IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKES FOR TRAM-CARS
Year: 1884

page_text: I ROBERT WILLOUGHBY VINING at the Office for Patents, 6, Lord Street,
Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature
of my said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKES FOR TRAM-CARS," to be as
follows:-
:-
The object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for use as
a brake on tramcars and other vehicles running on tramways, more particularly
designed for the purpose of an emergency brake, though at the same time applicable
as a brake for use under ordinary circumstances and conditions.
The brakes at present ordinarily in use are applied solely to the wheels, and
when the wheels are "skidded" the brakes have done all that it is in their power
to do towards preventing further motion of the vehicle. Further these brakes are
applied by a series of levers which in cases of emergency when a greater amount of,
pressure than usual is required often proove defective or weak, and at a critical
moment refuse to act or are found inoperative.
A brake block of ordinary or suitable construction, the face of which corresponds
with the contour of the wheel, is suspended from the axle of the wheel upon which
it is to act by means of a hook or other similar support clamped or loosely fixed
thereto so as to move freely thereon as an axis.
This block is tapered at its lower edge and is provided with a second face
running obliquely to that which bears against the wheel, the block can be lowered
by allowing the support to revolve around its axis until this second face comes in
contact with and bears on the rail. The contour being such as to correspond with
that of the rail.
·
At the back of the brake block, or rather on that side furthest from the wheel, is
fixed a small box to carry or contain sand or other material for applying to the
wheels to cause friction. This box is so placed that when the brake is not in use
the sand is retained in it, but when the brake is lowered the bottom of the box
assumes an inclined position, and the sand therein being thrown forward escapes
through an aperture at the end, and is deposited on the rail, thus causing the brake
to act quickly by increasing the friction.
The brake block is held in normal position by means of a movable catch engaging
on a bracket pin or projection attached to it in any suitable place. This catch is
raised and lowered by means of a lever and handle under the control of guard or

page_text: driver (but I prefer to place the brake in. the front of the car). On its being
raised, the brake block is allowed to descend until its second face comes in contact
with the rail, the first face on account of its movement round the axle of the wheel
always keeping in contact with the wheel. The momentum of the car tends to
cause the wheel to ride up into the brake block, as is the case with the slipper
commonly in use with common road vehicles, thereby effectually braking the car by
means of the greater friction obtained by the increased bearing surface on the rail
over that of a "skidded" wheel. The block is held by shackle and chain or rod
which prevents its being drawn far under the wheel, the chain can be regulated
in length to allow of its passing sufficiently under to relieve the weight from the
wheels.
The catch afore mentioned, which is controlled by the guard or driver by contact
with its pin or bracket, forces the block against the wheel when it is so desired by
reversing the motion of the operating handle, and by this means can be used as an
ordinary brake, the hook or clamp attached to the axle allowing of this movement
it being only applied to the rail in case of emergency.
The brakes on the two wheels are actuated simultaneously and are connected
together by the rods or other similar means. By means of a chain or lever actuated
by a second handle, the brake may be returned from the position in contact with
the rails to its normal one suspended by the catch which automatically engages
with it when raised. A spring holds the face of the brake block from contact
with the wheel when not in use.

