Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 12th Feb., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes.
I, OSWALD GRASSLER, of 70, Hollandische Strasse, Cassel, Germany, 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:-
The present invention concerns arrangements described hereafter and shown in
the annexed drawings with which, by means of a pressure upon one of the pedals
in the opposite direction to that of its rotation a brake is applied to the wheel
which is wedged upon the axle of the cranks.
The particular point in this invention is that owing to the arrangement of the
pedals upon the axle in such a way as to be displaced against each other, in the
direction of the rotation, the driving wheel which is arranged movable on the axle
and coupled with this axle during the working, continues to turn under the influ-
ence of the speed acquired or in going down a hill, so that the cyclist's feet can
rest upon the pedals and that, contrary to the axle-brakes hitherto known and
working by exerting a pressure upon the pedals, the brake works in a continuous
manner.
This invention is shown in the annexed drawing in a longitudinal vertical section
in Fig. 1 and in a front section in Fig. 2, whilst Figs. 3 & 4 show vertical sections
of modified forms of construction, Fig. 5 a detail and Figs. 6-10 two other forms
of construction in a vertical section respectively in a transverse and elevated section.
The mode of construction shown, as an example, in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 presents the
following arrangement.
Upon the crank axle d two rings are fitted serving to form a brake and to
effectuate the coupling, one of which e, which is firmly connected with one of the
cranks n by means of the screws n¹ turns upon the axle d whilst the other brake-
ring f is firmly connected with the latter by means of an elliptical ferrule t
wedged upon the axle d, as shown in a front view in Fig. 5, this ferrule being
adjusted in a corresponding hollowing of the brake-ring f. The two brake-
rings e, f, in order to produce the above-mentioned effect, can, be displaced accord-
ing to the axle, in such a way as to effectuate, in one position, a coupling with the
driving wheel which is movable on the rings e, f and forming a chain-wheel cas
shown in the drawing, whilst in the other position they form a brake on this chain-
wheel.
This displacing according to the axle is realised in the forms of execution 1-3
by the hubs o, g of the rings e, f (Figs. 1 & 2) being screwed into each other by
means of a thread in such a way, that one of the pedals being displaced against the
other, in the direction of the rotation the brake-rings are also displaced against
each other in the rotary direction, since the ring e is directly connected with one
of the pedals n and that the other ring f is indirectly connected with the other
pedal (not shown in the design) through the intermediary of the axle d. The
result of this displacing of the rings e, f in the direction of the rotation, is a longi-
tudinal displacement towards the outside, through the influence of the hubs o, q as
shown in Fig 1

page_text: When the pedals are moved in the forward direction (indicated by the arrow a
in Figs 1 & 2) the two rings e, f are pressed against each other through the
springs which at the same time, holds the rings e, f in their position. The
interior faces of the rings e, f press against the interposed thread g of the chain-
wheel cand thus produce a friction connection between the chain-wheel c and the
axle d and consequently the cranks.
To this brake coupling effectuated, during the motion, to work the chain-wheel c,
a stopping coupling can also contribute, without changing the idea of the inven-
tion, as shown in the form of execution Figs. 1 & 2 by means of a shoulder k
fixed to the ring f and pressing against the clutch h which rotates in one direction
(see arrow in Fig. 2) around the pin i fixed in the chain-wheel c and is kept at rest
by the spring 1.
When a contrary pressure to the direction of the rotation (arrow b Fig. 2) is
exerted upon one of the pedals while in motion (arrow a Figs. 1 & 2), so that the
two pedals are displaced against each other in the direction of the rotation, the
rings e, f are moved under the influence of their thread which is in the hubs o, q
towards the outside, so that the coupling with the chain-wheel c is interrupted.
In this case, this latter can continue to turn under the influence of the speed
acquired, whilst the pedals are stopped and the cyclist's feet rest upon them, with-
out the brake being applied yet. This effect, assigned to the special choice of the
hubs & especially to the displacing of the pedals opposite to each other in the
direction of the rotation, is of prime importance to arrive at the result proposed,
for owing to this, the cyclist can, for instance on a slight hill where an effort upon
the pedals would produce an excessive speed, rest his feet upon the pedals. This
resting position of the pedals moreover benefits the action of the brake, that is to
say when the displacement, in the direction of the rotation, of the pedals which are
already at rest, is continued by exerting a new pressure contrary to the direction
of the rotation, a new displacement of the rings e, f towards the exterior is pro-
duced for the above-mentioned reasons, until their inclined faces forming a brake,
press against the inclined faces of the chain-wheel c and form a brake upon this
chain-wheel c according to the degree of pressure produces this displacement. As
the pedals are also completely at rest here a progressive and continuous braking is
produced which as already explained, can be regulated, ad libitum, contrary to
the brakes hitherto known which work by pressing upon the pedals and with which
only a periodical braking could be obtained at the moment when the pedals
executed their upward stroke; moreover, with these brakes the breaking pressure
had to be shared alternatively between each pedal, so that at a proximity with the
highest and the lowest point owing to the comparatively small inclination of the
pedals, a counter-pressure remained without effect and consequently, a breaking at
these moments was impossible. We conclude from this that, by pressing upon
pedals continually in motion, the action of the brake can not be regulated and that
the cyclist's feet easily slip from the pedals.
