Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1896-Accepted, 16th May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes.
I, ASTOR JEFFERSON HAAS, of 4218 Otter Street, Philadelphia, in the County
of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Law Steno-
grapher, 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 object of my invention is to provide a suitable form of brake which may
be readily applied to velocipedes in general and which may be operated directly
by the thumb without the necessity of the usual weighty and complicated
levers.
My object is furthermore to provide such a brake so that it can be quickly
and readily removed when not needed, and if desired converted from a hand brake
into a foot brake.
In carrying out my invention I hinge to one of the legs of the fork a laterally
projecting brake shoe provided with a spring to remove it from contact with the
tire, and combine therewith a direct acting rod extending to the handle adjacent to
the position occupied by the thumb and supported in suitable guides whereby a
downward pressure by the thumb will depress the brake shoe upon the bicycle
tire and create a braking action. The brake shoe is connected to the fork by
a detachable clamp whereby it may be removed at will and attached to machines
of various makes.
My invention would be better understood by reference to the accompanying
drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of the front portion of a bicycle showing my
improved brake applied thereto;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the brake proper; and
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same.
My improvement is adapted to be applied to any class of bicycles, but is particu-
larly intended for the pneumatic safety. To the yoke E of the front wheel I apply
a suitable adjustable clamp D, secured in position by the clamping screw d. C is
a brake shoe, which is made slightly curved and arranged to move upon an axis L
parallel to the plane of rotation of the wheel. The pivot connection L is made by
means of a bolt passing through projections from the clamp plates D, D, and this
bolt L also assists the bolt or screw d in clamping the plates D to the yoke. The
brake shoe C is also provided with a heel c adapted to come into contact with the
yoke and limit the upward movement of the brake shoe proper under the action of
the spring F, which is connected to the brake shoe at one end and to the clamp at
the other end. The brake shoe C is provided with an extended arm G which
projects laterally to one side of the wheel. The brake is depressed by the rod H
which is connected to the arm at the bottom through the eye g, and supported at
the top by the clamping guide J adapted to the handle bar I. The rod H may be
surmounted at the top with a thumb piece K which can be depressed by the thumb
or finger while the hand still holds the handle of the bicycle. The guide clamp J
sustains the upper end of the rod H in the vicinity of the handle, and this is rendered
possible without a needless projection of the rod, as it is customary to make the
handles very narrow. To enable the rod H to be removed and packed in the usual
tool case, I form the said rod in several pieces, which are screwed together as at h.
It frequently happens that in racing, or where the country is very level, the brake

page_text: is unnecessary, and it is desirable under these conditions to so arrange the parts
that they can be readily removed, not only to improve the appearance of the bicycle
but also to reduce the weight thereof, where an advantage is to be secured there-
Heretofore the brakes have been cumbersome and weighty contrivances.
This brake in the complete form is very light and durable, and adds but very little
to the actual weight of the bicycle. It is evident that if desired the brake shoe
may be left in position, and the rod H, together with the clamping guide J,
removed, and the brake in case of necessity be applied by pressure of the foot.
However, in all cases where there are hilly roads to travel over, it is desirable to
have the complete brake appliances as illustrated.
While I prefer the construction shown, it is evident that the minor details thereof
may be modified without departing from the spirit of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inveni-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
The bicycle brake substantially as described consisting of the brake shoe movably
connected with the bicycle frame and the rod extending therefrom directly to one
of the handles.
Dated this 19th day of March 1896.
ASTOR JEFFERSON HAAS.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.