An Improved Brake Mechanism for Bicycles, Tricycles, and similar Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Brake Mechanism for Bicycles, Tricycles, and similar
Vehicles.
I, RUDOLF WERNER, of 169, Queen Street, Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide a light yet thoroughly reliable and
effective brake for cycles of all kinds. The devices that have hitherto been used,
have when on the outside of the steering pillar proved both cumbersome and
unsightly and when on the inside of the handle bar stem they have been so com-
plicated as to become rapidly deranged. But with my invention in which all
the parts are inside the handle bar, stem and steering pillar these objections do
not exist since the said parts are but few and of such a character that derangement
is practically impossible. All that the rider has to do in order to apply the brake
is to press downwardly upon the two handles which descending a small distance
press the brake upon the tire. Since the normal strain which a rider applies to
his handles is upwards it follows that when wishing to retard his sneed it is quite
natural for him to press downwardly. By so doing he applies the brake though
my mechanism can be so arranged as to operate with equal facility when the
handles are pulled upwards.
My invention consists of a handle bar which is pivoted in a bearing at the top
of the handle bar stem and is therefore capable of partially rotating therein.
Secured to the handle bar and passing downwardly through the bottom of the
handle bar tube and the bearing is a lever. This is narrower at its point than
at its top and travels backwards and forwards longitudinally with the machine
as the handles are elevated or depressed.
Pressing up against the bottom of the lever is a vertically travelling cap piece
the top face of which is inclined at the slipping angle. When the brake is un-
applied the bottom of the lever presses against the lower side of the incline but
when the handles are depressed the lever crosses to the other side of the tube and
sliding over the inclined face of the cap piece forces it downwardly. The brake is
thus applied But in order that my invention may be better understood I will now
refer to the accompanying sheet of drawings which are to be taken as part of this
specification and read herewith.
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the whole of the mechanism when re-
moved from the handle bar stem. The brake is unapplied but in dotted lines is
shewn the position of the handle bars and lever when the brake is thrust upon
the tyre.
Figure 2 represents a sectional view of the whole mechanism when in situ.
Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 represent sectional plans through the dotted lines
shewn to the left of them and passing through Figure 2.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar or corresponding parts where they
occur in the several views.

page_text: Un reference to the drawings it will be seen that the handles A are secured to
the handle bar tube B which latter is free to turn in the bearing C. This latter
is secured to the top of the handle bar stem. D) and is covered by a cap piece E,
locked by screws or other well known means. Passing through the bottom of
the bearing and up into the handle bar tube is a lever F the length of which may
vary to suit either the machine or the rider. This passes through a suitable hole
in the bottom of the handle bar tube (reinforced for the purpose) and the top of
it into another hole of any suitable shape in the top of the said tube. It is then
brazed or rendered rigid by any desirable method. This lever on its bottom is
narrow enough to move backward and forward in the stem. Pressing against the
bottom end of the lever is the travelling cap piece G. The face of this is inclined
as shewn and across its middle is a recessed pathway H for the travel of F. The
hole I (Figure 4) which is threaded is for lifting and removing this cap piece if
the inversion of the machine is convenient, whilst the object of recessing the
pathway is to prevent the cap from working round into an unnatural position.
As will be seen the lower edge or leading portion of the inclined face is slightly
sunken by which means the weight of the handles or any shock imparted to the
machine whilst in motion fails to operate the brake since the bottom of the lever
remains in the sunken portion until an appreciable downward pressure is applied
to the handles. On the under side of the cap piece is a central hole into which
fits loosely a telescopic adjusting rod R the top of which is threaded for its removal
by a suitable spanner and the bottom pointed for entrance into the tube around it.
This rod by an internally taper mut J is locked to the brake tube K. the top of
which is split and contracts onto the said rod. The bottom of it is secured to the
brake block cover. For the turning of the nut a special spanner is employed
lugs at the bottom of which fit into recesses L in the flanges M of the said nut
(Figure 5). Around this brake tube is encircled a spiral spring the bottom end
of which presses against the flange of a distance tube N. This rests on the bottom
plate of the front fork crown piece and has removed from its diametrically
opposite sides two slots to clear the guide plate P. This latter prevents the tube K
from turning since it is brazed or otherwise secured across the said tube and passes
through suitable slots in the plate 0. The bottom of K is secured to the brake
block cover Q as may also be the bottom edge of the plate P.
