Patent ID: 7219777

Claim:
A brake rotor comprising: a central mounting portion for mounting the brake rotor on a hub; a first annular braking surface and a second annular braking surface, wherein each braking surface includes an inner diameter and an outer diameter; radially extending brake surface reinforcing ribs located between said first and second annular braking surfaces and between inner and outer diameters of the braking surfaces; a bridge in the form of a radially extending wall completely surrounding said central mounting portion between said central mounting portion and the inner diameter of one of said first and second annular braking surfaces; and a plurality of radially extending bridge reinforcing ribs mounted on said bridge extending from said central mounting portion to said outer diameter of said one of said first and second annular braking surfaces between said radially extending brake reinforcing ribs, wherein the central mounting portion, the braking surfaces, the bridge and the brake reinforcing and bridge reinforcing ribs are formed in a single piece and said brake reinforcing and bridge reinforcing ribs extend into a space between said first and second annular braking surfaces; a cover for covering all or a portion of the bridge; wherein the cover comprises a circular piece of material having a central opening corresponding in size to the central mounting portion of the rotor, wherein upon mounting of the cover onto the rotor, the central opening receives the central mounting portion of the rotor; wherein the cover includes a plurality of fastening openings for receiving fasteners for fastening the cover to the rotor.