Improvements in Fluid Pressure Brakes for Velocipedes, Motor Cycles, and like Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Feb., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 28th Dec., 1897--Accepted, 12th Feb., 1898
Date of Application, 27th Feb., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 28th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 12th Feb., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fluid Pressure Brakes for Velocipedes, Motor
Cycles, and like Machines.
I, HARRY HEATLY, Director of the firm Heatly and Gresham Limited, of 110,
Cannon Street, London, E.C., and of Manchester and Calcutta, India, Engineers,
do hereby declare the nature of the said invention, to be as follows:-
ja
1. My invention consists in applying two suitable brake blocks one on each side
of the metallic or other rim for the pneumatic tyre of the wheel or wheels to be
braked, or to some part or surface apart from the pneumatic tyre, which brake
blocks are each connected to or carried by plungers or pistons in small cylinders
or equivalent arrangements, which are clamped to or carried on a bracket which
is clamped or otherwise secured to the framing of the vehicle. These cylinders
or arrangements are connected by flexible or other tubes with a suitable compressor
or pump, in any convenient position which is or may be provided if required with
inlet and outlet and relief valves. The pump or compressor may be arranged to
force either liquid or air. For liquid it may be a ram in a cylinder, the ram
being actuated by a coarse pitched screw, which screw may be formed in one steer-
ing handle made to rotate, or otherwise arranged.
In the case of motor cycles, the pressure of the fluid working the motor may be
used, admitted from the source of supply or generation, by a cock or valve and
exhausted to relieve the brakes by similar means.
:
In some cases there is or may be a spring to force back or assist in forcing back
the pistons or plungers or arrangements to withdraw the brake blocks from the
rim carrying the tyre. In the case of safety bicycles, the brakes are or may be
applied to the driving wheel by preference, or to the steering wheel or to both, and
the pump or compressor is arranged on or near the steering handle, being connected
with the small brake cylinders by flexible tubes or other suitable pipes.
By my improvements a powerful brake independent of the tyre is obtained,
which is effective even when the pneumatic tyre is punctured, is easily fixed and
applied to existing machines will remain acting with the desired pressure for any
desired time, and is simple and light and puts no lateral or unequal strain on the
wheel or wheels to which it is applied.
2. By a modification of my invention one brake cylinder or equivalent arrange-
ment is made through levers to act upon the brake blocks, one on the rim on each
side of the tyre.
The end of the cylinder by one modification, may be jointed or otherwise con-
nected with the end of one brake lever and the ram with the end of the other
brake lever, so that fluid pressure will move the cylinder one way, and the ram the
other way with simultaneous and equal pressure, the fulcrums of the brake levers
being carried on a bracket secured to the framing.
By another modification the ram is jointed to the middle of a beam lever, the
ends of which are connected with the two brake levers by rods, or the ends of the
beam lever are each connected to a sliding rod with a brake at its end to act on
TA

page_text: the rim on each side of the tyre, the beam lever giving equal and simultaneous
pressure on the rim or surface to be braked.
Dated this Twenty-sixth day of February:'1897.
Improvements in Fluid Pressure Brakes for. Velocipedes, Motor
Cycles, and like Machines.
do! :
#
I, HARRY HEATLY, Director of the firm Heatly, and Gresham Limited, of 110,
Cannon Street, London, E.C., and of Manchester and Calcutta, India, Engineers,
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 follow
ing statement:—
—
f. 1.
1. My invention consists in applying two suitable brake blocks one on each side
of the metallic or other rim for the pneumatic tyre of the. wheel or wheels to be
braked, or to some part or surface apart. from the pneumatic tyre, which brake
blocks are each connected to or carried by plungers or pistons in small cylinders
or equivalent arrangements, which are clamped to or carried on a bracket which
is clamped or otherwise secured to the framing of the vehicle. These cylinders
or arrangements are connected by flexible or other tubes with a suitable compressor
or pump in any convenient position which is or may be provided if required with
inlet and outlet and relief valves. The pump or compressor may be arranged to
force either liquid or air. For liquid it may be a ram in a cylinder, the ram
being actuated by a coarse pitched screw, which screw may be formed in one steer-
ing handle made to rotate, or otherwise arranged.
