Improvements in and relating to Brakes for Cycles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 16th June, 1899-Accepted, 9th Sept., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Brakes for Cycles.
I, WALTER WILLIAM GRIFFIN, Bank Clerk, of 138, Llandaff Road, Cardiff, 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 brakes for cycles which are applied by the rider on
back pedalling.
In carrying out my invention, instead of fixing the chain wheel rigidly to
the crank spindle I connect it by means of small links of peculiar form to
arms which extend radially and are fixed to the spindle or crank..
These links are pivoted to the chain wheel rim and are connected to the ends
of the arms by pins which can move slightly in slots formed in the arms. The
links are formed with extensions which project at an angle beyond the pivot,
the extensions lying along the rim of the wheel.
At the inner side of the chain wheel and carried on the spindle, but not fixed
to it, a disc is provided having a rim projecting at its edge over the links above
|described which are placed inside the chain wheel.
The brake is carried on a lever pivoted to the frame at the crank bearing and
applied shortly below this part. The upper end of the lever is connected to a
Jug on the disc by means of a short link so that on turning the disc slightly
the brake will be applied. A spring is fitted which keeps the brake off the
driving wheel under normal circumstances retaining the loose disc in proper
position.
When the rider is driving the cycle in the ordinary manner the bent links
carrying the chain wheel are kept free of the flanged disc, but immediately
the rider begins to back pedal the radial arms cause the links to turn slightly
so that the extensions bear against the inner side of the flange or rim of the
disc. As long as there is any back pressure the links are thus caused to bear
upon the rim sliding against the surface but causing the disc to turn against
the force of the spring and apply the brake with a force proportionate to the
back pressure.
In case of the chain breaking the brake may be applied by the foot, the lever
being extended to receive the foot. The brake can be applied to the tyre in
the ordinary manner or inside the rim or may consist of a band brake on the
hub of the back wheel applied by the disc.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference is had
to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an arrangement constructed according to my
invention and
Fig. 2 is a sectional view at right angles to Fig. 1.
A is the disc by means of which the brake is applied carried loosely on the
crank spindle B and formed with the flange or rim a at one side.
The chain wheel C is also loosely carried on the crank spindle and the rim of
the crank wheel is situated just outside the flange a of the disc. The chain wheel.

page_text: is connected to the arms D which are fixed upon the crank spindle so that they
rotate with it the small links E serving to connect the parts. The spokes of
the chain wheel are preferably bent to make room for the arms D).
Each of the fixed arms D is formed with a short slot d and the links E are
provided with pins e which take into the slots, this arrangement allowing of
slight relative motion between the chain wheel and the supporting arms.
Each link is formed with the extension el which when the parts are in their
ordinary position lies along the inside of the rim of the chain wheel and is
approximately parallel to it.
When the cycle is being driven in the ordinary manner, the arms 1 draw the
chain wheel round with them and the extensions of the links are consequently
kept clear of the flange a of the disc. Should the rider however begin back
pedalling the arms D are pressed back with relation to the chain wheel which
consequently advances slightly, causing the links to turn, the pins e sliding in
the slots d. The extensions e¹ of the links are thus caused to turn outwards
and being situated within the rim of the disc bear against it with a pressure
proportionate to the force used in back pedalling.
In the arrangement shown, the brake F is applied to the tyre of the back
wheel and is carried on the arm f pivoted to the frame and provided with the
spring f to keep the brake off the tyre. The dise A is formed with the lug a
which is connected to the end of the arm or lever f of the link f2 so that on
the disc being turned a short distance the brake will be applied. The force
with which 'the brake is applied depends of course upon the pressure of the
parts el which slide over the internal surface of the flange a.
The lever may be provided with the extension f³ allowing the brake to be
applied by foot in case of accident.
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:-
(1) An improved means for applying cycle brakes, consisting of a flanged
disc loosely fitted on the crank spindle, arms fixed on the said spindle, a chain
wheel loosely carried on the spindle and links connecting the chain wheel to the
arms provided with extensions which are adapted on the rider back pedalling to
bear against the flange of the disc and cause it to turn, the disc being connected
to the brake in such a manner as to apply it, substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
(2) An improved means for applying the brakes of cycles, consisting of a
flanged dise loosely fitted on the crank spindle, a chain wheel also loosely fitted
on the spindle, radial arms fixed to the spindle, links connecting the chain
wheel and the arms having a slot and pin connection allowing of turning,
extensions on the said links adapted to meet the rim of the disc, a brake to
be applied to the wheel of the cycle and connections between the disc and the
brake allowing the latter to be applied, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
(3) The improved brake for cycles and means for applying the same, com-
prising a brake applied to the tyre of the cycle wheel, a lever arm carrying the
said brake, a loose flanged disc connected to the lever arm, a loose chain wheel
and fixed arms connected to the chain wheel by links having extensions adapted
to meet the flange of the disc, constructed and operating substantially as des-
cribed and shown and for the purposes specified.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.