An Improved Brake for Cycle, Motor-car, and other Vehicle Wheels.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 6th Mar., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Brake for Cycle, Motor-car, and other Vehicle Wheels.
I, LUKE WARWICK of 25 Hilton Street, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Manufacturer, 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 consists essentially of an elastic direct acting (pneumatic or
cushioned) "grip" brake for velocipedes, motor-cars and other vehicles, which can be
operated by hand or foot, and be applied to new or existing machines as hereinafter
described.
In accordance with my invention I form the brake of india-rubber, in a cylindrical
form, with a central orifice, and at one side fitted with an inflator nozzle for the
admission of air. This pneumatic brake is mounted upon an axle between the
extremities of two arms of a forked lever, which in case of the brake being operated
by the feot of the rider is, by preference, linked to the crown of the front wheel
fork, or in the case of the brake being operated by hand is secured to the usual hand
brake mechanism. In both cases the brake is hold clear of the wheel periphery by a
spring, and in the latter case the position of the foot-rests, which are carried by the
forked lever, is such as to enable the rider of the machine to readily place his or
her feet thereon. When pressure is applied to the brake, either by the feet or hands,
the brake at first, by reason of its distended condition, only touches the wheel tyre
in a small degree, and as it is gradually forced, under increased pressure, against
the wheel, it gradually increases the extent of its contact and eventually "grips
the tyre from sido to side.
"
In lieu of an inflated brake I may employ a tube of rubber distended or placed
upon or formed in one piece with a bobbin-like centre, and acting as an elastic
or cushionod brake by reason of the flexible nature of the rubber, and the
imprisoned air.
And in order that my invention shall be more readily understood and comprehended
I havo hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings, and will now proceed to describe the
same with the assistance of the letters and figures of reference markod thereon.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 2 an end view of the pneumatic brake.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the shell or sleeve on which the brake is
mounted in use.
Fig. 4 is a separate view of the brake axis and fittings.
Fig. 5 shows the parts employed for using Dy invention as a foot-brake.
Figs. 6 & 7 illustrate a "cushion" brake partly in section.
Fig. 8 shows the application of the improved brake to the front wheel of a safety
bicycle and adapted for operation by foot-power. Fig. 9 illustrates its application to
the rear wheel, and also operated by foot-power.
Fig. 9 illustrates a modification of a detail.
In the pneumatic form, the brake (A) is moulded into the longitudinal section
shewn in Fig. 1, and if desired lined or covered with a non-porous substance to
prevent the escape of air. This brake is mounted upon a shell or sleeve (B), see
Fig. 3, which in turn is mounted upon a central spindle or axis (C) (see Fig. 4).
This spindle is mounted between the extremities of the forked holder (D) as
shewn in Fig. (5), and is provided with friction cones (E) upon which the shell (B)
is mounted and revolves. These cones are adjustable upou said axis, and are fed by

page_text: lock nuts against the conical interior of the shell (B), and according to the adjust-
ment of such lock-nuts and cones a varying tension or drag oan be put upon the
brakes rotation.
As applied to safety bicycles and for operation by foot power the holder (D) is
linked to clamps (F) secured or bolted to the front wheel fork as illustrated.
By reason of an extension (G) of one or both of the clamps (F), which is secured
to the cross stay (H) and acts as a spring, the holder and brake are caused to
normally lie clear of the wheel as shewn in Fig. 5. By reason now of the axis (C)
being prolonged and caused to extend some 2 inches at each side, or by reason of
the ends (D) of the holder (D) being extended, and curved outwards as shown
more clearly in Fig. 5, which extensions form suitable foot-rosts, the feet of the ridor
may, on being placed on such rests, serve to bring the brake into contact with the
wheel tyre, and so bring the machine to standstill.
Owing to the pneumatic or elastic nature of the brake it possesses the peculiar
property of "gripping" or gradually spreading itself round the tyro. By reason of
its slow rotative moveinent it does not distress the tyre, as is the case of
fixed brakes.
In lieu of the pneumatic construction I may make the brake of "cushion" form
as shown in Fig. 6 which consists of a central part (I), hollowed out and fitted with
sleeve or tube of india-rubber (J) stretched and cemented or otherwise fixed on to
the edges of the flanges (K). This sleeve & bobbin-like centre may be formed
entirely of india-rubber and in one piece.
This form of brake does not require inflation and owes its elasticity to the nature
of the rubber, and the cushion of air behind it. For efficiency of brake power I may
employ two brakes in one holder.
As applied for operation by hand brake mechanism, the brake and its holder are
secured to, and operated by, the usual brake rod (L) shewn dotted in Fig. 8.
As applied to the rear wheel of a "safety" bicycle, and for operation by foot-power,
I apply the improved brake as shown in Fig. 9. The brake is carried by a lever or
holder (M) fulcrumed to the frame stay (N), and connected at its free extremity to a
foot rest (0) by a flexible steel band (P) (or by a link and pivoted lever). As the
feet of the rider are placed upon the foot rests they cause the band (P) (or link) to
ascend and pull forward the lower end of the lever (M), and by so doing cause the
brake to impinge against the wheel tyre. By means of a spring (Q), or by means
of the balancing of the parts, the brake immediately leaves the wheel tyre as soon as
the feet of the rider are removed from the foot rests.
In lieu of the clamps (F) other means may be employed for securing the holder
to the machine, and if desired at other parts of the frame. It may be fixed as shown
in Fig. 9 by clamp (S), the spring (G) being secured to stay (S') & resting od
the clamping bolt for its tension. If desired the brake may be fixed beneath the
mud guard, or the brake holder may take the form of a mud guard, and be suspended
from the cross-stay (R) by spiral or other spring.
Instead of the cone bearings shewn in Fig. 4, a drug upon the bruke may be
effected by a
spring or springs operating upon one or both sides of the bush (B) or
centre part (1) us shewn in Fig. 6.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention,
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the exact form or adaptation
of my elastic brake, as the same may be varied according to the construction of
vehicles and without departing from iny invention, and what I claim and desire to
secure by Letters Patent is :-
1. A direct-acting elastic (pneumatic or cushioned) "grip" brake for cycle, motor-
car and other vehicle wheels, substantially as set forth and illustrated on the
accompanying drawings.
2. The combination and arrangement of brake (A) or (J) holder (D), foot-
resis (D), spring (G), clamps (F), or their equivalent, mounted and operating as set
forth and shewn in Figs. 1 to 6.

page_text: 3. The combination and arrangement of parts for applying the brake to the rear
wheel of a safety bicycle, mounted, and operating as shewn in Fig. 9.
4. The modified construction and arrangement of parts herein set forth.
Dated this 17th day of November 1806
LUKE WARWICK,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.