.L
In the case of motor cycles, the pressure of the fluid working the motor may be
used, admitted from the source of supply or generation, by a cock or valve and
exhausted to relieve the brakes by similar means.
In some cases, there is or may be a spring to force back or assist in forcing back
the pistons or plungers or arrangements to withdraw the brake blocks from the
rim carrying the tyre. In the case of safety bicycles, the brakes are or may be
applied to the driving wheel by preference, or to the steering wheel or to both, and
the pump or compressor is arranged on or near the steering handle, being connected
with the small brake cylinders by flexible tubes or other suitable pipes.
By my improvements a powerful brake independent of the tyre is obtained,
which is effective even when, the pneumatic tyre is punctured, is easily fixed and
applied to existing machines will remain acting with the desired pressure for any
desired time, and is simple and light, and puts no lateral or unequal strain on the
wheel or wheels to which it is applied.
i
2. By a modification of my invention one brake cylinder or equivalent arrange-
ment is made through levers to act upon the brake blocks, one on the rim on each
side of the tyre.
The end of the cylinder by one modification, may be jointed or otherwise con-
nected with the end of one brake lever and the ram with the end of the other
brake lever, so that fluid pressure will move the cylinder: one way, and the ram the
other way with simultaneous and equal pressure, the fulcrums of the brake levers
being carried on a bracket secured to the framing:
+
By another modification the ram is jointed to the middle of a beam lever, the
ends of which are connected with the two brake levers by rods, or the ends of the
***
MOL

page_text: beam lever are each connected to a sliding rod with a brake at its end to act on
the rim on each side of, the tyre, the beam lever giving equal and simultaneous
pressure on the rim or surface to be braked.
My invention will be illustrated by drawings showing its application to a
bicycle.
1
Fig. 1, is a front view with the two cylinders for the rams and other parts shown
in section. The arrangement of cylinder and ram on one side is a modification
of those on the other side.
1.
Fig. 2, is an outside elevation of another modification of ram with an elastic
india-rubber ring for assisting to push the ram into the cylinder.
Fig. 3, is another arrangement showing how two elastic rings may be used.
Fig. 4, is a front view with the ram and cylinder in, section connected to two
Llevers.
Fig. 5, is a plan section showing one lever...
["I
זי
Fig. 6, is a front elevation showing how one cylinder in section can act through
a beam lever on both brake blocks.
Fig. 7, is a plan section of one rod on one side connected with the beam lever
and carrying the brake block for one side.
Fig. 8, is a full size section of a screw pump formed by one steering handle.
Fig. 9, is a section of another modification of screw ram pump which may be
secured on one of the steering arms or upon the framing of the machine.
Fig. 10, is a general side view of so much of a bicycle and its framing as will be
necessary to explain my invention.
Fig. 11, is an elevation detached of part of the steering axle and one of its
handle bars..
Fig. 12, is a plan of the same.
Fig. 13, is a detached view showing how an elastic tube may be secured fluid
tight to the end of a metal tube, and
Fig. 14, is a detached sectional elevation full size of an inlet valve which may
be used as hereinafter explained.
In Fig. 1, a, are parts of the two rods or tubes of the framing which hold the
axis of the driving wheel (b, see Fig. 10); c, is the mud guard; d, the pneumatic
tyre; d, its metal rim; d, its suspending spokes.
On the right of a person when looking at Fig. 1, there is a cylinder e, which
may be secured by clamps e¹, and screws e³, to one of the rods or tubes a. In this
cylinder c, a ram e³, fits, which is made fluid tight with the cylinder e, by an
hydraulic packing ring e, secured in position fluid tight by a cap e³, screwing on
to the open end of the cylinder e. The upper end of the ram e³, has a projec-
tion e, from one side to which the brake block e, is secured, the acting surface
of which is shown against the metal tyre d².
