Improvements in Pneumatic Brakes for Velocipedes and like Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Sept., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 15th June, 1894-Accepted, 21st July, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Brakes for Velocipedes and like
Machines.
I, JOHN GEORGE AULSEBROOK KITCHEN of 28 Rose Grove Ardwick,
Manchester in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturer do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to wheel brakes for velocipedes and other similar road
carriages and consists in the novel construction and improved combination and
arrangement of parts forming a pneumatic brake, the object of this invention
being to simplify the application and cheapen the production of a brake as well as
obviate to a great extent the tendency of brakes to injure the pneumatic tyres of
wheels.
For the purpose of this invention a hollow air tight cushion which may be of
indiarubber and canvas or any other suitable substance is fixed to the frame of the
machine at a suitable distance from the surface of the tyre, for instance the cushion
may be very conveniently fitted underneath the crown of one of the forks of the
machine. The cushion is preferably moulded of indiarubber and strengthened with
canvas and has a concave surface facing the tyre, and also formed with suitable
projections by which it is partly or wholly secured to the frame or a metallic
attachment for the frame.
At a convenient position in the frame of the machine for instance at one end of
the handle-bar is fitted or attached a flexible air tight ball or shell of indiarubber
or like substance, and from this ball an attached tube is carried in any suitable
way to the hollow cushion aforesaid. The concave side of the cushion may be faced
with leather, metal or any other suitable material to increase friction or
reduce wear.
The brake is operated by pressing the ball thereby displacing the air contained
"brake block "
therein which travels along the tube and enlarges the cushion or
causing the concave face to become convex or move outwards and press against the
face of the tyre.
In a modification of
spoon" of hard substance may be hinged
to the frame or otherwise connected to form the "brake block" the pneumatic
cushion acting directly upon the "spoon."
66
invention a
my
A valve may be fitted to the ball causing it to act as a pump and providing if
desired an escape for the air.
1000
Improvements in Pneumatic Brakes for Velocipedes and like
Machines.
I, JOHN GEORGE AULSEBROOK KITCHEN of 28 Rose Grove Ardwick,
Manchester in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturer, 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 :-
My invention relates to wheel-brakes for velocipedes and other similar road
J1

page_text: carriages or machines, and more particularly to pneumatic brakes which are
operated through the displacement or compression of a fluid, air for instance.
Hitherto pneumatic brakes for velocipedes and such like carriages or machines
have consisted of mechanism operated by a reciprocating piston working in a
cylinder the pressure under the piston being obtained from an accumulator or
reservoir charged by another piston set in motion by the wheels of the carriage or
machine or by the rising and falling movement of the seat. Other so-called
pneumatic brakes simply have an airtight brake block, shoe or roller which is
operated in the well-known way by a lever.
The object of this invention is chiefly the production of a cheaper brake, which
is at the same time simple in construction and readily applied, while the tendency
to injure pneumatic tyres, a defect in brakes hitherto generally existing is
obviated.
My invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts of, and
nanner of applying or operating the brake, according to which the brake consists
of a hollow airtight brake-block or shoe of flexible or elastic material, fixed to the
frame of the carriage or machine in such manner that the face of the block or shoe
shall expand and press against the tyre or brake-rim of the wheel through the
introduction of air under pressure into, or the compression of the air in the said
block or shoe, the introduction or the compression of air being effected preferably
by means of a flexible chamber or flask, or pump, having a tubular connection
with the brake-wheel or shoe and pressed or otherwise operated by the hand.
In order that my invention may be more readily understood I will now refer to
the two sheets of drawings which I have attached hereunto.
In the said drawings,
Figure 1, represents the frame work of a velocipede of a well known and at
present popular pattern showing the application of my improved brake thereto in
two positions or to both wheels. My improved brake, however, may be readily
and in any suitable manner attached to any type of velocipede or similar machine
or carriage. I have herein shown its attachment only to one type of velocipede
but thereby representing its relative position to the wheel in each case for any
type of velocipede. In some cases, however, I may cause it to act upon a drum
fixed to the hub or axle of the wheel or wheels, and in other cases it may act upon
the rim or felloe of the wheel.
