Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-09-16
SAFETY BRAKE,
That Will Bring an Electric Car to a
StandstilI,
Eyss o. Icy Raj -Sseesssfsi Erpsfi@sst ."
Riass' Mil Thssslay.

Ar. Oeorze p. Gay Of the frm OF Gay
Parsons Of this city is the inventor OF
safety brake for electric cars.
Bat the best feature Of the achievement
/. that his invention Il a perfectly practical
and saecessfai one a. vas demonstrated on
the steep grade Of .ines' bill Thursday
afternoon.
IL worked to charm.
we're engaged in laying on this bill JUS,
midway Of the two road rails IT rail and
shen asked for that purpose this vas be-
ing done replied that .s was for the trial Of
a safety brake that Nr. Gay was making.
Thursday afternoon the apparatus was
attached 10 open car No. IL Of the 4. IL. &
g. Electric Railroad and wss tried on Rines
hill where the grade IL very sharp and where
there IL the utmost need Of safety brake
especially since the track made straight
and the grade silarpeHed. This car IL q very
heavy one and Nr. Gay trough, il from
good speed in the middle Of the
hill To an immediate -iandstlH
though the #" rail 10 which was attached
the clamp Of the brake emitted sparks and
smoke from the intense friction. saPt.
Day and directors Of the road were present
and we're much pleased With the expert
meni and say they shall attach these brakes
10 their cars that run over this hill, which
they consider the worst on the line.
II il impossible to conyey 10 the reader a
comprelensiye idea of the apparatus though
il is qnite simple The brake proper is
clamp arrangement that opens and shuts by
means Of screw wedge operated by brake
and attached in this ease to the rear of thr
car a. il runs down Hines hill.
The conductor on coming 10 the hill steps
TO the end of the car, and taking the wheel
in his hands, lifts up about IL pounds
weight. AMI this detaches the wheel bar
from hook on which it was resting, and
lowers the whole brake. or clamp, onto the
- rail. the clamp is now open and slides
easily along the rail ill case of need
arises. Then the conductor turns the
wheel which operates the screw wedge
tripping the clamps about and IN
der tn. II" rail with Tremendous force
owing To the powerful leverage, this lev
ernge ia such that even If the rail- be ley it
will cause no trouble The ear must stop
If the brake is attached TO the car with
sufficient strength And this part of the
invention together with the arrangement
for easily lifting the heavy brake by means
of a counter weight, were some of the
greatest obstacles that Mr.. Gay had TO
overcome
The ralrond directors perceiying that
some sort of Il supplementary brake was
needed approached Mr. Gay several months
ago on the matter. They thought first of
having brake that wouII stop the wheels
altogether but this would not prevent them
from sliding on icy rails Mr.. t,ay finally
told them he would get up a brake. lie
has done So at first cost of about $500
nut II ~ IhNt what bb HiitS lihfH VI
electric railways. The clamps weigh one hun
bred sni seventy three pounds and are
attached To the truck frame of the ear
Chain weights ar~ attached to these clamps
sufficient lacking fifteen pounds, to raise
the brake The extra lifting power of if-
teen pounds must t,e pxcrted by the opera
tor. ami this he can 40 with slight effort
When climbing the hill the clamps sliding
nn the rstl ARE pushed forward and ready
for instant use.