A Combined Fore and Hind-wheel Brake on Velocipedes.
Year: 1899

page_text: A Combined Fore and Hind-wheel Brake on Velocipedes.
We, WILHELM SCHMIDT, Architect, of Heidelberg, Bahnhofstrasse 33, Grand-
Duchy of Baden, Germany, and JOSEF BERBERICH, Master-Locksmith, of Neu-
stadt an der Hardt, Turnstrasse, Bavaria, Germany, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to an arrangement by which velocipedes can efficaciously
be braked also on steep roads.
The arrangements heretofore used either compelled the wheelman to alight in
order to adjust some object dragged along on the road, or the fore- and hind-
wheel were braked by separate arrangements, this latter arrangement compelling
the wheelman to use both hands for the management of the brakes and to thus
give his entire attention to the arrangements for braking the wheel.
The object of our invention consists in an arrangement by means of which the
wheelman has only to manage one brake whereby the speed of the forewheel as
well as that of the hind-wheel is efficaciously checked.
In general our invention consists in the following:
The construction of the whole arrangement allows the rod by which the brake-
block for the fore-wheel is forced down to follow somewhat the motion of the
fore-wheel after the block has touched the tire; by this work performed by the
velocipede respectively by the drawing forward of the brake-block a brake
which is held distant from the tire by a spring in the usual manner, is made to
press efficaciously on the hind-wheel by means of cords fastened to the brake-
block.
In the drawings subjoined the same letters denote the same parts.
Fig. 1 represents a view of the arrangement constituting our invention;
Fig. 2-3 represent the principal details in different actions and views.
The guide-ring on each normally constructed velocipede usually fastened to the
cross-beam of the fork of the forewheel, which close to the brake is inserted
between it and the brake-lever managed by the wheelman and which serves the
purpose of preventing the brake-block which is held distant from the tire by a
spring, from being carried along respectively of giving it a guidance which is
downward and radial to the axle of the wheel--this guide-ring is here replaced by
the guide-piece (a) Figs. 2 and 3 which provided with a slit allows the brake-rod
to pass through the same, at the same time guiding it laterally. By the use of
this guide-piece shut in front and provided with a long slit we intend to give
the brake-block (c) some forward-motion after it has touched the tire (d). By
this work performed by the velocipede the brake-lever (e) of the brake for the
hind-wheel is pulled by means of the cord (f) the ends of which are in the
eyes () of the case of the brake-block and thus the braking of the hind-wheel
und of the fore-wheel is accomplished at the same time.
It is advantageous to directly conduct the cord to the lower end of the brake-

page_text: lever (e) over the connecting piece (g) of the arms of the fork of the fore-wheel (91
and g.) and over the pulley (h) which is secured to the lower part of the frame.
Dated this 8th day of July 1899
WILHELM SCHMIDT.
JOSEF BERBERICH.
We, WILHELM SCHMIDT, Architect, of Heidelberg Bahnhofstrasse 33, in the
Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, and JOSEF BERBERICH, Master-Locksmith, of
Neustadt on the Haardt, Turmstrasse, Bavaria, Germany, 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 contrivance which enables a bicycle to be effectively
braked also on steep inclines-both wheels at once.
With the contrivance hitherto used for this purpose the bicyclist must either
alight for the attachment or fixing of some object to be dragged along the ground
after the machine, or fore and hind wheel have independent brakes which neces-
sitate in working the use of both hands and compel his undivided attention.
Our invention consists in our having hit upon a contrivance which enables a
bicyclist to effectively and simultaneously brake both fore and hind wheels while
only having to apply brake power as before.
Generally speaking, this is effected by providing that the rod by which the
brake-block for the fore wheel is pressed down shall after contact with the tyre
follow somewhat the motion of the fore wheel. This motion of the wheel is
utilized, by means of cords attached thereto, to draw down with proper effect on
the hind wheel a brake which is of the usual kind and held up from the hind
wheel by a spring.
In the drawing left with my Provisional Specification where like letters denote
like parts,
Figure 1 gives a general view of the contrivance representing our invention,
and
Figures 2 and 3 show views of essential details.
A slotted guide-piece (a) supersedes the guide-ring ordinarily used which is
fastened at the head of the fork which holds the fore wheel, near the brake-block,
between that and the brake-lever for the hand, to ensure that the brake-block
shall not be dragged and shall act only downwards radially to the axle of the
wheel de Figures 2 and 3. This guide-piece takes the brake-rod through,
closing on same at each side and thus guides it laterally. Through the use of
this guide-piece furnished with a slot closed in front but giving suitable room for
play, it is assured that the brake-block (c) after contact with the tyre (d) will
move a short distance forward. Cords (f) are attached to eyelets (c¹ c¹) fixed in
the casing of the brake-block, and, properly led along the under tube of the frame,
are connected with the lever of a brake fixed so as to control the hind wheel.
The forward motion obtained from the working of the machine as above causes
these cords to be pulled with force sufficient to effectually brake the hind wheel,
and thus the braking of both wheels is simultaneously accomplished. The
cord (f) having its ends attached to the eyelets (c¹ c¹) may with advantage pass
over the connection (g) of the fork (1 g) of the fore wheel and beneath the
under tube of the frame through a small pulley (h) direct to the brake-lever of
the hind wheel.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is;
-
A contrivance for the combined braking of the fore and hind wheels of bicycles,
specially distinguishable through the arrangement of a slotted guide-piece (a)
for the lower part of the brake-rod, by means whereof the brake-block of the
front wheel on contact with the tyre can follow with the wheel for a short distance,
this movement thus obtained being utilized to draw certain cords, or the like,
which are attached to a brake-lever on the hind wheel, and so to effectively cause
such brake to simultaneously act on such wheel.
Dated this 12th day of April 1900.
WILHELM SCHMIDT,
JOSEF BERBERICH.