Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 25th June, 1900-Accepted, 25th Aug., 1900
Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes.
We, EDWARD CHARLES FREDERICK OTTO and EDWARD CHARLES FREDERICK
OTTO, Junior, both of 16, Therapia Road, Honor Oak, in the County of Surrey,
Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved brake for velocipedes brought into
action by back-pedalling which acts as an inducement for the active operation
of the brake, the object being to obtain a maximum amount of retarding effect
with a minimum amount of effort or exertion on the part of the rider.
Our improved brake consists essentially of a chain adapted to be either con-
tracted on to, or expanded within, a brake drum fixed to the wheel or axle to
which the retarding or braking effect is to be imparted, of a rocking or revers-
ing lever or its equivalent mounted on a fixed drum or its equivalent and con-
nected to the free end of the chain, and of a clutch controlled disc adapted to
contract or expand the chain through the medium of the rocking or reversing
lever.
The brake chain consists of a series of links connected together either by
transverse pins or rivets, or so shaped that they may hook or otherwise engage
one with the other, the arrangement being such that their ends abut one against
the other so as to relieve the transverse pins or rivets of all strain, the curva-
ture of the engaging surfaces of each of the links of the chain being of the
same radius as the face of the brake drum with which it engages when the
brake is in operation.
The one end of the brake chain is attached in any suitable manner to a non-
rotating drum fixed to the frame of the machine and the other end of the
chain is connected with a disc or its equivalent loosely mounted on the axle of
the above mentioned drum by means of a rocking or reversing lever, or its
equivalent such as a toothed wheel, so that the motion imparted to the disc is
reversed in application to the brake chain whereby the braking or retarding
effect is applied in a contrary or reverse direction to that which it would
be if the free end of the brake chain was connected directly to the disc. The
chain when not in operation to produce the braking effect is kept out of con-
tact with the brake drum by means of a suitably arranged spring.
By this construction the first link of the chain is brought into frictional
contact with the brake drum by the slightest action of back-pedalling and the
continued rotation of the said drum automatically brings the remaining links
of the chain into frictional engagement with the drum, so that the action of
back-pedalling is merely to set the brake in operation, and therefore requires
very little effort on the part of the rider.
"
It will be understood that the disc or its equivalent operating the before
mentioned rocking or reversing lever is connected directly or indirectly with
the chain wheel by means of a clutch so that movement is only imparted to it
by back-pedalling.
The brake which may be employed in connection with either the driving

page_text: chain wheel on the pedal-crank axle or with the driven chain wheel on the
driving wheel is used in connection with any suitable form of clutch driving
gear which will give what is known as a "free wheel," but we prefer to employ
it in connection with the driven chain wheel on the driving wheel, which
method relieves the driving chain of all undue strain.
an
Although any suitable form of clutch may be employed both for driving the
free wheel and for the back-pedalling mechanism, we prefer to employ
improved "ratchet and pawl" clutch, employing in connection with the pawls
suitably arranged springs exerting a transverse pressure with considerable
amount of leverage above the point of pivot of the pawls against the moving
surface of the disc or its equivalent carrying the ratchet teeth which frictional
contact tends to keep the pawls either in or out of engagement with the ratchet
teeth, as the case may be, according to the direction of the frictional tendency,
and avoids the usual clicking noise common in ratchet and pawl clutches.
Although we use a chain in combination with the before mentioned rocking
or reversing lever the latter may also be employed for reversing generally the
action and direction of motion imparted by back-pedalling for the application
of brake power; whereby the action of back-pedalling becomes an inducement
for frictional contact of the brake with its drum and a powerful factor and
means for regulating to a nicety the amount of brake power to be applied.
Dated this 25th day of September 1899.
RT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc.M.Inst.C.E., M.I.Mech. E.,
Chartered Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.
Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes.
We, EDWARD CHARLES FREDERICK OTTO and EDWARD CHARLES FREDERICK
OTTO, Junior, both of 16, Therapia Road, Honor Oak, in the County of Surrey,
Engineers, 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 an improved brake for velocipedes brought into
action by back-pedalling which acts as an inducement for the active operation
of the brake, the object being to obtain a maximum amount of retarding effect
with a minimum amount of effort or exertion on the part of the rider.
Our improved brake consists essentially of a chain adapted to be either con-
tracted on to, or expanded within, a brake drum fixed to the wheel or axle to
which the retarding or braking effect is to be imparted, of a rocking or revers-
ing lever or its equivalent mounted on a fixed drum or its equivalent and con-
nected to the free end of the chain, and of a clutch controlled disc adapted to
contract or expand the chain through the medium of the rocking or reversing
lever.
The brake chain consists of a series of links connected together either by
transverse pins or rivets, or so shaped that they may hook or otherwise engage
one with the other, the arrangement being such that their ends abut one against
the other so as to relieve the transverse pins or rivets of all strain, the curva-
ture of the engaging surfaces of each of the links of the chain being of the