.1
For the elevation of the rod R from the steering, tube or its adjustment within
the telescopic tube K a tubular double ended spanner is employed. This has at
one end a threaded hole to screw onto the end of R and at the other two lugs to
turn the nut J.
As can be readily understood the lever can be''so arranged that instead of
perating the brake on the depression of the handles it will apply it on the
Cevation. For some riders and machines this by a slight alteration of the
mechanism is done.
1.
:
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION:
An Improved Brake Mechanism for Bicycles, Tricycles, and similar
Vehicles.
1::.
I, RUDOLF WERNER of 169 Queen Street, Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the

page_text: same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
The object of my invention is to provide a light yet thoroughly reliable and
effective brake for cycles of all kinds. The devices that have hitherto been used,
have when on the outside of the steering pillar proved both cumbersome and un-
sightly and when on the inside of the handle bar stem they have. been so compli-
cated as to become rapidly deranged. But with my invention in which all the
parts are inside the handle bar, stem and steering pillar these objections do not
exist since the said parts are but few and of such a character that derangement
is practically impossible. All that the rider has to do in order to apply the brake
is to press downwardly, upon the two handles. which descending a small distance
press the brake upon the tire. Since the normal strain which a rider applies to
his handles is upwards it follows that when wishing to retard his speed it is quite
natural for him to press downwardly. By so doing he applies the brake though
my mechanism can be so arranged as to operate with equal facility when the
handles are pulled upwards..
My invention consists of a handle bar which is pivotted in a bearing at the top
of the handle bar stem and is therefore capable of partially rotating therein.
Secured to the handle bar and passing downwardly through the bottom of the
handle bar tube and the bearing is a lever. This is narrower at its point than at
its top and travels backwards and forwards longitudinally with the machine as
the handles are elevated or depressed. Pressing up against the bottom of the
lever is a vertically travelling cap picce the top face of which is inclined at the
slipping angle. When the brake is unapplied the bottom of the lever presses
against the lower side of the incline but when the handles are depressed the lever
crosses to the other side of the tube and sliding over the inclined face of the cap
piece forces it downwardly. The brake is thus applied. But in order that my
invention may be better understood I, will now refer to the sheet of drawings
accompanying my Provisional Specification, and which are to be taken as part of
this specification and read herewith.
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the whole of the mechanism. when
removed from the handle bar stem. The brake is unapplied but in dotted lines is
shewn the position of the handle bars and lever when the brake is thrust upon the
.tire.
.
Figure 2 represents a sectional view of the whole mechanism when in situ.
Figures 3, 4, 5, 6. 7 and 8 represents sectional plans through the dotted lines
shewn to the left of them and passing through Figure 2.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar or corresponding parts where
they
occur in the several views. On reference to the drawings it will be seen that the
handles A are secured to the handle bar tube B which. latter is free to turn in
the bearing C. This latter is secured to the top of the handle bar stem D and is
covered a cap piece E. locked by screws or other well known means. Passing
through the bottom of the bearing and' up into the handle bar tube is a lever F
the length of which may vary to suit either the 'machine or the rider. Tius passes
through a suitable hole in the bottom of the handle bar tube (reinforced for the
purpose) and the top of it into another hole of any suitable shape in the top of
the said tube. It is then brazed or rendered rigid by any desirable method.
This lever on its bottom is narrow enough to move backward and forward in the
stem. Pressing against the bottom end of the lever is the travelling cap piece G.
The face of this is inclined as shewn and across its middle is a recessed pathway H
for the travel of F. The hole I (Figure 4) which is threaded is for lifting and
removin this cap piece if the inversion of the machine is convenient whilst
the object of recessing the pathway is to prevent the cap from working round into
an unnatural position. As will be seen the lower edge or leading portion of the
inclined face is slightly sunken by which means the weight of the handles or any
shock imparted to the machine whilst in motion fails to operate the brake since
.

