Improvements in Roller Brakes for Cycles and like Vehicles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 30th May, 1895-Accepted, 3rd Aug.,
1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Roller Brakes for Cycles and like Vehicles.
I ARTHUR CUTHBERT, Gentleman, residing at "Rosebourne," Bath Road,
Maidenhead, Berkshire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of it is to produce a brake which will not wear a delicate tyre, and
can therefore be use with impunity upon a pneumatic tyre in descending a long
hill; and one which, with a minimum of working parts, shall act effectively in
proportion to the force with which it is applied.
For this purpose I construct a brake-block of two or more rollers mounted to
freely revolve upon a fixed, common axle. The rollers are held in their places
laterally upon the axle either by the frame which carries them and the axle, or
by two flanges fixed upon the axle. This frame, carrying the said axle and
rollers with their necessary fittings, is adapted to take the place of the usual brake-
block or spoon, such as is ordinarily use upon cycles; or to be attached to the
machine in the same, similar or any manner; the brake being applied by the usual
lever, by the feet, or any practicable means.
My invention consists, principally in the means by which I obtain the brake
effect at the outer ends of the rollers; and in the following details of construction.
I make one or more of the rollers either wholly or partially of elastic material,
such as elastic india-rubber; then the pressure of the roller or rollers against the
wheel when the brake is applied, causes the roller or rollers to expand in the
direction of the axle, which expansion forces the roller ends nearest the frame
into frictional contact with it or the above-mentioned flanges, as the rollers revolve
upon the vehicle wheel.
For the outer ends of the two end rollers and for the centre where they bear
upen the axle I prefer to use metal in construction; for the greater body of
the rollers, from their adjacent ends, the elastic material is preferable. I sóme-
times bevel the edges of the flanges and turn out the metal ends of the rollers to
fit over the bevelled part, so that the flanges form cone bearings of large diameter
for the two outer ends of the rollers, thereby increasing the frictional surface of the
brake. Between the two outer rollers I sometimes insert one or more elastic ones
which may or may not have metallic centres. These intermediate rollers may be in
the form of either rubber bands or washers, and are inserted on purpose either, to
increase the brake effect by increasing the range of lateral expansion, or to
prevent the rollers from rattling when the brake is off, or for both of these
purposes. In the case where there are more than two rollers on the axle it is
sometimes advantageous to make the two outer ones entirely of metal. In order to
prevent the intermediate rollers from revolving independently of each other or the
end ones, I sometimes make thein with irregular, wavy, or indented ends adapted
to catch upon each other and to drag one another round; the separate rollers
forming, in fact, sections, or parts of one roller, the divisions between the said
rollers, sections, or parts, as the case may be, being necessary to allow the above-
mentioned expansion to take place.
mean
In order to readily attach this brake to cycles (by "cycles" I herein
bicycles, tricycles and like vehicles) having a "plunger" socket for the ordinary
brake, 1:construct a metal piece; say, about the length of the brake axle; it may

page_text: be straight, but I prefer to bend the ends downward and backward, or only down-
ward. This is bolted through its centre to the socket, either above or below it, or
may be attached upside down, i.e. with its ends sloping upward intead of downward.
It is obvious the ends may be thus made to assume four different heights in
attaching it to any one socket, or two different heights if it is straight. From
the ends of this piece links extend to the sides of the brake-block, which hold it in
place and allow it to be moved on and off, i.e. to and from the wheel. This piece
can be furnished with springs and stops to act upon the links and hold the brake
off when it is not in use.
Dated this Eighteenth day of December 1894.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Roller Brakes for Cycles and like Vehicles.
I, ARTHUR CUTHBERT, Rosebourn Bath Road Maidenhead, Berkshire
Gentleman, 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 object of my invention is to produce a brake which will not wear a delicate
tyre, and can therefore be used with impunity upon a pneumatic tyre in descending
a long hill; and one which with a minimum of working parts shall act effectively in
proportion to the force with which it is applied, and consists in the improved
construction of certain parts therein, and the same is carried out as follows,
reference being had to the annexed drawings in which :—
Figure 1 is a side elevation showing my invention.
Figure 2. Sectional front elevation of same.
Figure 3. Perspective view of same.
Figure 4. Plan view of same.
Figure 5. Cross section of a means of attachment to the cycle.
Figure 6. Elevation of same.
Figure 7. Side elevation of a modified arrangement.
Figures 8 & 9. Elevation and plan of same.
Referring to Figures 1 & 2. a a, are two rollers which are corrugated or fluted
and which carry the rubber surfaces bb. These rollers run upon a spindle c and
this spindle is carried in a frame d. The coned ends of the rollers a a bear upon
cones or rubbing surfaces ee one of which is screwed upon the spindle c in order
that the rollers may be adjusted. The cones e e are prevented from rotating by
means of small stops f, f, which engage in small recesses; I, l are lock nuts or such
convenient and well known means for holding and retaining the various parts in
position after adjustment. 9, 9 are links which are pivotally attached to any
convenient part such as the fork, at h by means of pivots 2; i is the brake rod
which may be operated by hand or the like. The operation of the brake is as
follows. When the rubber surfaces of the rollers a, a are brought into contact
with the tyre ; of the wheel they are compressed to a certain degree which causes
the rollers a a to tend to separate, thus exerting pressure upon and friction between
the surface of the cones e, e and the ends of the rollers a, a according to the
degree of force with which the rollers a, a are caused to bear upon the tyre, thus
acting as a brake. k is absorbent material carried in a cavity or cavities formed at
a suitable part of the roller a such as that shown in Figure 2, for the purpose of
lubrication; the lubricant being supplied to the absorbent material & through a
suitable oil hole such as at o. Any convenient form of mud guard may be employed
such as that shown at m.
Referring to Figure 5. n is a band which encircles the frame p. of the cycle

page_text: and is tightened by means of the nut and bolt v, 9 being a plate for preventing
the band n from moving, the link being pivoted at w.
Figure 7. in this case the link is pivoted at y. to the support and is shown in
front elevation in Figure 8 and in plan in Figure 9. I am aware that a similar
principle has been employed for acting as a brake, but I do not lay any claim to
such principle, but only to the improved details of construction of certain parts
forming my improved brake.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. In brakes for bicycles, tricycles, and the like of the class herein described,
rollers having flutings or corrugations which carry the rubber or flexible bearing
surface, with or without a cavity or cavities in said rollers for containing absorbent
material by which the lubricant is carried, the coned ends of the rollers bearing
upon friction surfaces carried upon a spindle, one of the surfaces being adjustable,.
the said surfaces being prevented from rotating by means of projections which
engage in recesses formed in the surfaces, the whole being connected to the machine
by a band encircling a suitable part of same and secured by a bolt & nut in
conjunction with a plate for preventing twisting or shifting when in use, suitable
links or levers being pivoted thereto and also to the frame carrying the rollers;
the same being operated by a suitable brake rod or handle bar, all in combination
and substantially as herein described and illustrated.
2. lu brakes for bicycles, tricycles, and the like of the class herein described,
fluted or corrugated rollers for carrying the rubber or flexible bearing surface,
substantially as described and illustrated.
3. In rollers for brakes for bicycles, tricycles and the like of the class herein
described, a cavity or cavities in said rollers for containing a lubricant, carried by
absorbent material for purposes of lubrication, substantially as described and
illustrated herein.
Dated this 30th day of May 1895.
E. EATON,
Agent for Applicant.