page_text: COMILELE
Improvements in Brakes for Tram-cars.
I, ROBERT WILLOUGHBY VINING at the Office for Patents, 6 Lord Street
Liverpool, Lancashire, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKES FOR TRAM CARS," and in what manner the same.
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
The object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for use as
a brake on tram cars, and other vehicles running on tramways, more particularly
designed for the purpose of an emergency brake, though at the same time applicable.
as a brake for use under ordinary circumstances and conditions.
The brakes at present ordinarily in use are applied solely to the wheels, and
when the wheels are "skidded," the brakes have done all that it is in their power
to do towards preventing further motion of the vehicle. Further these brakes are
applied by a series of levers which in cases of emergency when a greater amount of
pressure than usual is required often prove defective or weak, and at a critical
moment refuse to act, or are found inoperative.
It consists of a brake which, whilst acting with more or less pressure against the.
wheel will also act directly on the rail.
It is best described by aid of the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the under part of a tram car with other
fittings removed, showing the invention applied.
Figure 2 plan of same, with the flooring boards removed.
A is the wheel of the car. B axle, C framework. D brake block of ordinary
or suitable construction, the face d of which corresponds with the contour of the
wheel. The brake block is suspended from the axle B of the wheel upon which it.
is to act by means of a hook E or other similar support clamped or loosely fixed
thereto so as to move freely thereon as an axis.
The block D is tapered at its lower edge, and is provided with a second face à',
running obliquely to that which bears against the wheel The flange on the face d
is preferably divided as shown to allow of greater ease when passing curves in the
rails. At the back or rather on that side of the brake block, furthest from the
wheel, is fixed a small box F to carry or contain sand or other material for
applying to the rails to cause friction. The bottom f of the box F when the brake
is not in action is inclined as shown so that when the brake is off, the sand is
retained in the box but when the brake is lowered, the bottom of the box assumes
an inclined position in the opposite direction, and the sand therein being thrown
forward, escapes through an aperture f¹ at the end, and is deposited on the rail,
thus causing the brake to act quickly by increasing the friction.
The brake blocks D at the opposite sides of the car are connected together by
rod or stay H, by which they are supported and strengthened, when not in action
they are held by a movable catch or support G, which is actuated by means of a
lever or handle I, under the control of the guard or driver. The catch or support G .
is carried by a sliding bar J.which moves for a short distance in either direction.
The rod or stay H resting on the support G holds the brake block in normal
position when off. Instead of a single support placed in the centre of the car as

page_text: shown, two supports arranged to work synchronously may be employed, placed
parallel to each other and closer to the brakes and wheels, in which case the rod H
may if desired be dispensed with, and a short projection or pin from each brake
block engage with the support.
The brakes constructed as shown in drawing are arranged for a car which
is intended to run in either direction, when running in the direction indicated by
the arrows, the brake shown in contact with rail is the one which would be brought
into action, should necessity require. When running in the opposite direction, the
brake on the other wheel would be brought into action.
When in normal position, and out of action, as herein before stated, the brakes
are held or supported by the rod H resting on the movable catch or bracket G.
Should it be desired to apply the brake, the bar J is moved by means of the
handle I, until the rod H falls out through the opening g. The brake block then
descends until its face d' comes in contact with the rail, the face d on account of
its movement round the axle of the wheel always keeping in contact with the
wheel. The momentum of the car tends to cause the wheel to ride up on to the
brake block, as is the case with the slipper commonly in use with common road
vehicles, thereby effectually braking the car by means of the greater friction
obtained by the increased bearing surface on the rail over that of a "skidded'
wheel. The rapid descent of the brake block causes a portion of the sand contained
in the box f to be deposited on to the rail. The block may be held by shackle and
chain or rod to prevent it being drawn too far under the wheel, and the chain can
be regulated in length to allow of its passing sufficiently under to relieve the
weight from the wheels. A chain or lever actuated by a second handle may
be used to return the brake block from the position in contact with the rails
to its normal one suspended by the catch or support block G by. band, but I prefer
to omit such and merely raise the brake.
"
Although this invention is primarily designed for an emergency brake only, it
may with some modification be arranged to act for ordinary purposes, as by means
of a chain or lever the block could be forced tightly against the wheel, or by any
suitable device for raising and lowering, it could be applied to the rail at each time,
but such modifications need not be shown, as the necessary details for carrying
them into practice would suggest themselves to the mind of the engineer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I: claim is
1st The combination of parts herein before described and illustrated in the
drawings for suspending a tram-car brake block radially from the axle of a car
and supporting it upon a catch so that when the catch is withdrawn the brake
block shall fall by gravitation onto the tramrail.
2nd The combination of a brake block and sand box, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
3rd The mechanism for holding, and actuating the brake block, substantially as
described and shown.

