Year: 1898

page_text: I, WALTER BIDDLES, of 62, Humberstone Road, Leicester, in the County of
Leicester, Cycle Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
A partly concealed brake with only the lever and it's attachment to the handle-
bar visible in addition to the spoon.
The brake lever is outside of the handlebar until it reaches the stem, the end
of the lever then passes into the centre of the stem through an aperture made
for that purpose. The shape of the lever may be similar to those which have
been in almost universal use for many years with front wheel brakes.
The connection between the lever and the rod in this my present invention
is by means of a pivot joint as in balances or scales' used with weights for
weighing.
The end of the brake rod is forked to extend up each side of the lever which
thus prevents the rod from turning while the lever is in it's place. The two
sides of the fork may be again connected above the lever thus enabling the rod
to be forced up by pressure on the lever if wished. The brake-rod passes up
the inside of the handlebar stem through which an aperture is made of width and
length required for the end of the lever to pass through and to be moved up
and down to the extent required.
The brake-tube to which the spoon is fixed is placed in the centre of the
steering tube, only the spoon being left visible; a plug in the fork-crown acting
as a guide for the tube, and as a seat for the spring when the present pattern
coil spring is used which however may be optional.
The brake rod is formed into a threaded screw any length desired for adjust-
ment and screws into the top end of the tube which is prepared at the end with
an internal thread to receive the rod, any desired extra length of the rod will
pass down the tube in which it fits as aforesaid.
A hole is made in the top of the handlebar joint in a direct line with the
centre of the rod and tube so that access may be had to adjust the brake without
interfering with the adjustment of the handlebar or stem. A plug or cap is
placed in the aforesaid hole to prevent inlet of dirt or other objectionable matter
and to improve the appearance. The plug or cap aforesaid may be provided
with an appliance for adjustment if desired.
The adjustment of the brake is then obtained by withdrawing the lever from
the handlebar stem and then screwing the rod up or down the desired distance
and replacing the lever.
1
1
T1
1000

page_text: I, WALTER BIDDLES, of 62, Humberstone Road, Leicester, in the County of
Leicester, Cycle Maker, 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 brakes for cycles and has for it's object the placing
of the greater portion of the brake in such a position that it cannot so easily be
damaged by accident and is not affected by the mud or wet, thereby saving
the trouble of cleaning; and for a further object of adding to the appearance
of the cycle and to the reliability of the brake.
The brake is very similar in action to those in almost universal use on cycles
for the past few years viz.-A lever of the same pattern as handlebar: (B) and
fitted to it by clip (u) and pin (P): The brake is applied by gripping the two
together without removing the hand from it's proper riding position on the handle.
The other end of the lever pressing on the brake-rod, tube, and spoon respec-
tively; the pressing of the spoon (m) on to the tyre (0) forming the brake
action.
When the lever (a) reaches the handlebar-stem. (c) it passes through a slot (2)
cut into one side of stem-the stem at this point being strengthened to com-
pensate for the weakening by the slot-and into a slot, fork, or groove (R)
formed in the top end of the brake rod (D).
The brake rod (1) is screwed any length as required for adjustment and is
forked or grooved at the top part (R) to receive the end of the brake lever (a).
The screwed part is made to screw into the collar-J which collar is fixed to the
top of the tube (e). As this brake-rod cannot turn while the end of the 'lever
is between the fork it is apparent that the adjustment cannot be effected except
'by the withdrawal of the brake lever (a) while the necessary adjustment is
obtained, unless only a slight alteration is required when raising or lowering
the handlebar the desired distance would have the effect required. The forkeil
end could be made with only one prong or side if preferred but in that case must
he wide enough to prevent the rod (D) turning while the lever is in position.
The two sides of the fork may be connected above the point occupied by the
lever by a stud (s) or may be left solid if only a slot or groove (R) is made
in the metal such stud or top of groove enabling the brake to be lifted from
the tyre by pressing the lever in the opposite direction to that in which it is
applied. This is a provision against the possibility of the brake getting wedged
while in action or the spring or any other such part failing to act freely through
unforeseen circumstances.
1
The guide-bush (H) through which the brake tube is free to slide is fixed in
the centre of the fork crown (n) either by a screw or pin preventing its acci-
dental removal or possibility of turning and, in addition to forming a seat for
the spring has a slot or groove cut along it the desired length so that when a peg
or pin (L) is fixed through the tube (e) as shown in Figure 5 it prevents the
tube from turning while still allowing it to slide up or down.
The spring (K) is the form of spring I prefer to use although any other kind
may be used.
The collar (G) is fixed to the tube' (e) to take the upward pressure of the spring
In my application I specify the connection between the lever (a) and the
rod (D) by means of a pivot joint as used in scales but this particular form is
'

page_text: Fig. is the con spring A.
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:
-
First. In cycle brakes the use of the groove, slot, or aperture in the handlebar
stem to admit the end of the lever and allow it to work substantially as herein
described and set forth.
Second. In cycle brakes the use of the slot or groove formed in the brake rod
into which the end of the lever is fitted but not fastened in any way.
Tin this 21st day of October 1808
WALTER BIDDLES,
Applicant.