provements in or in and relating to Brakes for Cycles and other Light Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Nov., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 18th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 16th Oct., 1897
PROVISIONAL
GOIFICATION
Improvements in or in and relating to Brakes for Cycles and other
Light Vehicles.
I, HERBERT HENRY GREEN, of Gothic Works, Herrick Street, Wolverhampton,
in the County of Stalford, Hardware Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention refers to the brakes of cycles and other light vehicles, and has
for its objects to increase the security of the joint between the two lengths of an
adjustable brake rod, to improve the means by which a brake is automatically
taken off, and to provide simple means by which the brake may be left on and
locked so that it cannot be tampered with whilst the machine is standing, and
which consequently prevent the machine from being surreptitiously wheeled away.
The improved means, according to this invention, for securely fixing together
the two lengths of an adjustable brake rod, comprise notches formed in the por-
tion which slides within the other portion of the rod, and a cotter pin, having a
nut screwed on its smaller end, which passes through a lug formed upon the end
of the portion of the rod within which the other portion slides. The hole through
which the cotter pin passes is transverse to the axis of the rod, and the lumen of
such hole passes, on the inner side, through one side of the tube forming the por-
tion of the rod within which the other portion slides. The inner side of the cotter
pin is formed to fit into one or more of the notches aforesaid, and thus when the
cotter is securely tightened up the two portions of the brake rod are securely
fastened together, and are not liable to slip in relation to one another as is found
to be the case when they are fastened simply by a set-pin in the usual manner.
The nut on the end of the cotter pin securely prevents it from working back. The
cotter pin may be formed, conveniently, of a shape which is circular in section
except for any projection or key thereof which is to fit within a notch aforesaid.
The improved means, according to this invention, by which a brake is automati-
cally taken off, consist in mounting the brake lever within a circular case which
is formed with or carried by the clip or other part by means of which the brake
lever is connected with the handle bar or other part of the machine to which it
is applied, and in providing a spring or springs inside the case against the
elasticity of which the lever is moved to put on the brake and which consequently
moves or move back the lever upon the removal of the force which has been exerted
to put on the brake. A spiral spring which surrounds the axis of the fulcrum pin
of the lever may be conveniently used for the purpose, being held at one end by
means of a stud within the case and at the other end fixed to a square or other
shaped boss of the lever. The openings in the rim of the case through which the
lever passes are, of course, made of sufficient length to allow the proper movement
of the lever, and one of the ends of each of these openings, respectively, forms a
stop to the movement of the lever which is caused by the spring.
The means according to this invention, by which a brake may be left on and
locked, comprise a hole formed through the brake lever some short distance from

page_text: its fulcrum axis, or through the portion of the brake rod which passes through
the guide, aud (when a hole is formed through the lever) comprise a corresponding
hole formed through a plate or bracket by which the lever is carried, or which is
otherwise fixed so that the lever works alongside of it, or through both sides of a
bracket or case by which the lever is carried, or (when a hole is formed through
the brake rod) comprise a corresponding hole formed through each side of
the guide; and, such means comprise, also, a pin which may be passed through the
plate, bracket or case, and through the lever, when the brake is on, or through the
guide and brake rod, as the case may be, and which has a hole formed through
its forward or smaller end through which a padlock shackle may be passed so
that when the padlock is looked the pin cannot be removed. For the purpose
of this part of the invention, it is preferred to use an arrangement such as above
described, according to which the brake lever is carried in a case which contains
the spring or springs by means of which the brake is automatically taken off, and
to pass the pin through holes formed in opposite sides of the case.
1900
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
ION.
Improvements in or in and relating to Brakes for Cycles and other
Light Vehicles.
I, HERBERT HENRY GREEN, of Gothic Works, Herrick Street, Wolverhampton
in the County of Stafford, Hardware Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention refers to the brakes of cycles and other light vehicles, and has
for its objects to increase the security of the joint between the two lengths of au
adjustable brake rod, to improve the means by which a brake is automatically
taken off, and to provide simple means by which the brake may be left on and
locked so that it cannot be tampered with whilst the machine is standing, and
which consequently prevent the machine from being surreptitiously wheeled away.
