Patent ID: 7097008

Claim:
A backing plate for use in a friction assembly for a brake, the friction assembly comprising a brake pad which includes the backing plate and a friction material, the backing plate comprising: a friction supporting surface for supporting the friction material for producing friction when the brake is in use; a back surface opposite to the friction supporting surface, the back surface being adapted to receive a noise damping shim; and a first coupler member formed on the back surface for engaging with a second coupler member formed on the noise damping shim, the second coupler member having a rim defining a hole to couple the noise damping shim with the backing plate, the first coupler member having: a stem adapted to be received in the hole of the second coupler member, the stem having a connection end where the stem is connected to the backing plate and a distal end opposite to the connection end, the stem having a height and an enlarged section having a larger-cross section, wherein the enlarged section is near the distal end of the stem and engages the rim of the second coupler member to prevent disengagement of the shim from the backing plate upon assembly; a recess surrounding the stem to accept the rim of the second coupler member, the recess having a depth defined by an opening mouth and a bottom, wherein the height of the stem is less than the depth of the recess such that the distal end of the stem remains within the recess prior to and after coupling of the first and second coupler members.