Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 4th Mar., 1899
Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes.
I, VIKTOR FRANZ, of 48, Schönaugasse, Graz, in the Province of Styria, Empire
of Austria, Manufacturer, .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 velocipede-brake the rod of which is arranged
within the handle-bar and within the frame-tube receiving the stem of the
handle-bar.
My improved brake is characterized by the employment of a nut connecting
the lower part of the brake-rod with the upper hollow part thereof (the clamping
tube of the brake-rod), which nut is arranged so as to be movable up and down.
in the stem of the handle-bar but not capable of turning, and into which, in
putting the parts of the brake together, the clamping tube of the brake-rod
(which is made conical and provided with longitudinal slits at its lower end)
can be screwed, whereby the nut is caused to press the slit end of the clamping-
tube of the brake-rod tightly against the surface of the lower section of the.
brake-rod.
•
The lower end of the brake-rod is either connected directly to the brake-spoon
or shoe for the front wheel only (with simple brakes on velocipedes for one or
more riders), or directly with the brake-spoon or shoe for the front wheel and
by means of lever-mechanism with a rear-wheel brake (with double-brakes on
velocipedes for one rider), or the lower end of the brake-rod is connected by
means of lever-mechanism with a rear-wheel brake (in velocipedes for three or
more riders, where the brake can be applied from each handle-bar).
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a vertical section showing a front wheel brake made according to
my said invention.
Figure 2 shows the brake-rod together with the handle-bar in section along
the central plane of the velocipede.
Figure 3 shows, in an analogous manner to Figure 1, a modified form of the
connection between the brake-lever and the brake-rod.
Figure 4 is a partial side elevation of a velocipede for two riders which is
provided with a 'rear-wheel brake made according to the present invention.
The brake-spoon or shoe a, Figure 1, is rigidly connected with a spindle a¹
which extends upwardly through an opening b in a removable cover or plate b
secured to the lower end of the fork head 62, and is connected at a2 with the-
lower solid-section a³ of the brake rod in such a manner that the said section a³
Between the
can turn about its own axis independently of the spindle a¹.
lower enlargement a² of the section a³ of the brake-rod and the cover bis
arranged, a spring which tends to continually draw the brake-spoon a away
from the tyre of the front wheel.
The solid section 3 of the brake-rod, which is conically pointed at its upper
end, in putting the parts together, is inserted into the upper hollow section c
of the brake-rod (the clamping tube of the brake-rod), which is rigidly connected

page_text: at the top with a rod d¹ passing through the handle-bar d. The rod d¹ is pivotally
connected, by means of the bow-piece de, Figure 2, with the eye f¹ of the brake-
lever and is provided at 3 with filed or flattened surfaces which permit the
turning of the upper section of the brake rod by means of a key placed thereon.
The lower end of the clamping tube of the brake-rod is conically turned
or recessed and provided with slits between which spring-pieces are left.
This end bears screw-threads for a nut g which is also conically turned or
recessed in its lower part and bears lateral lugs or projections g¹ which extend
into longitudinal slots d in the handle-bar-stem and prevent rotation of the
nut g.
If now, in putting the parts of the brake together, after the clamping tube c
of the brake rod has been pushed over the section 3, the said tube be turned by
means of a key, it is screwed into the nut which moves upwards and at the
same time, by means of its concentric recessed part, presses the spring-pieces
at the lower end of the clamping-tube of the brake-rod against the lower
section of the brake-rod, whereby this part is firmly connected with the
clamping-tube c of the brake-rod. This connection permits the effective length
of the brake-rod to be adjusted in the simplest manner.
Instead of effecting the connection of the brake-lever f with the clamping
tube c of the brake-rod by means of the bow-piece 2, this connection can also be
made in the manner illustrated in Figure 3. With the tube c, is rigidly
connected a pin d guided in the handle-bar d, which pin is secured in an eye f
which is pivotally connected, by means of its lateral extension or lug f³, with
an eye on the brake-lever f." If the brake-lever is actuated, the eye f (the
lug 3 of which is guided in a lateral slot fi in the stem d of the handle-bar),
is moved downwards and presses the tube c downwards. The pin d is provided
at its upper end with a slot for a screw-driver.
The pin a¹, instead of being directly connected with the brake-spoon a for
the front wheel, can also be connected, by means of lever-mechanism, with a
rear-wheel brake, which arrangement is especially suitable for velocipedes for
several riders and is shown in Figure 4.
On the lower reduced end of the pin al is mounted an eye h which bears
lateral pins engaged by the double fork-arm of a bell-crank lever i, . The
bell-crank lever i, is mounted on a clamp which is secured to the frame and
is provided with an upwardly extending arm which is in connection by means
of the connecting rod with the upper arm of the lever j which is likewise
mounted on the frame. The lever bears the brake-blocks for the rear
wheel. The connecting rod can be lengthen d or shortened by means of a
nut provided with right and left handed screw-threads.
Since the eye is capable of turning on the rod a¹, the brake can be applied
at any desired position of the handle-bar.
By means of this arrangement, a rear-wheel brake is produced which can be
easily actuated without it being necessary to remove the hand from the handle-
bar or to raise the feet from the pedals.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
-
1. A velocipede-brake wherein the brake-rod is arranged within the handle bar
and within the frame-tube receiving the handle-bar stem and wherein a nut
connecting the lower part of the brake-rod with the upper hollow part thereof
(the clamping tube of the brake-rod) is so arranged as to be movable up and
down in the handle-bar-stem but not capable of turning relatively thereto, and
is screw-threaded internally to receive the conical slit end of the clamping tube
of the brake-rod, so that, in the screwing of the said clamping. tube into the
nut, the latter will press the slit end of the said tube tightly against the surface
of the lower section of the brake-rod.

page_text: 2. The combination, with a brake-rod such as is herein before described, of a
brake-lever for the rear wheel of a velocipede for one or more riders, actuated
by means of an eye provided with pins and pivotally mounted on the lower end
of the brake-rod and taking part in the motion thereof, a bell-crank-lever, the
fork arm of which engages the pins of the said eye and a connecting-rod capable
of being lengthened and shortened, substantially as described.
3. The improved velocipede-brake constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figures 1 and 2 or Figure 3 of the drawings and arranged and
operating as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Dated the 24th day of January 1899.
D: YOUNG & CO.,
11 and 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.