Improvements in Brakes for Cycles and other similar Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Brakes for Cycles and other similar Vehicles.
I, EDWARD THOMAS AUSTEN, of Barfreyston Rectory, Dover, Kent, Clerk in
Holy Orders, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows: -
This invention relates to improvements in brakes for cycles and other similar
vehicles and has for its object to provide a brake of greater efficiency and con-
venience than those at present in use.
In carrying my invention into practice I attach a small wheel or disc having a
grooved periphery, concentrically upon the wheel of a cycle, for instance, and to
the spokes of the same by means of screw-hooks or other convenient fastenings.
Pivotted to the fork of the cycle, a short distance above this small wheel or disc
and in the plane of the same between the fork and wheel I provide two strips of
metal (of a thickness to conveniently fit in the groove around the small wheel or
disc aforesaid) the lower portions of which are of a shape capable of embracing the
small wheel or disc when brought together.
The upper portions of these strips are carried up slightly divergently, one from
the other, and on the ends of each are pivotted small connecting levers, which in
their turn are pivotted at their other ends to each other and also to a convenient
arrangement attached to the brake rod which is actuated in the ordinary way.
In operation, when the brake rod is depressed in the usual manner the upper
portions of the strips of metal pivotted to the fork are pushed apart by means of
the small connecting levers attached to such rod and consequently the lower
portions are brought together and grip the small disc or wheel thus applying
the brake.
The lower portion of the metal strips, and also the groove around the small
wheel may be covered with leather or the like to enhance the gripping power.
This said wheel may have its inner surface concaved to conform to the convexity
of the spokes of the cycle wheel, and also may be constructed in two parts if
desirable.

page_text: in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:
This invention relates to improvements in brakes for cycles and other similar
vehivles and has for its object to provide a brake of greater efficiency and con-
venience than those at present in use, and one which will not touch and injure the
tyre like the brakes of ordinary construction. And in order that this my invention
may be the more readily understood and carried into practical effect reference is
hereby made to the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the front wheel of a cycle with my improved
brake applied thereto, the position it assumes when in action being there shewn.
Figs. 2, 3, and 5 are details of the invention, while
Fig. 4 shews my improved brake by itself the full lines indicating the position
the brake assumes when in action, while the dotted lines shew its position when out
of operation.
Referring to the drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding
parts throughout the figures, a is a small wheel or disc having a grooved peri-
phery a', which wheel or disc is fixed concentrically upon the cycle wheel A and
to the spokes A of the same by means of screw-shanked hooks or other convenient
fastenings 2. Pivotted to the fork bat a point a short distance above the small
wheel or disc a, and in the plane of the same, between the fork and the cycle
wheel A, I provide two forcep-like curved metal rods or strips c', c², and d¹, d², of
a thickness to conveniently fit in the groove a' around the small wheel or disc a,
The lower portions c', and ' of these forcep-like rods or strips, constitute together
the brake shoe or band and are of such a shape as to be capable of embracing the
small wheel or disc when brought together as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The
upper portions and 2 of these forceps are carried up slightly divergently, one
from the other in the same plane as the wheel (see Figs. 1 and 4) and to the
upper end of each is pivotted a small elbow-joint the upper angle of which is
pivotted between the bifurcated end f of the brake rod or plunger g which is
actuated in the ordinary well known way. In Fig. 2 I have clearly shewn the
forked end of the brake-rod or plunger and the manner of pivotting the elbow-
joint thereto.
In operation, when the brake rod or plunger g is depressed in the usual manner
the upper portions and d² of the forceps c, c, and d, d, pivotted to the fork b
are pushed apart by means of the elbow-joint pivotted to the bifurcated end of
such rod g and consequently the lower or forcep-like portions c and d are brought
together and grip the small wheel or disc a thus applying the brake as shewn in
full lines in Figs. 1 and 4.
The forcep-like or gripping portions c¹ and of the strips or rods c¹, c²,
and d, d, and also the groove at around the small wheel or disc a may be covered
with leather or the like to to enhance the gripping power. It is necessary that this
wheel a should have its inner surface concaved to conform to the convexity of
the spokes A' of the cycle wheel (see Fig. 3.) and it also may be made in two parts,
(for convenience of fixing without detaching front wheel of cycle) bolted together
by screw bolts and nuts, as shewn at h (Fig. 4). While for all practical purposes
one of my improved brakes will be found sufficient for each cycle or the like, I
ean if desirable use two (one on each side of the cycle wheel) both of which will
be actuated by the one brake rod as will be readily understood from Fig. 2.
The curve of the forceps-like portion of the brake is such as to exactly fit the
periphery of the wheel or disc a when when the brake is brought into operation. The
elbow-joint e is in two parts, which are loosely or pivotally connected together at
the angle by the pivot which pivotally connects the said elbow-joint to the bifur-
cated ends of the brake-rod or plunger. Instead of pivotting the brake to one of
the forks of the cycle, I may provide a loop or clip upon such fork through which
the said brake may work.

page_text: I preferably recess the opposing faces of the lugs through which the pivot 1
passes, in order to make the joint flush, or approximately so.
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. In brakes for cycles and the like, the pivotted forceps-like rods or strips
adapted to be brought into operation by moving a brake handle so as to cause the
semi-circular ends of such forcep-like rods or strips to close around and grin a
small wheel or disc fixed concentrically upon the front wheel of a cycle substan-
tially as described and shewn.
2. In brakes for cycles and the like, the small wheel or disc a, with a grooved
periphery, fixed concentrically upon the front wheel of the cycle, in combination
with the pivotted forcep-like rods or strips c¹, c², and d', d², pivotally connected to
an elbow-joint e pivotted in turn to the bifurcated end of the brake rod gail
arranged combined and operating substantially as and for the purposes hereinafter
described and illustrated.
Dated this 16th day of September 1897.
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38, Chancery Lane London, W.C.