IMPROVEMENTS IN BREAKS FOR RAILWAY CAR- RIAGES AND TRUCKS, TRAMWAY CARS, AND OTHER LIKE VEHICLES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Hitchener, Warp Dresser, Henry William
Knowles, and Albert Knowles, Chemists, all of Cleckheaton, in the County of
York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREAKS FOR RAILWAY CAR-
RIAGES AND TRUCKS, TRAMWAY CARS, AND OTHER LIKE VEHICLES."
Sealed the 26th February 1878, and dated the 31st August 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Hitchener,
Henry William Knowles, and Albert Knowles, at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents on the 31st August 1877.
JOHN HENRY HITCHENER, Warp Dresser, HENRY WILLIAM KNOWLES, and ALBERT
KNOWLES, Chemists, all of Cleckheaton, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BREAKS FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND TRUCKS, TRAMWAY CARS, AND OTHER
LIKE VEHICLES."
This Invention has for its object the construction of breaks in such manner as
that the momentum of or rotation of the wheels to which the break is attached
shall be utilized as the break power.
According to this our Invention, we employ radius blocks as ordinary, such blocks
being arranged upon guide rods so as to be applied at a point above the horizontal
axial line of the wheel; the upper surface of the block acts upon the under side of
the longitudinal beam of the carriage or truck, or other stationary part thereof,
thereby wedging between the said beam and periphery of the wheel. The action
being that when the block is brought into contact with the wheel the friction of
contact moves the block forward, and wedges the latter between the beam and
wheel. Ushaped tie rods are connected with the beam and axle so as limit tendency
to raise the body of the truck, and to render axle, break apparatus, and beam rigid,
and the weight or break thrust is downwards and not horizontal upon the bearings
and axles as heretofore.

page_text: Any ordinary apparatus for drawing off the blocks may be employed, and it will
be understood that blocks are applied at each side of the wheel.
For shunting purposes, a cross shaft and hand wheel may be employed for drawing
off the break blocks or wedges.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Henry Hitchener, Henry Willian Knowles, and Albert Knowles
in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th February 1878.
JOHN HENRY HITCHENER, Warp Dresser, HENRY WILLIAM KNOWLES, and ALBERT
KNOWLES, Chemists, all of Cleckheaton, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BREAKS FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND TRUCKS, TRAMWAY CARS, AND OTHER
LIKE VEHICLES."
This Invention has for its object the construction of breaks in such manner as
that the momentum of or rotation of the wheels to which the break is attached
shall be utilized as the break power.
According to this our Invention, we employ radius blocks as ordinary, such blocks
being arranged upon guide screw rods so as to be applied at a point above the
horizontal axial line of the wheel; the upper surface of the block acts upon the
under side of the longitudinal beam of the carriage or truck, or other stationary
part thereof, thereby wedging between the said beam and periphery of the wheel.
The action being that when the block is brought into contact with the wheel the
friction of contact moves the block forward and wedges the latter between the beam
and wheel. U shaped tie rods are connected with the beam and axle so as to
limit tendency to raise the body of the truck, and to render axle, break apparatus,
and beam rigid, and the weight or break thrust is downwards and not horizontal
upon the bearings and axles as heretofore.
Any ordinary apparatus for drawing off the blocks may be employed, and it will
be understood that blocks are applied at each side of the wheel.
For shunting purposes, a cross shaft and hand wheel may be employed for drawing
off the break blocks or wedges.
Such being the nature and object of our said Invention, we will now proceed to
describe the same in detail; and in order that the Invention may be fully understood
we have hereunto annexed two Sheets of Drawings, in which,―
Fig. 1 is a side elevation (partly in section) of a carriage frame, axles, and wheels
having our improvements applied; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 3 is an elevation (partly in section) of a truck, frame, axles, and wheels
having our improvements applied, and so used when shunting.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 shews view of hand wheel detached.
At A, A, are radius blocks secured at proper relative positions and distances
apart upon the sliding rod B, the screws and lock nuts C being used for adjusting
and securing the blocks. The radius blocks, as shewn, are applied above the
horizontal axial line of the wheel D, and the upper surface of the block acts upon
the under side of the longitudinal beam E or other stationary part of the carriage
or truck, thereby wedging between the beam E and the periphery of the wheel D.

page_text: When by hand wheel or otherwise the guard gives rotation to the central shaft F,
the worm G thereon actuates the worm wheel H on the shaft J, giving rotation
thereto, whereon one or other of the chains K become coiled around the shaft J; and
as the other end of the chain is connected to a collar secured to the sliding rod B
so is one or other of the blocks applied to each wheel as the brake wheel is turned
to the right or to the left.
At L are links for connecting the central shaft F of each carriage. In the event of
the ordinary screw couplings giving way, tensional strain would at once be applied
to the shaft F, and the worm G is of such pitch as to give rotation to the wheel H,
whereby the brake blocks A, A, are applied.
At Figs. 3 and 4, the arrangement as applied to trucks is shewn, the brake being
applied by hand wheel M having teeth thereon, and a holding pawl or catch attached
thereto, the central shaft F, worm G, and worm wheel H not being requisite.
Having thus fully described the nature and particulars of this our said Invention,
together with the manner in which the same is to be performed or carried into
practical effect, we would have it understood that we lay no claim " per se" to any
of the separate parts described or referred to, but what we claim as our Invention
is, the application of the blocks A, A, in combination with the beam E, in the
manner described and by use of the apparatus, as illustrated.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Henry Hitchener, Henry William
Knowles, and Albert Knowles, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this
Twenty-second day of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
GEORGE W. BENNETT,
Market Place,
Cleckheaton.
JOHN HENRY HITCHENER.
(L.S.)
HENRY WILLIAM KNOWLES. (L.S.)
ALBERT KNOWLES.
(L.S.)