Improvements in Brake Apparatus for Bicycles, Tricycles, and other Carriages.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Brake Apparatus for Bicycles, Tricycles, and
other Carriages.
I, HERBERT TANNER, of 1 Devonshire Road, South Lambeth, in the County of
Surrey, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The chief object of this invention is to provide means whereby the brake can
be applied to the wheel or wheels of a bicycle, tricycle or other carriage by the
foot or feet of the rider instead of by the hands. For this purpose I employ
arrangements of the following character:-
I provide a lever or other suitable mechanical device adapted to be actuated
by the pressure of the foot or feet of the rider; and I connect this lever or other
device by links, levers, rods, chains, cords or otherwise to the brake proper, which
I prefer to arrange in connection with the hind wheel of the carriage. The brake
proper may be arranged so as to be applied directly to the tyre of the wheel, some-
what in the same way as the ordinary hand-actuated brake; but this brake proper
will preferably have affixed to its upper end a scraper of rubber or other suitable
material projecting beyond the face thereof so as to clean the tyre of dirt or grit
as the brake is applied but I prefer to mount a brake pulley on the hub of the
wheel, and to apply thereto a suitable brake strap which can be tightened on the
said brake pulley by means of the aforesaid lever or other device actuated by
the foot or feet of the rider. By this means the tyre is relieved from the wear and
tear consequent upon the direct application thereto of the brake.
The above described brake apparatus may be used independently of the foot
rest; but I prefer to so construct and arrange the brake-actuating device that it
serves also as a foot rest. For this purpose the lever or other movable brake-
actuating device operated by the foot may be held in a normal position by a
spring of sufficient strength to resist the ordinary pressure exerted on the foot
rest when a rider rests his foot on it in the usual way, so that with such a pressure
only the brake is not applied; but when the rider exerts a greater pressure the
spring yields, the brake actuating device moves and the brake is applied; then
when such greater pressure is relaxed the aforesaid spring returns the brake-
actuating device to its normal position, taking off the brake, and the said actuating
device remains available as a foot rest.
The above described brake apparatus may be arranged to be operated by both
feet of the rider or by either foot separately as may be preferred.
Dated this 15th day of October 1896.
H. TANNER,
Per W. H. Beck,
115 Cannon Street, London, E.C., Agent.

page_text: Improvements in Brake Apparatus for Bicycles, Tricycles, and
other Carriages.
I, HERBERT TANNER, of 1 Devonshire Road, South Lambeth, in the County of
Surrey, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 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:-
The chief object of this invention is to provide means whereby the brake can
be applied to the wheel or wheels of a bicycle, tricycle, or other carriage by the
foot or feet of the rider instead of by the hands. For this purpose I employ
arrangements of the following character:-
I provide a lever or other suitable mechanical device adapted to be actuated by
the pressure of the foot or feet of the rider; and I connect this lever or other device
by links, levers, rods, chains, cords or otherwise to the brake proper, which I prefer
to arrange in connection with the hind wheel of the carriage. The brake proper
may be arranged so as to be applied directly to the tyre of the wheel, somewhat
in the same way as the ordinary hand-actuated brake, but I prefer to mount a
brake-pulley on the hub of the wheel, and to apply thereto a suitable brake-strap
which can be tightened on the said brake-pulley by means of the aforesaid lever
or other device actuated by the foot or feet of the rider. By this means the tyre
is released from the wear and tear consequent upon the direct application thereto
of the brake.
And in order that the said invention may be fully understood I will now pro-
ceed to describe the same with the aid of the accompanying three sheets of
Drawings, in which Figure 1 represents part of the lower main tube of the frame
of a bicycle having connected thereto a lever as above described adapted to serve
both as a foot-rest and as a means of actuating the brake, Figure 2 is a sectional
elevation taken on the line X-X of Figure 1 but with the lever shown turned
into a position parallel to such section line, Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2
but shown in section. Figure 4 is an elevation of the corner of the frame formed
by the junction of the lower main tube the diagonal or down tube and the chain
stays, where the crank-axle is placed, showing apparatus connected thereto for
the application of a brake directly to the tyre of the hind-wheel, and Figure 5
is a sectional elevation taken on the line Y-Y of Figure 4 and looking from left
to right in that Figure. Figure 6 is an elevation similar to that shown in Figure 4
but with apparatus connected thereto for the application of a brake-strap to aj
brake-pulley mounted on the hind-wheel as illustrated in Figure 9; Figure 7 is a
sectional elevation taken on the line Z-Z of Figure 6 and looking from left to
right in that Figure, and Figure 8 is a plan of part of the apparatus shown in
Figure 6. Figure 9 is an elevation of the rear corner of the frame, formed by
the junction of the back forks with the chain stays, and carrying the rear axle,
showing a brake-pulley mounted on the hub of the rear wheel and devices for
tightening or loosening a brake-strap thereon, Figure 10 is a corresponding partial
plan and Figure 11 a corresponding partial sectional elevation at right angles to
Figure 9 and looking from left to right in that Figure.
