Improvements in Cycle Brakes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 23rd July, 1898
Improvements in Cycle Brakes.
1, BERNHARD LÖNS, Manufacturer, of Wesel, in the German Empire, 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 brake-mechanism for velocipedes, which can be operated
without using the hand, the brake being applied by the weight of the rider, as soon
as he leans backward and thereby releases a bolt. In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle provided with a brake embodying my
invention; Figs. 2 to 4 represent details of construction on a larger scale.
-
In the example shown by the drawings the saddle is hinged to the saddle support b
by means of a pin a (Fig. 3), and a lever h situated behind the saddle is pivoted
to an arm 62 of the saddle support 6 by means of a pin h¹. A wedge-shaped bolt r is
adapted to slide horizontally on the part b¹ of the saddle support and connected with
the lever h by a short link c. The bolt has a short arm or lug r¹ projecting
downward through a slot of the part b¹ and abutting against a coiled spring f which is
enclosed in the said part b¹ and tends to push the bolt forward.
A roller e situated under the rear part of the saddle supports the same and is
supported by the holt r. The roller axle has its bearings in the upper extremity of a
rod 8 s guided in the diagonal stay or saddle supporting tube d of the cycle
frame.
As shown by Fig. 3A, the front part of the bolt r has a slot or recess, through which
passes the flattened upper end of the rod 8. The roller e is composed of two parts
situated right and left of the rod s.
r"
If the cyclist leans backward, the lever h recedes and withdraws the wedge shaped
bolt from underneath the roller e. Consequently, the saddle, which supports the
weight of the rider, will press the roller e and rod s s¹ downward in proportion as the
bolt bas been withdrawn. The lower end of the rod 8 81, which when at rest is held
up by a spring, acts on the upper arm of the bell-crank lever i, so as to press the
brake block against the circumference of the tyre by means of a link k and brake
lever which connect the lever with the brake block. The short arm of the lever i
passes through a slot of the tubular stay d, and the brake lever is pivoted within
the fork or between the lower tubes of the cycle frame, as shown by the
drawings.
If the bolt is withdrawn completely, the brake acts with great force, because the
weight of the rider presses more strongly on the rear part of the saddie. If the rider
leans again forward, the rear part of the saddle is partly relieved of its load, and the
bolt is again pressed forward by the spring f, so as to support the roller e,
consequently the brake is set out of action and remains inactive until the rider again
presses upon the lever h.
If it is desired, to exercise only a weak brake action, the lever and the bolt are
shifted a shorter distance, consequently the brake lever will also move a shorter
distance.
To ensure, that the roller e will retain its position, when supported by the bolt r,

page_text: as shown by Fig. 3, the latter is not wedge shaped up to the hinge, but forms a
horizontal rest ². That part of the lever h, which projects above the saddle, is
connected with the lower part by a hinge p, and held in its upright position by a
spring t, so that it can turn forward, and down upon the saddle, as indicated in
Fig. 3 by dotted lines, if the rider in the act of mounting upon the saddle, collides
with the said lever. A pair of stops pl are provided to prevent the lever from
turning back beyond its vertical position. Instead of adopting a hinge-joint,
however, the upper part of the lever h may be adapted to slide downward, when
required.
In order, that the saddle can be placed higher and lower, the brake rod 8, 81 is
hollow and composed of two parts adapted to telescope in and out.
The inner tube 8
has a longitudinal slot, one edge of which has a series of teeth, as shown by Fig. 2,
while the outer tube s¹ is provided with a pin m which rests between the said teeth,
when the saddle has its normal position. If, however, the saddle be turned into an
inclined position, the pin m will get clear of the teeth and can be shifted up and
down in the slot.
The rods, s¹ can now be shortened or lengthened, according to requirement. The
brake rod 8, $1 may
be situated outside the tube d, instead of inside, the mechanism
may be modified so that the brake lever will be actuated by a pull instead of hy a
thrust, and the brake may be adapted to act on the rim of the wheel, instead of
acting on the tyre. Instead of a lever h operated when the body of the rider is
leaning back, a slide may be used; for instance the bolt may be directly connected
with a strap projecting over the back of the saddle.
In the drawings Fig. 3 shows the brake out of action, while Fig. 4 shows it when
applied to the tyre. Fig. 3A is a section through the wedge r and upper end of
tube d; Fig. 3B is a plan of the wedge.
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 I
claim is
1. A cycle brake adapted to be operated by the weight of the rider, in the manner
substantially as described.
2. A cycle brake comprising in its construction a retaining bolt adapted to hold
the brake block in the off-position, mechanism for withdrawing the said bolt by the
reclining motion of the rider, and mechanism for applying the brake through
the weight of the rider, after the withdrawal of the bolt, substantially as described.
3. A cycle brake of the type described, having a brake-rod 8, 8¹ enclosed in the
saddle supporting tube d and a brake lever pivoted in the interior of the fork g.
4. In a cycle brake of the type described, a brake rod composed of two telescopic
parts 8 and s¹, one of which has a longitudinal slot provided with a toothed edge,
while the other is provided with a supporting pin m, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
Dated this 16th day of November 1897.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
Agents, 37 and 39, Essex Street, Strand, London.