores  91   a  for securing the first end plate  64  to the device base  90  via fasteners (not shown).  
         [0071]     The second end plate  74  is depicted in detail by  FIGS. 28-30  and is configured similarly to first end plate  64 . A second rearward slide guide bore  73  is provided for accommodating and connecting to the second rearward slide guide  52  via second coupling  56 . The second end plate  74  is also configured with a second forward slide guide bore  75  for accommodating and connecting to the second forward slide guide  54  via second coupling  56 . Second piston bore  71  is provided for accommodating and connecting to second piston  72 . In addition, second end plate  74  has several second end plate base bores  92   a  for attaching, via fasteners (not shown), the second end plate  74  to the device base  90 .  
         [0072]     Once assembled as indicated above, the deflashing device  10  may be employed by an operator for safe and consistent deflashing of disc brakes  20  as shown in  FIGS. 13-19 .  
         [0073]     Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.