Improvements in Combination Brakes, Bells, and Lamp Supports for Bicycles and Similar Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Oct., 1897-Accepted, 15th Jan., 1898
[Communicated from abroad by THE UNIVERSAL TRADING COMPANY, of 23, Centre
Street, New York, U.S.A.]
Improvements in Combination Brakes, Bells, and Lamp Supports
for Bicycles and Similar Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM HUMPHREY WHEATLEY, of the Firm of Wheatley & Mackenzie,
Engineers and Patent Agents, of 40, Chancery Lane, in the County of London, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what inanner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to bicycles and similar vehicles, and the object thereof is to
provide an improved combination brake, alarm bell, and support for a lamp or
lantern; all of said devices being connected in one apparatus which is simple in
construction and operation, and also strong and durable, and which is adapted to be
connected with the forward fork of the vehicle, and with the steering post and
handle bar of such vehicles as now constructed and to be detached therefrom when-
ever desired..
The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the
accompanying drawing forms a part, in which :-
Fig. 1, is a perspective view of the forward part of a bicycle provided with this
improvement:
Fig. 2, a side view of the steering fork with part of the apparatus connected
therewith, and showing the handle bar in section;
Fig. 3, a front view of a part of the construction shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4, a plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5, a section on the line 5, 5, of Fig. 2;
Fig. 6, a side elevation of a detail of the construction;
Fig. 7, a front view of the brake and bell detached from the vehicle;
Fig. 8, a side view thereof;
Fig. 9, a plan view of the device shown in Figs. 7, and 8,
Fig. 10, a section on the line 10, 10, of Fig. 8; and,
Fig. 11, a section on the line 11, 11, of Fig. 7.
In the drawing forming part of this specification, the separate parts of the
improvement are designated by the same letters of reference in each of the views,
and in said drawing, reference being made to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, is shown
at A, a part of the front fork of a bicycle, and at a, a part of the guide wheel
mounted therein, at a², the tubular head of the frame of the vehicle through which
the stem of the forward fork passes, and at a³, the steering post which is provided at
the upper end thereof with a tubular cross head a', through which the handle bar a³,
passes, and all these parts are of the usual construction.
In the practice of the invention, there is secured to the handle bar at each side
of the tubular cross bead at, of the steering posts a³, clamps or bands a, and said
clamps or bands are provided at their forward sides with inwardly directed arms a',
which are provided with outwardly directed jaws a³, and pivoted between the jaws a³,
as shown at a³, is an operating lever B, provided at its upper end with a cross head
or thumb plate b the ends of which are widened or directed outwardly and backwardly
as shown at 6².

page_text: The upper end of the lever B is curved backwardly as shown in Fig. 2, and said
lever is provided with a downwardly. directed extension 63 and secured to the outer
ends of the jaws.as between which the lever B is pivoted, is an upwardly directed
lamp or lantern holder 64 which is preferably provided with a central oblong slot or
opening 65.
5
1
The clamps a, are detachably connected with the handle bar as shown at b* and
detachably connected with the steering post a³, at a predetermined distance below
the handle bar is another clamp or band 67 said clamp or band being connected with
said steering post as shown at 68, in the usual manner, and this clamp or band
consists of two pieces which are provided with forwardly directed jaws b', and passing
therethrough is a bolt D, which is formed as shown in Fig. 6, and said bolt D is
provided at one end with a head d on which is formed a projection d², and near the
opposite end thereof with a screw thread d³ and pivoted between said jaws 6º, on said
bolt D is a supplemental spring operated lever d, which is provided at the bottom
thereof with an outwardly directed arm do and the upper end of said lever is curved 1
backwardly as shown at d, and adapted to bear on the downwardly directed
extension 63 of the lever B.
