An Automatic Spring Brake for Perambulators, Bath Chairs, and similar Vehicles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 6th June, 1893-Accepted, 12th Aug., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Automatic Spring Brake for Perambulators, Bath Chairs, and
similar Vehicles.
I, FREDERICK ROBERT BODLEY of 9 Alleyn Terrace, Park Road, West
Dulwich, London, S.E. Builder 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 :-
This invention relates to an automatic brake, which when brought into action by
pressure on the handle of the vehicle, releases the wheels thereby allowing the
vehicle to run freely, while by simply letting go the handle, the brake is applied,
thereby bringing the vehicle to a standstill. Thus the rate of motion may be
easily modified by the degree of pressure, and the safety of the occupant secured,
if the vehicle is left outside a shop, on an inclined footpath. This also enables an
attendant to rest when desirable.
In carrying out my invention, I provide a slotted plate on the handle irons, in
which a pin at each end of the handle slides. From the handle is a lever passing
through a bracket, which has a pin passing through both bracket and lever, to form
a fulcrum. This bracket is fixed on the body of the vehicle, where required. A
round rod passes through a slotted hole at the bottom end of the lever, allowing
the body of the vehicle to rise or fall on the springs. This round rod at each end
carries two crank rods, by the action of which, the lever opens or closes the
cranks. Each crank carries a small wheel, and these wheels grip the tyres, and
form the brake. The cranks are attached to a flat bar which is fixed on the axles
by means of set screws. They are pinned through this flat bar and secured by
screwed nuts, the flat bar being slotted at the end, allowing the round rod, which
carries the crank rods, to work backwards and forwards, keeping the rod at its
proper height. On the axle is a cap which receives a brace in the form of a Y,
the single end sliding through the cap on the axle, the double end fixed on the
round rod, which drives the crank rods, to keep the rod parallel with the axle, and
the cranks working equally on each wheel.
The power which applies the brake, is a rubber spring, one end of which is fixed
to the axle, the other end to the bottom of the lever by S hooks. On the lever,
slightly below the top of the body is a hook, fixed by a rivetted pin to the lever,
an eye being placed on the body, in a level with this hook to receive it, when
the brake is required to be thrown out of gear. At the top end of the lever a
thumb-plate is formed parallel with the handle, for the purpose of easing the
brake off, without moving the handle, a convenience when rapid motion is required
on an incline.
A pin is tapped and screwed into the lever, which passes backwards
into a hole, in the centre of the handle, keeping the lever in its proper position.
The hole in the handle also enables the pin to slide forward, when pressure is put
on the thumb-plate.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation
Fig. 2 is a ground plan, and
Fig. 3 is an end elevation, showing the handle and thumb-plate.
A is a slotted plate formed in the handle irons.
C is a handle as commonly used.
D is a lever, which is thrown forward by the pressure of the handle, and which
works on the fulcrum e thus drawing the brakes off.
E is a bracket which carries the pin e used for the fulcrum of D.
is the bad of the L

page_text: G is a round rod which carries the crank rods, opening or closing the cranks in
obedience to the lever D.
H is a slot in the lever D, allowing the body of the vehicle F to rise and fall on
the springs.
I is the crank rods worked by rod G, and working cranks J which are fixed by
screwed nuts to bars L, and carrying wheels K which form the brake. The
bar is fixed on the axles by means of screwed nuts, for the purpose of carrying
cranks J and round rod G.
M is the axle of the vehicle on which is fixed rods L and cap P.
N is the screwed nuts which secure rods L to the axle M.
O is a slot in rod L allowing rod G to work backwards and forwards as
required.
P is a cap fixed on axle M to carry end of brace Q for steadiness. This
brace is in the form of a Y the single end sliding through cap P, and the double
end fixed on rod G to keep the crank rods working equally.
R is a rubber spring fixed at the one end to axle M, and at the other end, to the
bottom end of lever D, by means of S hooks S, and strained to the power
required for the application of the brakes.
T is a hook fastened by means of a rivetted pin to lever D to throw the brakes
out of gear when necessary.
U is an eye screwed into body F for the purpose of receiving hook T when the
brakes are out of gear.
V is a thumb-plate formed at the top of the lever D for the purpose of easing
the brake off if required, and allowing the back strain on the handle to remain.
W is a pin screwed into the upper end of lever D at the height of the centre of
the handle C to keep the lever D'in its proper position, when the thumb-plate V
is in use.
X is a hole in the centre of the handle C, to receive the pin of lever D.
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
clain is :-
An automatic brake with sliding handle and connection of said handle with the
brake.
The improved brake constructed and operating substantially in the manner
described, and illustrated in the accompanyings and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 6th day of June 1893.
CTT חזרד דהד
DADRID
FREDERICK ROBERT BODLEY.