An Improved Self-acting Brake, suitable for Perambulators and other similar Vehicles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 16th May, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Self-acting Brake, suitable for Perambulators and
other similar Vehicles.
I, JAMES TAYLOR of Wigan in the County of Lancaster Engineer 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 of a brake working in suitable bearings which may be
formed on or fastened to the frame of the perambulator-The brake is actuated
by a spiral or other suitable spring, (hereafter termed the brake spring) which
may be fastened to the frame or body of the vehicle in any convenient manner-
Attached to this brake spring is a connecting rod or chain, which is led up through
a suitable guide to, and connected with one of a pair of brake levers mounted on
the cross bar of the handle of the vehicle or otherwise conveniently placed―These
levers form supports for one or two handles which are mounted therein or
thereon and by operating either of which the brake is taken off the wheels of the
vehicle.
In the accompanying drawings, (wherein similar letters of reference indicate
corresponding parts), Figure 1 shews a side, and Figure 2 a back elevation, of a
perambulator fitted with my improved self acting brake.
a is the brake - the brake bearings- brake spring-d d' connecting rods or
chains-e guide through which the rod or chain d is led brake levers carrying
handles g g
The operation of my invention is as follows-The normal position of the brake
is as seen in the drawing, where it is shewn gripping the hind wheels of the vehicle-
Upon taking hold of either one of the handles gg and driving the perambulator
the brake levers and one of the connecting rods or chains d d' are operated
thus expanding the brake spring e and raising the brake a off the wheels-When
the handle is released the tension is at once taken off the brake spring e which then
immediately contracts and in so doing draws down the brake a on to the wheels and
so causes it to automatically renew its grip thereof.
The object of fitting the vehicle with two handles is to vary the position of one
of such handles so as to allow of the brake being readily manipulated by a child.
If desired however one of such handles may be dispensed with-If a connecting
wire or rod be used in lieu of the chain shewn in the drawings, it may be fitted
with one or more coupling links to allow for lateral play-It is obvious that my
invention combines the essential features of simplicity and economy with the
great advantage of perfect safety-It is moreover readily applicable to existing
perambulators.
I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details of
construction herein described and shewn as the same admit of various minor modifi-
cations without departing from the essential feature of my invention which is a
brake automatically applied to the wheels of the vehicle by means of a suitable
spring and controlled by one or more suitable brake levers and handles either of
which latter is operated by the act of propelling the machine.
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
An improved self acting brake suitable for perambulators and other similar
thumba catuated by a suitable broka spring and controlled

page_text: by suitable brake levers actuated by one or more movable handles either of which
is operated by the act of propelling the vehicle all substantially as hereinbefore
described and shewn.
Dated this 10th day of October 1890.
ELT & Co.,
33, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London, Agents for the Applicant.