A bicycle brake shoe for making press contact with a bicycle wheel rim to apply a braking force thereto. The brake shoe includes a shoe body which is elongated in the rotation direction of the wheel rim and which has a braking surface opposite to the braked surface of the rim. The shoe body also includes at least one slit extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the braking surface and extending inwardly into the shoe body to a predetermined depth.

A brake shoe having an elongate generally clam-shell shaped metallic support or backbone member, the leading edge of which is provided with a deflectable tongue portion bent at an angle and flexible relative to the main body portion, with first and second brake pads molded thereabout to provide a unitary assembly, with a fastening member secured generally perpendicular to the main body portion. The first and second brake pads are formed of dissimilar material and separated by a recess or V-shaped notch to permit flexing at the recess. The leading brake pad is formed of a long wearing low friction material, while the trailing or rear brake pad is formed of high friction compound. The backbone member is formed by stamping, with the two brake pads molded over the stamping.

A brake shoe having a metallic support or backbone member with a brake pad formed of at least two portions, each of a separate compound or composition, with each compound pre-selected to effect a separate result for each of the pad portions. The portions are configured, arranged and dimensioned so that each (and all) pad portions have a braking surface in contact with the rim generally simultaneously. The partitioned brake pad is formed of different combinations of multi-rubber or elastomers, not a particular combination, to improve wet and dry braking with one pad or the same pad. The selection of multi-rubber or elastomers could be used to stop squealing and grabbing, while also giving the pad stopping power at the same time; or a different combination could be used in wet and dry conditions, or a combination of compounds may be utilized for different partitions for racing conditions, or the like.

A brake shoe having a metallic support or backbone member with a brake pad formed of at least two portions, each of a separate compound or composition, with each compound pre-selected to effect a separate result for each of the pad portions. The portions are configured, arranged and dimensioned so that each (and all) pad portions have a braking surface in contact with the rim generally simultaneously. The partitioned brake pad is formed of different combinations of multi-rubber or elastomers, not a particular combination, to improve wet and dry braking with one pad or the same pad. The selection of multi-rubber or elastomers could be used to stop squealing and grabbing, while also giving the pad stopping power at the same time; or a different combination could be used in wet and dry conditions, or a combination of compounds may be utilized for different partitions for racing conditions, or the like.

Water conditioning apparatus including a housing adapted for connection into a fluid delivery system, the housing having a fluid flow chamber with aligned entrance and exit openings, the chamber having an inner generally tubular surface with inwardly directed spirally oriented flow control ribs and a unitary member coaxially arranged therein, the member having an axial length less than the length of the inner chamber. The chamber includes at least one water return scoop in the form of an annular V-shaped groove formed within the chamber about the exit opening. The surface of the unitary member is configured with undulate fin sections, with the fin sections cooperating with the spirally oriented ribs to promote turbulence of the fluid passing therethrough. The water return scoop further assists in the process by causing about one third of all water passing through the chamber to feed back into the chamber for greater turbulence. The parts are configured, dimensioned and arranged so that the combined effect is to promote turbulence in the fluid flow form the exit end and downstream within the fluid flow delivery system to prevent the formation of scale in the conduit. The housing and unitary member are both metallic and formed of a composition of approximately two-third copper with the balance being zinc, nickel and tin.