The improved means, according to this invention, for securely fixing together the
two lengths of an adjustable brake rod, comprise notches formed in the portion
which slides within the other portion of the rod, and a cotter pin, having a nut
screwed on its forward end, which passes through a lug formed upon the end of
the portion of the rod within which the other portion slides or formed with a part
which surrounds such portion of the rod within which the other portion slides.
The hole through which the cotter pin passes is transverse to the axis of the rod,
and the lumen of such hole passes, on the inner side, through one side of the
tube forming the portion of the rod within which the other portion slides. The
inner side of the cotter pin is formed to fit into one or more of the notches afore-
said, or to fit along opposite sides of any tooth of the set of teeth which result from
notching the rod, and thus when the cotter is securely tightened up the two por-
tions of the brake rod are securely fastened together, and are not liable to slip in
relation to one another, as is found to be the case when they are fastened simply
by a set-pin in the usual manner. The nut on the end of the cotter pin securely
prevents it from working back. The cotter pin may be formed, conveniently, of
a shape which is circular in section except for any projection or key thereof which
is to fit within a notch aforesaid or along a tooth.

page_text: A convenient practical application of the invention as it relates to the fixing
together of the two lengths of an adjustable brake rod, is illustrated, by way of
example, by Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings herewith, of which Figure 1 is a
vertical section through the joint between the two portions of the rod, Figure 2
is a section taken on line x x of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a view of the inner face
of the cotter pin. The portion A of the brake rod which is capable of sliding
within the portion B thereof, and is preferably the upper of the two, is formed
with a number of notches a cut across the face thereof. A lug b is formed to
project from the upper end of the portion B of the rod, being formed conveniently
with a part which surrounds the portion B of the rod. A transverse hole to
receive the cotter pin C is formed through the lug b, and this hole runs along its
middle portion through the side of the tube B and into the bore of such tube. A
taper cotter C, provided with a nut c which may be screwed upon its smaller end,
has formed along its inner face keys d which, as the cotter pin is pushed up into place
pass into two of the notches a of the rod A. When the nut c has been securely
tightened up, and the cotter pin C thereby tightened into the transverse hole
through the lug b, the two portions A and B of the rod are securely fixed together
endways by the engagement of the keys d with two of the notches a. It is
preferred to form a flat surface along the part of the rod A where the teeth are
to be formed, to avoid making the teeth unnecessarily deep. The lug b may be
brazed to the tube B, or it may be simply placed thereover as it is securely held
in place by the cotter pin. This latter arrangement is preferred as it permits of
the lug being removed to allow the brake rod guide to be slipped off the end of the
tube B.
The cotter pin might, of course, be made parallel-sided, if the notches and keys
which fit therein were made taper, or the pin were formed with a head; but it
is preferred to use a taper pin.
The improved means, according to this invention, by which a brake is automa-
tically taken off, consist in mounting the brake lever within a circular case which
is formed with or carried by the clip or other part by means of which the brake
lever is connected with the handle bar or other part of the machine to which it is
applied, and in providing a spring or springs inside the case against the elastic
force of which the lever is moved to put on the brake and which consequently
moves or move back the lever upon the removal of the force which has been
exerted to put on the brake. A spiral spring which surrounds the axis of the
fulcrum pin of the lever may be conveniently used for the purpose, being held
at one end by means of a stud within the case and at the other end fixed to a
square or other suitably-shaped boss of the lever.
A convenient application of the invention as it relates to the means by which a
brake is automatically taken off, is illustrated, by way of example, and as applied
to a cycle, by Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings herewith, of which Figure 4 is
a back elevation, with the cap-plate of the case removed, of the middle portion of
the brake lever, and of the means by which it is carried and automatically moved
back and the lever being shewn however in the position it assumes when the brake
is "on." Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on line y y of Figure 4; and Figure 6
is an edge view of one side of the cap-plate of the case.
The brake lever D is mounted within a circular case E which is shewn as formed
with, or fixed to, clip by means of which it is fixed to the handle bar G.
Openings are formed through the rim of the case through which the lever D
passes out from the case on each side. A spiral spring H, which is fastened at
one end to a stud f of the case and at the other to a square boss 9 of the lever D,
tends to move back the lever from the position shewn and to take off the brake
and to maintain the lever in position with the brake off, and the lever consequently
has to be moved against the force of the spring in putting on the brake. The
openings e through the rim of the case are, of course, of sufficient length to allow
the proper movement of the lever; and one of the ends of each of these openings,

page_text: respectively, forms a stop to the movement of the lever which is caused by the
spring.
