Patent ID: 8302745

Claim:
A backing plate for a disc brake pad, comprising: a single and only a single molded unitary structure, the single molded unitary structure having: a generally planar front side defining an upper surface of the backing plate, the front side being configured to engage a friction material; a rear side opposite the front side, the rear side being configured to engage a caliper assembly; an outer exterior perimeter defining a periphery of the single molded unitary structure, the outer exterior perimeter having an integral surface extending from the front side to the rear side; a first peripheral edge defining a portion of the outer exterior perimeter; a second peripheral edge defining another portion of the outer exterior perimeter, the second peripheral edge generally opposing the first peripheral edge; and a plurality of channels disposed between the front side and the rear side and extending from the first peripheral edge toward the second peripheral edge, wherein the channels are completely surrounded by the front side and the rear side of the single molded unitary structure such that the channels extend through the single molded unitary structure to have openings at only the integral surface of the exterior perimeter at at least two discrete locations, and wherein the channels are sized and configured to impart to the backing plate a resonant frequency that attenuates vibration.