Improvements in or relating to Brakes for Velocipedes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 9th Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Brakes for Velocipedes.
I, THOMAS CLARKE, of 180, Stockport Road, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Cycle Manufacturer, 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 consists essentially in the combination of a rim brake with an
ordinary block or tyre brake with facilities for allowing of each being used
separately or of both being applied at the same time under the action of a brake-
operating rod common to both. It also consists in means for locking the brakes
in various degrees of contact with the wheel and allowing the rider to lock or
unlock the brakes by one hand.
On the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 illustrates a part side view, and Fig. 2
a part front view of the steering pillar, fork crown and handle bar of a bicycle
with my invention applied thereto.
Figs. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate three alternative positions of the brakes, Fig. B
shewing both brakes applied, Fig. 4 shewing the tyre brake only applied and
Fig. 5 shewing the rim brake only applied.
According to my invention I apply to the fork crown (A) a guide bracket (B)
through the guide part of which passes the tubular rod (C) for operating the
ordinary brake-block (D).
Above such guide and surrounding the rod I place the usual spring (E) for
holding the brake (1) clear of the wheel. Below such guide part, which is suffi-
ciently high for the purpose, I mount a small boss (1) which I fix on the rod (C)
by set screw (G). To such boss I connect a set of links (H) and to such links I
connect the extremities of a set of levers (I) mounted on fulcra (J) carried by
clamps (K) secured to the forks (L) of the wheel (M). These levers carry or form
a rim brake and under the movements of the levers on their fulcera is adapted to
press against the wheel rim as shewn in Fig. 3.
When it is desired that both brakes shall operate upon the wheel, the boss (F)
is so set, or adjusted upon the rod (C) that when the brake (D) is pressed into
contact with the tyre of the wheel the rim brake simultaneously presses against
and grips the rim as shewn in Fig. 3, thus affording a very powerful brake action
suitable for hilly country.
When it is desired that brake (D) only be applied the boss (F) is slackened and
reclamped further up the rod (C) and from the brake (D), consequently, when
the rod (C) is depressed, the rim brake fails to touch the rim and the brake (D)
only operates on the wheel, as shewn in Fig. 4.
When it is desired that the rim brake only be applied the boss (F) is slackened
and reclamped lower down the rod (C) and nearer the brake (D), and in such
position the rim brake grips the rim before the brake (D) can touch the wheel
tyre, as shewn in Fig. 5. In all three instances the brake, or brakes, is or, are
operated by the same operating rod.
The rim brake acts, by preference, on the extreme sides of the rim, or partly

page_text: on the rim, and partly on the tyre, and is thereby adapted for acting on all kinds
of rims.
For enabling the brakes to be held continuously in contact with the wheel and
to be held in contact with varying degrees of pressure, I employ a ratchet (N)
attached to the brake handle (0) and passing through a small guide (P) clamped
to the handle bar (Q). Within, or about the guide is a spring (R) and the posi-
tion of the ratchet within the guide is such that under the pressure of the spring
its teeth engage with the top edge of the guide as illustrated. The upper end
of the ratchet is formed as a thumb-piece, or fitted with a knob, and when it is
pressed by the rider's thumb the ratchet teeth are brought out of engagement
with the guide.
When it is desired to apply the brake, or brakes, and lock it, or them, in con-
tact with the wheel, the brake handle (0) is pressed up towards the handle bar in
the ordinary way. With such movement the ratchet moves upwards in the
guide (P), the ratchet teeth slipping over the edge of the guide, and when fully
raised preventing the ratchet descending again, and thus locking the brake, or
brakes in contact with the wheel.
When requiring to release the brake, or brakes a slight pressure of the thumb
upon the ratchet instantly disengages it, and allows the brake handle to be
lowered, and the brakes to be removed from contact with the wheel. By the
partial lifting of the handle (0) it will be seen that the brakes may be applied and
locked by the ratchet in contact with the wheel in varying degrees of contact,
and thus afford facilities for regulating the brake power to the amount required.
As a modification I may reverse the ratchet bar and mount the guide on the
brake handle, or adapt the ratchet to pass through the handle bar or brake handle,
in lieu of a separate guide, but I prefer the arrangement shewn.
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: In velocipedes, the combination of a tyre brake with a rim brake, and a
ratchet brake-handle locking device, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth,.
2: In velocipedes, the combination of a tyre brake with a rim brake operated
by a single brake rod and handle, and means for allowing one or the other, or both,
to be applied and removed, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3: In velocipedes, a brake handle, a ratchet applied hereto, a guide or catch
in the handle bar (or vice-versa) and said ratchet engaging and disengaging the
guide or catch, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 24th day of Octobe 1899.
1899.
THOMAS CLARKE.
By John G. Wilson & Co., Fels. I.P.A.,
Agents for Applicant,
55, Market Street, Manchester.