Patent Description:
As known, disc brakes are now commonly used in bicycles. Such brakes are indeed often preferred to conventional brakes of a different type in that they ensure a high braking force and, particularly, an improved braking modularity, so as to avoid or limit the problems caused by mud or water.

Typically, a disc brake comprises a caliper mounted onto the frame of the bicycle and a brake disc mounted on the hub of the wheel. Inside the caliper there are at least two opposite pads. The brake disc rotates inside the space defined between the opposite pads. By actuating the brake lever, the opposite pads are brought towards the brake disc, generating friction on the brake disc and, consequently, braking the wheel.

Mechanically-controlled disc brakes and hydraulically-controlled disc brakes are known. In the former the movement of the pads following the actuation of the brake lever takes place through the effect of a pulling action exerted by a metallic cable associated with the brake lever and with the caliper that supports the pads. In the latter the movement of the pads takes place through the effect of the pushing action exerted by a hydraulic piston on each pad.

Each pad typically comprises a support frame configured to be coupled with the caliper and an element made of friction-wearing material associated with a face of the support frame and configured to slide on the brake disc during braking, generating some noise.

<CIT> discloses metal felt laminate structures. In particular, a laminate comprises first and second metal layers, and a metallic felt layer disposed between the metal layers and attached to each to provide vibrational damping and thermal insulation. <FIG> shows an embodiment of a pad.

<CIT> discloses a disc brake for vehicle. The brake power is obtained by a disc brake of a motorcycle as a piston is pushed out toward a brake disc side and press welding of a brake pad fixed to an inner surface of a back plate is performed against the brake disc when hydraulic pressure to be followed by operation of a brake is applied to each of both a right and left cylinder chambers. A vibration damping massive unit is fixed to the back plate with a bolt by positioning the same at the center of the surface of the back plate on the piston side and keeping the same at a predetermined play to the back plate. The massive unit is so constituted that both side faces of the massive unit are covered with a viscoelastic body made of a high-molecular elastic material such as rubber and synthetic resin.

<CIT> discloses a brake pad. In particular, a shoe comprises a support to which a friction lining is glued. Sheet-steel can be used for the sheet-metal component, and aluminum for the foam component, the whole forming a sandwich structure with the sheet-metal secured to one or both sides.

<CIT> discloses a brake pad including a lining, a plate, a first shim installed at a surface of the plate which is opposite to the lining and a second shim installed at a surface of the first shim which is opposite to the plate. A first hook overhanging at an outer circumferential edge section of the plate and hooked to the outer circumferential edge section of the plate is formed at the first shim. A second hook is formed at the second shim at an outer side of the first hook in a disk radial direction, and the second hook is configured to be hooked to a part of the plate with which the first hook does not come in contact. The document <CIT> discloses a pad in accordance with the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The Applicant observed that during braking the pads can be subjected to vibrations that can alter the correct positioning of the element made of friction-wearing material on the support frame and/or the contact between the element made of friction-wearing material and the brake disc, reducing the braking efficiency.

The Applicant considered the problem of eliminating the aforementioned vibrations, or at least reducing the extent thereof as much as possible, and found that such a problem is solved by providing the pad with an element configured to dampen the vibrations.

The present invention therefore relates to a pad for a bicycle disc brake as recited in claim <NUM>.

The Applicant verified that the aforementioned vibration damping element considerably, if not totally, absorbs the vibrations that can be generated on the pad when the brake is actuated, preventing such vibrations from negatively influencing the braking.

According to the invention, the element made of friction-wearing material is associated with a first face of the support frame and the vibration damping element is associated with a second face of the support frame opposite to said first face. The vibration damping element therefore does not physically interfere with the element made of friction-wearing material. In this way, the vibrations damping action and the braking action are functionally independent from one another, so that each of the aforementioned actions is carried out with the maximum efficiency.

Preferably, the vibration damping element is glued to said support frame.

More preferably, the vibration damping element comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer attached to the support frame. Said adhesive layer can comprise a layer of hot-adhesive material or a layer of cold-adhesive material. In this last case, the vibration damping element preferably comprises a removable film associated with said layer of cold-adhesive material and intended to be removed before applying the vibration damping element on the support frame.

The Applicant has found that the use of a cold-adhesive material is particularly preferred since the adhesive behavior remains substantially identical as the temperature changes.

