Improvements in or relating to Brakes and Steering Locks for Velocipedes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 18th May, 1900-Accepted, 23rd June, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Brakes and Steering Locks for
Velocipedes.
We, WILLIAM ANDREWS, Engineer, and THE SANSPAREIL CYCLE COMPANY,
LIMITED, both of Bracebridge Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, Cycle Manu-
facturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The first object of our invention is to produce a rim brake adapted to with-
stand the spreading action set up by some kinds of velocipede rims; and our
second object is to provide a steering lock that shall bind, without positively
fixing, the steering.
To attain our first object, as applied to the steering wheel of a velocipede, we
mount on each of the blades of the fork carrying the wheel a split or other suitable
clip. Hinged to the inner face of each clip is a block, the axis of the hinge being
parallel to the plane of the wheel and approximately at right angles to the length
of the fork. The parts are so hinged together that the back of the block takes
a bearing against the adjacent face of the clip. The inner face of the block is
adapted to rise into contact with the rim and is preferably provided with a leather
or other shoe for this purpose. Each block is provided with an outward pro-
jection and the foot of the plunger rod is provided with a transverse bar. The
ends of the transverse bar are linked to the outer ends of the projections from
the blocks. When the plunger rod is depressed by the usual brake lever, or
otherwise, the transverse har and the outer ends of the projections are forced down-
ward, consequently the brake blocks are forced upward into contact with the rim.
The convex formation of the rim tends to convert the upward movement of the
blocks into an outward movement. but this is resisted by the blocks abutting
against the clips which are secured to the rigid forksides, the blocks and forksides
being arranged in the same transverse plane. The links are pivotted to the
transverse bar and projections in such a way as to allow for the slight hinging
movement.
In constructing a rim brake for the rear wheel we fit two upright clips one to
each of the bottom stays; and to the upper or lower end of each clip we pivot a
brake block, the outer face of which is always in contact with the inner face of
the clip by which it is supported. The free ends of the brake blocks are adapted
to be moved by suitable connections so that the said blocks may be drawn forward
into contact with the rim in order to check the motion of the machine. In this
case, the spreading action set up by the rim forces the outer faces of the brake
blocks into sliding contact with the inner face of the clips which are supported
by the laterally rigid compression stays.
When the brake is to be applied by reverse pedalling we provide means, such
as a roller clutch in one of the chain wheels, for allowing the driving gear to
overrun the crank shaft. And on the crank shaft, within the bottom bracket, we
mount a clutch, such as a single roller clutch, which is brought into action by
the rider pedalling in the reverse direction. Through a suitable aperture in the
bottom bracket projects an arm, the inner end of which may be screwed into or
otherwise secured to the enclosing ring of the clutch. The outer end of the arm

page_text: has a hole bored through it parallel to the plane of the machine, and through
this hole passes the stem of a spur.
The said stem is screw threaded and is provided with two nuts, one before and
the other behind, the bored end of the armi, which is of rounded form to allow of
sufficient angular movement between the arm and the spur. The other ends of the
spur are connected to the respective brake blocks. When the rider begins to
pedal in the reverse direction the clutch in the bottom bracket bites, the bored
end of the arm moves forward and draws the brake blocks into contact with the
rim by means of the spur connecting rod. A suitable spring or springs is or are
provided to take the brake out of action when the rider ceases pedalling in the
said reverse direction.
In constructing a steering lock according to our invention we provide the upper
part of the steering socket or the head clip, preferably the former, with an out-
standing lug. This lug is bored parallel to the steering stem and carries a short
spindle the upper part of which is preferably eccentric and the lower part of which
is provided with a handle or other suitable means for rotation. On the cecentric
part of the spindle is mounted a block the inner face of which is adapted to bear
against the head clip when the spindle is rotated in one direction but which is
carried clear of the said clip when the spindle is rotated in the opposite direction.
A suitable spring or springs is or are provided to normally hold the lock out of
action, or to hold it either in or out of action. When the block is pressed into
contact with the head clip it sets up sufficient friction in the steering gear of the
machine to prevent the front wheel turning and the bicycle falling when leaned
against a wall or the like; but the friction is not sufficient to prevent the rider
steering his machine if he should mount the same with the lock in action.
We do not confine ourselves strictly to the above description which is intended
to indicate the nature of our invention without excluding modifications.
Dated this 7th day of September 1899.
DOUGLAS LEECHMAN, M. Cy. E.I.,
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents,
18, Hertford Street, Coventry,
75. Chancery Lane, London, W.C., and
9, Exchange Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
Patent Agent for the Applicants.
Improvements in or relating to Brakes and Steering Locks for
Velocipedes.
We, WILLIAM ANDREWS, Engineer, and THE SANSPAREIL CYCLE COMPANY,
LIMITED, both of Bracebridge Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, Cycle Manu-
facturers, 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:-
The first object of our invention is to produce a rim brake adapted to with-
stand the spreading action set up by some kinds of velocipede rims and our
second object is to provide a steering lock which may be made so as to bind,
without positively fixing, the steering. And in order that the manner in which
we attain our objects may be properly understood, we will describe the same with
the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein.
Figure I is a front elevation of part of a front wheel rim brake in position.
Figure II is a similar view partly in section and showing the brake in action.