Mounted on the extension d² of the bolt D and on the opposite end thereof is a
double spring yoke E, the separate sides of which are coiled around the opposite end
of the bolt D and one part of said double spring yoke bears on the under side of the
outwardly directed arm d³ of the lever d as shown at E2, and the other bears, on the
front side of the steering post a³, or on the upper end of the tubular head a², as
shown at E3, this construction being best shown in Figs. 2, and 3, and the said double
spring E is provided in its opposite sides with coils which are sprung into the ends
of the bolt D, as described, and between said coil and one side of the corresponding
jaw of the clamp 67, is placed a nut E4, which is mounted on the screw threaded
portion of the bolt D, as shown in Fig. 5:
Pivotally connected with the outer end of the arm d³, of the lever is an
operating rod consisting of two parts C, and C2, the lower part C² being tubular in
form, and the upper part C, being adapted to be adjusted therein, and to be held at
any desired point by a set screw C3, and the lower end of said operating rod is
pivotally connected at C+ with a yoke G, the sides of which project downwardly and
terminate at g, and g², one of said sides being longer than the other, and there is
also provided a brake shoe gs, which is preferably composed of metal, and which is
oblong in form, and substantially convexo-concave in cross section and connected
with the upper surface of said brake shoe at one side thereof is an upwardly and
outwardly directed arm g, which is connected with the longer side of the yoke G, at g,
and the opposite side of said brake shoe is provided with an upwardly directed arm g',
which is connected wih the shorter arm of the yoke G, at, go, and the longer arm of
the yoke G is provide nearits lower end with a slot or opening g' and the upwardly
directed arm g³ secured to one side of the brake shoe g³ also provided with a
vertical slot or opening gs in the upper portion of which is mounted a spiral spring g",
shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, and in full lines in Figs. 10, and 11, and mounted
in the slots or openings 97 and 9³s in the separate sides of the yoke G is a bar H one
end of whichis pivoted at g to the outwardly directed arm 9 of the brake shoe g³
and said bar H is provided centrally with a yoke h and the springs go bear on the
end of the bar H opposite the pivoted end thereof and mounted in said bar H
centrally and longitudinally thereof is a shaft 2 which projects through the end of
said bar opposite the pivoted end thereof, and mounted in the yoke ḥ on the shaft h²
is a wheel h³ which is keyed to said shaft hand which projects through an opening h
formed in the top of the brake shoe g³.
Connected with the end of the bar H on which the spring go bears is a plate h
provided with an outwardly and downwardly curved arm ho to which is secured a
bell or gong and the outer end of the shaft 2 is adapted to operate said bell by
means of any desired device, as for instance. the outer end of said shaft may be
provided with a cross head or arm h³ shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10, which is
provided with hammers operated by centrifugal force as the shaft rotates, and

page_text: whenever the wheel h³ is revolved, the bell or gong h will be operated as will be
readily understood.
The brake shoe g³ is provided at the rear end thereof, and at each side with
backwardly directed arms K, to which are pivoted at k clamps 2 and these
clamps consist of two curved strips of spring metal which are adapted to be
secured to the opposite sides of the forward fork A by means of screws or bolts k³
provided with thumb nuts or similar devices * and the brake_shoe is free to swing
vertically on its pivotal connection at k with the clamps k².
In the normal position of the bar H, in the yoke G, the end thereof which passes
through the slot or opening gs in the arm g of the brake shoe g³, is held in the
lower part of said slot or opening but said end of said bar is adapted to be raised
against the operation of the spring 99 by the pressure of the wheel 3 on the tire
of the guide wheel of the vehicle, and when said wheel h³ is forced into contact with
the tire of the guide wheel of the vehicle as hereinafter described, the said wheel h³
will be slightly raised and revolved, and the shaft 2 revolves therewith, and operates
the bell or gong has will be readily understood, and the yoke G and the arms g
and g5 of the brake shoe g³ constitute a frame in which the bar H and its
connected parts are mounted, and said parts may be formed integrally if desired.
The handle bar a' is provided at its opposite ends with the usual grips or handles L,
and the operation will be readily understood from the foregoing description when
taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and the following statement
thereof.
The operating rod composed of the parts C, and C2, is adjustable as will be readily
understood, and we thus provide means to permit of the raising and lowering of the
handle bar, it being understood that the steering post a³ is vertically adjustable in
the usual manner, and by projecting the ends of the cross head or thumb plate b,
laterally in the direction of the handles or grips means are provided for easily
operating the device from either side by moving the hand along the handle bar from
either end, and pressing the thumb on the enlarged portion 62 of the cross head or
thumb plate.
