Improvements in Automatic Brakes for Vehicles.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Sept., 1884-Accepted, 3rd May, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Brakes for Vehicles.
I, ARTHUR SUTTER, of 16 Mark Lane, London E.C. Merchant, do hereby declare
the nature of this Invention (a communication to me from abroad by Jacob Jaeggli
of Frauenfeld, Switzerland, Engineer,) and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This Invention relates to improvements in automatic breaks for carriages or
vehicles, and consists in utilizing the weight of the vehicle, and that of the load
placed thereon, for actuating one or several breaks, whenever the said vehicle is
moving upon an inclined surface, so that the steeper the latter is the greater will be
the power with which the break or breaks will be applied against the periphery of
the wheels. This Invention further relates to devices or mechanism for preventing
the recoil or backward motion of vehicles.
The accompanying drawings fully illustrate this Invention. Figure 1 is a longitu-
dinal section of a loaded vehicle, moving upon level ground, and provided with break
apparatus.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of a loaded vehicle moving upon a somewhat
inclined ground.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views on line A B of fig. 10, illustrating at an
enlarged scalo the various positions of the break mechanism corresponding to those
of figs. 1, 2, & 3.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 are sectional views on line CD of fig. 10, illustrating at an
enlarged scale, the various positions of the break mechanism corresponding to those
of figs. 1, 2 & 3.
Fig. 10 is half a front view, and half a sectional view of the brake mechanism
shewn at an enlarged scale, and Figure 11 is a plan corresponding thereto.
Figure 12 is a view partly in section of a gun carriage, and particularly of its
ammunition cart moving on level ground, and provided with the improved break
mechanism, Fig. 13 is a similar view of a gun carriage moving on an inclined
ground.
Figures 14 and 15 shew the essential component parts of the break mechanism
drawn at an enlarged scale in corresponding positions with those illustrated in
Figs. 12 & 13, and Figure 16 is a front view corresponding to figure 14.
Figures 17 and 18 illustrate a device for preventing vehicles ascending inclines
from recoiling or moving backwards.
Figures 19 and 20 shew partly in section, two different positions of the break
mechanism for both the rear and front wheels.
Fig. 21 is a guiding rail drawn at an enlarged scale.
It may be further mentioned that Figures 1, 2, and 3, shew for the proper under-
standing of the Invention, longitudinal sections of the rollers, although the latter are
0 not claimed.
As shewn in the drawings, the rear axle 1 is firmly connected with the vehicle, and
The distance
the break shoes 3 are applied upon the wheels mounted upon this axle.
between the front or steering axle 2. and the rear axle 1, which is fixed in ordinary
vehicles, is capable, according to this Invention, of being varied within predetermined
limits. Below the platform 10 of the vehicle, is fixed a channel iron 6 furnished
below with guiding irons 6, and toothed segments 6b, the latter being provided
laterally with slotted guides 6°. Upon the axle 2. is mounted the disc 4, connected
centrally with a disc 4, by means of a bolt so that the lower disc 4, to which the
shaft of the vehicle is fixed, may move upon such bolt against the upper fixed disc 4°.
0 Upon the said disc 4ª, is placed the rail 5, which is also furnished with a guide

page_text: rail 5 and a toothed segment 5', the latter having lateral guiding slots 5º. A shaft 7
provided with rollers S, and toothed wheels 8ª, "has its bearing within the slots 5°
and C. The rollers 8 move between the guides 6ª, and 5, and the toothed wheels 8ª
between the toothed segments 6 and 5. The upper iron 6 carries a bracket 12,
and the lower iron 5 carries a bracket 13. Upon the pin 12", passing through the
former bracket, pivots a lever g, furnished at its lower part with a slot, in which
moves the pin 13, of the bracket 13. Above the centre of this lever g, is attached
the draw rod 11 which pivots upon the pin g, and is joined to a lever 14, oscillating
at 14. The break shoe 3 is secured to the rod 11.
My improved automatic break operates as follows: When the vehicle furnished
therewith is moving upon level ground, the break mechanism assumes the position
shown in figure 1 (figs. 4, 7). The vehicle shaft, connected with the axle 2. and the
disc 4, are drawn forward, the shaft 7 is moved to the rear end of the lower guiding
slot 5, and hence to the front end of the upper slot. 6c, the rollers S, and the wheels 8*
assuming the position corresponding to that of such shaft. When the vehicle is now
moved upon an inclined ground, the weight of the vehicle exerting a forward pres-
sure, the upper part of the vehicle moves forward upon the rollers and the hind
wheels in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 4) so that the distance between the front
axle 2, and the rear axle 1, is decreased (Fig. 2). The upper end of the lever g, is
also caused to move forward, (Fig. 5,) whereby the draw rod 11, is drawn a distance
inferior to that covered by the rear axle so that the break shoe 3 is pressed against
the periphery of the hind wheel. The motion of the rollers 8 is communicated to
the toothed wheels 8", mounted upon the same shaft 7, so that these wheels move now
forward, gearing with the toothed segments Cb, and 5b, such motion having only for
its object to prevent any irregularity in the forward motion of the rollers S.
The steeper the ground is over which the vehicle is driven, the greater will be the
power with which the break shoes 3 will be applied (Fig. 3), as the pressure of the
carriage weight is greatest in front. The upper part of the vehicle with the rear
axle 1 can only be so far pushed towards the under part thereof, until the shaft 7,
reaches the rear end of the upper slot 6°, and hence the front end of the lower slot 5°
(Figs. 7 & 9), this case however does not occur until the breaks are strongly
pressed upon the wheels, and the ground is particularly steep.
In order to provide independently of the breaks of the hind wheels, similar
breaks for the front wheels, an arm 15, is fixed in front. of the bracket b,
(Figs. 19 and 20) and carries a pin 15 upon which pivots a lever 16, connected
with another lever 17, by means of a pin 16", the latter lever pivoting upon the.
pin 17. The lever 17 actuates a draw rod 18 which is fixed to the break shop 19,
suspended to the upper part of the vehicle by means of the rod .20. When the
vehicle moves forward as above stated, the breaks are also applied to the front as
well as to the rear wheels thereof, as the arm 15 draws, by means of the lever 16,
the lever 17 forward, whereby the draw rod 18 presses the break shoes 19, against
the periphery of the wheel.
In ordinary cases, the general break mechanism is drawn back in the. position
shewn in figures 1 and 19, as soon as the vehicle arrives again on lével ground.
This, however, in some cases inay not occur immediately riz.: when the load on the
front part of the vehicle is too heavy comparatively to that on the back, part thereof,
and hence it is requisite to provide the following regulating mechanism to remedy this
defect. The draw hook block 20, which pivots usually on the bolt 27, is provided
with a slot so as to enable it to move to and fro upon the carriage shaft. A little to
the rear of this block 26 is screwed upon the said shaft a bracket 28, furnished with
a pin 28, upon which pivots a double armed lever 21. The latter is connected at its
lower end with the block 26 by means of a chain or other device, the upper end of
the said lever being connected with the arm by means of a draw rod 22. When the
vehicle is drawn again on to a level road, the hook block 26 moves forward, and,
pulling the long end of the lever 21 by means of the chain 24, disconnects the break
mechanism as will be seen by referring to figs. 19 and 20 of the drawing. To
prevent an unforseen action of the break mechanism when the vehicle is moved