page_text: I ROBERT WILLOUGHBY VINING at the Office for Patents, 6, Lord Street,
Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature
of my said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKES FOR TRAM-CARS," to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for use. as
a brake on tramcars and other vehicles running on tramways, more particularly
designed for the purpose of an emergency brake, though at the same time applicable.
as a brake for use under ordinary circumstances and conditions.
The brakes at present ordinarily in use are applied solely to the wheels, and
when the wheels are "skidded" the brakes have done all that it is in their power
to do towards preventing further motion of the vehicle. Further these brakes are
applied by a series of levers which in cases of emergency when a greater amount of
pressure than usual is required often proove defective or weak, and at a, critical
moment refuse to act or are found inopérative.
A brake block of ordinary or suitable construction, the face of which corresponds
with the contour of the wheel, is suspended from the axle of the wheel upon which
it is to act by means of a hook or. other similar support clamped or loosely fixed
thereto so as to move freely thereon as an axis.
This block is tapered at its lower edge and is provided with a second face
running obliquely to that which bears against the wheel, the block can be lowered
by allowing the support to revolve around its axis until this second face comes in
contact with and bears on the rail. The contour being such as to correspond with
that of the rail.
At the back of the brake block, or rather on that.side furthest from the wheel, is
fixed a small box to carry or contain sand or other material for applying to the
wheels to cause friction. This box is so placed that when the brake is not in use
the sand is retained in it, but when the brake is lowered the bottom of the box
assumes an inclined position, and the sand therein being thrown forward escapes
through an aperture at the end, and is deposited on the rail, thus causing the brake
to act quickly by increasing the friction.
The brake block is held in normal position by means of a movable catch engaging
on a bracket pin or projection attached to it in any suitable place. This catch is
raised and lowered by means of a lever and handle under the control of guard or
.

page_text: driver (but I prefer to place the brake in the front of the car). On its being
raised, the brake block is allowed to descend until its second face comes in contact
with the rail, the first face on account of its movement round the axle of the wheel
always keeping in contact with the wheel. The momentum of the car tends to
cause the wheel to ride up into the brake block, as is the case with the slipper.
commonly in use with common road vehicles, thereby effectually braking the car by
means of the greater friction obtained by the increased bearing surface on the rail
over that of a "skidded" wheel. The block is held by shackle and chain or rod
which prevents its being drawn far under the wheel, the chain can be regulated
in length to allow of its passing sufficiently under to relieve the weight from the
wheels.
The catch afore mentioned, which is controlled by the guard or driver by contact
with its pin or bracket, forces the block against the wheel when it is so desired by
reversing the motion of the operating handle, and by this means can be used as an
ordinary brake, the book or clamp attached to the axle allowing of this movement
it being only applied to the rail in case of emergency.
The brakes on the two wheels are actuated simultaneously and are connected
together by the rods or other similar means. By means of a chain or lever actuated
by a second handle, the brake may be returned from the position in contact with
the rails to its normal one suspended by the catch which automatically engages
with it when raised. A spring holds the face of the brake block from contact
with the wheel when not in use.
1
1004