The brake is applied and the alarm bell operated by pressing the thumb on either
end of said cross head or thumb plate, and this operation, as will be readily under-
stood, forces the lower end or extension 63, of the lever B, outwardly and forwardly,
and this forces the upper end of the supplemental lever d outwardly and
forwardly, and the forwardly directed arm of the lever is forced downwardly
against the operation of the double spring yoke E, and the operating rod is also
forced downwardly, and the brake shoe g³ which is free to swing on its pivots at kis
forced into contact with the tire of the wheel, and at the same time, the wheel h³
which operates the bell is revolved, and the bell or alarm is sounded as will be
readily understood. As soon as the thumb is removed from the cross head or thumb
plate b, the spring E, at once raises the arm d³, of the lever d, and this operation
raises the brake, and throws both the brake and alarm bell out of operation.
The lamp or lantern is connected with the holder 64 in the usual manner, and the
entire apparatus may be detached from the bicycle, or attached thereto whenever
desired.
The connection of the yoke G, with the brake shoe g³ at g, is preferably a pivotal
connection, and the opposite side of the yoke G, is adapted to be disconnected from
the arm y, of the brake shoe at g6, and said yoke is adapted to be turned on its
pivotal connection at g, the object of this construction being to facilitate the placing of
O the spring go, in position, and the changing of said spring whenever desired, and
said spring may be held in position by any desired means.
In order to prevent the constant ringing of the bell as long as the brake is
applied, this operation being frequently necessary as in coasting; there is connected
with the upper part of the yoke h, a chain M, the lower end of which is connected
5 with said yoke h, at m, and said chain is carried upwardly and passed through.
a ring or support m², secured to the upper end of the part C, of the operating
rod which is connected with the arm 5, of the lever d', and said chain is

page_text: provided at its upper end with a ring m³, and whenever it is desired to stop the
operation of the alarm bell, it is only necessary to pull upwardly on the ring m³, so as
to raise the free end of the bar H, and the said ring m³, may be connected with
the end of the bolt mt, by which the operating rod is connected with the arm d³, of
the lever dt, the end of said bolt being slightly projected for this purpose. This
device is not an essential element of this invention, and is only provided as means
for stopping the ring of the alarm bell when desired, and it will be apparent that
any suitable device may be employed for this purpose.
The brake shoe g³, and the frame connected therewith may be made elastic so that
when depressed as above described, in the operation thereof, the sides of the brake
shoe will come in contact with the side of the tire and press upon said sides as will
be readily understood, and although the alarm bell and the brake shoe are herein
described, as being operated at the same time, it will be seen that the alarm bell
may be operated by simply depressing the brake shoe and the frame connected
therewith, so that the wheel h³, will come in contact with the tyre, and revolve
the shaft on which it is mounted before the brake shoe operates, and this is one of the
chief features of this invention.
Instead of employing the means herein shown and described for operating or
depressing the brake shoe, an operating rod may be passed down through the steer-
ing rod of the forward fork, which passes up through the tubular head a², of the
frame of the vehicle and with the upper end of which an operating lever may be
connected.
This improvement is simple in construction and operation, and is well adapted to
accomplish the result for which it is intended; and may be connected with bicycles
as usually constructed; and detached therefrom whenever desired; and it will be
apparent that changes in, and modifications of the details of the construction herein
described, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or
sacrificing its advantages.
- Having fully 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. A combination brake and alarm bell for bicycles and similar vehicles, said device
being adapted to be connected with the forward fork of the vehicle, and with the
steering post, and consisting of a brake and alarm which is adapted to be pivotally
connected with or hinged to the forward fork, a lever adapted to be pivotally connected
with or hinged to the steering post, an operating rod connecting said lever and said
brake and alarm, and an operating lever which is adapted to be mounted adjacent to
the handle bar by which said first named lever is operated, substantially as shown
and described.
2. A combination brake and alarm bell and lamp holder, for bicycles and similar
vehicles, said device being adapted to be connected with the handle bar, steering
post, and the forward fork of the vehicle, and being provided with an operating lever,
substantially as shown and described.
