How can I copy Time Machine's backup files?

I recently bought a new external HD for my iMac, a 'LaCie d2 Quadra' with 320GB. I currently have a 'LaCie Brick' of 80GB which I use for Time Machine.
My question is: how can I copy the backup files from the Brick to the Quadra drive; then turn the Quadra into the new Time machine drive and reformat the Brick?
Is this possible, or are my backup files doomed?
Unfortunately I can't keep the Brick (I promised to give it to my sister), so having two Time Machine drives isn't an option.
Who can help me out?

It is possible as described at
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20071128055047339
and read the comments as well.
Also make sure you do think about the difference between backing up (back up of the main hard drive) versus archiving (saving important data, usually off line). With backup, if you delete the data on the main hard drive, it will eventually be gone on the back up as well, when the 'old space' gets reused. You'll get a notification as this starts to happen, but over a long time period when the backup volume starts to fill up, this will happen.
All important files should be archived. Everything should be at least 'backed up.'

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