THE trend of brake design is in the direction of better brake performance and simplification of the brake from the manufacturing, service, and maintenance points of view.
In the six types of brakes reviewed by the authors, performance was improved by center-mounting them with respect to both the applying and the anchoring forces.
Simplicity in manufacture and service was achieved by reducing the number of pieces in the brake to a minimum by eliminating many conventional parts.
Simplicity in maintenance is accomplished by eliminating major or anchor-pin adjustment, by simplifying the adjustment for lining wear, and by making it easy to disassemble and reassemble the shoes when they are relined.
