Improvements in or relating to Brakes for Velocipedes or the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 28th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 14th May, 1898
Improvements in or relating to Brakes for Velocipedes or the like.
I, FREDERICK EDWARD BLACKETT BEAUMONT, St. Margarets Mansions, 55,
Victoria Street, London, S.W., Colonel, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in brakes for velocipedes, the object being
to provide a brake which can be readily attached to a velocipede without the
necessity of altering or interfering with the usual construction of the frame or
tube carrying the forks and the brake may be readily attached to a machine in
any convenient manner.
In carrying out the object of my invention I will now describe a convenient
construction of brake. I provide a socket piece in which a tube or rod carrying
the brake slides. This brake is preferably curved and may be brought into contact
with the wheel by any convenient arrangements of levers, or it may be operated
directly by the foot of the rider. A spring is employed for the purpose of maintain-
ing the brake in its inoperative position. The complete brake apparatus may be
readily attached to a machine by inserting the socket in the hollow tube carrying
the forks and securing same by any convenient means such as a clip, set screw, or
the like, the socket and sliding piece being so arranged together such as by lugs
& slots upon the two parts as to prevent the turning or twisting of the sliding
piece in the socket. It will be seen that the complete brake may be readily removed
if desired and is readily attached in position to the machine without necessitating
alterations in the arrangement and construction of the frame.
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Improvements in or relating to Brakes for Velocipedes or the like.
I, FREDERICK EDWARD BLACKETT BEAUMONT, of St. Margarets Mansions, 55,
Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., in the County of London, Colonel, 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 brake device for velocipedes more particularly
intended to be operated by the foot, which can be readily attached to a velocipede

page_text: without the necessity of altering or interfering with the usual frame or tube
carrying the steering fork.
I will describe the construction of the brake with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which Fig. 1 shews a side view of the steering fork and wheel of a
bicycle with the brake device attached, Figs. 2 and 3 shew similar views in which
the brake plate is made to serve as support for the mud guard. Fig. 4 shews an
enlarged perspective view of the brake device detached, Fig. 5 shews a still farther
enlarged vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 6 is a vertical cross section
thereof shewing its attachment to the steering fork; Fig. 7 shews a plan of the
brake device and of the foot rests on the frame employed in combination therewith.
The brake consists of a plate n, preferably curved as shewn, and having firstly
two laterial projections m m serving as pedals for the feet and secondly, a cylindrical
projection n which serves as ineans of attachment to a tube l.
This tube can slide freely within a second tube F, which in its turn is adapted
to fit within the tube f of the steering fork into which it is inserted through the
open lower end, and to which it is attached by any suitable means but preferably
in the manner hereinafter described.
The tube F is closed at its upper end and is there connected by a screwed rod and
nut s to a springs the lower end of which is attached to the brake plate n. Thus
it will be seen that while the tube F is fixed to the steering fork, the plate n is
free to be moved up and down with spring action, being guided in its motion by the
tube 7 sliding freely in F, but prevented from turning therein by a pin on F
engaging with a longitudinal slot in l. These parts being secured in position on
the steering fork, the plate n is held in a raised position above the wheel tyre A by
the springs, the tension of which can be adjusted by the screw nut s¹; on the
application of pressure by the foot or feet, as at Figs. 1 and 7, the brake plate n
will be forced down so as to come in contact with the tyre. The plate n. is for
this purpose preferably provided with a caoutchouc brake block c, which may be
conveniently attached thereto by claws on the sides of plate n, as shewn at Fig. 6.
On the withdrawal of the foot, the brake is drawn upward by the spring again.
For securing the brake to the steering fork in an easily attachable and detachable
manner, the tube F has a flange Fat its lower end, on which are projecting
perforated ears F that project up on each side of the crosshead of the fork, and
through which are passed pins a that pass over the lower bar of the crosshead, as
shewn at Fig. 6, and thus hold the tube F securely in the fork.
The pins a are secured by screw nuts 6 on the removal of which, the brake device
can be withdrawn.
In order to enable the rider to readily apply a graduated pressure by means of
his foot to the brake, I prefer to employ in combination with the above described
brake device, foot rests 2 attached to the bart of the framing in such a position
that on placing his heels on these rests, the front of the foot will be situated over
the bars m of the brake plate, as shewn at Figs. 1 and 7. These foot rests form the
subject of my application for Letters Patent dated 26th August 1897 No. 19703,
and are therefore not claimed as any part of the present invention.
As shewn at Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the brake plate n may conveniently serve as means
of attachment of the mud guard g when such is used, this being either entirely
supported by the plate as at Fig. 3, or partly from the fork by radial wires as at
Fig. 2.
It will be obvious that the above described construction of brake may also be
adapted to be worked by hand by means of any suitable known arrangement of
levers and rod connection for depressing the brake plate n.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:-
-
1. A brake for velocipedes consisting of a brake plate such as n adapted to be
operated either by the foot or the hand, and having attached thereto a tubular guide
such as sliding freely within a tube F adapted to be secured within the tubular

page_text: stem of the steering fork, the brake plate being connected to the tube F by means
of springs tending to hold it in a raised position, substantially as described.
2. A brake for velocipedes consisting of the combination of a plate such as n
having lateral pedals or bars m and a brake block adapted to be applied to the
wheel tyre, a tubular guide attached to the said plate capable of sliding freely
within a tube F adapted to be fitted within the tube of the steering fork of the
velocipede, means for attachment of the tube F to the steering fork, and a spring s
connecting the brake plate n with the fixed tube F, substantially as described.
3. A brake for velocipedes consisting of the combination of a brake plate such
as n with brake block c, adapted to be operated either by the foot or the hand, and
serving as support for a mud guard, a tubular guide such as attached to the
plate n and sliding freely within a tube F adapted to be secured within the tubular
stem of the steering fork, and a spring such as s connecting the plate n with the
tube F, substantially as described.
Datad this 28th day of September 1897
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.