Latch spring assembly for disc brake pad guide pins

Abstract

A latch spring assembly for brake pad guide pins received in a disc brake caliper, such as the floating type as commonly utilized in automobile brake systems, wherein an opposed pair of disc brake pad members, which support friction pads in turn for engagement of opposite peripheral sides of a brake disc for braking, are retained between opposed caliper body walls on a pair of spaced guide pins which pass transversely through the pad members. The guide pins are latched in position for retention by a latch spring having outwardly extending legs with the ends thereof respectively received in or through the guide pins. A spring retention opening is provided through one of the opposed caliper body walls and the latch spring is provided with a central hook which extends through and hooks this retention opening under spring tension. In addition, a portion of each of the two spring legs engages the caliper body under tension relative to the central hook of the spring in order to retain the spring ends stationary with respect to the axial direction of movement of the guide pins which are received in the caliper body. The guide pins are thus prevented from falling out and are held stationary with respect to their axial direction of displacement by the free end of the spring legs, at least within the limits of flexural elasticity of the spring legs. This latch spring assembly permits one or both of the pins to be provided without the conventional pin head at one end of the guide pin, and places it remote from moving and wearing brake parts.