Referring in the first place to Figures 1, 2 and 3, 1 represents part of the lower
main tube of a bicycle, 2 a clip secured at a suitable height on the said tube by
means of screws, 3, 4, or otherwise. The clip 2 is provided with pivots 5 forming
fulcra for a lever 6 the upper end of which is provided with a cross bar 7 which
forms a foot-rest for the rider. The lower end of the lever has jointed to it one
end of a rod 8, the other end of which is hooked or otherwise jointed to the lever

page_text: or other device 9, see Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, by which the brake appliance is
brought into action.
Referring in the next place to Figures 4 and 5, 10 10 represents parts of the
two chain stays of the frame. To these two chain stays is clamped by means of
the clamping plate 11, stud or bolt 12, and nut 13, a carriage 14, an arm 15
of which is forked at its lower end, and carries in the said fork and pivotted on a
pin 16, the lever 9, one end of which has hooked or otherwise jointed to it one
end of the rod 8, as above described. The other end of the lever 9 has pin-jointed
to it one end of a connecting rod 17, 18, the other end of which passes through
and slides in a guide piece 19 extending downwards from the carriage 14, and has
formed therewith or suitably connected thereto a brake piece 20 which can brought
into contact with the tyre 21 of the wheel by the action of the lever 9 as hereinafter
explained. The brake-piece 20 may he furnished at its upper end with a scraper 22
of rubber or other suitable material projecting beyond the face of the said brake-
piece so as to clear the tyre 21 of dirt or grit as the brake is applied. The
brake-piece 20 is drawn normally away from the tyre 21, and the rod 8 downwards
so as to hold the lever 6 in the position shown in Figure 1, by a spring 23 one
end of which is connected to the brake-piece 10 and the other to a bracket 24 on
the arm 15, the tension of the spring 23 being preferably made adjustable by
means of a nut 25 on the screwed stem 26 of the said spring. The length of the
connecting rod 17, 18, can be adjusted so as to regulate the normal position of
the brake-piece 20 with reference to the tyre 21 by screwing the part 17 more
or less in or out of the part 18.
It will now be understood that normally the brake apparatus stands out of
action as shown in Figure 4, and that the lever 6,and cross-bar 7 forming the
foot-rest stand in the position shown in Figure 1, so that when the foot or feet
of the rider is or are placed on the cross-bar 7 its or their natural tendency is
to press the bar 7 against the lower main tube 1 in unison with the action of
ne spring 23, and the said cross-bar 7 then acts as a firm foot-rest; but if and
when it is desired to apply the brake 20 to the tyre 21, the foot or feet of the rider
is or are drawn backwards in the direction of the plain arrow in Figure I causing
the lever 6 to turn on its pivots 5 and to draw the rod 8 in the direction of the
feathered arrow in Figures 1 and 4, thereby turning the lever 9 on its pivot 16
and forcing the brake-piece 20 against the tyre 21; then when it is desired to
withdraw the brake-piece 20 from the tyre 21. the pressure of the foot or feet of
the rider on the cross bar 7 in the direction of the plain arrow is relaxed, and
the spring 23 draws the brake-piece 20 away from the tyre 21, and draws the
rod 8 downwards so as to restore the lever 6 and cross-bar 7, that is to say the
foot-reat, to their normal position as shown in Figure 1.
When, instead of the brake applied directly to the tyre, a band-brake applied
to the hub or some other part of the hind-wheel is employed, arrangements of
the kind illustrated in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 may be used for operating
such brake. In these Figures 10, 10 are parts of the chain stays of the frame as
before, 8 the lower end of the rod marked with the same reference number in
Figure 1. 27 is a carriage clamped to the chain stays 10 by means of a clamping
plate 28 and screw 29. The lever 9, to which the lower end of the rod 8 is hooked
or otherwise jointed, as in Figures 4 and 5, is pivotted to the carriage 27 at 30. 31
is a lever pivotted to the plate 28 at 32, and pin-jointed at its free end to one end
of a rod 33, the other end of which is pin-jointed to a lever 34, see Figures 9
and 11, by means of which the brake strap 35 is tightened on the brake-sheave
or pulley 36 as will be hereinafter described. A spring 23 is secured at one end
to a hook 37 fixed to the clamping plate 28, and at the other end, adjustably by
the screw-nut 25, to the lever 31, and tends constantly to draw the said lever,
and with it the lever 9 which passes down behind it, towards the rear of the
cycle. In Figures 9, 10 and 11, 38 represents part of the hub of the rear wheel, 36
a brake-sheave or pulley fixed in the said hub, and 35 is a brake strap encircling
the said sheave or pulley. One end of this brake strap is fixed to a pin 39, secured

page_text: in a bracket 40 hung at one end to the prolongation or cheek 41 of the chain-
stay 10 and fixed at the other end to the axle 42 of the hind wheel. By this
arrangement the bracket 40 supporting the brake-lever 4 is free to follow the
movement of the axle 42 as it is adjusted forward or backward to suit the length
of the driving chain in the usual and well known way. The other end of the
brake-strap 35 takes on to a pin 43 fixed to the short arm of the bell-crank lever 34.