page_text: Figure III is a transverse section on the lines III-III in Figs. I and II.
Figure IV is a side elevation partly in section of a rear wheel rim brake in
position.
Figure V is a rear elevation of the said brake.
Figure VI is a side elevation, Figure VII is a vertical section, and Figure VIII
is a plan of a steering lock in position.
The same numerals indicate the same parts throughout the drawings.
Referring to the brake shown in Figures I, II and III, we mount on each of
the blades of the fork carrying the wheel a split or other suitable clip 3. Hinged
to the inner face of each clip is a block 4, the axis of the binge being parallel to
the plane of the wheel and approximately at right angles to the length of the
fork. The parts are so hinged together that the back 5 of the block takes a
bearing against the adjacent face 6 of the clip. The inner face of the block is
adapted to rise into contact with the rim and is preferably provided with a leather
or other shoe 7 for this purpose. Each block is provided with an outward pro-
jection S, and the foot of the plunger rod 9 is provided with a transverse bar 10.
The ends of the transverse bar are linked (11) to the outer ends of the projec-
tions S. When the plunger rod is depressed by the usual brake lever, or other-
wise, the transverse bar 10 and the outer ends of the projections S are forced
downward, consequently the brake blocks 4 are forced upward into contact with
the rim 12. The convex formation of the rim tends to convert the upward move-
ment of the blocks into an outward movement, but this is resisted by the blocks
abutting as above described against the clips which are secured to the rigid fork-
sides, the blocks 4 and forksides 2 being arranged in line transversely (Fig. III).
The links 11 are pivotted to the transverse bar 10 and projections 8 in such a
way as to allow for the slight hinging movement at their ends.
In constructing a rim brake for the rear wheel (Figures IV and V,) we fit two.
upright clips 14, one to each of the bottom stays 15; and to the upper or lower end
of each clip we pivot a brake block 16, the outer face 17 of which is always in
contact with the inner face 18 of the clip 14 by which it is supported. The free
ends of the brake blocks are adapted to be moved by suitable connections so that
the said blocks may be drawn forward into contact with the rim 19 in order to
check the motion of the machine. In this case, the spreading action set up by the
rim forces the outer faces 17 of the brake blocks into sliding contact with the
inner faces 18 of the clips which are supported by the laterally rigid bottom
stays 15.
:
When the rear brake is to be applied by reverse pedalling we provide means,
such as a roller clutch in one of the chain wheels, for allowing the driving gear
to overrun the crank shaft 20. And on the crank shaft, within the bottom
bracket 21, we mount a clutch, such as a roller clutch 22, which is brought into
action by the rider pedalling in the reverse direction. Through a suitable aper-
ture 23 in the bottom bracket projects an arm 24, the inner end of which may be
screwed into or otherwise secured to the enclosing ring 25 of the clutch. The other
end of the arm has an aperture through it parallel to the plane of the machine,
and through this aperture passes the stem 26 of a spur. The said stem is screw
threaded and is provided with one or more nuts 27 before and behind the apertured
end of the arm, which is of rounded form to allow of sufficient angular movement
between the arm and the spur. The other ends 28 of the spur are jointed to the
respective brake blocks 16. When the rider begins to pedal in the reverse direction
the clutch 22 bites, the apertured end of the arm 24 moves forward and draws the
brake blocks 16 into contact with the rim 19 by means of the spur connecting
rod 26, 28. A suitable spring 29 is provided to take the brake out of action when
the rider ceases reverse pedalling.
In constructing a steering lock, Figures VI, VII and VIII, we provide the
upper part of the steering socket 32 or the head clip 33, preferably the former,
as shown, with an outstanding lug 34. This lug is bored parallel to the steering
stem and carries a short spindle 35 the upper part 36 of which is eccentric and

page_text: the lower part of which is provided with a handle 37 or other suitable means for
rotation. On the eccentric part of the spindle is mounted a block 38 the inner
face of which is adapted to bear against the head clip when the spindle is rotated
in one direction, but which is carried clear of the said clip when the spindle is
rotated in the opposite direction. A suitable spring, such as 39, is preferably
provided to normally hold the block out of action, or to hold it either in or out
of action, by engaging with the notches 40. When the block 38 is pressed into
contact with the head clip 33 it sets up sufficient friction in the steering gear of
the machine to prevent the front wheel turning and the bicycle falling when
leaned against a wall or the like but the friction is preferably not sufficient to
prevent the rider steering his machine if he should mount the same with the lock in
action. If a positive lock be preferred it is readily provided by serrating the
surfaces of the block and clip as shown in Fig. VIII, which shows the lock in
action.
We do not confine ourselves strictly to the above description but. hold our-
selves at liberty to make such modifications as fairly fall within the scope of our
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a rim brake for velocipedes, adapting the blocks when in action to take a
bearing against the clips by which they are supported upon the frame of the
machine, for the purpose set forth.
2. A front wheel rim brake for velocipedes having the axes of the hinges of the
blocks parallel to the plane of the wheel and having the blocks and forksides
arranged transversely in line, substantially as set forth.
3. A velocipede brake constructed, arranged and adapted to operate, substan-
tially as herein described with reference to Figures I, II and III of the accom-
panying drawings.
4. A velocipede brake constructed, arranged and adapted to operate, substan-
tially as herein described with reference to Figures IV and V of the accompanying
drawings.
5. A steering lock for a velocipede, comprising a rotatable bolt carried by one
part of the steering gear and having an eccentric portion, a block mounted on the
said eccentric portion of the bolt and adapted to be forced into contact with and
to be withdrawn from another part of the steering gear by turning the said bolt,
substantially as set forth.
6. A steering lock for a velocipede, constructed, arranged and adapted to
operate substantially as herein described, and as illustrated in Figures VI, VII
and VIII of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 17th day of May 1900.
DOUGLAS LEECHMAN, M. Cy. E.I.,
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents,
18, Hertford Street, Coventry,
9, Exchange Chambers, New Street, Birmingham, and
75. Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Patent Agent for the Applicants.