Patent ID: 7367913

Claim:
A brake system for use in a vehicle having an axle, the brake system comprising: a) a differential carrier and an output gear operatively connected thereto; b) a case defining a cavity for housing the differential carrier; c) at least one carrier rotary friction surface operatively connected to the differential carrier; d) a differential mechanism having first and second differential side gears; e) at least one side gear rotary friction surface operatively connected to one of the first and second differential side gears; f) at least one limited rotary friction surface operatively connected to the case whereby during a vehicle braking operation the at least one carrier rotary friction surface and the at least one side gear rotary friction surface are pressed together with the at least one limited rotary friction surface causing simultaneous braking of: (i) the differential carrier relative to the case, for vehicle braking causing resistance to rotation of the axle; (ii) one of the side gears to the differential carrier, for braking the differential; and (iii) the one of the side gears to the case for vehicle braking causing resistance to rotation of the axle; and g) the carrier is supported by the first and second differential side gears.