page_text: I, ROBERT WILLOUGHBY VINING at the Office for Patents, 6 Lord Street
Liverpool, Lancashire, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKES FOR TRAM CARS," and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
The object of. this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for use as
a brake on tram cars, and other vehicles running on tramways, more particularly
designed for the purpose of an emergency brake, though at the same time applicable,
as a brake for use under ordinary circumstances and conditions.
The brakes at present ordinarily in use are applied solely to the wheels, and
when the wheels are "skidded," the brakes have done all that it is in their power
to do towards preventing further motion of the vehicle. Further these brakes aro
applied by a series of levers which in cases of emergency when a greater amount of
pressure than usual is required often prove defective or weak, and at a critical
moment refuse to act, or are found inoperative.
It consists of a brake which, whilst acting with more or less pressure against the
wheel will also act directly on the rail.
$
It is best described by aid of the accompanying drawings in which :
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the under part of a tram car with other
fittings removed, showing the invention applied.
Figure 2 plan of same, with the flooring boards removed.
A is the wheel of the car. B axle, C framework. D brake block of ordinary
or suitable construction, the face d of which corresponds with the contour of the
wheel. The brake block is suspended from the axle B of the wheel upon which it
is to act by means of a hook E or other similar support clamped or loosely fixed
thereto so as to move freely thereon as an axis.
The block D is tapered at its lower edge, and is provided with a second face d',
running obliquely to that which bears against the wheel. The flange on the face di
is preferably divided as shown to allow of greater ease when passing curves in the
rails. At the back or rather on that side of the brake block, furthest from the
wheel, is fixed a small box F to carry or contain sand or other material for
applying to the rails to cause friction. The bottom ƒ of the box F when the brake
is not in.action is inclined as shown so that when the brake is off, the sand is
retained in the box but when the brake is lowered, the bottom of the box assumes
an inclined position in the opposite direction, and the sand therein being thrown
forward, escapes through an aperture f' at the end, and is deposited on the rail,
thus causing the brake to act quickly by increasing the friction.
The brake blocks D at the opposite sides of the car are connected together by
rod or stay H, by which they are supported and strengthened, when not in action
they are held by a movable catch or support G, which is actuated by means of a
lever or handle I, under the control of the guard or driver. The catch or support G
is carried by a sliding bar J which moves for a short distance in either direction.
The rod or stay H resting on the support G holds the brake block in normal
position when off. Instead of a single support placed in the centre of the car as
shown, two supports arranged to work synchronously may be employed, placed
parallel to each other and closer to the brakes and wheels, in which case the rod H
may if desired be dispensed with, and a short projection or pin from each brake
block engage with the support.

page_text: The brakes constructed as shown in drawing are arranged for a car which
is intended to run in either direction, when running in the direction indicated by
the arrows, the brake shown in contact with rail is the one which would be brought
into action, should necessity require. When running in the opposite direction, the
brake on the other wheel would be brought into action.
When in normal position, and out of action, as herein before stated, the brakes
are held or supported by the rod H resting on the movable catch or bracket G.
Should it be desired to apply the brake, the bar J is moved by means of the
handle I, until the rod H falls out through the opening g. The brake block then
descends until its face d¹ comes in contact with the rail, the face d on account of
its movement round the axle of the wheel always keeping in contact with the
wheel. The momentum of the car tends to cause the wheel to ride up on to the
brake block, as is the case with the slipper commonly in use with common road
vehicles, thereby effectually braking the car by means of the greater friction
obtained by the increased bearing surface on the rail over that of a "skidded
wheel. The rapid descent of the brake block causes a portion of the sand contained
in the box f to be deposited on to the rail. The block may be held by shackle and
chain or rod to prevent it being drawn too far under the wheel, and the chain can
'be regulated in length to allow of its passing sufficiently under to relieve the
weight from the wheels. A chain or lever actuated by a second handle may
be used to return the brake block from the position in contact with the rails
to its normal one suspended by the catch or support block G by hand, but I prefer
to omit such and merely raise the brake.
.
"
Although this invention is primarily designed for an emergency brake only, it
may with some modification be arranged to act for ordinary purposes, as by means
of a chain or lever the block could be forced tightly against the wheel, or by any
suitable device for raising and lowering, it could be applied. to the rail at each time,
but such modifications need not be shown, as the necessary details for carrying
them into practice would suggest themselves to the mind of the engineer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
.
1st A tramcar brake block, having two faces, one, to fit the wheel, and the other
the rail, and so suspended that on being released, it shall fall, and be held with one
face against the wheel, and the other against the rail, substantially as described.
2nd The combination of a brake block and sand box, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
3rd The mechanism for holding, and actuating the brake block, substantially as
described and shown.
T
1