Ex Parte RAU III - Page 12




              Appeal No. 1999-0943                                                                                     
              Application 08/906,135                                                                                   


                    (b) wrapping a length of wire in multiple turns tightly around a portion of the exterior           
              surface, the wire being formed of a material having a tensile strength of at least about 180,000         
              psi; and                                                                                                 
                    (c) molding an outer shell over and substantially covering the length of wire,                     
                    wherein the wire is maintained at a tension of at least about twenty-five foot-pounds              
              subsequent to the step of molding.                                                                       
                    19.  A brake drum comprising:                                                                      
                    (a) a tubular inner member having an interior surface suitable for directly slidingly              
              contacting a brake pad and an exterior surface, the inner member being made from an alloy                
              which includes at least about seventy-five volume percentage of aluminum and between about               
              ten volume percent and about twenty-five volume percent abrasive material;                               
                    (b) a length of wire tightly wrapped in multiple turns around substantially the entire             
              exterior surface, the length of wire having a diameter of between about 0.05 inches to about 0.25        
              inches, the wire being formed of a high-strength steel alloy; and                                        
                    (c) a tubular outer shell molded over and substantially covering the length of the wire, the       
              tubular outer shell including at least one fastener for securing at least a portion of a wheel           
              assembly to the brake drum, the outer shell being made from material which includes at least             
              about seventy-five volume percent of aluminum,                                                           
                    wherein the wire has a tension of at least about twenty-five foot-pounds following                 
              molding of the outer shell.                                                                              











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