Improvements in and relating to Combined Coasting and Brake Mechanism for Bicycles and like Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 5th July, 1897-Accepted, 21st Aug.,
1897
Improvements in and relating to Combined Coasting and Brake
Mechanism for Bicycles and like Vehicles.
I, WILLARD MILTON FARROW, a citizen of the United States of America,
residing at 311 Eleventh Street South West, in the City of Washington, District
of Columbia, United States of America, master mechanic, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
My invention relates to combined coasting and brake mechanism for bicycles
and like vehicles.
The main object of my invention is to construct a simple durable and
economical automatic coasting device combined with a powerful brake that will
also be automatic in operation, and to which brake the rider may apply his utmost
strength in emergencies requiring sudden stopping of the wheel, the brake action
being applied to the periphery of the driving wheel instead of to a disk or flange
extension on or connected with the hub of the driving wheel, the crank shaft or
driving sprocket, and the brake is applied by a backward rotation of the pedals
and propelling gear or mechanism, as will be more fully and specifically
described hereinafter.
A further object of my invention is to combine with my improved brake devices
any type or construction of coasting device that will permit the wheel to coast
freely while the pedals and propelling mechanism are held stationary.
The above-named and such other objects as may occur from the ensuing descrip-
tion are accomplished by the mechanism hereinafter described, reference being
had to the accompanying drawings, in which―
Figure 1 represents a complete bicycle embodying my invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation partly in section, illustrating my improved brake
mechanism, together with a part or section of the upper portion of the driving
chain.
Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line x-x of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a plan view of a part of Figure 1.
Figures 5 and 6 are vertical sectional views of a modified form of lever.
Figures 7 and 8 are like views of another modified form of lever.
Figure 9 is a section of the rear sprocket, showing friction clutches and ball
bearings, and illustrating one of my preferred coasting devices.
Figure 10 is a vertical cross section of the same, and
Figure 11, a like section slightly modified, showing coasting devices.
In carrying out my invention, I suspend or pivot a brake shoe A, so that it can
be readily brought into contact with the periphery of the driving wheel. The said
shoe is held by gravity aided by a light spring a which serves to press the lower
end of the brake shoe first against the tire F when it is desired to apply the brake.
A rod b, as clearly shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, serves to pivot the brake shoe to
a lever m which latter is suitably suspended to the cross brace of the frame C,

page_text: :
and has a free swinging motion thereon, and the rod b is bent at substantially a
right angle and connected to a lever B through the medium of which the rod b is
caused to transmit the brake power to the shoe, in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
The lever B is strongly pivoted at its lower end to a base b¹ which latter is
suitably secured to the horizontal part of the frame C and projects upwardly so
that its mortised upper end 62 forms a guide for the drive chain D which..chain
when pulled taut, as in the work of propulsion, passes through said mortised
portion of the lever B without contact. Upon reversal of the pedals, or what is
commonly termed "back-pedaling" the upper portion of the drive chain is slack-
ened and is caused to engage a pawl e, or the equivalent, which firmly locks the
chain against backward movement through the mortise. A backward turn upon
the pedals thus results in pressing the shoe against the driving wheel F, as shown
in Figures 1 and 2.
The pawl e may be pivoted above the chain, as illustrated in Figure 2, so that
the said pawl is made to rest in a horizontal plane when the chain is taut, as in
dotted lines of Figure. 2, and it is partly counterbalanced to prevent clicking as
the links are drawn along its surface, but when the drive chain is caused to drop
or sag. to the bottom of the mortise the projecting end or point of the pawl enters
between the sides of the link and holds it down upon the cross pin el, as shown in
full lines in Figure 1.
In Figures 5 and 6 I illustrate a slightly modified arrangement whereby the
chain when running forward does so without touching any part of the lever, the
pawle being pivoted at the bottom of the mortise and its upward projecting toe
taking into the link when the chain is slack and movement of the chain reversed,
as shown in dotted lines. It then assumes the position shown in full lines.
Another slightly modified form is illustrated by Figures 7 and 8, showing a
rigid lug e integral with the lever and projected from the bottom of the mortised
portion so as to merely clear the chain when taut and serves the same purpose as
the pawl. When slack a link of the chain drops over the lug and the hook surface
of the latter holds it securely until the movement is again reversed. When taut
the chain is in the position shown by dotted lines.