While the pedals being at rest--the chain-wheel continues to turn in its
forward direction (arrow a Figs. 1 & 2) the double clutch comes in contact with
the shoulder situated in front of the coupling face in preference rounded, to
favour the sliding, and slips into it by turning around the pin i, after which it is
brought back to its resting position by the spring 1.
As soon as the pressure exerted upon one of the pedals in a contrary direction to
the forward movement (arrow b Fig. 2) ceases, the two pedals, under the influence
of the spring s, are brought back to their normal position and the two rings e, f
approach each other at the same time, so that their breaking and coupling faces
press against the thread g of the chain-wheel c and thus re-establish the coupling
of these latter and the axle d, respectively the pedals.
But the spring s serves not only to bring the pedals back to their normal position
and to keep them there, but it also contributes to the possibility of the above-
mentioned medium position between the coupling position and the breaking
position in this sense, that it compensates for the unequal weight resulting from

page_text: the resting of the feet upon the pedals and prevents this inequality resp. the
oscillations of the pressure of the foot from producing an accidental displacement
of the rings e, f and the coupling or breaking position. Moreover the spring s by
the same facts, allows a gradual breaking resp. a very sensitive regulating of the
action of the brake.
The inclination of the brake surfaces which are upon the rings e, f and in the
chain-wheel c may be any whatever and be directed from the opposite side, so that
the displacement of the brake-rings can also eventually take place in the contrary
way.
All these forms of execution do not in any way influence the properly-so called
idea of the invention which consists chiefly in the displacing of the pedals opposite
each other in the direction of the rotation. In this order of ideas, Fig. 3 represents
a modified form of execution of the object of the invention, in which only one brake
ringe is shown which is in the same manner, as shown by Fig. 1, firmly connected
with one of the pedals and turns with its hub o in the normal hub q of a disk f¹
with a worm and firmly connected with the axle d.
The disk serves to keep the chain-wheel c¹ in rotation and allows it to be dis-
placed longitudinally at the same time as itself. When the two pedals turn in a
forward direction, the disk-shaped coupling face of the ring e¹ is pressed against
the chain-wheel c', whilst after the reciprocal displacement of the pedals in the
direction of the rotation, the two parts influenced by the thread of the hubs o, q
separate from each other so that, finally, the inclined brake faces touch each other.
Fig. 4 shows that the hubs, which, under the influence of the displacement of
the pedals in the direction of the rotation, allow a displacement of the brake parts
according to the axle, can be chosen, at pleasure, without influencing the idea of
the invention, so that instead of the worm of the hubs, as shown in the form of
execution of Figs. 1 & 3, we can also make use, for instance, of hubs with tooth-
ing, so that at the displacing of the inclined faces in the direction of the rotation
by making the one slip on the other, the brake rings separate. In this case, it is
advisable to place, between the disk of one of the rings and the hub, an inter-
mediary elastic part, for instance a rubber pad m, so that the inclined faces are
pressed against each other in an elastic way.
The form of execution indicated by Figs. 6-9 present the following modifica-
tions as compared with those described above. In the above described forms of
execution, the displacing of the brake-rings e, f in the rotating direction, produced
by a counter-pressure on the pedals, is utilized under the influence of the worm
(Fig. 1) resp. the toothing (Fig. 4) of the hubs of the latter, to cause, according
to the direction of the rotation, a longitudinal displacement towards the exterior or
interior and consequently in case the pedals turn in the forward direction, to bring
them together, but, on the contrary to separate them by a pressure exerted in the
contrary direction of the rotation, whilst in the arrangement shown in Figs. 6-9
the rings e, f separate as much by working the pedals as by exerting a strong
counter-pressure with the object of applying the brake and on the contrary,
approach each other by a slight counter-pressure to ungear the brake coupling and
to allow the free turning of the chain-wheel c which is movable on the rings e f.
In order to render this movement possible the rings e, f are provided on their
plane surface, with oblique sliding surfaces r, x and x, xl fronting and adjusting
with each other.
These surfaces work in such a way that when a displacement of the rings takes
place in the direction of the rotation a displacement according to the axle is pro-
duced at the same time.