There is a forked projection 8, from the other side of the head of the ram that
takes on each side of the rod or tube a, and slides thereon, this fork prevents the
ram from turning. From the lower end of the cylinder there is a projection e,
having a passage in it to be coupled fluid tight to the lower end of a pipe f, bring-
ing the fluid pressure from the pump to act upon the ram e
The ram is shown hollow or tubular. It has a small hole for a rod e, in the
centre of its inner end and other small holes eb, to admit fluid to pass. freely in
and out of the hollow ram. The rod ea, is screwed at its lower end into a tapped
hole in the bottom of the cylinder e, the head e, of the rod having a groove across
it so that it may be screwed in and out by a screwdriver.
The underside of the head e, of the rod forms the abutment for one end of a
helical spring ed, the other end of which rests against the lower end of the hollow
ram e, thus the helical spring acts to force the ram into the cylinder when at
liberty to act.
"
The open upper end of the ram is closed fluid tight by a screw plug e', screwing
into it.
On the left hand side of the Fig. 1, the ram and cylinder is similar to that on

page_text: the right, but in this case the hollow ram e³, is entirely closed at its inner end,
and the helical spring e, abuts against its lower end, and at its upper end against
a bracket eh, clamped to the rod a, and carrying a pin which enters the hollow ram
at its upper end passing in the interior of the helical spring.
In place of the rams and cylinders shown in Fig. 1, that shown by the outside
view Fig. 2, may be used which is or may be the same as that shown on the left
of Fig. 1, except that an india-rubber ring ei, is used as shown in place of the heli-
cal spring, and if pins or projections e and ek, are made to project at each side of
the ram and cylinder, two elastic india-rubber rings e¹, may be used one on each
side of the cylinder e, (Fig. 3). Fig. 4, shows one horizontal cylinder and ram to
operate an brake lever on each side of the metal tyre.
a, are parts of the rods; c, the mud guard; d, the inflated tyre; d¹, the metal
tyre; g and g, are levers each having its fulcrum g², on a part secured by
clamps g³, to the rods or tubes a.
The horizontal arms g', of these bell crank levers each carry a brake block g¹, to
act upon the metal tyre d', with which they are shown in contact.
The vertical arms 9, of the L levers are jointed by pins 5 and 6, one go, to
the end of the ram e³, the other to the end of the cylinder e, so that when the fluid
pressure acts, the ram and one lever is forced one way, and the cylinder and the
other lever, the other way, pressing the brake blocks against the metal tyre.
The cylinder is connected up to the fluid pressure supply pipe f, and as the
cylinder moves to and fro, the connecting pipe is arranged to swing, oscillate or give
way in either direction.
To assist to push the arm in the cylinder and the cylinder on the ram, the joint
pins and 96, are extended on each side so that elastic india-rubber rings (as in
Fig. 3) or other springs may be looped upon them. The levers g, carry the
cylinder and ram, and when the brakes are withdrawn, the upright arms g, of
the lever may come against the edges of the mud guard c, or other fixed stop which
will keep the brake blocks equally clear from the metal rim d¹, acted upon when
the brakes are not in use.
Fig. 5, shows in plan, the horizontal arm of one lever g¹, its fulcrum stud g²,
and clamp g³, on one side.
In Fig. 6, there is one central upright cylinder e, with a ram e³, in it to the upper
end of which a beam lever e", is jointed, at e", to each end of which the upper end
of a rod e, is jointed, the lower end of which has a projection e°, that carries the
brake block e². The lower end of each rod e", is made to clip and slide on its
rod a.
It is made with a clip that secures by a screw e³, a part e, that can also
slide up and down with the rod, which part e, has a slot in its lengthway through
which a screw e, passes into a hole in the rod or tube a. This screw e, and the
slot permits the rod to slide up and down the rod or tube a, but prevents the rod
from turning. Only one rod eª, is shown on one side, as the other rod on the other
side is exactly the same.