Preferably, the compound of the element made of friction-wearing material is deposited so that it penetrates, at least in part, in the support frame. This makes it possible to have a pad that is more resistant to the shearing stresses generated during braking. In fact, in the absence of such interpenetration, the detachment of the element made of friction-wearing material from the support frame could occur.

Preferably, the element made of friction-wearing material and the vibration damping element comprise respective inner surfaces in contact with the support frame, and at least one part of the inner surface of the vibration damping element is in contact with at least one part of the inner surface of the element made of friction-wearing material.

Advantageously, this produces the effect of having a direct damping of the vibrations.

Preferably, the vibration damping element comprises at least one layer of metallic material. The Applicant has found that the provision of such a layer is particularly advantageous to achieve an effective damping of the vibrations.

In a preferred embodiment, said at least one layer of metallic material is associated with at least one layer of anti-rust material. Preferably, said at least one layer of metallic material is arranged between two layers of anti-rust material. This allows to maintain an effective vibration damping action even after a possible prolonged contact of the pad with mud or water.

In an alternative embodiment, said at least one layer of metallic material is associated with at least one layer of rubber, which preferably is a fluoropolymer. More preferably, said at least one layer of metallic material is arranged between two layers of rubber.

Further embodiments can be provided in which the vibration damping element comprises, in addition to the aforementioned layer of metallic material, both two layers of anti-rust material and two layers of rubber, or a single layer of anti-rust material and two layers of rubber, or a single layer of rubber and two layers of anti-rust material. The mutual positioning of the aforementioned layers of anti-rust material and of rubber and the positioning of such layers with respect to the layer of metallic material can be whatever.

In some embodiments out of the scope of protection of the present invention, the support frame has an outer profile having a predetermined shape and the vibration damping element has an outer profile having a shape substantially identical to the shape of the outer profile of said support frame. In such a case the vibration damping element has, on a plane parallel to that of the support frame, a high extension, so as to effectively carry out its vibration damping action, such an extension nevertheless being no greater than that of the support frame, so as not to require that the operator takes special provisions or precautions during the mounting of the pad on the caliper of the disc brake.

Preferably, the support frame comprises a housing seat for housing the vibration damping element. Such a seat makes it possible to avoid undesired movements of the vibration damping element with respect to the support frame and, consequently, to avoid a reduction of the efficiency of the vibration damping action and/or a disadvantageous interference with the braking action carried out by the element made of friction-wearing material.

Preferably, the housing seat has a depth greater than the thickness of the vibration damping element. In this way the vibration damping element remains housed in the seat also in the case in which it deforms and detaches from the support frame, thus achieving the advantages discussed above.

In a first embodiment, the housing seat has at least in part a substantially circular shape.

In this case, preferably the vibration damping element has a substantially circular shape.

In preferred embodiments, the housing seat comprises opposite shoulders configured to go into abutment against opposite side walls of the vibration damping element.

In this case, preferably the vibration damping element has a substantially polyhedral shape.

The shoulders preferably have a depth greater than the thickness of the vibration damping element so as to remain in abutment on the vibration damping element also in the case in which it deforms and detaches from the support frame, thus avoiding undesired displacements of the vibration damping element with respect to the support frame.

According to the invention, the vibration damping element comprises a first end portion that projects with respect to said support frame.

According to the invention, said first end portion is defined at a lower portion of said vibration damping element.

Throughout the present description and in the following claims, the expressions "upper", "lower" and "side" are used with reference to the position taken up by the pad when it is mounted on the caliper of the disc brake and such a caliper is mounted on the frame of the bicycle. In such a position, the orientation of the pad is substantially that the one represented in the figures attached to the present description and described below. The terms "front" or "outer" and "rear" or "inner" are used to indicate the part of the pad facing towards the brake disc and the opposite part of the pad, respectively.

The aforementioned first end portion can have an increased thickness, so as to act in practice as an indicator of the degree of wear of the element made of friction-wearing material. Indeed, as the element made of friction-wearing material is consumed the aforementioned first end portion gets ever closer to the brake disc until it makes contact with the brake disc when the element made of friction-wearing material reaches an excessive degree of wear. In such a circumstance, a noise is generated that indicates to the user that the pad should or must be changed.

