Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd June, 1886.
Complete Left, 16th Feb., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 18th Mar., 1887.
RICHARD BRADSHAW of Ivy Cottage in the parish of Swinton in the County of
Lancaster Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
This Invention comprises an improved cart or wagon brake actuated by the shaft
horse or animal drawing the wagon or vehicle.
It consists of a friction strap of the usual construction of wrought Iron lined
suitable material, which grasps the circumference of the inside portion of the nave of
each of the fore wheels-The link connecting the ends of the friction strap is pivotted
to one end of a lever which is capable of moving in a vertical plane round a pivot on
a standard attached to the axle bed This pivotted standard forms the fulcrum The
free ends of the two levers (one for each friction strap) are controlled by the horse
thro. the medium of the gudgeons to which the shaft framing is attached.
These gudgeons are made to slide thro. apertures in the under frame of the wagon-
one end of each gudgeon being attached to the free end of the levers before mentioned,
the other end of the gudgeons receiving the shaft, framing-When the brake is not in
use the gudgeons are prevented from moving by a locking bolt which passes thro..
holes in the gudgeons and corresponding holes in the under framing of the wagon or
vehicle-The gudgeons, on the other hand, when the brake is in use are prevented
from moving too far either way by stops.
::
Action. When going down hill the locking bolt is withdrawn-The horse naturally
backs," the sliding gudgeons transfer this pressure to the free ends of the levers
& these by their motion round their fulcrums (or the pivots on the standards) tighten
the grip of the friction strap on the nave & thus the motion of the wheels is retarded
or stopped.
The advantages claimed for this Invention are
(1) Simplicity & efficiency-The friction strap on the nave having far greater
brake power than the ordinary brake on the periphery of the wheel.
(2) The horse or animal drawing the wagon has complete control over the vehicle,,
applies its own brake & adjusts the brake power to the incline.

page_text: I, RICHARD BRADSHAW of Tyy Cottage, Swinton, Lancashire, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to provide an efficient automatic brake for wagons,
carts, or other vehicles, actuated by the shaft horse or horses, and so arranged that the
backward pressure that the horse exerts in descending a hill, or in stopping the
vehicle may cause the brake to be applied.
My invention consists of a friction strap of the usual construction, preferably of
wrought iron, and lined with suitable material which surrounds the inside of the naves
or bosses of the wheels. The strap is caused to grip the naves when backward
pressure is applied to the shafts, and to loosen the grip when a forward pressure is
applied through the medium of levers, as hereafter described. The brake may be
locked out of action by means of a pin, which is inserted through a hole in the draw
bar or gudgeon and through holes in the under carriage of the wagon, and thus
prevents the brake being applied.
Referring to the drawings:
Figure 1 is an elevation shewing my improved brake fitted to the front wheels of a
wagon.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same.
Figure 3 is an end elevation of the locking device.
In these A are the wheels of the wagon having naves or bosses B surrounded on
the inner side by friction straps C. The ends of the friction straps Care connected
by double ended levers D which are fitted to a shaft or pivot E placed transversely,
and supported in position in any suitable manner, preferably by means of brackets F
attached to the axle bed. On the same shaft or pivot EI place one or more levers G,
the ends of which are connected with one end of the links or pusli rods H. The other
ends of these rods are attached to the gudgeon or draw bar I.
When the shaft frame which is connected with the gudgeons I is pressed back the.
levers G are caused to move their pivots or shafts E, and hence the levers D will be
similarly moved, and cause the strap C to grip the naves of the wheels. When the
brake is not in use the gudgeons I may be prevented from moving by means of a
locking bolt K which slides in brackets L attached to the under carriage of the
When this bolt is inserted in the hole M provided for the purpose, it locks the gudgeon
and prevents the brake being applied. A collar is preferably provided on the
gudgeon H to prevent it being drawn out too far.
wagon.

page_text: I do not however confine myself to the exact details above described, as the
apparatus may be modified to suit the description of vehicle to which the brake is
applied, also to the number of shaft horses employed, and the mode of attaching them
to the wagon or vehicle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :—
1. An automatic brake for carts, wagons or other vehicles, consisting of a friction
strap or straps, and the actuating device which causes the strap or straps to grip the
nave of one or more of the wheels, when backward pressure is applied to the shafts,
and to release the grip when a forward motion is imparted, substantially as described.
2. The combination with an automatic brake as described of a locking device,
consisting of a sliding, locking bolt, substantially as and for the purpose described.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Agents for the Applicant.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Agents for the Applicant.