AN IMPROVED BREAK APPLICABLE TO THE WHEELS OF OMNIBUSES, RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND TO VARIOUS MECHANICAL APPLIANCES OR MACHINES."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Mill Frederick Molesworth, of Northdown Hall,
Bideford, Devonshire, Captain in the Royal Navy, for an Invention of "AN
IMPROVED BREAK APPLICABLE TO THE WHEELS OF OMNIBUSES, RAILWAY
CARRIAGES, AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND TO VARIOUS MECHANICAL APPLIANCES
OR MACHINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Mill Frederick
Molesworth at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th
December 1880.
GEORGE MILL FREDERICK MOLESWORTH, of Northdown Hall, Bideford,
Devonshire, Captain in the Royal Navy. "AN IMPROVED BREAK APPLICABLE TO
THE WHEELS OF OMNIBUSES, RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND
TO VARIOUS MECHANICAL APPLIANCES OR MACHINES."
I place on the axle or boss of the wheel a small iron (or other metal) wheel, and
in this groove I run a small band of wedges or blocks of wood or other material
joined together with a steel or iron chain or band; one end of the chain or band is
fixed to a rod or chain which is attached to a direct block which acts on the outer
circumferance of the wheel; this break is kept in its place, that is, about one or two
inches from the wheel by means of a spring, and the chain, band, wedges or blocks
are kept from contact with the small grooved wheel by means of another spring
acting in an opposite or different direction, so that the wheel revolves freely; the
break may also be used without these springs; the chain or band then passes under
the boss of the grooved wheel and is attached or fastened to a piece of string or other
attachment of any material. It is necessary only to tighten the spring in order to
stop the wheel, and so bring the end of the chain or band, wedges or blocks, in
contact with the grooved wheel, and an instantaneous lock is thus effected. The
string or other attachment has only to be slackened and the wheel is immediately
released. The wheel revolving will thus make its own break at the option of the
driver, conductor, or other person in charge.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Mill Frederick Molesworth in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 15th June 1881.
GEORGE MILL FREDERICK MOLESWORTH, of Northdown Hall, Bideford,
Devonshire, Captain in the Royal Navy. "AN IMPROVED BRAKE APPLICABLE TO
THE WHEELS OF OMNIBUSES, RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND
TO VARIOUS MECHANICAL APPLIANCES OR MACHINES."
This Invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying
Drawings, in which like letters represent like parts. Fig. 1 is a side elevation of
the wheel of an omnibus or other road vehicle as fitted with my improved brake,
and Fig. 2 is a plan of the same; Fig. 3 shows a modified form of the brake blocks
and chain, and Fig. 4 shows a section and elevation of the grooved brake pulley;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the brake pulley and peripheral block as they would
be applied to most kinds of revolving wheels, etcetera, in mechanical appliances or
machines.
A is the boss or hub of the wheel A, to which boss is attached (or it may form
part of it) the grooved brake pulley A². The groove A³ of this pulley has tapered sides,
as shown, and round this groove is a brake band, chain, or the like, having blocks
or pieces B whose sides are bevelled to suit the taper of the sides of groove A³.
Intermediate links C may be employed when desired to complete the chain and
connect together blocks B. From one end of this brake chain proceeds a rod or
equivalent (such for instance as a chain or cord) D which terminates at the ordinary
peripheral brake block E held by a suitable spring or equivalent F clear of the
wheel tyre until brought into action. The other end of the brake chain terminates
in a rod, wire, or equivalent G, which ends at the foot, or other lever or means for
applying the brake. The action will be readily understood by referring to
Fig. 1.
The wheel is revolving in the direction indicated by the arrow, and the brake
chain hangs free round the groove; to apply the brake the lever is moved and
draws up the rod or line G, thereby tightening the brake chain and bringing the
blocks B into contact with the sides of the groove A³. The bite of these instantly
pulls rod D and applies the peripheral brake block E with the result that the wheel
is entirely stopped, for the more it turns or tries to turn the tighter it draws the
brake chain and consequently the peripheral block E. It will be seen that the
power of this brake is practically almost unlimited, for the quicker the wheel is
turning or the greater the momentum it has attained the more powerfully is the
brake applied by the wheel itself. The force required upon line G in order to
apply the brake is merely nominal, the real "pull" being applied by the grooved
pulley and brake chain. The angle of the sides of the groove may be considerably
varied to suit different circumstances; in the Drawing the groove is shown rather
deep and narrow, the effect of which is to give a very powerful grip upon the
blocks B. However where only a moderate pull is wanted the groove may be
made shallow and open, which if carried to an extreme would result in a strong
pull being required upon line G, and only a moderate pressure being applied by
the peripheral block E.
In Fig. 1 very few blocks B are shown, but in Fig. 5 there are considerably more;
this is another way of varying the power, as a few blocks would slip more easily
than a larger number. The blocks in Fig. 5 are all attached to a thin band which
runs round outside the groove; this band is a spring, the tendency of which is to
open out all round, and thereby it keeps the blocks clear of the groove very
effectually. It may be hung from the point L.

page_text: Fig. 3 is another form of brake chain and is perhaps the most powerful of all,
since it is entirely composed of blocks B jointed to each other, and therefore bears
entirely or almost entirely round the groove.
Instead of employing the separate grooved pulley the groove could be formed
in the shaft if strong enough, or in the boss, or other convenient part of the wheel
itself. Also instead of the grooved pulley an ordinary flanged pulley or wheel and
a flat band (like an ordinary "strap" brake) could be employed for actuating the
peripheral block, but the grooved pulley with tapered sides is so much superior
that I have not thought it necessary to give any description of such a modification.
It will be at once seen that this form of brake with such modifications as
circumstances may require, is adapted to most kinds of machinery or vehicles where
a revolving wheel, drum, or the like requires to be promptly "braked," and it may
be noted that the injurious strain usually caused to the wheel spokes, bearings,
etcetera, is almost entirely obviated by this Invention.
When it is desired to apply this Invention to a wheel or shaft which requires
to be "braked" when running in either direction, as in the case of railway vehicles,
two of the grooved pulleys may be arranged side by side, or one on each side of
the wheel, etcetera, one brake chain and blocks being placed round so as to tighten
up when it revolves in one direction and the other when it revolves the reverse
When
way, the same peripheral block serving for both motions if so desired.
desired a single grooved pulley and chain can work more than one peripheral block;
for instance, in Fig. 5 one rod D is shown at the top extending towards the left
hand, but a second rod D could be added at the bottom extending towards the
right to work another peripheral block there.
I do not of course bind myself to the exact forms and proportions previously
described, as these may be varied without departing from the principle of the
Invention.
Having now described my Invention and the method of performing the same,
I wish it to be understood that I am aware that there is nothing novel in the
peripheral brake block as it is in common use, and I therefore do not claim it
separately; neither do I claim the use of the grooved pulley and brake chain as a
brake separately, as a somewhat similar form of brake is already known to the
public; but that what I do claim and desire to protect under the bereinbefore in
part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. In a mechanical brake the combination of the peripheral brake block E
with the grooved pulley or its equivalent A² by the intervention of a direct
connecting medium, such as the rod D and surrounding brake chain B, C, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes set forth and shown.
Second. In a mechanical brake the employment of the grooved pulley or its
equivalent A2 as a means of applying (by the direct intervention of its surrounding
brake chain B, C, and connecting rod or equivalent D) the peripheral block E,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth and shown.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Mill Frederick Molesworth, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.