Said first end portion is folded over said first face. In this way a fold is made on the vibration damping element that, in addition to act as an indicator of the degree of wear of the element made of friction-wearing material, acts as further mechanical coupling element between vibration damping element and support frame.

In some preferred embodiments, the support frame comprises a through opening and the vibration damping element comprises a second end portion inserted in said through opening and folded over said first face. In this way, a further fold is made on the vibration damping element that in practice constitutes both a further shoulder for the vibration damping element and a further mechanical coupling element between vibration damping element and support frame.

Preferably, the aforementioned second portion is defined at the opposite part to the aforementioned first end portion with reference to said element made of friction-wearing material. The element made of friction-wearing material is in this case arranged between said first end portion and second end portion of said vibration damping element.

In other embodiments, the support frame comprises a first through hole for the attachment of the pad to the caliper of the disc brake and said vibration damping element comprises a second through hole, aligned with said first through hole.

Preferably, a fixing element is inserted in said first through hole and second through hole. Such a fixing element is preferably a perforated rivet. The aforementioned fixing element constitutes a further mechanical coupling element between vibration damping element and support frame and allows the stable coupling of the pad with the caliper of the disc brake.

Preferably, the second through hole is formed in a third end portion of the vibration damping element, said third end portion having a part folded over said first face and comprising a third through hole aligned with said first through hole and second through hole. The aforementioned fixing element therefore passes through the through hole of the portion of vibration damping element associated with the aforementioned second face of the support frame, the through hole of the support frame and the through hole of the portion of vibration damping element folded over the aforementioned first face of the support frame.

Preferably, said third end portion is defined at the opposite part to said first end portion, with reference to said element made of friction-wearing material.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the description of preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:.

In the attached <FIG>, reference numeral <NUM> indicates a pad for a bicycle disc brake in accordance with the present invention. <FIG> shows embodiments out of the scope of protection of the present invention.

The aforementioned disc brake, not shown, comprises a caliper configured to be associated with the frame of a bicycle and a brake disc configured to be associated with a hub of a front or rear wheel of the bicycle.

Inside the caliper there are at least two opposite pads <NUM> in accordance with the present invention.

Advantageously, the weight of the pad object of the invention, obviously when it is new, is comprised between about <NUM> grams and about <NUM> grams, the extreme values being included.

Advantageously, its thickness, again when it is new, is comprised between about <NUM> and about <NUM>, the extreme values being included, and preferably is substantially equal to about <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the pad <NUM> comprises a support frame <NUM> configured to be associated with the aforementioned caliper.

An element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> is associated with a first face 10a of the support frame <NUM>.

A vibration damping element <NUM> is associated with a second face 10b of the support frame <NUM>, opposite to the first face 10a.

In <FIG> the face 10b cannot be seen since it is entirely covered by the vibration damping element <NUM>, which in this case has an outer profile having a shape substantially identical to the shape of the outer profile of the support frame <NUM>.

The support frame <NUM> is made of a metallic material.

The support frame <NUM> comprises a portion <NUM> for fastening to the caliper and a portion <NUM> for supporting the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>.

The portion <NUM> for fastening to the caliper comprises a through hole <NUM> for housing a pin configured to support the pad <NUM> on the caliper of the disc brake.

The support frame <NUM> preferably has a symmetrical shape with respect to a transversal middle plane X-X that passes through the center of the through hole <NUM>.

The support portion <NUM> of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> has a substantially parallelepiped shape and has a lower part 15a whose central area extends downwards.

The support frame <NUM> preferably has, at its portion <NUM> for supporting the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>, a plurality of holes <NUM> (which can be seen in <FIG>) through which the compound of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> penetrates into the support frame <NUM> itself, thus providing the pad <NUM> with a high shear strength.

A through opening <NUM> can be formed in the support frame <NUM>, as described and shown with reference to <FIG>. Such an opening <NUM> in this case acts as a weight-reduction opening.

The element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> is made of organic materials, like for example glass fibers or copper fibers with resins, or of metallic materials, like for example sintered metallic powders.

The element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> has a substantially parallelepiped shape. It comprises an upper surface 20a, a lower surface 20b substantially parallel to the upper surface 20a, a pair of opposite side surfaces 20c substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces 20a, 20b, a front (or outer) surface 20d and a rear (or inner) surface 20e substantially parallel to the front (or outer) surface 20d.