3. A combination brake, and alarm bell for bicycles and similar vehicles, said
device being adapted to be connected with the handle bar, steering post and the
forward fork of the vehicle, and consisting of a clamp which is adapted to be connected
with the handle bar, a lever pivotally connected therewith, and provided with a cross
head or thumb plate, another, clamp which is adapted to be connected with the steer-
ing post, a spring operated supplemental lever connected therewith, and adapted to
be operated by the first named lever, a telescopic operating rod connected with the
supplemental spring operated lever, clamps connected with the sides of the forward
fork, a brake shoe pivotally connected with said clamps, a yoke shaped frame
connected with said brake shoe, and with which said operating rod is pivotally con-
nected, a bar which passes through said yoke shaped frame, and one end of which is
pivoted in one side thereof, and the other end being vertically movable in a slot
formed therein, and provided with a spring which bears thereon, the vertically 5
movable end of said bar being also provided with a bell, and the central portion.
thereof being provided with a yoke, and a shaft which is mounted in said bar, and

page_text: hich extends across said yoke, and one end of which is adapted to operate said pen,
nd a wheel mounted on said shaft in said yoke, and which projects through an
pening formed in said shoe, substantially as shown and described.
4. A brake and bell for bicycles and similar vehicles, consisting of clamps which
re adapted to be connected with the opposite sides of the forward fork, a brake shoe
hich projects forwardly of said fork, and which is convexo-concave in cross section,
nd which is pivotally connected with said clamps, a frame connected with said
rake shoe by means of outwardly and upwardly directed arms which are formed on
r secured to said shoe, and one of which is longer than the other, said frame con-
isting of a yoke one side of which is shorter than the other, the longer side of said
oke being provided with a slot at the lower end thereof, and the longer arm of the.
brake shoe being provided with a slot in which is mounted a spring, a bar which is
pivoted in the longer arm of said yoke, and which passes through the slot in which
the spring is mounted, and on which said spring bears, said bar being provided with
bell at one end thereof, and said bar with a yoke in the centre thereof, and a shaft
which is loosely mounted in said bar, and which extends through the space formed
by said yoke, and which is adapted to operate said bell, and a wheel mounted on said
shaft within said yoke, and which projects downwardly through an opening in the
brake shoe, substantially as shown and described.
5. A brake and bell for bicycles and similar vehicles, consisting of clamps which
are adapted to be connected with the opposite sides of the forward fork, a brake shoe
which projects forwardly of said fork, and which is convexo-concave in cross section,
and which is pivotally connected with said clamps, a yoke shape frame connected
with said brake shoe by means of outwardly and upwardly directed arms which are
formed on or secured to said shoe, and one of which is longer than the other, said
frame consisting of a yoke one side of which is shorter than the other, the longer
side of said yoke being provided with a slot at the lower end thereof, and the longer
arm of the brake shoe being provided with a slot in which is mounted a spring, a
bar which is pivoted in the longer end of said yoke, and which passes through the
slot in which the spring is mounted, and on which said spring bears, said bar being
provided with a bell at one end thereof, and said bar with a yoke in the centre.
thereof, and a shaft which is loosely mounted in said bar, and which extends through.
the space formed by said yoke, and which is adapted to operate said bell, and a wheel
mounted on said shaft within said yoke, and which projects downwardly through an
opening in the brake shoe, and devices connected with the handle bar, the steering
post and the yoke shaped frame for depressing said brake shoe, and for holding it
normally in a raised position, substantially as shown and described.
6. A bicycle provided with a brake and alarm bell which is connected with the
forward fork of the vehicle, and the steering post, said device consisting of a lever
which is pivotally supported at the upper part of the steering post and which is provided
with a cross head or thumb plate, a spring operated supplemental lever pivotally
connected with the steering post below the handle bar, and adapted to be operated by.
said first named lever, a telescopic operating rod connected with said spring operated
supplemental lever, a brake shoe pivotally connected with the opposite sides of the
forward fork, and projecting forwardly thereof, a frame connected with said brake shoe.
and carrying a cross bar, one end of which is pivoted or hinged to one side of the
frame, and the other end of which passes through a slot in the opposite side and is
spring depressed, said last named end of said bar being also provided with an alarm.
bell and the central portion thereof with a yoke, and a revoluble shaft mounted in
said bar, and one end of which projects through the end of the bar that carries the
bell, and a wheel mounted on said shaft within said yoke, and projecting downwardly
through an opening in the brake shoe, substantially as shown and described.
