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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 MEs97Jqf6SVNRDmnYEhoHzqQseRkiKis9hrBMRE91qOLvDSqYTi+h+O+kN1p9xYA
 zyTsFyjCjbXl192yaTnHNg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001333633-05-000002.txt : 20050902
<SEC-HEADER>0001333633-05-000002.hdr.sgml : 20050902
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050902143833
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001333633-05-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050901
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050902
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050902

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Barry Donald Joseph
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001333633

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-18914
		FILM NUMBER:		051067485

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(215) 712-5395

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		814 ORANGEWOOD COURT
		CITY:			PERKASIE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			18944

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			R & B INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000868780
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS & ACCESSORIES [3714]
		IRS NUMBER:				232078856
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1226

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3400 E WALNUT ST
		CITY:			COLMAR
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			18915
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2159971800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3400 E WALNUT ST
		CITY:			COLMAR
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			18915
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-09-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000868780</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>R &amp; B INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RBIN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001333633</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Barry Donald Joseph</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O R&amp;B, INC. 3400 EAST WALNUT STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>COLMAR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>18915</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior VP</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>11.1</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-09-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-09-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-09-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Option vests in three equal annual installments beginning September 1, 2008.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Donald J. Barry</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-09-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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