Improvements in or connected with Brakes for Cycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Oct., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Brakes for Cycles.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM LANE, of Worsley Road, Patricroft, in the County of
Lancaster, Die Sinker, do hereby declare the nature of is invention to be as
follows:-
This invention is designed to provide a brake for the wheels of bicycles and
other velocipedes which will not bear upon the tyres or rims of the wheel.
It consists essentially of a pneumatic cushion or brake block placed inside the
hub surrounding the axle of spherical or cylindrical form which when inflated
will bear against the interior of the hub and retard the movement of the wheel.
The rubber cushion or block is preferably spherical in shape and is secured by
means of thimbles at the ends threaded upon or otherwise affixed to the axle.
The pneumatic cushion or brake block is made of rubber or canvas or other
suitable material with a wearing surface of hard rubber leather metal or other
material.
I make the centre of the hub preferably of spherical shape and of two parts of a
size to embrace the pneumatic cushion or brake block.
I form an air inlet in the centre of the axle through which air is admitted to
inflate the brake block. This is provided with an elbow or other joint at the end
and a flexible tubing fitted with an elastic ball or other appliance for forcing in
air and inflating the brake.
Oil is prevented reaching the rubber by a flange on the axle and holes to allow
the waste oil to escape in conjunction with a projection of thin metal surrounding
the axle.
The hub is mounted on ball bearings and the spokes are affixed to flanges in
the usual way.
The essential feature of my improvement is placing a pneumatic cushion or
block inside the hub to bear against its internal surface for the purpose of retarding
the movement of the wheel.
Dated this 22nd day of October 1896.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.

page_text: This invention is designed to provide a brake for the wheels of bicycles, motor
cars and other vehicles, which will not bear against the tyres or rims of the wheels.
It consists essentially of a pneumatic cushion or brake block fitted rigidly or
stationary inside the hub, the periphery or outer surface of which when inflated,
will bear against the interior surface of the hub and retard the movement of the
wheel.
It will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1. Longitudinal section.
Fig. 2. Transverse section on line -.
Fig. 3. Transverse section on line y-y.
The hub A of the wheel is made preferably cylindrical in form with a chamber
or cavity B surrounding the axle C, the hub being mounted on the axle as shown
with ball bearings of ordinary construction, secured in position by a cone and lock
nut.
In the interior of the hub is fitted, a hollow annular block or cushion D, of
rubber or other flexible air-tight material, such as rubber and canvas, or the like,
the periphery of which bears against the interior of the hub to form a brake.
The block or cushion D is hollow or provided with an internal chamber d which
can be inflated with air or other fluid and deflated as required.
The hollow annular block or cushion D forming the brake, rests upon or is
attached to a rim or wheel E which is made fast to the axle C and prevents any
rotary movement or expansion of the surface towards the centre.
The brake D is provided with an inlet tube F which is connected by a nozzle f
with an air inlet c formed in the centre of the axle, through which air is admitted to
inflate the brake. The axle is provided with an elbow G or other joint at the
end to which a flexible tubing is fitted with an elastic ball or other appliance for
forcing in the air to inflate the brake.
The interior surface of the hub may be lined with a bush of leather, wood, or
other suitable material, formed with an undulating surface to form a friction
surface for the face of the brake to engage with and prevent noise.
Oil is prevented passing from the bearing to the rubber of the brake, by a flange
or washer H on the axle of leather or other suitable material.
The brake being enclosed in the hub, is protected thereby from dirt or dust,
and is practically out of sight.
Instead of a single annular cushion the brake may be made of two or more
sections, each connected with the air inlet of the axle and inflated thereby.
The hub may be of spherical form, or shape.
The essential feature of my improvement is the fitting of a hollow annular block
or cushion inside the hub of the wheel and I am well aware that pneumatic brakes
have been applied to the tyres or rim of a wheel, and I make no claim therefor.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A pneumatic brake for cycles, consisting of a hollow block or cushion, fitted
inside the hub of the wheel, provided with an air inlet tube and capable of being
expanded by the pressure of air internally against the interior surface of the hub
for the purpose of retarding the movement of the wheel, substantially as
described.
2. The combination of a cylindrical or spherical hub A, with a chamber or
cavity surrounding the axle, an annular hollow block or cushion D) of rubber
o other flexible material, provided with an air tube and an axle C provided with
an air passage whereby air may be forced into the interior of the brake block or
cushion D, substantially as and for the purpose described.

page_text: 3. An improved pneumatic brake for cycles, constructed and arranged
substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 8th day of July 1897
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Manchester, Liverpool and London, Patent Agents.