It will now be understood that when it is desired to apply the brake-strap 35
to the brake-sheave 36, the rider draws the cross-har or foot rest 7 with his foot
or feet in the direction of the plain arrow Figure 1, thereby causing the lever G
to turn on its pivots 5 and to draw the rod 8 in the direction of the feathered
arrow; this draws the levers 9 and 31 and rod 33, Figures 6, 7, and 8, forwards.
This movement of the rod 33 causes the bell-crank lever 34 to turn on its fulcrum
pin 39 and to draw down the free end of the brake-strap 35, thereby tightening
the latter on the brake-sheave or pulley 36 and thus retarding, or if need be,
stopping altogether, the rotation of the hind-wheel and consequently the motion
of the cycle. When it is desired to slacken the brake-strap 35 on the brake-sheave
or pulley 36 the pressure of the foot or feet of the rider on the cross-bar 7 in
the direction of the plain arrow, Figure 1, is relaxed and the spring 23, Figures 6
and 8, draws the levers 31, 9 and rod 8 backwards so as to restore the lever G and
cross-har 7 (that is to say the foot-rest), to their normal position, and at same
time pushes the rod hackward, turning the lever 34 backwards on its pivot 39
so as to slacken the brake strap on the brake-sheave or pulley.
Instead of a brake composed of a brake-sheave or pulley and a brake-strap
surrounding such sheave or pulley externally, the sheave or pulley may be made
hollow, and the strap in the form of a ring or otherwise placed inside the hollow
sheave or pulley and expanded or otherwise caused to exert friction against the
internal surface thereof, or any other kind of brake device may be employed.
The above described brake apparatus may he used independently of the foot
rest, that is to say the lever 6 may be provided and used solely as a means of
actuating a brake by means of the foot or feet of the rider, any other usual or
suitable provision being made if desired for the rider to rest his feet upon; but I
prefer to so construct and arrange the brake-actuating device that it serves also as
a foot-rest. I prefer to use a spring such as that marked 23 for returning the
parts to their normal position, but the spring may be dispensed with and the parts
he returned to their normal position, and held there by the action of the foot or
feet of the rider on the actuating device.
When the devices herein described are required to be applied to existing
bicycles or other carriages I prefer to secure the parts to the frames by clips or
clamps as described so that they may he readily attached or detached; but it is
obvious that when applying such devices to new machines the parts may be secured
to the frame by braxing, soldering, or otherwise as may be preferred.
I desire to have it understood that the arrangements of mechanism shown in
the Drawings are given by way of examples only, and that I do not confine myself
to the particular arrangements, or combinations thereof shown and described, as
the same way may be varied without departing from the stature of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it under-
stood that I am aware that it is not novel to apply a brake to the wheel of a
bicycle or other carringe by means of the foot or feet of the rider, and that I make
no claim generally to devices for effecting that object but 1 declare that what I
do claim is:
First. Devices for applying a brake to the hind-wheel of a bicycle, tricycle, or
other carriage by the foot or feet of the rider, such devices heing secured to the
fixed frame of the bicycle, tricycle or other carriage, substantially as described.
Second. So constructing the foot-rest of a bicycle, tricyele or other carriage and
sécuring the same to the fixed frame of such carriage that it may be used not only

page_text: as a foot-rest but also as a means of operating, by the foot or feet of the rider, a
brake applied to the hind wheel of such bicycle, tricycle or other carriage, sub-
stantially as described.
Third. In apparatus for operating the brake of a bicycle, tricycle or other
carriage by the foot or feet of the rider, the use of a lever or other equivalent
device mounted on the fixed frame of the machine and so arranged and adapted
that when pressed by the foot or feet of the rider it serves to effect the application
of a brake to the hind wheel, substantially as described.
Fourth. In apparatus for operating the brake of a bicycle, tricycle or other
carriage by the foot or feet of the rider, the combination of devices operated by
the foot or feet of the rider such as are shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the Drawings
with devices for applying a brake direct to the tyre of the hind wheel, such as
are shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the Drawings, such devices being mounted on
the fixed frame of the bicycle, tricycle or other carriage, and arranged to operate
substantially as described.
Fifth. In apparatus for operating the brake of a bicycle, tricycle, or other
carriage by the foot or feet of the rider, the combination of devices operated by
the foot or feet of the rider such as are shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the Draw-
ings, with devices for applying a brake-strap to a brake-sheave or pulley mounted
on the hind-wheel such as are shown in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the
Drawings, such devices being mounted on the fixed frame of the bicycle, tricycle,
or other carriage, and arranged to operate substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of July, 1897.
H. TANNER,
Per W. H. Beck,
115 Cannon Street, London, E.C., Agent.