Improvements in Cycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left. 25th Oct. 1897-Accepted. 27th Nov. 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cycles.
CHARLES BYRNE 13, Cornwall Mansions, Baker Street, London, N.W. Cycle
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to devices by means of which the pedal while discon-
nected from driving may be used for the purpose of actuating a brake, such brake
action being preferably independent of the driving chain and being free from
friction while not actually in use. Though my brake may be applied to any
form of cycle, I prefer to describe it as applied to the prevalent type of rear
driving safety viz:-I introduce in some portion of the driving gear, preferably
in the back hub, a clutch as is well understood whereby the cranks though driving
when rotating in one direction are disconnected from driving when rotated in
the opposite direction. In this clutch I claim no novelty. Now my device con-
sists preferably of two hanging pawls or their equivalents on the front chain
wheel so placed as to hang downwards when on rear side of said wheel, and be
held out of action by centrifugal force when the said wheel is rotating rapidly
as in driving.
When, however, the driving motion is arrested one of the said pawls is free
to fall into position to engage with a lever or its equivalent. A reverse move-
ment being then imparted to the crank will, through said lever, actuate the
brake, which brake may act direct on the back wheel or otherwise as desired.
My reason for prefereing two such pawls is to have one in the most convenient
position for use with each foot, allowing a sufficient portion of the stroke free
so that a movement of the feet while the pedals are used as foot rests shall not
necessarily apply the brake except when desired.
I might, however, have several pawls or only one, or a clutch action similar
to that in back hub which would, however, involve the above objection of apply-
ing the brake by an unintentional movement, or I might combine two such
clutches in front chain wheel, or in hub, gripping in opposite directions. This
latter would involve a further objection that in the case of accidents to the chain,
the brake when most wanted could not be applied. In my preferred arrangement
the severimg of the chain would not hinder the application of the brake.
It may be observed that my pedals will always in a known position form a
convenient step for dismounting. The brake being at the same time automatically
applied. I sometimes use a brake acting direct on the ground.
Dated the 23rd December 1896
I, CHARLES BYR NE of 13, Cornwall Mansions, Baker Street, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
[Price 81

page_text: 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 an improved device for actuating the brakes of
velocipedes by exerting back pressure on the driving erauks, such brake action
being entirely independent of the driving chain.
In the accompanying drawing which illustrates, by way of illustration, this
device applied to a spoon brake acting on the rear driving wheel of a chain driven
cycle:-
.T
Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal sectional elevation showing the position of
the gear when the brake is not in action.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing the position of the gear when the brake
is being applied.
J
Figure 3 is a plan view of Figure 1, and
Figure 4 is a broken view in side elevation showing a modification.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
On to the chain wheel X on the pedal-crank axle Y are pivotted one or two
hanging pawls A. I prefer to use two of these pawls so that the brake may be
applied through either pedal, but it will be obvious that only one such pawl is
actually necessary. These pawls are pivotted either to the chain wheel X oy
to a plate adapted to be fixed thereto. The outer ends a of these pawls are
shaped so that they engage with pins B carried by the chain wheel X and
arranged so as to limit their swinging movement.
When the chain wheel X is revolving in a forward direction, as it would be
when the machine is being driven forward the pawls A lie up against the pins B
in the position shown in Figure I in which position they are retained by centri-
fugal action so long as the machine is being propelled forward. When the pedal-
crank axle ceases to revolve, or is moved backwards, the pawl at that time at
the top part of the chain wheel assumes the hanging position shown by Figure 2
by reason of its weight and shape, so that as the chain wheel is moved backwards
the end a of the pawl engages by means of a pin C with an arm or lever D
pivotted to the pedal-crank axle bracket Y, and on back pressure being exerted
on the crank Z imparts motion to the said lever which in its turn operates the
brake spoon E through the arm or lever D' and the rod as shown.
To enable the pedal-crank axle Y to be rotated backwards independent of the
driving wheel and to be held in a stationary position while the said wheel is
revolving, any suitable form of clutch gear is employed either to connect the
chain wheel on the hub of the driving wheel with the said hub, or the driving
chain wheel on the pedal crank axle with the said axle. In this latter construc-
tion the hanging pawls A would be mounted on a disc or its equivalent mounted
on the pedal-crank axle Y.
The pawls A are preferably mounted on the chain wheel X in such a position
that they engage with the arm or lever D when the cranks Z are in an approxi-
mately horizontal position to the rear of the pedal-crank axle as shown by
Figure 2 which is the most convenient one for applying pressure to them.
The pin C may either be mounted on the lever D as shown by Figures 1, 2
and 3 or on the pawl A as shown by Figure 4. In the latter construction I prefer
to mount a pawid on the free end of the lever D in order to allow the pin C
to pass the end of the arm or lever D when owing to the speed of the machine
the centrifugal action is insufficient to keep the pawl A in its outward position,
the pawl being pivotted to the arm or lever D by a knuckle joint as shown so
that it will give way in case the pin C comes into contact with it when the chain
wheel is revolving in a forward direction but becomes rigid with it when the
pin C engages with it by the rearward movement of the chain wheel.
As a modification the pin C may be mounted directly on to the chain wheel X
in which case it will lift the pawl carried by the arm, or lever D at each
revolution of the crank axle in which construction the pawl d is preferably con-

page_text: trolled by any suitable form of spring to keep it in its normal position as shown
by Figure 4.
If desired a stop may be provided to limit the movement of the brake mechanism
and prevent the brake being applied too powerfully.
This improved brake action has the following advantages:-First.
independent of the driving chain. Secondly. The brake can only be applied at
one or two known positions of the driving cranks, and thirdly the pedal cranks
can be conveniently used as steps for mounting and dismounting.
I wish it to be clearly understood that my invention is applicable to all types
of cycle brakes and that the application to a brake of the spoon type is only
given by way of illustration.
Although my invention has hereinbefore been described as applied to chain
driven cycles I wish it to be understood that it is applicable to all cycles in which
motion is imparted to the driving wheel or wheels from a pedal-crank acting
through intermediate gearing.
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) The improved device for actuating the brake of cycles, as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by the accompanying drawing.
(2) In cycles the device herein described for applying braking power to the
driving wheel or wheels, by back-pedalling or exerting a back pressure on one
of the driving cranks, whereby the driving chain is relieved of all work and
strain, as set forth.
(3) A device for actuating brakes for cycles consisting of one or two hanging
pawls or their equivalents pivotted to the chain wheel or to a disc mounted on
the pedal crank axle, and so arranged that during the forward movement of the
chain wheel they lie in an outward position due to centrifugal action, but when
the chain wheel is at a state of rest or nearly so and is moved backwards the said
pawls engage with a pivotted arm or lever and so apply the movement necessary
to operate a brake, as set forth.
(4) The combination in a cycle of clutch gear either on the pedal-crank axle
or on the axle or hub of the driving wheel so as to give free pedals, and of the
device for actuating the brake as specified in the preceding claim, as set forth.
(5) A device for operating the brake mechanism of cycles by exerting back
pressure on the driving cranks, consisting of one or two hanging pawls such as A
or their equivalents pivotted to a disc such as the chain wheel X mounted on
the pedal-crank axle, and adapted when the pedal-crank axle is rotated back-
wards to engage with an arm lever such as D connected with the brake mechanism,
the arrangement being such that when the pedal-crank axle is rotating in a
forward direction to propel the machine the pawls or their equivalents are in-
operative, as set forth.
1 1
• Ontahan 1807
1115
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Consulting Engineer & Patent Agent
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C. Agent for the Applicant.