Improvements in Brake Apparatus for Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd June, 1897-Accepted, 28th Aug., 1897
COME LEIE DI EVITTUATION.
Improvements in Brake Apparatus for Velocipedes.
PIERRE MERCIER of 23 Rue des Moines, Paris, France Pharmaceutical Chemist, 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:-
In some bicycles, the space between the top of the pneumatic tyre and the under
surface of the upper end of the front fork is very small and does not always admit of
the adaptability thereto of removable brakes.
My invention has for its object suitable means whereby such brakes can be adapted
to bicycles of the description above set forth.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a side view of a removable brake con-
structed according to my invention, and adapted to the front wheel of a bicycle, and
Fig. 2 is a back view of the same; Fig. 3 a side view and Fig. 4 a plan of a modified
construction of removable brake.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the brake apparatus consists of a brake proper P and of
a crank lever A capable of passing and moving under the head of the fork and jointed
at C. upon a clip B. in close proximity thereto, one of the ends of which clip is bent
up in order to cause the joint to protrude, this arrangement which in connection with
the crank lever forms the characteristic feature of my invention being such that the
brake lever, shall always be above the tyre and that the apparatus can be located
within the triangular space indicated by dot and dash lines in Fig. 2, even when the
wheel has a very large diameter.
With the second arrangement shown in Figs. 3 and 4, I obtain the same result as
before stated. The clip 6 used is straight instead of being bent up as shown in
Figs. and 2, but the brake proper is raised beyond the fork by a double rectangular
bend, the first of which is vertical while the other is horizontal. This brake b is thus
raised above the tyre of the wheel although the clip bis level with or below the upper
level of the tyre.
Moreover, to prevent the brake rod or axis C coming into contact with the tyre and
hence prevent the brake to act I use a short rod on the tyre side so that I may locate
within the small space between the clip and the tyre, the thickness of the brake lever
and a nut c designed to prevent too much play. A spiral or other spring holds the
brake up when unacted upon.
In both modifications, I may fix the brake rod or axis to the inner part of the clip b
and prolong it outwardly by means of a screw threaded rod C entering, when the two
parts or jaws of the clip are closed, an opening formed in the outer part so that the
whole may be fixed by a mere nut E thus forming a very simple and tight connection
To actuate the brake the outer and free end of the lever is pulled by a cordor.
strap K. or otherwise.
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. In brake apparatus for velocipedes, the improved means for adapting removable

page_text: which is bent up for the purpose of raising the axis of the brake and of a brake
lever bent to allow it to pass and move under the fork substantially as herein described
and shown.
2. A removable brake for velocipedes the rod of which has a double rectangular
bend so that the clip being level with or below the upper level of the tyre, the brake
shall be placed above the said tyre substantially as herein described and shown.
3. In brake apparatus for velocipedes the attachment of the axis of the brake and of
its lever to the fixed clip by extending the said axis and screw threading its extension
to receive a nut destined to tighten up the clip substantially as herein described and
shown.