The means, according to this invention, by which a brake may be left on and
locked, comprise a hole formed through the brake lever some short distance from its
fulcrum uxis, or through the portion of the brake rod which passes through the
guide, and, (when a hole is formed through the lever) comprise a corresponding
hole formed through a plate or bracket by which the lever is carried, or which is
otherwise fixed so that the lever works alongside of it, or through both sides of a
bracket or case by which the lever is carried or, (when a hole is formed through
the brake rod) comprise a corresponding hole formed through each side of the
guide; and such means comprise, also, a pin which may be passed through the
plate, bracket or case, and through the lever, when the brake is on, or through
the guide and brake rod, as the case may be, and which has a hole formed through
its forward or smaller end through which a padlock shackle may be passed so
that when the padlock is locked the pin cannot be removed. For the purpose of
this part of the invention, it is preferred to use an arrangement, such as above
described, according to which the brake lever is oarried in a case which, contains
the spring or springs by means of which the brake is automatically taken off,
and to pass the piu through holes formed in opposite sides of the case.
The part of the invention which relates to the means by which a brake may
be left on and locked is illustrated, according to two examples, and as applied to
cycles, by Figures 4, 5 and 6 above described, and by Figures 7, 8 and 9.
Referring first to the arrangement shewn by Figures 4, 5 and 6, the lever is
maintained in the position shewn by means of a pin J which is passed for the
purpose through holes formed in the back and front plates of the case E and
through a hole formed through the lover itself, and is securely locked in such
position by means of a padlock, such as K, the shackle of which is passed through
a hole formed through the pin J.
Referring now to the arrangement shewn by Figures 7, 8 and 9, Figure 7 is
a side elevation of the brake rod guide fixed to the lower portion of the steering
socket of a cycle, and shews also the brake block and shoe and the lower portion
of the brake rod. Figure 8 is a plan of the parts shewn by Figure 7, and Figure 9
is a front view thereof. The brake rod L is maintained in its downward position,
with the brake on, by means of a pin M which is passed for the purpose through
both sides of the brake rod guide N and through the brake rod itself; and it is:
securely locked in such position by means of a padlock, such as K, the shackle of
which is passed through a hole formed through the pin.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Lavention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The improved means for securely fixing together the two lengths of an
adjustable brake rod of a cycle or other light vehicle, which comprise notches or
teeth formed in or upon one portion of the rod and a cotter piu carried by the
other portion of the rod and adapted for engagement with such notches or teeth,
substantially as described.
2. The improved means for securely fixing together the two lengths of an
adjustable brake rod of a cycle or other light vehicle, substantially as described
and shewn by Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings herewith.
3. The improved meaus, by which the brake of a cycle or other light vehicle is
automatically taken off, which comprise a brake lever mounted within a case,
and a spring or springs inside the case against the elastic force of which the lever
is moved to put on the brake, substantially as described.
4. The improved means by which the brake of a cycle or other light vehicle is
automatically taken off, which comprise a spiral spring which surrounds the pivot
axis of the brake lever and is connected at one end to the lever and at the other

page_text: end to a fixed support and against the elastic force of which the lever is moved
to put on the brake, substantially as described.
6. The improved means by which the brake of a cycle or other light vehicle is
automatically taken off, substantially as described and shewn by Figures 4, 5 and G
of the drawings herewith.
6. A brake for a cycle or other light vehicle, provided with means by which it
may be locked when "on" so that it cannot be taken off without being first
unlocked, substantially as described.
7. The improved means by which the brake of a cycle or other light vehicle
may be left on and locked, which comprise a pin and means which admit of the
pin being used to interlock a movable portion of the brake apparatus with a fixed
support, in combination with a lock by means of which the pin may be securely
locked in place, substantially as described.
8. The improved means by which the brake of a cycle or other light vehicle may
be left ou aud locked substantially as described and shewn, according to two
examples, by Figures 4 to 9 of the drawings herewith.
Dated this 14th day of August 1907
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.