CERTAIN NEW AND USEFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKE MECHANISM FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Lucius Paige, of the State of Vermont, of the
United States of America, for the Invention of "CERTAIN NEW AND
USEFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKE MECHANISM FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES."
Sealed the 26th October 1855, and dated the 21st August 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Lucius Paige at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st August
1855.
I, LUCIUS PAIGE, of the State of Vermont, of the United States of America,
do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "CERTAIN NEW AND USEFUL
IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKE MECHANISM FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES" to be as follows:-
Of the said Drawings, Figure 1 denotes a top view of the platform and
two truck frames of an eight-wheel railway carriage or car having my
improved brake mechanism applied to it; Figure 2 is a vertical, central, and
longitudinal section of the same; Figure 3 is an under side view of it; Figure 4
is a side elevation of it; while Figure 5 is an end view of it.
The nature of my said Invention consists in a peculiar combination and
arrangement of levers and springs, disposed between, underneath the platform
of the carriage, and connected with the brake levers and windlass. It further
consists in constructing the brake rubber, and the socket or bearing thereof,
and applying them together, so that the former may extend through and out
of the latter in opposite directions, and be capable relatively to the socket of

page_text: being moved up to or towards the wheel, as occasion may require, until it (the
said rubber) may be worn up or rendered unfit for further service.
In the said Drawings, A denotes the platform, carriage frame, or flooring of
a railway car; B, C, are the two truck frames which serve to support such frames
or platform, each truck frame being supported by two of its wheels, as seen at
H, I, K, L. D, E, F, G, are four sets of brakes, applied respectively to the
four sets of wheels in the usual manner. The brake bars a, a, of each truck
frame are connected by one of two levers M, N, and a connecting rod O, P,
arranged as seen in the Drawings. The upper ends of the two levers M, N,
are connected by means of rods Q, R, with the two opposite ends of a lever S,
turning on a fulcrum T. On the same fulcrum with the lever S is a longer
lever U, which is formed in the manner represented in the Drawings, and so
that springs V, W, may be interposed between it and the lever S, as seen in
the Drawings. The two opposite ends of the longer lever U are respectively
connected to the windlass or cords X, X, by means of rods Y, Z, the windlasses
being shown at b, c, and situated at opposite ends of the frame or platform or
the car, and in other respects as seen in the Drawings. When either of the
windlasses is turned in a direction to wind its cord upon it, draft is created on
the lever U. This draft, acting through the springs V, W, produces a draft
on both the rods Q, R, by which means the levers M, N, will be moved or
operated in the usual way, and so as to force the brake rubbers against the
treads of the wheels.
In carrying out my Invention I have sought to avoid any use of elastic con-
necting rods or chains, or rods with springs so arranged on them that draft on
them shall extend the springs; I have done this for the very obvious reason
that such springs are dangerous when so used in brake mechanisms, and
particularly when there is frost in them. I have sought to employ the springs
in such manner that the power which sets the break rubbers into action
against their wheels shall operate to contract the springs, and thus avoid much
of the danger of breaking them, which is incident to a spring when such power
expands or elongates it.
Being aware that it was common to make the arm of a lever as a spring, I
have avoided the use of such a lever, because it would not only be dangerous
in such mechanism, but could not be employed to advantage when used
between two truck frames, and connected with the two windlasses and the
brake levers of the brakes of two truck frames.. It will reaadily be seen, that
were both the arms of a lever made as springs, the outer extremity of each
being connected to a windlass chain, while the arm was also connected to a

page_text: brake lever by a connecting rod, such spring lever would not operate succoss-
fully, for when drawn upon by one windlass, and the brakes connected with its
arm so set up, no useful and further action or draft on the opposite arm of the
lever could be effected. To produce such action a rigid lever must be
employed, and between it and the brake lever pulled by it there must be a
yielding spring.
1+
I have been aware that in other kinds of mechanism a lever composed of
two separate arms connected by a spring has been used. This does not
constitute my Invention, but only make a part of it, as such a lever may be
represented by the two arms S and U, and the spring V placed on either side
of the fulcrum T, see Figure 3 of the Drawings. Two such levers arranged
and connected together as I connect them, so as to form two other levers
operating on one common fulcrum, and embracing the springs arranged on
opposite sides of the fulcrum, and so embracing them that such springs
during draft to set up the brakes operate by contraction, is an important
feature in my Invention or combination; other features being, not only con-
necting the two arms of the longer levers U, U, to the windlass rods Z, V,
but also connecting. the shorter lever to, the rods Q, R, of the brake levers
of the two systems of brakes.
The above-described portion of my Invention has reference only to those
railway carriages which are provided with two swivelling truck frames carrying
independent sets of brakes; and besides this, it has reference to that system of
brake mechanism in which all the brakes may be operated by either of the
windlasses placed at opposite ends of the platform or body of a railway car-
riage. It is of great importance to a railway carriage of the above kind, and
having such a brake mechanism, it being simple, efficient in its operation, and
not liable to become deranged, especially in frosty weather; it not only readily
accommodates itself to the swivelling motions of the truck frames, but brings
its springs into action at the proper time, and causes both to operate simul-
taneously by contraction under draft on either windlass rod or chain. Each
set of brakes is provided with a rubber rat each extremity of its horizontal
frame or bar a, such bar-being furnished at each of its ends with a socket or
rubber holder t for the reception of the rubber, which passes through it and
extends out of it in two directions, as seen in the Drawings. This socket is
provided with a cap plate u, and screw bolts u, v, v, v, for confining it and the
rubber in place in or to the socket....When the inner end of the rubber
becomes worn by the friction of the tread of the wheel against it, such rubber
may be moved forwards by simply loosening the screw bolts of the socket and