The upper and lower surfaces 20a, 20b are preferably slightly concave.

As shown in <FIG>, the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> has a predetermined thickness T. A front portion of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> defines a portion of normal wear of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>. Such a portion of normal wear corresponds to the portion of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> that is considered to be able to be subjected to wear without the need to replace the pad <NUM>. Such a front portion has a thickness T' typically comprised between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% of the thickness T, for example equal to about <NUM>% of the thickness T.

The element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> comprises, in a side end area of the upper portion thereof, a visual wear indicator <NUM>. In particular, the visual wear indicator <NUM> is defined at a joining edge of the upper surface 20a and of one of the side surfaces 20c of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>.

There are alternative embodiments to the one shown in the attached drawings in which the visual wear indicator <NUM> is provided on both the side end areas of the upper portion of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>, or in any case again on the upper portion of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> but in a position different from the one shown in <FIG>.

The visual wear indicator <NUM> is obtained by partial removal of material, for example through milling. It defines in the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> a step having a height lower than the thickness of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>. As the thickness of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> progressively reduces upon friction with the brake disc, the height of the aforementioned step reduces, providing the cyclist with a visual indication of the degree of wear of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>.

The element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> comprises a beveled lower portion.

Such a beveled lower portion extends continuously along the entire lower surface 20b of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> and comprises a central area having a first tapering <NUM> and opposite side end areas each having a second tapering <NUM>.

Alternative embodiments of the pad <NUM> of the present invention are provided, wherein the tapering <NUM> is defined only at one of the opposite side end areas of the lower surface 20b of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>.

The tapering <NUM> is defined at the opposite joining edges of the lower surface 20b and of the side surfaces 20c of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> and extends from the lower surface 20b towards the upper surface 20a of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> more than the tapering <NUM>.

Moving progressively from the central area to the opposite side end areas, the tapering <NUM> extends downwards increasingly until it joins the tapering <NUM>. The latter extends towards the upper surface 20a progressively moving towards the side surfaces 20c of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>.

The vibration damping element <NUM> can have a structure with overlapping layers. The number of layers, the thickness and the material of each layer can vary as a function of the heat resistance and the required frequencies to be damped.

For example, in the embodiments shown in <FIG> the vibration damping element <NUM> comprises a layer of metallic material 42a arranged between two layers of rubber 42b. Preferably, the metallic material is carbon steel and the rubber is nitrile rubber.

The vibration damping element <NUM> of <FIG> further comprises a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive material <NUM> associated with one of the aforementioned two layers of rubber 42b and intended to be attached to the support frame <NUM>.

In the case in which, a layer of cold-adhesive material is used, like in the examples of <FIG>, the vibration damping element <NUM> preferably further comprises a film 42c made of plastic material applied to the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive material <NUM> and intended to be removed before gluing the vibration damping element <NUM> on the support frame <NUM>.

On the other hand, in the case in which a layer of hot-adhesive material is used, like in the example of <FIG>, the aforementioned film 42c is not necessary.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the layer of metallic material 42a has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM>, each of the two layers of rubber 42b has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM>, the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive material <NUM> has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM> and the film 42c has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM>. The overall thickness of the vibration damping element <NUM> of <FIG>, without the aforementioned film 42c, is therefore equal to about <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the layer of metallic material 42a has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM>, a layer of rubber 42b has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM>, the other layer of rubber 42b has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM>, the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive material <NUM> adjacent to the latter layer of rubber 42b has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM> and the film 42c has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM>. The overall thickness of the vibration damping element <NUM> of <FIG>, without the aforementioned film 42c, is therefore equal to about <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the layer of metallic material 42a has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM>, each of the two layers of rubber 42b has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM> and the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive material <NUM> has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM>. The overall thickness of the vibration damping element <NUM> of <FIG> is therefore equal to about <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the vibration damping element <NUM> comprises a layer of metallic material 42a arranged between two layers of anti-rust material 42d. Also in this case, preferably, the metallic material is carbon steel, whereas the anti-rust material is given by a surface treatment.

The vibration damping element <NUM> of <FIG> further comprises a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive material <NUM> associated with one of the aforementioned two layers of anti-rust material 42d and intended to be attached to the support frame <NUM>.