page_text: backwards, and the horses push the shaft likewise rearwards, the link 24", of the
chain 24, is attached to a hook 24 of the shaft, whereby the upper and lower part of
the vehicle are prevented from moving against one another. By connecting the
upper and short end of the lever 21 with the block 26, by ineans of a chain, the
break mechanism is fixed in position for use, but cannot be thrown out of gear by
a pull of the horses. The lever 21 can also be provided with a hand lever 23, which
serves to prevent the horses starting in the absence of the driver, who need only fasten
his reins around the said lever for a pull thereon to cause the application of the
brakes.
The same break mechanism as applied to the front wheels can also be made appli-
cable to field guns. In this case when descending a steep gradient the weight of the
ordnance yoked to the ammunition cart serves, instead of the weight of the vehicle.
itself to actuate the breaks.
Behind the wheel axle of the ammunition cart A a hook 30 is arranged to pivot
upon a pin 31, and upon this hook is attached the tail end of the gun carriage B.
This hook 30, is connected by means of the rod 32, with the long arm of the double
armed lever 33 which pivots upon the pin 34, while the short arm thereof is connected
with the break shoe 36, by means of a draw rod 35. The lever 33 has a projection 37
which strikes against an anvil 38. A lever pivoting upon the bolt 40, is connected
by its lower and short end to the draw rod 35 by means of the rod 41.
When the gun is driven upon inclined ground in a downward sense, the tail B, of
the gun carriage presses the hook 30 forward, which causes the break shoe 36 to be
applied to the wheel. The forward motion of the lever 39 causes the breaks to be
applied even on level grounds.
.
As it appears desirable to provide a safety contrivance for preventing the vehicles,
guns &c. from moving backwards or recoiling when, on ascending hilly ground, the
horses pause for resting or blowing purposes, a ratchet wheel 46, (figs. 17 & 18)
may be fixed upon the axle, while a pawl is secured above the former. In ordinary
cases, the latter is held in a raised position by means of a cord, which when released,
allows the safety contrivance to enter into action.
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. In break mechanism automatically operated by the weight of the vehicle
furnished therewith, which weight decreases the distance between the front and rear
axles, when the said vehicle is driven down hill, the arrangement of a shaft 7, between
the upper part 10 of the vehicle, and the movable axle 2, or the corresponding under
part thereof, which shaft is provided with rollers 8, between the rails 5 and 6, and
with the toothed wheels 8 between the upper and lower toothed segments 6 and 5b,
the former being connected with the upper part of the vehicle, and the latter with
the corresponding lower part thereof (movable front axle) while their shafts are
guided within the slots 5 and 6° respectively, the said segments limiting the lateral
motion thereof, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. In break mechanism, automatically operated by the weight of the vehicle
furnished therewith, which weight decreases the distance between the front and rear
axles when the said vehicle is driven downhill, the device for applying the breaks to
the front wheel, consistisng of the arrangement of an arm 15 upon the weighted
platform of the vehicle and of levers (16 & 17) connected on one side with this arm,
and on the other with the front axle, the lever 17 being connected through the draw
rod 18, with the breakshoe 19, substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. In break mechanism for vehicles which operate automatically when the latter
are driven downhill, in consequence of their weight reducing the distance between the
front and rear axle thereof, a device consisting of a lever 21, whose upper short end
is connected with the upper part of the vehicle, or with the arm 15, and whose lower
long end is connected by a chain 24 with the draw hook block 26, in order to with-
draw the breaks, when level ground is being again driven over, should there be any

page_text: irregularity in the distribution of the weight, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
4. The device for preventing the backward motion or recoil of the vehicles when
driven uphill consisting of the ratchet wheel 46, in which engages a releasable pawl,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 27th day of September 1889.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHE3,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.