7. The herein described brake shoe, alarm bell and lamp or lantern holder for
bicycles and similar vehicles, consisting of a main operating lever which is adapted to
be pivotally supported at the upper end of the steering post, and provided with a
cross head or thumb plate which projects in the direction of the ends of the handle
bar, a clamp or band adapted to be connected with the steering post below the handle

page_text: bar, and provided with a holder for a lamp or lantern, a spring operated supplemental
lever pivotally connected with said clamp or band and adapted to be operated by the
first named lever, a telescopic operating rod connected with said supplemental spring
operated lever, clamps or bands adapted to be connected with the opposite sides of the
forward fork, a forwardly directed brake shoe pivotally connected with said clamps or
bands, a yoke shaped frame connected with the upper side of said brake shoe and with
which said operating rod is connected, a bar pivotally connected with one side of said
frame, and passing through a slot formed in the opposite side, and in which is mounted
a spring which bears thereon, a shaft mounted in said bar and adapted to operate a
bell or gong connected therewith, said bar being also provided centrally with a yoke,
and a wheel mounted on said shaft within said yoke, and extending through an opening
formed in said brake shoe, substantially as shown and described.
8. A bicycle or similar vehicle, provided with a brake shoe pivotally connected
with the opposite sides of the forward fork and projecting forwardly, a frame
connected with the upper side of said brake shoe, a shaft mounted transversely of
said frame, one end of which is pivoted in one side thereof, and the other end of
which passes through a slot formed in the opposite side, a bell connected with the
last named end of said bar, a shaft mounted in said bar, and adapted to operate said
bell, a wheel mounted on said shaft, and passing through an opening formed in the
brake shoe, and means for operating said brake shoe, substantially as shown and
described.
9. A bicycle provided with a lever which is pivotally supported at the top of the
steering post, a spring operated supplemental lever pivotally connected with the
steering post below the handle bar, and adapted to be operated by said first named
lever, a telescopic operating rod connected with said last named lever, a brake shoe
pivotally connected with the opposite sides of the forward fork and projecting
forwardly thereof, a frame connected with the upper side of said shoe, and with which
said operating rod is connected, a bar pivotally supported in one side of said frame,
and passing through a slot formed in the other side, said bar being provided at one
end with a bell, and centrally thereof with a yoke, a shaft mounted in said bar and
adapted to operate said bell, and a wheel mounted on said shaft within said yoke,
and passing through an opening formed in the brake shoe, substantially as shown
and described.
10. A combination brake, alarm, and lamp or lantern support for bicycles and
similar vehicles, said device being adapted to be connected with the handle bar,
steering post and forward fork of the vehicle, and consisting of clamps which are
adapted to be secured to the forward fork, a combination brake and alarm device
connected with said clamps, a clamp adapted to be secured to the steering post, a
lever connected therewith an operating rod connecting said lever and said com-
bination brake and alarm, a clamp which is adapted to be connected with the
handle bar, and which is provided with a lamp support, and an operating lever
connected with said last-named clamp and adapted to operate said first-named lever,
substantially as shown and described.
11. A combination brake and bell for bicycles and similar vehicles, said device being
adapted to be connected with the forward fork of the vehicle, and consisting of a
brake shoe, a frame connected with the upper side of said brake shoe, a bar
mounted transversely of said frame, one end of which is pivoted in one side
thereof, and the other end of which passes through a slot formed in the
opposite side, a bell connected with the last-named end of said bar, a shaft mounted
in said bar, and adapted to operate said bell, a wheel mounted on said shaft and
passing through an opening formed in the brake shoe, and means for depressing said
brake shoe, substantially as shown and described.
D
u1 1
1607
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.