As will be seen by reference to the drawings, Figure 5 is a sectional view on the
line yy, Figure 6; Figure 6 is a section on line z-z, Figure 5; Figure 7 is a
section on the line oo, Figure 8, and Figure 8 a section at 7-1, Figure 7.
The coasting mechanism shown in Figures 9 and 10, comprises a suitable exten-
sion of the driving wheel hub of sufficient width to permit the mounting thereon
of the sprocket rim N, which latter fits closely and smoothly, yet so as to turn
freely in a backward direction. It is recessed at several equi-distant points, as
shown, for reception of a series of cylindrical friction clutches P, which bite at
once upon the forward rotation of the rim with reference to the hub, and so imparts
rotation to the driving wheel. When, however, the sprocket rim is held from
rotation, the driving wheel can continue in forward rotation, as the cylindrical
friction clutches are at once loosened and the wheel can thus coast freely of its
moment or down an incline,, the sprocket wheels and pedals being meantime held
from rotation.
Figure 11 shows a coasting mechanism, the hub end and extension on which the
sprocket rim is mounted being shown slightly modified in construction, yet
illustrating the rim N and cylindrical friction clutches P, substantially as shown in
Figs. 9 and 10.
:
While a coasting device is an essential element in connection with my improved
brake mechanism it will be understood that I lay no particular stress upon the coast-
ing mechanism illustrated in Figures 9, 10 and 11, as any such device or mechan-
ism that will permit the wheel to coast freely. while the pedals and propelling
mechanism are held stationary will suffice for the practical operation of the brake.
It will also be perceived that it is not essential that the brake mechanism should
be of the precise construction shown, or should be located as illustrated and
described; the combination with a coasting device, of a brake automatically

page_text: applied to the periphery of the driving wheel by a mere reverse movement of the
pedals and propelling mechanism constituting the essence of the invention.
In operation with the coasting mechanism hereinbefore described it will readily
be seen that a forward rotation of the pedals results in rotation of the driving
wheel, and in forward propulsion-a cessation of rotation of the pedals results in
coasting and a backward rotation of the pedals applies the brake.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a combined coasting and braking device for cycles, the combination with
gear shifting mechanism, and a brake; of means connected to the brake for engag-
ing the driving chain of the machine when its driving movement is reversed, and
thus apply the brake.
2. In a combined coasting and braking device for cycles, the combination with
shifting mechanism for releasing the gearing of the rear wheel; of a brake, and
connections between the shifting mechanism and brake, whereby a backward
movement of the pedals simultaneously releases said rear wheel gearing, and
applies the brake.
3. In a combined coasting and braking device for cycles, the combination with
shifting mechanism for throwing the rear wheel sprocket out of gear, and with a
brake adapted to engage the wheel; of a driving chain and a device for engaging
the chain, said device permitting a free forward movement of the chain, but
interrupting its reverse movement and thus operating the brake.
4. In a combined coasting and braking device for cycles, the combination with
shifting mechanism for throwing the rear wheel out of gear, and with a brake
adapted to engage, the periphery of the wheel; of a driving chain, a lever ful-
crumed on the machine frame and provided with a device for engaging said chain,
when the latter moves rearwardly, and a connection between said lever and the
brake, whereby the latter is applied when the movement of the chain is interrupted.
5. In a combined coasting and braking device for cycles, the combination with
shifting mechanism for throwing the driving wheel out of gear, and with a brake
shoe adapted to engage the periphery of the wheel; of a driving chain and a lever pro-
vided with a pawl, which latter engages and locks the chain and lever firmly together
upon backward movement of the chain but releases the same when the chain is
running forward.
6. In a combined coasting and braking device for cycles, the combination with
shifting mechanism for throwing the driving wheel out of gear, and a brake shoe
adapted to engage the periphery of the wheel; of a pivoted lever mortised at its
upper end, and a pawl suitably secured within said mortised portion of the lever,
a driving chain running forwardly and taut through said mortise during the for-
ward movement of the pedals, but upon reverse movement slackens and drops into
engagement with said pawl, and by means connected with the lever and brake shoe
applies the brake.
7. In a combined coasting and braking device for cycles, the combination with
shifting mechanism for throwing the driving wheel out of gear, and with a brake
adapted to engage the tire of the wheel; of an operating lever automatically
actuated by a reverse or backward movement of the sprocket chain, the lever being
provided with means for locking the chain and lever together during back move-
ment of the chain, but releases-same when the chain is running forward, and
means connected with the lever and brake shoe for applying the brake.
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JENSEN & SON,
77 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.