Improvements in and relating to Brakes.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 12th Nov., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Brakes.
I, CARL HOFMANN, of 66, Klosterstrasse, Breslau, in the German Empire,
Merchant, 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:-
This invention relates to a device or devices or apparatus for locking a vehicle
brake in its operative position. It is specially applicable to bicycle and similar
brakes and it is in connection with a bicycle brake that it is hereinafter described
with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the improved
apparatus.
Figure 1 illustrates it in side elevation.
Figure 2 shows it in plan.
Figure 3 represents a front elevation, and
Figure 4 is a view of the locking ring.
a is the handle bar stem of a bicycle, and c is the brake rod which passes
between the two approximately semi-circular bearings d each of which is ful-
crummed at e at its upper end to the clip or collar b, or to some other suitable
part of the stem a or the machine framing. Instead of two bearings three or more
may be employed, adapted to surround the brake rod and relatively movable.
Each of the bearings d is formed with ball races containing the balls g, these
The brake rod c
races being shallower at their upper ends than at their lower.
is thus free to move downwards between the bearings d but if it is in contact with
the balls and it attempts to move upwards, it carries the balls with it until they
jam owing to the decreasing depths of the races in which they work, and the brake
rod is prevented from moving.
In order to ensure the balls being in contact with the brake rod the lower ends
of the bearings d are provided with an encircling ring i. This ring is formed
with an excentric opening and the lower ends of the bearings d with which it
engages are similarly formed. Upon the rotation of the ring in one direction or
the other the bearings are forced together or are allowed to separate and the balls g
are pressed upon or are withdrawn from the brake rod.
The arrow in Figure 4 shows the direction of rotation of the ring for locking
the brake.
It is preferred to arrange a small spring between the bearings d so as to
ensure their separation and the release of the brake rod when the ring is turned
to its unlocked position.
The brake is applied in the usual manner and is locked in place by turning
the ring i.
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:
1. A locking device for a brake, consisting of two or more pivoted or movable
ball bearings through which the brake rod passes, and an excentric ring engaging

page_text: with similarly formed parts upon the bearings, constructed and arranged substan-
tially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. A locking device for a brake, constructed arranged and operating substan-
tially as herein before described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this U1th day of October A.D. 1898.