In the case in which a layer of cold-adhesive material is used, like in the example of <FIG>, the vibration damping element <NUM> preferably further comprises a film 42c of plastic material applied to the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive material <NUM> and intended to be removed before gluing the vibration damping element <NUM> on the support frame <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the layer of metallic material 42a has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM>, each of the two layers of anti-rust material 42d has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM>, the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive material <NUM> has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM> and the film 42c has a thickness for example equal to about <NUM>. The overall thickness of the vibration damping element <NUM> of <FIG>, without the aforementioned film 42c, is therefore equal to about <NUM>.

In all of the embodiments of the pad <NUM> of the invention, the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> and the vibration damping element <NUM> are glued to the support frame <NUM>.

Preferably, at least one part of the inner surface 40b of the vibration damping element <NUM> penetrates the holes <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> until it makes contact with at least one part of the inner surface 20e of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>.

The vibration damping element <NUM> can take up different shapes.

<FIG> shows a first embodiment of a pad <NUM> out of the scope of protection of the invention. In such an embodiment the vibration damping element <NUM> extends over the entire face 10b of the support frame <NUM> and has an outer profile identical to that of the latter. In particular, the surface extension of the vibration damping element <NUM> is in this case identical to that of the support frame <NUM>.

The vibration damping element <NUM> comprises, at an upper end portion thereof corresponding to the fastening portion <NUM> of the support frame, a through hole 12a aligned with the through hole <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>. A perforated rivet <NUM> is inserted in the through holes <NUM> and 12a to mechanically couple the vibration damping element <NUM> with the support frame <NUM> and to allow the passage of the support pin of the pad <NUM> to the caliper of the disc brake.

<FIG> shows a pneumatic piston <NUM> associated with the face of the vibration damping element <NUM> opposite to the face for coupling with the support frame <NUM>. The pneumatic piston <NUM> pushes the pad <NUM> against the brake disc when the brake lever is actuated. When the brake lever is released, the pneumatic piston <NUM> goes back into its initial position and the pad <NUM> moves away from the brake disc through the effect of the bending of an elastic ring, known as "q-ring", in the hydraulic brakes or through the action of a suitable mechanism in the mechanical brakes.

Although not shown, the pneumatic piston <NUM> is foreseen also in the use of the alternative embodiments of the pad <NUM> described below.

<FIG> and <FIG> show an alternative embodiment of a pad <NUM> out of the scope of protection of the invention. Such an embodiment differs from that of <FIG> only in the shape of the vibration damping element <NUM> and for the provision, on the face 10b of the support frame <NUM>, of a housing seat <NUM> for housing the vibration damping element <NUM>, the housing seat <NUM> having an at least partially circular shape. Such a seat <NUM> has a shape that substantially copies the shape of the caliper of the disc brake and a depth greater than the thickness of the vibration damping element <NUM>.

In the example of <FIG> and <FIG>, the vibration damping element <NUM> has a substantially circular shape and completely fills the seat <NUM>.

Also in this case, a through opening <NUM> can be formed in the support frame <NUM>, as described and shown with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> show the pad <NUM> of the invention. Such an embodiment differs from that of <FIG> only in the shape of the vibration damping element <NUM> and for the provision, on the face 10b of the support frame <NUM>, of a housing seat <NUM> defined between two opposite shoulders <NUM> configured to go into abutment against opposite side walls 40a of the vibration damping element <NUM>. Such shoulders <NUM> are defined at the opposite sides of the portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> and have a depth preferably greater than the thickness of the vibration damping element <NUM>.

In the example of <FIG>, the vibration damping element <NUM> extends over the entire face 10b of the support frame <NUM> and has an outer profile only in part identical to that of the latter (like in the embodiment of <FIG>). Indeed, in this case the vibration damping element <NUM> differs from that of <FIG> in that it comprises, at a lower portion thereof, a first lower end portion <NUM> that projects below the support frame <NUM>. Such a lower end portion <NUM> has a part 43a folded over the face 10a of the support frame <NUM> without overlapping the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the vibration damping element <NUM>, in addition to be glued to the support frame <NUM>, is also mechanically constrained to the support frame <NUM> through the aforementioned folded part 43a.

As an alternative to the provision of the aforementioned part 43a, the lower end portion <NUM> of the vibration damping element <NUM> can have an increased thickness, so as to still be able to act as an indicator of the degree of wear of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>.