The cylinder e, is or may be part of a piece e, by which it is clamped by two
screws et, to the rods a.
The fluid supply pipe f, is connected with the lower end of the cylinder.
Fig. 7, is a plan view of one rod e", having the arm e°, carrying the brake
block e.
Fig. 8, is a full size longitudinal section of the handle on one steering arm form-
ing a ram pump for actuating the brakes by liquid pressure.
A tube h, forming the hollow ram is screwed fluid tight into the end tube a¹,
of one steering handle arm, but there is a washer h¹, first screwed fluid tight against
a shoulder on the ram h.
This washer h¹, has a screw thread on its edge that fits a screw tapped thread
on the interior tubular part of the handle h2, one end of which forms the ram
cylinder, a tight joint being made between the ram h, and cylinder h², by an hydraulic
packing ring 3, held fluid tight in position by a ring screw h, which screws
into threads in the interior of the tube handle, the ring screw nut h, having holes

page_text: .
or notches in its face, by which it can be rotated by a suitable key engaging with
the holes or notches.
By rotating the handle 2, it can be screwed inwards until the face of the ring
nut h, comes against the inner face of the washer h¹, with screw thread on its
edge, this will force the liquid out of the ram cylinder h², and by rotating the
handle in the opposite direction the liquid will again pass into the cylinder by
suction, a screw pin h5, passing through the side of the tube h2, forming a stop to
the outward movement of the cylinder handle h².
The area of the ram h, and its length of stroke will propel more liquid than is
required by the rams applying the brakes. Fig. 9, is a sectional elevation of another
arrangement of ram pump; k, is the cylinder having its inlet and outlet at the
bottom (as shown) or at the side.
The ram k¹, is made fluid tight with the cylinder by an hydraulic ring ², which
is kept in position by a flange ³, forming part of a stand *, which flange is secured
to the cylinder k, by two or more screws k³, each screwing through a hole in the
flange into a screw tapped hole in an ear or lug from the cylinder k. The stand K+,
carrys the bearings for the outer end of a screw 6, arranged to rotate but not move
endways, and there is a hand wheel 7, secured at the outer end of the screw
which at its inner end screws through a nut thread carried in arms across the
open end of the hollow ram k', from which there are forked projections 8, that
pass on each side of the legs of the stand k, or one projection is on one side of one
leg and the same side of the other leg, thus preventing the ram k¹, from turning.
The ram and cylinder may be secured endways or sideways to the handle bar a¹,
or framing a², of the machine.
Fig. 10 illustrates the application of the brakes and their connection with the
pump.
The position of the brake cylinders and rams as applied to the driving wheel b,
(one of the modifications hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figs. 1, 2 and 3
being supposed to be used) is indicated by e.
In Figs. 10, 11 and 12, one pump similar to that illustrated by Fig. 8, is sup-
posed to be applied to the handle bar a¹, forming one handle.
Another pump similar to that illustrated by Fig. 9, is shown clamped to the
upper tube a, of the framing near the steering axle a¹, one or the other of these
pumps is or may be used, and the pump or one similar to it may be on the handle
bar, apart from the handles which may be ordinary.
Another pair of brake rams and cylinders is or may also be clamped to the
forks, of the steering wheel b¹, as indicated at e*.
If the pump is formed by the handle Fig. 8, its hollow ram h, may communicate
with the hollow of the steering arm a¹, or with a separate pipe outside of it.
If with the hollow of the steering arms, the hollow steering axle a¹, may have
a fluid tight partition at a, and there may be metal nozzles screwed fluid tight
into the steering axle at f¹, with which a pipe f2, is jointed passing to the cylinders
of the brakes at e*.
This pipe f, may be clamped to the fork of the steering wheel at a³.
If the upper part of the steering axle 4, to which the arms a¹, are attached,
is to be adjustable up and down, the pipe f2, will have to be made telescopic and
the joint between the telescopic pipes made by an hydraulic packing ring, or a
connection will have to be made between the pipes by a flexible pipe.
