AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF RAILWAY BRAKES
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Marc Antoine François Mennons, of the British and
Foreign Patent Offices, 39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire of
France, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF RAILWAY BRAKES."
Sealed the 21st April 1859, and dated the 2nd November 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Marc Antoine François
Mennons at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 2nd November. 1858.
I, MARC ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, of the British and Foreign Patent
Offices, 39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire of France, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF RAILWAY
BRAKES," a communication, to be as follows:-
The Invention consists in the substitution of parallel plates acting on the
plane surfaces of the wheels to the blocks, and similar accessories of ordinary
brakes, the action of which is limited to the outer circumference of the circle.
These parallel plates mounted one at each side of the wheel, are retained in
position by independent supports, and are worked in both directions by one
movement of a combination of levers.
5
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Marc Antoine François Mennons in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 25th April 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARC
ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MEXXONS, of the British and Foreign Patent Offices, 39,
Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire of France, send greeting.

page_text: Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
.said Marc Antoine François Mennons, Her special licence that I, the said Marc
Antoine François Mennons, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use; exercise, and vend, within
tho United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF RAILWAY BRAKES,"
(a communication) upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Marc Antoine François Mennons, my executors or administrators," by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria,
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawing, that
is to say:-
The Invention communicated to ne consists in an improved system of rail-
way brakes, the main feature of which is the application of direct pressure' to
the plane surfaces of the wheels, as represented in the annexed Drawing.
A, A, A, A, are two iron plates mounted parallel to each other on both sides
of each wheel, and supported by the guides C, C, C, C, on which they slido
freely. These guides are in their turn mounted on the supports B, B, which
rest on the axle boxes, and move vertically on two slides D, D, D, D, fixed to
the framework of the carriage, so that the whole system is independent of the
suspension and follows the oscillatory or vibrating motion of the wheels. The
brakes thus mounted may be worked by the screw or lever arrangements in
general use, or by a torsion movement of which an application is represented
in the Figure. II, II, is a shaft of the same length as the carriage, passed
longitudinally under the middle of the framework, and maintained in position
by the holdfasts E, E. F is a small lever traversing the shaft, and facing cach
couple of brakes above the axletree. The shaft II, II, is provided at each

page_text: extremity with universal joints G, G, to one of which is fixed a piston or rod I,
sliding into the tube J, fitted to the corresponding joint, and so on throughout
the entire train. A longitudinal moulding on the piston rod I passes into a
corresponding groove in the tube J, so that each movement of torsion given to
the primary shaft H, II, is transmitted to all the other shafts with which it is
in communication. This movement of torsion may be effected by the hand,
or by any suitable mechanisın, worked by steam from the locomotive or other-
wise, as required. In some cases, the round piston with moulding I, may be
replaced by a square or triangular rod, working in a tube of square or
triangular calibre; but as a general rule the arrangement I and J above
described, will be found preferable, the moulding of the rod I being amply
sufficient to prevent it from turning in the tube or sheath J, while leaving it
free to move longitudinally according to the pression of the buffers.
Among the advantages obtained by this system of brakes may be noted the
following:-1st, facility of applying and graduating the pressure from simple
friction to a dead stop.
2dly, applicability to all railway carriages and locomotives as now
constructed.
Silly, facility of coupling and non-liability to go out of repair.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and the manner
of carrying it into execution, I would have it understood that I do not
limit myself to any precise details of construction or mode of working, as these
may be varied according to circumstances; but what I claim is, the general
construction and arrangement of a railway brake, the action of which is based
on tho simultaneous application of pressure to each plane surface of the wheel,
which pressure is effected by couples of parallel plates, or other analogous
apparatus, substantially as above described and represented in the accompanying
Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
M. F. MENNONS. (L.S.)