<FIG> show a further embodiment of the pad <NUM> of the invention. Such an embodiment differs from that of <FIG> only in the shape of the vibration damping element <NUM> and for the provision, on the support frame <NUM> and above the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>, of the aforementioned through opening <NUM>.

The through opening <NUM> defines in the fastening portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> a pair of arms 14a that extend from the area of the support frame <NUM> in which the through hole <NUM> is formed to the side end areas of the upper part of the support portion <NUM> of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>, and thus up to close to the opposite side ends thereof.

In the example of <FIG>, the vibration damping element <NUM> comprises an upper end portion <NUM>, opposite to the lower end portion <NUM>, inserted in the aforementioned through opening <NUM>. The upper end portion <NUM> is folded over the face 10a of the support frame <NUM> without overlapping the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the vibration damping element <NUM>, in addition to be glued to the support frame <NUM>, is also mechanically constrained to the support frame <NUM> through the aforementioned folded part 43a and the aforementioned folded upper end portion <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the outermost profile of the folded part 43a has a distance "S" from the outer surface 20d of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>. Preferably, such a distance "S" is substantially equal to the thickness T' of the portion of normal wear of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>.

Advantageously, the folded part 43a acts as a safety alarm for the pad <NUM>. In fact, as the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM> of the pad <NUM> is progressively consumed, the folded part 43a gets closer to the radial arms of the disc until its outermost surface, in other words the surface opposite to the one facing the support frame <NUM>, touches the disc itself, producing a noise. Such a noise is a warning that the maximum consumption limit of the pad <NUM> has been reached.

Even more advantageously, such an alarm means is useful also in the presence of the aforementioned visual wear indicator <NUM>, in the case of non-homogeneous consumption of the element made of friction-wearing material <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a further embodiment of the pad <NUM> of the invention. Such an embodiment differs from that of <FIG> only in the shape of the vibration damping element <NUM>. However, a further embodiment is foreseen in which the support frame <NUM> is totally identical to that of the embodiments shown in <FIG>, thus without the through opening <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In the example of <FIG> and <FIG>, the vibration damping element <NUM> comprises an upper end portion <NUM> opposite to the lower end portion <NUM> and provided with a through hole 47a aligned with the through hole <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>. The upper end portion <NUM> extends further until it projects at the top with respect to the support frame <NUM>. The upper end portion <NUM> has a part 47b folded over the face 10a of the support frame <NUM> and provided with a through hole 47c aligned with the aforementioned through holes <NUM> and 47a. In this case the perforated rivet <NUM> is inserted in the through holes 47a, <NUM> and 47c.

A variant of this embodiment may not provide for the use of the perforated rivet <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the vibration damping element <NUM>, in addition to be glued to the support frame <NUM>, is also mechanically constrained to the support frame <NUM> through the aforementioned folded part 43a and the aforementioned folded upper end portion <NUM>.

All of the embodiments of the pad <NUM> described above can also be used in a manually-controlled disc brake.

Claim 1:
Pad (<NUM>) for a bicycle disc brake, the pad (<NUM>) comprising a support frame (<NUM>) having a first portion (<NUM>) for fastening the pad (<NUM>) to a caliper of the bicycle disc brake and a second portion (<NUM>), wherein an element made of friction-wearing material (<NUM>) is associated with said support frame (<NUM>) at said second portion (<NUM>), wherein the pad (<NUM>) comprises a vibration damping element (<NUM>) associated with said support frame (<NUM>), wherein said element made of friction-wearing material (<NUM>) is associated with a first face (10a) of said support frame (<NUM>) and said vibration damping element (<NUM>) is associated with a second face (10b) of said support frame (<NUM>) opposite to said first face (10a); said vibration damping element (<NUM>) comprises a first end portion (<NUM>) projecting with respect to said support frame (<NUM>), wherein said first end portion (<NUM>) comprises a part (43a) folded over said first face (10a); characterised in that, when the pad (<NUM>) is mounted on the caliper of the bicycle disc brake and the caliper is mounted on the frame of the bicycle, said first end portion (<NUM>) is provided at a lower portion of said vibration damping element (<NUM>) and said second portion (<NUM>) is arranged below the first portion (<NUM>).