Year: 1897

page_text: I, JAMES THOMAS HOWELL, of 87, Larkhill, Blackburn, in the County of Lancas-
ter, Artificial Teeth Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:
-
This invention relates to improvements in brakes specially designed for applica-
tion to luggage wagons used on railway lines, and to the wagons attached to
traction engines on highways, the object of the invention being to construct a
brake which will automatically come into operation whenever the traction on
the wagons ceases either from the engine slackening speed or from the wagons
being disconnected. The invention consists of simple and inexpensive apparatus
which can readily be applied to existing wagons and can be used and operated
in a like manner to the ordinary brake.
According to this invention I employ brake shoes or blocks for two or more
wheels of the wagon or vehicle, such blocks or shoes being by spindles connected
to the ends of rocking levers carried on a cross shaft mounted on the underside
of the wagon. On the cross rod is an arm or lever on which is an adjustable
weight or a spring. The weight or spring or the lever is by chains or wires passing
over pulleys or by links and levers connected with the ordinary coupling hooks
at each end of the wagon. A lever similar to the ordinary brake lever is connected
to a boss on each end of the cross rod, in such boss there being a recess in which
is received a pin on the lever, and this allows the lever to be lifted and hooked
up only just clearing the brakes from the wheels.
The action is as follows:-When the wagons are coupled up and the engine
pulls on the coupling hook, which must have a slight amount of "play" before
pulling on the ordinary coupling rod spring. The pull on the coupling hook by
the chain, wire, or links raises the weighted lever or expands the spring, and a
partial turn being given to the cross rod the brakes are withdrawn from the
wheels. If the engine slackens speed, or the wagons become disconnected the
weight or spring at once gives a partial turn to the cross rod which immediately
applies the brake and stops the wagon or wagons.
For shunting purpose the brake is removed and applied in the ordinary manner
but the application is assisted by the weight or spring.
The weight or spring is adjustable so as to allow the brake to be set for varying
weights of loads.
Dated this 21st day of October 1897.
BRIERLEY & HOWARD,
Penny Bank Chambers, Halifax,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, JAMES THOMAS HOWELL, of 87, Larkhill, Blackburn, in the County of Lancas-
ter, Artificial Teeth Manufacturer, 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 improvements in brakes specially designed for applica-
tion to luggage wagons used on railway lines, and to the wagons attached to
traction engines on highways, the object of the invention being to construct a
brake which will automatically come into operation whenever the traction on
the wagon ceases, either from the engine slackening speed, or from the wagons
being disconnected. The invention consists of simple and inexpensive apparatus
which, can readily be applied to existing wagons and can be used and operated
in a like manner to the ordinary brake.
Such being the nature and object of my said invention, the following is a com-
plete description of same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, in which :-
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a truck with my improved brake applied thereto.
Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the underside of a truck which discharges or unloads from
underneath, shewing the brake applied in a modified form.
According to this invention I employ brake shoes or blocks 1 for two or more
wheels of the wagon or vehicle 2, such blocks or shoes being by spindles 3 con-
nected to the ends of rocking levers 4 carried on a cross shaft 5 mounted on the
underside of the wagon. The length of the spindles 3 may be adjusted if made
in two parts with right and left handed screw threads and provided with a long
nut or collar. On the cross shaft 5 is an arm or lever 6 on which is an adjustable
weight 7, or a spring. The weight 7, or spring, or the lever 6 is by chains or
wires 9 passing over pulleys 10, or by links and levers, connected with the ordinary
coupling hooks 11 at each end of the wagon 2. A lever 12 similar to the ordinary
brake lever is connected to a boss 13 on each end of the cross rod 5, in such boss 13
there being a recess 14 in which is received a pin 15 on the rocking lever 4, and
this allows the brake lever 12 to be lifted and hooked up in brackets 15", only just
clearing the brakes from the wheels. The brackets 15" are formed with steps 16
(see Fig. 2) for the purpose of adjusting the brake.
Referring to Fig. 3 where the truck discharges or unloads from underneath,
the cross shaft 5 does not extend across the underside of the truck 2 as in Figs. 1
and 2, but is cut off short by each bracket or pedestal so as to leave an open space
for discharging or unloading the truck. A spiral spring 17 operates a levor 18
on the cross shaft 5, and the lever 18 is connected by chains or wires 9 passing
over pulleys 10 and by links 19 to the ordinary coupling hooks 11 at each end of
the wagon 2.
are
The action is as follows:-When the wagons are coupled up and the engine
pulls on the coupling hook 11 which must have a slight amount of "play before
pulling on the ordinary coupling rod spring. The pull on the coupling hook 11
by the chain, wire, or links 9 raises the weighted lever 6 or compresses the spring 17
(see Fig. 3) and a partial turn being given to the cross shaft 5, the brakes
withdrawn from the wheels. If the engine slackens speed or the wagons become
disconnected, the weight 7 or spring 17 at once gives a partial turn to the cross
shaft 5 which immediately applies the brake and stops the wagon or wagons 2.
For shunting purposes the brake is removed and applied in the ordinary manner,
i.c., when on "the lever 12 is pinned at the bottom of the bracket 15 (see Fig. 2)
"

page_text: and when "off" it is in the top step 16, but the application is assisted by the
weight 7 or spring 17. When the lever 12 is in the middle step 16 the brake is
automatically applied or removed as described. The weight 7 or spring 17 is
adjustable so as to allow the brake to be set for varying weights of loads.
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) The general construction, arrangement, and combination of parts constituting
the improved brake, as herein described and substantially as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
(2) Brake blocks connected to a rocking lever in combination with a weight
or springs operated by chains or wires passing over pulleys, or by links from the
coupling hooks, as herein described and substantially as illustrated by the accom-
panying drawings.
(3) Brake blocks operated from the coupling hooks in combination with hand
brake levers working in stepped brackets, as herein described and substantially
as illustrated by the annexed drawings.