Figures 2, 3 and 4 represent different views of the brake block or shoe and its
proposed application to the front wheel of a velocipede or machine first
mentioned.
Figure 5 represents a view of the elastic air chamber or flask, partly in
section.
Figures 6 and 7, represent two views of my improved brake in its application to
the rear wheel of the velocipede or machine hereinbefore mentioned.
The manner of attachment herein set forth and illustrated in the drawings shows
ready means of attaching the brake so that it may be applied and removed by an
unskilled person. It is obvious, however, that the brake may be attached in any
suitable manner and to any type of velocipede and carriage.
In the drawings similar parts are indicated by like letters of reference.
Fig. 1, represents a rear driving "safety" bicycle showing the application of
my improved brake to each wheel. The brake consists of a hollow block or
shoe A having a flexible or elastic face. Upon the handle-bar of the machine,
preferably, is secured in position a hollow chamber B of flexible material, such as
indiarubber, forming a pump or injector, or an equivalent of the chamber may be
used. The brake block A and the hollow chamber or injector B, are in com-
munication by means of a pipe C. Figs. 2 to 7 illustrate the detailed construction
of the brake and manner of attachment.
In these figures A represents the brake-block or shoe which is preferably formed
of indiarubber and hollow, having one side the face or part coming into contact
with the wheel normally in a more or less collapsed state. The block or shoe is

page_text: shown as carried by a bracket a preferably of metal, having adjustable clips a³ for
The purpose of attaching the bracket to the fork sides of the machine. In Fig. 3, is
shewn a longitudinal section of the brake-block and bracket, and in Fig. 4, a
transverse section of the same. Fig. 5, represents in part longitudinal section the
flexible chamber, flask or injector B, which is preferably made of vulcanized india-
rubber. For ready attachment to the handle-bar or frame of the machine, a
spring-clip or other attachment is provided. A pipe C connects the flexible
chaniber B with the brake-block A. Figs. 6 and 7 represent respectively a side
view and plan of my improved brake, showing manner of attachment to the rear
part of the frame of a rear driven "safety" bicycle. The bracket d is preferably
secured by the clips to a fork side or stay in the manner shown.
Communication with the flexible chamber B is obtained through the pipe C.
In Fig. 1, the means of communication between the brake-block A and the
chamber B is clearly shown. Where it is desired to apply the brake to both
wheels, a junction c as indicated by dotted lines in the pipe at any convenient part
inay be made. The block may be faced or partly faced with any other suitable
material or metal.
In some cases I interpose between the tyre and the elastic chamber A a metallic
shoe or 66
spoon" which may be hinged to the frame of the machine or otherwise
connected thereto. In some cases I interpose a stop valve, of any suitable
construction in the pipe at a convenient place or in the pump or equivalent which
may be readily operated by the hand. Obviously any other kind of pump or air
compressor may be substituted for the flexible chamber or flask B. The hollow
block or shoe A may be made with a metal or other rigid back having an elastic
flexible face fixed airtight thereto.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The general construction and arrangement of a brake or of component parts
thereof substantially as described and illustrated.
2. The improvements in pneumatic brakes substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore set forth and respectively illustrated in and by the accompanying
drawings in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
3. In pneumatic brakes the use and arrangement of a hollow brake-block or
equivalent of a flexible or elastic nature and an elastic air flask, hand pump, injector
or equivalent in tubular communication therewith substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the drawings.
4. In pneumatic brakes the use and arrangement of a hollow elastic chamber in
tubular communication with an elastic air flask, hand pump, injector or equivalent
for the purpose of pressing a brake shoe or spoon against the wheel tyre
substantially as hereinbefore described.
The Och dave of T1001
R. J. URQUHART,
57, Barton Arcade, Manchester, and 5, Clayton Square, Liverpool,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.