Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Mar., 1897-Accepted, 10th Apr.,
1897
1
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes.
We, CHARLES WILLIAM HUDSON and FRED MOREHOUSE HARRINGTON, both of
Weedsport, County of Cayuga, State of New York, United States of America,
Gentlemen, 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 :-
Our invention relates to brakes for velocipedes or cycles.
Our object is to produce a brake, which is connected to a tilting saddle, or one
which is mounted upon a rocking support, having a rocking bearing upon the saddle
post the rear of the saddle, or its rocking support, being suitably and adjustably
connected to a brake-shoe, of any desired pattern or style, which, is mounted upon or
connected to the bars of the fork of the rear-wheel, in such manner that one end is
free to be oscillated vortically, to bring said shoe into engagement with the wheel by
the rocking of the saddle (or its support) or out of such engagement the saddle being
rocked to apply the brake by the backward swinging of the body of the rider, and to
release it by the forward swing or bend thereof.
Means are also provided whereby the rocking support can be locked so as to
prevent the use of the brake, or unlocked whenever it is desired to use it, or to have
it in readiness for use.
It is constructed as follows, reference being had to the accompanying figures in
which―
Fig. 1, is a side elevation of part of a cycle and my braking device applied
thereto.
Fig. 2, is a cross section on line a.
Fig. 3, is a cross section on line y.
A is a part of a cycle frame of which 2 is the rear fork, in which the rear wheel 3
is journaled in any ordinary manner.
A saddle post 4 is suitably mounted in the frame, and to it a rocker 5 is suitably
connected as by a bolt 6, its position being regulated by having a number of bolt
holes if desired, through the cross-bar of the saddle post. This rocker usually fits
over said post, more or less, and on its upper face is provided with one member 7 of
a clip of which 8 and 8' are the other members and 9 are the bolts by which the
saddle spring 10 is gripped to hold the saddle 11 in place.
The saddle may be of any kind, shape or style, and in case the spring 10 is of
different form, the clips 8 and 8' may be adjusted laterally to engage the spring.
A brake rod 12 more or less tubular, is connected to the rear end of the rocker,
and 13 is a sectional extension thereof, fitting into the rod 12 and adjusted by means
of a set screw 14; and having its lower end suitably connected to the brake-shoe 15,
which is mounted and adapted to swing upon suitable connections 16 to the
fork-bars 2.
A lock comprising a jaw 17 and a handle 18 is pivoted upon the saddie-post so that
said jaw will pass through a slot in the rocker and fit over the front end thereof and
lock it, to prevent the operation of the brake, and by pushing said handle up, and
releasing the jaw, the rocker is released, so that a rider by changing his position upon
the saddle a little will depress the rear thereof and apply the brake, the degree of
pressure being controlled entirely by the position of the rider. Then by shifting or

page_text: throwing his weight forward, the brake-shoe is raised, and if he chooses the rider can
re-lock the rocker.
Thus in coasting, a rider by straightening up his body more or less, can apply the
brake gradually and with any degree of force he may deem necessary for safety.
It will be evident that this invention can be readily applied to any style or shape of
saddle post, by simply making some minor changes of form which would readily
suggest themselves to a mechanic; and that the cross-bar (or T bar) upon any saddle
post can be readily pivoted upon said post, by simply inserting a bolt through said
post and cross bar.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The combination with a velocipede or cycle frame, a wheel mounted therein, and
a saddle post mounted in said frame, of a rocker mounted upon the saddle post, a
saddle mounted upon said rocker, a brake shoe hung upon said frame, and a rod
connecting said shoe to said rocker, whereby the swinging of said rocker applies the
.brake to or removes it from the wheel, and means' to lock or release said rocker.
ས་ན
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.