IMPROVEMENTS IN BREAKS FOR WHEELED VEHICLES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Marks, of 36, Crutched Friars, in the
City of London, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREAKS FOR
WHEELED VEHICLES,"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Marks at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th October 1881.
WILLIAM HENRY MARKS, of 36, Crutched Friars, in the City of London.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREAKS FOR WHEELED VEHICLES."
I place under the body of the vehicle a bar or rod of iron, which is firmly
attached to the body. This bar of iron is provided with ratchet teeth on either
side. These teeth work into similar teeth on two movable bars of iron, one placed
on each side of the aforesaid bar. These two side bars aro so placed that on being
moved by a handle or other suitable means each bar projects between two of the
spokes of one of the wheels, thus arresting the revolution of the wheels. Another
pair of side bars can be provided if the vehiclo have four wheels. The side bars
can be so constructed that either one or more can be made to work at one time or
separately.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Henry Marks in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd April 1882.
WILLIAM HENRY MARKS, of 36, Crutched Friars, in the City of London.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREAKS FOR WHEELED VEHICLES."
I construct my break in various ways, the chief advantages of it being cheapness,
simplicity, and quickness of application, and remaining always in position until
taken off by the person in attendance on the vehicle. In all cases the method in
which the break acts is the same, namely, one or more arms are pushed between
the spokes of one or more wheels or into slots in the nave of the wheel provided
for the purpose, as hereafter described, and so prevent the vehicle being moved
until the said arm or arms is or are withdrawn. One method of application is
shown at Fig. 1, a, a, being a har (preferably of iron), held by two or more hold-
fasts b, b, which are fastened under the body of the vehicle, or in other convenient
position. This bar is provided with teeth, and is moved backwards or forwards by
the handle c, or it can be moved by a handle and lever from the driver's seat or
elsewhere. Two movable arms d, d, d, d, also with teeth, are held by the hold-
fasts c, c, e, e, in contiguity with the bar a, and when the latter is pushed in the
direction f its teeth cause the arms d, d, to move so that the ends g. 9, each enter
between two of the spokes of one of the wheels, or into one of the said slots in the
nave, and thus lock the wheels and prevent the vehicle from being moved.
Another method of application is shewn in Fig. 2, h being a pin secured to the
body or other convenient part of the vehicle on which works the short arm i
connected with two longer arms j,j, which are held in position by the hold-
fasts, The short arm i is worked by a handle placed in any suitable position,
and the ends 1, 2, of the long arms enter between two of the spokes of the wheels
or into the aforesaid slots. Another modification is shewn in Fig. 3, in which the
ends of the long arm are made to fork (l', ',) so that the action of tho break is
divided, and it acts upon four spokes of each wheel instead of two. m represents
the nave of the wheel; this form is especially suitable for vehicles, the spokes of
which are very thin. Fig. 4 is another modification. At Fig. 5 is shewn the
bar a, a, which works on a pin n, on which also work the two arms p, p, which
are held in position by the holdfasts o, o, so that when the bar is pushed by the
handle c the ends of the arms l, l, enter between the spokes of the wheels, ns beforo
described. In cases where it may be desirable to prevent scratching the paint of
the wheels, such as those of private carriages, the arms of the break can bo padded
with india rubber or any other suitable padding.
It is desirable frequently in the case of heavily-laden vans, where the spokes
would not bear the resistance of the break, owing to the great weight, to place
round the inner part of the circumference of the nave a ring or band of iron
provided with teeth or notches, so that the arms of the break enter there and
relieve the spoke of a great part of the weight. Fig. 6 shews the nave with the
arm in one of the notches at q, Figs. 7 and 8 shewing sections of the iron ring,
with two methods of making the teeth or notches.
For tricycles and other such vehicles I affix to the backbone above one of the
wheels at v, Fig. 9, two arms 8, 8, through which passes a screw t, which tightens
the arms when desired, causing their ends to pass between the spokes of the
wheel u. The screw
may have a slot in one end, through which a padlock can
be passed to lock the machine. Fig. 10 shews another method of adapting my
break to the wheels of vehicles, v representing a round bar of iron with the two

page_text: ends w, w, bent, so as to form an elbow; x, x, are holdfasts made so that the bar
may revolve in them, whilst at the same time they hold it in position; y is a
handle attached to one of the bent ends to move the bar. When the ends are
allowed to drop down they conveniently enter into the notches in the iron ring
round the nave, and can be instantly released by pulling the handle. There may
be a handle to each end for convenience, or this form of my break may be constructed
to act on one wheel only.
It will be understood that I do not confine myself to these particular methods
of applying my break, as there are many more ways in which it can be adapted to
different kinds of vehicles; but I claim generally the application of the break
between the spokes of one or more of the wheels or into the aforesaid slots
(worked by lever or handla, as may be convenient), substantially as my
Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Marks, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty second day of April, One thousand eight
hundred and eighty two.
WILL. HENRY MARKS. (L.S.)