Improvements in Brakes for Bicycles or other Velocipedes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, -7th Dec., 1893-Accepted, 13th Jan., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Brakes for Bicycles or other Velocipedes.
I, EDOUARD VAUDIN, of 15 Boulevard St. Denis, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The brakes ordinarily heretofore employed in bicycles, and other velocipedes,
have been usually operated by mechanism arranged in front of the vertical axis or
spindle of the fork in which the wheel to which the brake is applied runs.
My present invention has for its object a novel method of construction in which
the bar or spindle, to the lower end of which the brake plate is attached, is made to
pass down through the vertical spindle of the fork.
For this purpose the brake rod passes down through the hollow spindle and is
guided and supported by it. A spring for raising the brake from the wheel is fitted
round the rod at the lower end of the hollow spindle, where it is protected from
injury.
The upper end of the hollow spindle is provided with a cap, which covers the
inner brake rod and the joint at the upper end of the latter which is connected to a
lever of the usual kind pivotted to the steering bar or handle.
The brake plate or block itself is screwed upon the lower end of the inner
vertical bar, and also serves as a stop which limits the upward movement of the
brake spindle by coming in contact with the fork.
When the friction brake is applied to the centre of the wheel instead of to the
tyre, a small lever is pivotted inside the upper part of the fork, the brake spindle
pressing down one end of the lever, to the other end of which is connected a bar the
lower end of which is connected to and tightens the brake.
...
1 1000
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Brakes for Bicycles or other Velocipedes.
I, EDOUARD VAUDIN, of 15 Boulevard St. Denis, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Engineer, 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 and accompanying drawing that is to say :-
:
The brakes ordinarily heretofore employed in bicycles, and other velocipedes,
have been usually operated by mechanism arranged in front of the vertical axis or
spindle of the fork in which the wheel to which the brake is applied runs.
My present invention has for its object a novel method of construction in which
the bar or spindle, to the lower end of which the brake plate is attached, is made to
pass down through the vertical spindle of the fork.
In the accompanying drawing which is in illustration of my invention, Figure 1
is a section through the upper part of the fork.
The brake rod a passes down through the hollow spindle and is guided and
supported by it. A spring c for raising the brake from the wheel is fitted round
the rod at the lower end of the, hollow spindle, where it is protected from
iniury

page_text: The upper end of the hollow spindle is provided with a cap d which covers the
inner brake rod and the joint e at the upper end of the latter which is connected to
-a lever f of the usual kind pivotted to the steering bar or handle.
The brake plate or block b itself is screwed upon the lower end of the inner
vertical bar a, and also serves as a stop which limits the upward movement of the
brake spindle by coming in contact with the fork g.
Figures 2 and 3 shew the arrangement of mechanism used when the friction
brake is applied to the centre of the wheel instead of to the tyre, a small lever h
being pivotted inside the upper part of the fork, the brake spindle pressing down one
..end of the lever h, to the other end of which is connected a bar the lower end of
which is connected to and tightens the brake.
.
The advantages of the arrangements described and illustrated are,-
1st. The front of the steering apparatus is left quite clear, permitting the placing
of any parcel there and fixing it as firmly as necessary without fear of impeding the
movement of the mechanism of the brake.
2nd. The more elegant and light appearance of the machine.
3rd. The rod being fixed inside and supported for its full length is more
rigid.
Though having the same work to do it may in this way be lighter and yet more
rigid. This, and the doing away with the various supports and guides in front,
give greater lightness to the machine whilst there is little or no vibration of the
mechanism.
4th. The spring being placed in the fork is protected from all injury and conse-
quently lasts longer and has an always certain action.
5th. The interior is always entirely protected from damp and the movement of
the steering apparatus can not in any way interfere with the working. The cap
fixed on the top protects the hole in the spindle and contains the upper head and
joint of the rod and the end of the operating lever.
6th. A great saving of time in cleaning is gained. The keeping in repair of the
brake mechanism when placed outside is always rather a serious item and its
position makes it awkward to clean the other adjoining parts.
7th. The easy application to all systems of brakes with the brake acting on the
outer circumference of the tyre. By simply screwing this brake block upon the
rod it forms at the same time a check or stop by pressing against the bottom of
the fork. With brakes upon the nave of either the rear or front wheel the
combined movements operate the brake when the lever is pressed down.
8th. It is easily applied to machines, as the steering gear of all is hollow.
9th. In manufacturing, there is economy above the old system, fewer attachments
and less workmanship for the fixing as in the system of external guides being
required.
10th. The apparatus is close to the hand and works exactly like those on the old
system, the handle being brought to the position usual on all machines.
11th. It is only necessary for taking it to pieces to remove the two screws
securing the top of the guide and at the same time the cap, then to unscrew the
brake block or the stop ring below.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be applied, I declare that what I
-claim is :-
The novel arrangement of arranging the brake spindle for velocipedes of all
kinds, consisting of placing the said spindle inside the upper end of the steering
fork, substantially as described and illustrated.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant..