Year: 1886

page_text: I, CHARLES CORNELIUS HORSLEY, of Westgate, Exeter, in the County of Devon,
Leather Driving Band, Hose, and Bucket Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the production of brake-blocks; and consists in making
them of flat pieces of leather, of suitable shape and area, joined together side to
side in any suitable way which may be capable of producing a practically solid
block.
I find that a leather brake block, especially when made in the particular way,
which is the subject of my invention, is much more durable under heavy wear, than
a block made of india-rubber and wood, or of either of them, can. possibly.be, as
well as capable of being placed on the market with as neat an exterior as can be
required in a brake block to be fitted on an elaborately appointed equipage, and at
the same time at an inexpensive rate.
The back of the block is shaped in any convenient way for effecting an efficient
junction with the end of the brake lever.
The face of the block is shaped to correspond with the periphery of the wheel.
In selecting the above mentioned flat pieces of leather, I take care that the edges
of the pieces always present the end grain of the leather, inasmuch as the grain,
end on, takes a much better grip of the periphery of the wheel than an equal area
of leather parallel with the grain.
00
T 1
T
1000

page_text: '
I, CHARLES CORNELIUS HORSLEY, of Westgate, Exeter, in the County of Devon,
Leather Driving Band, Hose, and Bucket 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 an improved method of manufacturing leather brake
blocks, and consists in building up the block out of layers of leather, laid in a par-
ticular plane, said layers being cut so that their edges shall always present the
grain, end on, to the periphery of the wheel.
In order that my invention, and the means of carrying the same into practical
effect, may be thoroughly understood, I now proceed to describe it in detail,
referring in so doing to the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as part
of this specification and read therewith, and in which like parts are throughout
marked with the same reference letter.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a brake block made according to my invention and
shewn as fixed to the ordinary brake-lever.
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of the same.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation.
Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively side elevation and plan of my invention, illustrating
an alternative method of fastening the layers of leather.
The layers, a, a, a, are cut so as to present the grain, end on, to the periphery of
the wheel, inasmuch as leather cut in this way will gain a much better grip upon
the tire than it could do if it were cut with the grain the other way, the pressure
on the brake lever being the same in both cases.
The layers are fixed side by side in the vertical plane as shewn, and are fastened
together by rivets b, b or binders c, a
The front face of the block is made concave to correspond with the arc of the
wheel
The back of the block is cut with a dovetail which fits in a socket d connected
in a convenient way with the end of the brake-lever.
The formation of a bold dovetail is facilitated by the insertion of tapering
pieces a¹.
I am aware that it had been proposed, before the date of my patent, to use
leather as a material for brake blocks; but the layers of leather must be cut and
fastened together in a particular way to realise the capabilities of this material.
By my invention, I am enabled to manufacture inexpensive brake blocks which
are much more durable than wood or indiarubber, and have all the advantages
derivable from the use of leather.

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,
a
1. A leather brake block made by fastening together layers of leather, the planes
of junction between which will be, when the brake is in working position, parallel
with the plane of rotation of the wheel to which it is applied, substantially as
described with reference to the accompanying figures.
2. A leather brake block built up of layers of leather cut with the grain end on
to the wheel tire, having a concave front face and a dovetailed back, substantially
as described with reference to the accompanying figures.
Dated thin 10th dan of Aunt 1000
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.