page_text: drawing the rubber towards the wheel, the bolts subsequently being screwed
up, so as to confine the rubber in place. By so making an applying a rubber
to the brake bar, the wheel may be brought to act against the grain of the
wood endwise, and whenever worn, the rubber may be adjusted very easily, so
as to bring a fresh portion of it forwards for the wheel to wear upon.
Having thus described my Invention, what therefore I claim is, the above-
described improved arrangement of levers and springs, and their application to
the brakes of a railway carriage having swivelling truck frames; the same
consisting in arranging two levers S, U, so that they shall cross one another
and turn on one common fulcrum, applying springs between said levers, and,
on opposite sides of the fulcrum respectively, connecting both arms of the one
or the longer of said levers with the draft chain or rods of two windlasses
situated at opposite ends of the carriage body or platform, and respectively
connecting the two arms of the other lever to the draft rod or chains of the
brake levers.
I also claim constructing the brake rubber and the socket or bearing thereof
and applying them together, substantially as specified, whereby the former is
not only made to extend entirely through and out of the latter in opposite
directions, as represented, but is rendered capable of being moved up to or
towards the wheel and through the socket, as occasion may require.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Lucius Paige in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
23rd November 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, LUCIUS
PAIGE, of the State of Vermont, of the United States of America, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of August, A.D. Eighteen hundred
and fifty-five, in the nineteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs
and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Lucius Paige, Her special
licence that I, the said Lucius Paige, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Lucius Paige, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should'

page_text: and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, "AN IN-
VENTION OR IMPROVEMENT IN BRAKE MECHANISM FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Lucius Paige, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Lucius Paige, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in the following Specification and
the accompanying Drawings:-
Of the said Drawings, Figure 1 denotes a top view of the platform and two
truck frames of an eight-wheel railway carriage or car having my improved
brake mechanism applied to it; Figure 2 is a vertical, central, and longitudinal
section of the same; Figure 3 is an under side view of it; Figure 4 is a side
elevation of it; while Figure 5 is an end view of it.
The nature of my said Invention consists in a peculiar combination and
arrangement of levers and springs disposed between and underneath the
platform of the carriage, and connected with the break lever and windlasses.
It further consists in connecting the brake rubber and the socket or bearing
thereof, and applying them together, so that the former may extend entirely
through and out of the latter in opposite directions, and be capable, relatively
to the socket, of being screwed up to or towards the wheel, as occasion may
require, until it (the said rubber) may be worn off or rendered unfit for further
service.
In the said Drawings, A denotes the platform, carriage frame, or flooring of a
railway car; B, C, are the two truck frames, which serve to sustain such frame
or platform, each truck frame being supported by two sets of wheels, as
seen at H, I, K, L. D, E, F, G, are four sets of brakes applied respectively
to the four sets of wheels in the usual manner. The brake bars a, a, of
each truck frame are connected by one of two levers M, N, and a con-
necting rod O or P, arranged as seen in the Drawings. The upper ends
of the two levers M, N, are connected by means of rods Q, R, with the
two opposite ends of a lever S turning on a fulcrum T.
On the same
fulcrum with the lever S is a longer lever U, which is formed in the manner
represented in the Drawings, and so that the springs V, W, may be inter-.

