Patent ID: 8307962

Claim:
An end stabilized backing plate for an extended length brake shoe for use in a railway braking system, the backing plate comprising: (a) an elongated main body portion extending along a longitudinal axis, the main body portion having a front face and a back face; (b) a first end portion and a second end portion, the first and second end portions provided on opposing ends of the elongated main body portion; and (c) a first pair of tab members provided on the first end portion and a second pair of tab members provided on the second end portion, said first and second pair of tab members being defined by notches formed in opposing side edges of the backing plate, wherein the first and second pair of tab members are bent to extend in a rearward direction on the opposing side edges with respect to the front face of the main body portion of the backing plate, said first and second pair of tab members stabilizing the first and second end portions of the backing plate when a lateral force is applied to the backing plate.