New-York tribune., 1896-03-29
RLOOMINGDALE BROS.
THAT MYSTERIOUS BRAKE.
IT'S METHOD OF OPERATION DESCRIBED IN
DETAIL

DETAIL
81 much attention was attracted by the mysteri-
Gus bicycle brake that was first brought TO the no
tIce OF the public at the Cycle Show held In BROOK
vn recently that brief description OF the prnci-
pie on which IL based and the method OF It's opera
ton cannot fall be OF interest both 10 the riders
OF wheels In general and to the men engaged in the
cycling trade The writer called at the store in this
city where the brake is now on exhibition, and
had an opportunity TO examine 1t somewhat In de-
tail.
There are not few Of those interested in bicycles
who believe that this brake solves in satisfactory
way the brake problem since 1t possesses the three
things that are essential In brake. In the hrst
place It adds practically nothing to the weight or
wheel. for 1t weighs only six or seven ounces. In
the second place 1t does not dishgure a wheel in
any way and the fact that IT IS attached TO one is
scarcely noticeable In the third place. and most
important OF ALL It has no bad effect on the tires.
as ordinary brakes have. for II does not come mo
contact with either OF them.
Those riders who have dispensed with brakes have
done so largely because OF more Of these
three things. The brake has none OF these
drawbacks; and further, 1t costs mere trfe to
equip n wheel with It, provided this Is done while
the wheel !s being made. To apply II 10 COM
pieted wheel n of course omewhat more expensive
It is expected however. II the brake does what It
now bids do. that most OF the manufacturers
Will obtain the right It next year. and that
II will be supplied the purchasers OF the wheels
OF 1897 without extra cost.
The great novelty about this brake is that Il Is
applied to the axle OF the bicycle. and that the
power Is exerted by giving a slight turn to the
handle on the right hand side Of the hande-bar The
connection between the two is formed by chain
running inside OF the hande-bar and down through
the front bar OF the frame to the axle The princi
pal part OF the brake Is the closely coiled spiral
spring which encirces the axle The coil Is about an
inch and three-quarters In length. and just large
tha axa m turn eas
The spring is made OF piece Of cold drawn steel.
about a quarter OF inch wide. rather thick
at one end. and gradually becoming narrower and
thinner until at the other end 1t Is scarcely more
than an eighth Of an inch wide and much thinner
than at the starting point. AT the wide end there
Is a square shoulder the STEEL and when It Is
applied to any bicycle the first thing is to fasten
small block or pin inside of the axlebracket, against
which the shoulder OF the spiral spring rests. This
preyents the spring from turning when the other
end Is drawn tight The spring Is not fastened to
the frame In any way, but lies loose, surrounding
the axle The weight OF the spring is not more than
three ounces. and consequently 1t does not add per-
ceptiby to tho friction.
A slight pull on the small end Of the spring. which
Is bent partly the other part. Will cause the
whole to grip tho axle with surprising tightness
Instead of chain to apply the power IL Is SAID tna
a piece OF twine is sufficient, so far as strength Is
concerned. and can well believe 1t after seeing
the parts OF the brake and then observing 1t in
action.
Now to go to the other end Handles with metal
tips are used so that there will be danger Of
splitting the that Is set loose the handlebar
Inside OF this handle spiral screw thread Is cut
making Just one revolution In this spiral pin
fts. the pin being attached to steel block that
plays back and forth for short distance within the
handle bar. The pin works spring, and a hole
cut In the handle that the pin IS forced into II
by the spring n certain point and the handle Is
held firmly. A small brass button on the outside OF
the handle. which be easily pressed by the
thumb. throws the pin In and permits the nandie
to be moved 10 the right AS II Is moved the pm
Is forced along the spiral screw thread ana tne
block IL thrust outward The chain Is thus Drawn
taut and the spiral spring on the axle presseu
against the latter The power can be applied either
slowly quickly, the response being quick IN either
At the point where the handle ebar Joins the upright
the chain passes small pulley which is held IN
place by screw passed through the bar on the right
side OF the upright AS this screw Is on the lower SIDE
Below the pulley the chain Is incased in a small
It's coming into contact with the sides or the tubing
when the bicycle runs over q rough road.
At the middle OF the handle-bar on the upper sde
small thumb-screw Is to be seen; this Is the pro-
vision for taking up or letting out the chain when
the handle e-bar Is lowered raised. There are two
pieces OF tubing working one inside Of the othsss