page_text: posed between it and the lever S, as seen in the Drawings. The two
opposite ends of the longer lever U are respectively connected to the windlasses
or cords X, X, by means of rods Y, Z, the windlasses being shown at b, c, and
situated at opposite ends of the frame or platform, or the car, and in other
respects as seen in the Drawings. When either of the windlasses is turned
in a direction to wind its cords upon it, draft is created on the lever U. This
draft, acting through the springs V, W, produces a draft on both the rods Q, R,
by which means the levers M, N, will be moved or operated in the usual
way, and so as to force the brake rubber against the treads of the wheels.
In carrying out my Invention I have sought to avoid any use of elastic
connecting rods, or chains or rods with springs so arranged on them that
draft on them shall extend the springs. I have done this for the very obvious
reason that such springs are dangerous when so used in brake mechanism, and
particularly when there is frost in them. I have sought to employ the springs
in such manner that the power that sets the brake rubbers into action against
their wheels shall operate to contract the springs, and thus avoid much of that
danger of breaking them, which is incident to a spring when such power
expands or elongates it.
Being aware that it was common to make the arm of a lever as a spring, I
have avoided the use of such a lever, because it would not only be dangerous
in such mechanism, but could not be employed to advantage when used
between two truck frame, and connected with the two windlasses and the
brake levers of the brakes of two truck frames. It will readily be seen, that
were both the arms of a lever made as springs, the outer extremity of each
being connected to a windlass chain, while the arm was also connected to a
brake lever by a connecting rod, such spring lever would not operate success-
fully; for when drawn upon by one windlass, and the brakes connected with its
arm so set up, no useful and further action or draft on the opposite arm of
the lever could be effected. To produce such action a rigid lever must be
employed, and between it and the brake lever pulled by it there must be a
yielding spring.
I have been aware that in other kinds of mechanism a lever composed of
two separate arms connected by a spring has been used. This does not
constitute my Invention, but only makes a part of it, as such a lever may be
represented by the two arms S and U, and the spring V placed on either side
of the fulcrum T, see Figure 3 of the Drawings. Two such levers arranged and
connected together as I connect them, so as to form two other levers operating
on one common fulcrum, and embracing the springs arranged on opposite

page_text: sides of the fulcrum, and so embracing them that such springs during draft to
set up the brakes operate by contraction, is an important feature in my Inven-
tion or combination; other features being, not only connecting the two arms
of the longer lever U, U, to the windlass rods Y, Z, but also connecting the
shorter lever to the rods Q, R, of the brake levers of the two systems of
brakes.
The above-described portion of my Invention has reference only to those
railway carriages which are provided with two swivelling truck frames
carrying independent sets of brakes; and beside this, it has reference to that
system of brake mechanism in which all the brakes may be operated by either
of the windlasses placed at opposite ends of the platform or body of a railway
carriage. It is of great importance to a railway carriage of the above kind,
and having such a brake mechanism, it being simple, efficient in its operation,
and not liable to become deranged, especially in frosty weather.
It not only
readily accomodates itself to the swivelling motions of the truck frames, but
brings its springs into action at the proper time, and causes both to operate
simultaneously by contraction under draft on either windlass rod or chain.
Each set of brakes is provided with a rubber r at each extremity of its
horizontal frame or bar a, such bar being furnished at each of its ends with a
socket or rubber holder t for the reception of the rubber, which passes through
it and extends out of it in two directions, as seen in Figures 3 and 4 of the
Drawings. This socket is provided with a cap plate u, and screw bolts v, v,
v, v, for confining it and the rubber in place in or to the socket. When the
inner end of the rubber becomes worn by friction of the tread of the wheel
against it, such rubber may be moved forward by simply loosening the screw
bolts of the socket and drawing the rubber towards the wheel, the bolts
subsequently being screwed up so as to confine the rubber in place. By so
making and applying a rubber to the brake bar, the wheel may be brought to
act against the grain of the wood endwise, and whenever worn, the rubber may
be adjusted very easily, so as to bring a fresh portion of it forward for the
wheel to wear upon.
Having thus explained my Invention, what therefore I claim is, the above-
described improved arrangement of levers and springs, and their application to
the brakes of a railway carriage having swivelling truck frames, the same
consisting in arranging two levers S, S, U, U, so that they shall cross one
another and work on one common fulcrum, applying springs between said
levers and on opposite sides of the fulcrum respectively, connecting both arms
of the one or the longer of said levers with the draft chains or rods of two

page_text: windlasses situated at opposite ends of the carriage body or platform, and
respectively connecting the two arms of the other lever to the draft rod or
chains of the brake levers.
I also claim constructing the brake rubber, and the socket or bearing
thereof, and applying them together, substantially as specified, whereby the
former is not only made to extend entirely through and out of the latter in
opposite directions, as represented, but is rendered capable of being wound
up to or towards the wheel and through the socket, as occasion may
require.
In witness whereof, I, the said Lucius Paige, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Second day of November, One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-five.
LUCIUS PAIGE. (L.S.)