Year: 1896

page_text: I, ALBERT EDWARD ASTLEY of 1 East Street Southport in the County of Lancaster
Inventor do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object an improved braking mechanism for two wheeled
road vehicles which shall be automatic in its action, that is to say the brake shall be
automatically applied by the backward pressure of the shaft horse when needed and
with such power as is requisite at the time. It also relates in part to devices
connected therewith.
I provide a yoke or frame preferably of metal consisting of two horizontal side
pieces joined together at the rear by a cross piece. The side pieces lie one under each
shaft for a portion of its length and are supported and guided by suitable means.
They are free to slide longitudinally on the shafts and the breeching of the horse
being attached to the forward ends of the pieces, it will be seen that backward
pressure will move them along their guides. This backward movement is used to
apply the brake as follows.
A rod projecting rearwardly (to near the back edge of the wheels is connected to near
the cross piece centre, and is provided at its back end with one or more vertical pins
or studs, & these ride in the slotted ends of the transverse brake levers. The brake
levers lie undeneath the bottom of the cart and are pivotted thereon at suitable
points. By pivotting the brake levers it will be seen that the backward thrust of
the rod is connected into a forward movement of the brake blocks and the latter are
thus brought against the back of the wheels. I am aware that it is not new to
automatically apply brakes to the front of the wheels and I make no claim for such
application. I consider it a considerable advantage to apply the brakes to the back
of the wheels as tending to lessen the pressure on the horses back compared with
front braking. At one or more points I provide springs which serve to remove the
brake out of action when the pressure on the breeching is eased and in some cases I
may connect the drawing traces to the spring or springs so as to ease the horse when
pulling or starting a load. A suitable device is provided by which the brake may be
held out of action.
I do not confine myself to the exact details above described.

page_text: Improvements in and connected with Braking Mechanism for
Road Vehicles.
I, ALBERT EDWARD ASTLEY, of 1 East Street, Southport, in the County of Lancaster
Inventor, 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 has for its object an improved braking mechanism for two wheeled
road vehicles which shall be automatic in its action, that is to say the brake shall be
automatically applied by the backward pressure of the shaft horse, when needed, and
with such power as is requisite at the time. It also relates in part to devices
connected therewith.
In the drawings.
Fig. 1 is a section of a cart having my invention applied thereto.
Fig. 2 is a view of the bottom of the cart.
Fig. 3 is a detail, hereinafter described.
Some immaterial portions are omitted from Figs. 1 & 2, for the sake of clearness.
I provide a yoke or frame A preferably of wrought iron, consisting of two horizontal
side pieces A A, joined together at the rear end by a cross piece A'. The two side
pieces A A are cranked or bent upwards at the rear ends as shown, so as to bring the
thrust, as described below, more directly in line with the brake lever, and also to
make the mechanism more sightly. Brackets B are used at different points to
support the various parts of the device. The side pieces A A are free to slide
longitudinally under the shafts, and the breeching of the horse being attached to
their forward ends at a, it will be seen that backward pressure will move them along
their guides. This backward movement is used to apply the brake as follows.
A rod C projecting rearwardly to near the back edge of the wheels is connected to
the centre of the cross piece A', and is connected at its back end to the top d of the
brake lever D. It will be seen that the backward thrust of the rod C is converted
into a forward movement of the brake blocks E E and the latter are thus brought
against the back of the wheels. A spring F is placed across the bottom of the cart
and serves to take off the brake when the pressure is removed by pressing forward
against a lug c fastened to the rod C.
Referring to Fig. 3, which shows a modification. Instead of a simple fixed lug c, I
may provide an adjustable stop consisting of a casting G rivetted to the rod C and
having a sliding piece H which bears against the spring F. A screw I enables the
pressure to be varied by adjusting the position of the stop H which slides in bevelled
guides formed in the casting G, and thus allows for slack to be taken up A hole c¹ in
the rod C coincides with a hole c2 in the floor of the cart when the brake is off, and by
placing a pin therein the brake may be held inoperative for the purpose of backing
the cart.
I inay provide a hand or foot lever as an auxiliary to the above described
mechanism, by means of which the rod C may be actuated and the brake applied
independently of the horses action.
I am aware that it is not new to automatically apply brakes to the front of the
wheels, and I make no claim for such device. I consider it a considerable advantage
to apply the brake to the back of the wheels as tending to lessen the pressure on the
horses back compared with front braking.
I do not confine myself to the exact detail specified, but,
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention

page_text: and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A braking mechanism for a two wheeled vehicle adapted to be applied by the
backward pressure of the horse, consisting of a yoke A A1, a rod C extending rearward
therefrom, and a brake lever D, carrying brake blocks F, which, when in action press
upon the back of the wheels substantially as described and shown.
2. In a braking mechanism such as described, the adjusting device by means of
which the pressure of the taking-off spring F may be varied, substantially as shown
in Fig. 3.
3. The improved braking nechanism for two wheeled vehicles, taken as a whole,
substantially as described and shown.
CHARLES COVENTRY,
Patent Expert, Agent for the Applicant.