There is or may be another metal nozzle in the axle a, connected by an india-
rubber flexible tube 3, (having a helix of wire inside to prevent collapse) with
another pipe f, clamped to the tube framing a², of the machine.
The joints between the ends of the metal pipe and the flexible tube may be made
in a known manner as shown in Fig. 13, the end of the metal tubes or nozzles
being of bulbous shape, over which the end of the flexible tube f³, is passed and
is secured by a metal ring f³, (first passed over the bulbous end of the tube).
Or this ring may be made to screw on the tube behind the bulb and when the

page_text: india-rubber tube is passed over the bulb the ring, fo,. is screwed, against it, and the
tube against the bulb. The flexible tube permits the steering axle at, to be oscil-
lated to and fro in steering. The pipe fmay be connected with that f, going to
the brake cylinder and rams e, for the driving wheel, b, or it may be connected
with the pump secured on the framing a². Either pump could..thus act for the
brakes on the driving or steering wheel b¹, or both.
21.7
To make up for any loss or leakage of fluid, there may be a vessel 1, screwing
into the upper end of the hollow axis a', of the steering axle to contain liquid,
the opening for supplying this fluid to the vessel: 7, being closed (not air tight)
by a cap to prevent spilling. In the junction between this vessel, and, the
steering axle there is a valve which will open inwards but close outwards which
may be similar to the one hereinafter referred to.
.
.
If there is any deficiency of fluid in the tubes, pump, or ram cylinders of the
brakes when the pump makes its outward or suction stroke, this small valve will
open and allow liquid to enter but will close during the pressure or inward stroke
of the pump. During the suction or outward stroke the pressure of the atmos-
phere will act to force in the brake rams and if the atmospheric pressure is not
sufficient to overcome the friction of the rams, the springs as herein before described
will assist to force the rams inwards.
In Fig. 10, the pump described by Fig. 9, is supposed to be clamped to the bar a²,
of the framing as shown, and by its side and formed in the same casting there may
be a vessel 12, communicating with the ram cylinder k, at its lower end. At the
lower part of the vessel 12, there is a partition 13, leaving a cavity below it in which
partition a valve 4, is screwed fluid tight, this valve is shown full size by Fig. 14
a vertical section, the spindle 15, of the valve is guided in a part 16, that can be
screwed into the partition, the valve being drawn up against its seating by a helical
spring, acting against a collar on the spindle, and a cross bar on the stand.
The upper part of the stand 16, is made squared to suit a key by which it may be
screwed in and out. The fluid passes from the ram cylinder h, through the passage
at the bottom of the vessel 7, and from it to the pipe or pipes for conveying the
liquid to the ram brakes. The vessel 1, has a cap 1, not air tight, to prevent the
liquid from spilling.
My invention when applied to the driving wheels especially will provide against
accidents to the endless chain or pedals when descending steep roads, as the brakes
may be instantly applied and held on without trouble to the rider.
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 combination with the driving and steering wheels of bicycles or with
either of them of hydraulic rams carrying brake blocks to act against the metal
rims on each side with equal pressure substantially as hereinbefore described..
2. The combination and arrangement of hydraulic cylinders and rams having
brakes acting directly, or rams and cylinders acting through lever and rods, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by Fig. 1,
Figs. 2 and 3, Figs. 4 and 5 and Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings.
3. The combination of hydraulic handle pump substantially as and for the pur-
pose hereinbefore described and illustrated by Fig. 8, of the drawings.
4. The combination of screw pump substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described and illustrated by Fig. 9, of the drawings.
5. The application and combination of either pump illustrated by Fig. 8 or
Fig. 9, for actuating hydraulic brake rams substantially as and for the purpose
herein before described and illustrated by Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 more
especially by Fig. 10 of the drawings.
6. The combination of mechanism or apparatus where a pump or its equivalent
is used similar to those herein before described and illustrated by Figs. and 9

page_text: with means for supplying liquid lost by leakage substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the drawings..
Dated this Twenty-fourth day of December 1897.
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.