The oblique surfaces present only a slight inclination and serve to separate the
rings e, f from each other, with a view to operating the coupling of the chain-
wheel c with the pedals, which is necessary during the working and to press their
brake faces against those of the chain-wheel c. The inclination of the sliding sur-
faces is such that it requires a considerable development of force to separate the

page_text: rings e, f from each other the result of which is that as long as the rings e, f are
separated from each other by the intermediary of the inclined sliding surfaces x¹,
the pressure of their brake faces against those of the chain-wheel c is not so con-
siderable that a coupling, that is to say, an instantaneous juncture of the chain-
wheel with these rings e, f might take place; this pressure is nevertheless sufficient
to operate the necessary breaking." i
Fig. 6 shows the brake rings 'e; f at rest that is to say disengaged from the brake
and coupling faces of the chain-wheel c so that this latter can move freely. In
this case the pedals are slightly displaced against each other in the direction of the
rotation, that is to say, they no longer occupy their normal position. When the
pedals are displaced more, against each other in the rotating direction, the sliding
surfaces of the rings e, f enter into function and push these latter, proportion-
ately with the pressure exerted upon the pedals, towards the outside (Fig. 8) for
which reason the inclined brake faces of the rings e, f finally come in contact with
the brake faces of the chain wheel c and forms a brake upon it.
If the pressure, exerted in a contrary way to the working to displace the pedals
in the rotating direction ceases the pedals return under the influence of the spring s
(Fig. 9) connected with the rings e, f, in their normal position so that the rings
also occupy first the position shown in Fig. 6 and that finally their oblique faces
slip one on the other, for which reason a separation of the rings e, f is produced and
a pressure of the inclined brake faces upon the chain-wheel c (Fig. 7). In this
case the pedals have returned to their normal position and are held, as well as the
rings e, f in their coupling position (Fig. 9) by the spring s and strongly pressed
by the pressure exerted upon the pedals during the running against the chain-
wheel ር. in such a way that a sure coupling of the latter is operated with the
rings e, f resp. the pedals consequently a sure working of the chain-wheel c.
In Fig. 10 a last form of execution of the invention is shown, which has this
common with the above-described forms of execution, that two parts of braking
resp. of coupling according as they present sliding surfaces more or less inclined,
act more or less strongly on the chain-wheel and consequently operating a coupling
with it or a brake against it.
The mode of execution shown in Fig. 10 differs from the last described according
to Figs. 6-9 in so much as the sliding surfaces are not on the plane face, but on
the circumference and that consequently, no longitudinal displacing of these brak-
ing parts is produced, but rather a circumference ring is dilated and pressed thus
against the chain-wheel. For this purpose the braking rings e², f2cach of which
is also firmly fixed with one of the pedals, are supplied with sliding surfaces 23
upon their periphery, these working conjointly with similar sliding surfaces of an
open brake ring y pressing upon the brake ring and during the running (in the
direction of the arrow a) they are the sliding surfaces which are less inclined than
the surfaces that enter into action and dilate the ring and press it strongly
against the chain-wheel c so that it operate a coupling of this latter with the
parts y, e, f, and the pedals.
If a contrary pressure to the direction of the forward movement is exerted upon
pedals, the coupling is first lifted, the ring y contracts by its own elasticity and the
chain-wheel c can turn freely upon the latter; by increasing this counter-pressure
resp. by placing the pedals more in the direction of the rotation they are the sliding
surfaces 3 which enter into action and finally dilate again the ring, in such a way
that this latter, as shown in Fig. 10 forms a brake upon chain wheel c and this pro-
portionately with the pressure exerted resp. to the degree of the displacement in
the rotating direction.
The working of this contrivance is consequently the same as that of the arrange-
ment shown in Figs. 6--9 and here also the pedals are brought back to their
position by the spring s connected with the rings 2, f; these latter are likewise
held in their coupling position, that is to say their sliding surfaces 2 are pressed
against those of the ring y.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In cycles, with which a coupling and a brake are worked by the pedal axles
by exerting a forward pressure for the coupling and a counter-pressure for the
brake the arranging of the pedal axle d so that the pedals n can be displaced
opposite each other in the direction of the rotation.
2. In the kind of cycles claimed in 1, the arrangement of a spring s between the
two pedals n which can be displaced opposite each other in the rotation direction
with the object of re-establishing the change of the reciprocal position of the pedals
resulting from the pressure of the feet.
3. In cycles of the kind claimed in 1 & 2 the combination of the pedals n
which are displaceable the one against the other in the rotating direction, with
coupling and braking rings e, f which are applied against each other, by means
of sliding surfaces a, a of different inclination so that at the displacement in the
direction of the rotation according to one direction (while running) they are
strongly pressed under the influence of their sliding surfaces which are slightly
inclined and for the purpose of coupling, on the contrary at the displacement in
the contrary direction, they are not so strongly pressed, under the influence of their
sliding surfaces 21 which are strongly inclined and with the object of forming a
brake on the chain-wheel c.
4. The modification of the arrangement claimed in 3 distinguished by the fact
that the brake rings e², f firmly connected with the pedals n which can be dis-
placed the one against the other in the direction of the rotation, are provided at
their periphery with sliding surfaces a², with different inclination for each, which
are applied against similar sliding surfaces of an open ring y arranged between the
rings e, f and the chain wheel c and press this ring y according to whether they
are the sliding surfaces 2, 3 strongly inclinated or slightly inclined which enter
into action more or less strongly against the chain wheel c substantially as set forth.
Dated this 15th day of November 1897.
L. DUVINAGE,
Agent for Applicant.