page_text: the bottom of the lever remains in the sunken portion until an appreciable down-
ward pressure is applied to the handles. On the under side of the cap piece is a
central hole into which fits loosely, a telescopic adjusting rod R the top of which
is threaded for its removal by a suitable spanner and the bottom pointed for
entrance into the tube around it. This rod by an internally taper nut J is locked
to the brake tube K the top of which is split and contracts onto the said rod. The
bottom of it is secured to the brake block cover. For the turning of the nut a
special spanner is employed lugs at the bottom of which fit into recesses L in the
flanges M of the said nut (Figure 5). Around this brake tube is encircled a spiral
spring the bottom end of which presses against the flange of a distance tube N.
This rests on the bottom plate O of the front fork crown piece and has removed
from its diametrically opposite sides two slots to clear the guide plate P. This
latter prevents the tube K from turning since it is brazed or otherwise secured
across the said tube and passes through suitable slots in the plate 0. The bottom
of K is secured to the brake block cover Q as may also be the bottom edge of the
plate P.
For the elevation of the rod R from the steering tube or its adjustment within
the telescopic tube K a tubular double ended spanner is employed. This has at
one end a threaded hole to screw onto the end of R and at the other two lugs to
turn the nut J.
As can be readily understood the lever can be so arranged that instead of
operating the brake on the depression of the handles it will apply it on their eleva-
tion. For some riders and machines this by a slight alteration of the mechanism
is done.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is-
1st. A brake mechanism for bicycles tricycles and similar vehicles and in com-
bination a handle bar tube as B reinforced in its middle from which depends a
lever all as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the
drawings.
2nd. In a brake mechanism for bicycles tricycles and similar vehicles and in
combination a handle bar stem as D having at its top a bearing as C with a cap
as E through the bottom of which bearing is a hole all as and for the purposes.
herein before described and as illustrated in the drawings.
3rd. In a brake mechanism for bicycles tricycles and similar vehicles and 'in
combination a handle bar tube as B reinforced in its middle from which depends
a lever said tubes rotating in a bearing above the handle bar stem all as and for
the purposes herein before described and as illustrated in the drawings.
24
4th. In a brake mechanism for bicycles tricycles and similar vehicles
vertically travelling cap piece as G having on its top an inclined face across which
travels a lever and in its bottom and opening upwardly a central hole all as and
for the purposes hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the drawings.
5th. In a brake mechanism for bicycles tricycles and similar vehicles an adjust-
able rod as R above the brake block in combination with a vertically travelling
cap piece as G having on its top a lifting hole as I and an inclined face with a
recessed pathway as H the leading portion of which is sunken and a bottom central
hole all as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the
drawings.
6th. In a brake mechanism for bicycles tricycles and similar vehicles and in
combination a rod as R telescoping and locked within a brake tube as K by a nut
as J which tube at its bottom is connected to the brake block cover Q and is pre-
vented from turning by a guide plate as P passing through slots in the front fork
crown plate 0 and elevated by a spring bearing upon a distance tube as N in
which are slots to clear the brake tube guide plate, which distance tube rests upon

page_text: the fork plate all as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and as illustrated
in the drawings.
7th. In a brake mechanism for bicycles tricycles and similar vehicles and in
combination a handle bar stem as D) in a bearing in which moves a handle bar
tube as B from which depends a lever as F operating a travelling cap as G rest-
ing upon a rod as R adjustable in a top split brake tube as K by a nut as J and
prevented from turning by a guide plate as P passing through slots in the front
fork crown plate as O which tube at its bottom is secured to the brake block
cover and is elevated by a spring resting upon a distance tube as N bearing upon
the front fork crown plate as O all as and for the purposes herein before described
and as illustrated in the drawings.
8th. A brake mechanism for bicycles tricycles and similar vehicles consisting
of the whole of the combination and arrangement of parts as hereinbefore
described and illustrated upon Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings
and constituting “An improved brake mechanism for bicycles tricycles and
similar vehicles."
Dated the 28th day of September 1897..
G. F. REDFERN & Co
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.