Improvements in Bicycle Brakes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 19th July, 1897-Accepted 18th Sept., 1897
Improvements in Bicycle Brakes.
I, ERNEST SYDNEY Ross, Engineer, of 85 Cunitière Street, Launceston Tas-
mania, 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 bicycle brakes, and it has for its object to provide a
simple and improved brake of this class which will be adapted to bear conjointly
upon both sides of the rim or felloe of the wheel.
In the drawings, Figs. 1 & 2 represent perspective views of the head portion of
a bicycle provided with my improved mechanism, A designates a front portion of
the frame embodying the steering head, a, and the fork, a', and the handle
bar, a
B designates my improved brake mechanism proper, which embodies two brakes
shoes, bb, which are preferably of flexible material, respectively carried in position
at opposite sides of the face of the rim or felloe, C, of the wheel, these shoes being
supported in a relatively angular position, so that they will be in approximately
parallel relation to the sides of the felloe and permit the passage of the wheel
spokes, d, between them.
The brake shoes are carried upon arms, E E comprised in the carrying frame F.
These arms are preferably removably connected to the top portion of the frame,
and in carrying out this construction the frame preferably comprises a head or
cross piece, f, having downwardly projecting right angular ends, f¹ f¹, against
which the brake shoe carrying arms E E are secured, by a transverse bolt, g, and
sustained in relative position at each side of the wheel rim and tire.
manner.
The frame F is thus, in its general form and contour, of approximately U-shape,
with its free open end carrying the brake shoes and embracing or surrounding the
rim and tire of the wheel. The frame F is adapted to be lifted or elevated to
bring the oppositely arranged brake shoes into contact with the sides of the rim
or felloe and the brake frame may be mounted and operated in any suitable
For instance, in the operating mechanism and mounting herein shown,
the frame is provided with a vertically upwardly projecting top arm, f³, passing
through and guided in a loop or bracket, h, projecting forwardly from the steering
head a, the top end of this arm being pivotally connected with one end of the
transversely arranged lever, I, fulcrumed upon the steering rod, as shown at i,
and having its other end connected by rod, J, with a brake lever, K, fulcrumed
upon the handle bar a³, or the arm may be connected directly with the rod J,
as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.
The operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood. The
brake mechanism provides a double inwardly bearing contact upon both sides of
the wheel rim or tire, which provides a most effective and secure hold, the bearing
being upon the fixed or rigid portion instead of upon the flexible or elastic tire
as is usual in bicycle brakes of this type.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. An improved brake mechanism of the class described, comprising, in com-
bination with the rim or felloe of the wheel, a brake frame operating at an angle
to the line of revolution of the wheel and carrying brake shoes at opposite sides
of the inner face of said rim, said brake shoes being adapted to be drawn into
contact with the sides of said rim, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. An improved brake mechanism of the class described, comprising, in com-
bination with the rim or felloe of the wheel, a brake frame embracing or surround-
ing the rim and tire and embodying arms projecting at the sides of the rim and
carrying brake shoes relatively arranged at opposite sides of the inner face of the
rim, said frame being adapted to be drawn in a direction at right angles to the
line of revolution of the wheel to bring said brake shoes into contact with
the sides of the rim,.substantially as and for the purpose set forth?
:
3. An improved brake mechanism of the class described, comprising, in com-
bination with a rim or felloe of the wheel, a brake frame adapted to be drawn or
to operate at right angles to the line of revolution of the wheel and embodying
detachable arms projecting at each side of the wheel rim and tire and carrying
brake shoes relatively projecting inwardly and at an angle at each side the rim
of the wheel, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. An improved brake mechanism of the class described, comprising the brake
frame embodying the cross piece or head, side arms projecting from the ends
thereof, means for operating said frame, and brake shoes carried upon the ends
of said side arms and relatively arranged at each side the inner face of the rim
or felloe of the wheel, in combination with the wheel having its rim and tire
embraced or surrounded by said brake frame, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
5. An improved bicycle brake mechanism, comprising brake shoes arranged in
approximately parallel position with relation to the sides of the wheel rim and
adapted to bear against the same, and means for carrying and operating said brake
shoes, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.'
Dated this 10th day of Jul 1807
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.