page_text: same radius as the face of the brake drum with which it engages when the
brake is in operation.
The one end of the brake chain is attached in any suitable manner to a non-
rotating drum fixed to the frame of the machine and the other end of the
chain is connected with a disc or its equivalent loosely mounted on the axle of
the above mentioned drum by means of a rocking or reversing lever, or its
equivalent such as a toothed wheel, so that the motion imparted to the disc_is
reversed in application to the brake chain whereby the braking or retarding
effect is applied in a contrary or reverse direction to that which it would
be if the free end of the brake chain was connected directly to the disc. The
chain when not in operation to produce the braking effect is kept out of con-
tact with the brake drum by means of a suitably arranged spring.
By this construction the first link of the chain is brought into frictional
contact with the brake drum by the slightest action of back-pedalling and the
continued rotation of the said drum automatically brings the remaining links
of the chain into frictional engagement with the drum, so that the action of
back-pedalling is merely to set the brake in operation, and therefore requires
very little effort on the part of the rider.
It will be understood that the disc or its equivalent operating the before
mentioned rocking or reversing lever is connected directly or indirectly with
the chain wheel by means of a clutch so that movement is only imparted to it
by back-pedalling."
The brake which may be employed in connection with either the driving
chain wheel on the pedal-crank axle or with the driven chain wheel on the
driving wheel is used in connection with any suitable form of clutch driving
gear which will give what is known as a "free wheel," but we prefer to employ
it in connection with the driven chain wheel on the driving wheel, which
method relieves the driving chain of all undue strain.
Although any suitable form of clutch may be employed both for driving the
free wheel and for the back-pedalling mechanism, we prefer to employ an
improved "ratchet and pawl" clutch, employing in connection with the pawls
suitably arranged springs exerting a transverse pressure with considerable
amount of leverage above the point of pivot of the pawls against the moving
surface of the disc or its equivalent carrying the ratchet teeth which frictional
contact tends to keep the pawls either in or out of engagement with the ratchet
teeth, as the case may be, according to the direction of the frictional tendency,
and avoids the usual clicking noise common in ratchet and pawl clutches.
Although we use a chain in combination with the beforementioned rocking
or reversing lever the latter may also be employed for reversing generally the
action and direction of motion imparted by back-pedalling for the application
of brake power, whereby the action of back-pedalling becomes an inducement
for frictional contact of the brake with its drum and a powerful factor and
means for regulating to a nicety the amount of brake power to be applied.
In order that our invention may be fully understood, we will more particu-
larly describe it making reference to the accompanying drawing in which:-
Figure 1 is a view in sectional elevation,
:-
Figure 2 is a view in side elevation showing the driving clutch,
Figure 3 is a view in side elevation showing the brake clutch and mechanism.
Figure 4 is a view in section on line a, a, Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a broken view in side elevation showing a modification, and
Figures 6 and 7 are views in side elevation and plan respectively of the
chain band.
For distinctness the hub and axle of the driving wheel are not shown in any
of the figures.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference,
The sprocket wheel Y is loosely mounted on a disc V adapted to be screwed
or otherwise fixed to the hub of the driving wheel, motion being imparted

page_text: from the sprocket wheel to the disc V by means of a ratchet and pawl or other
suitable type of clutch. Exterior to the disc V is screwed or otherwise fixed
to the hub an internal drum C. Within this drum is another drum B which
is mounted on the axle carrying the driving wheel in such a manner as not to
rotate. On this drum is loosely mounted a disc E. Screwed or otherwise fixed
to a flanged prolongation of the sprocket wheel Y is a disc y which is con-
nected with the disc E by means of a ratchet and pawl or other suitable form of
clutch. The end link of the linked strap or chain A is attached to the
periphery of the supporting drum B by means of a radially arranged projec-
tion a² engaging a hole or slot in the periphery of the drum and the other end
link a¹ is operated to cause the expansion of the chain to engage the brake
drum C by means of a rocking lever 1 pivotted at d to the drum B, one end
of the said lever engaging the link a¹ of the linked strap or chain
and the other end engaging a projection e on the disc E whereby
the end link a¹ of the linked strap or chain is caused to move
in the same direction as the brake drum C. The disc E as before
stated is connected to the chain wheel Y by means of a clutch, the arrange-
ment being such that when the chain wheel Y is moved in the reverse direction
to that indicated by the arrow-which is the driving direction-motion is
imparted to the disc E which in turn rocks the lever 1 on its pivot whereby
the end of the linked strap or chain A is caused to move away from the end a
thereof in the direction of rotation of the brake drum C thereby expanding
the said linked strap or chain and causing it to engage the interior surface of
the said brake drum. To return the linked strap or chain A into contact with
the supporting drum B when the brake is "off a spring in the form of a
split ring is employed. The ends of this spring engage the end links a and a¹
so as to press them together or alternatively the rocking lever D may posi-
tively engage the link a and be controlled by a suitable spring. Instead of
using a rocking lever for reversing the movement imparted to the brake chain
to set the brake in operation a rack and pinion device as illustrated by Fig. 5
may be employed. On the supporting drum Bis mounted a small pinion D
which gears on the one hand with a rack a* formed on or fixed to the end
link a of the chain and on the other hand with a rack e* formed on or fixed
to the disc E.
The linked strap or chain A consists of a series of links connected together
either by transverse pins or rivets, or so shaped that they may hook or other-
wise engage one with the other, the arrangement being such that their ends
abut one against the other so as to relieve the transverse pins or rivets of all
strain, the curvature of the engaging surfaces of each of the links of the
band or chain being of the same radius as the face of the brake drum with
which it engages when the brake is in. operation.
By this construction the first link of the band or chain is brought into
frictional contact with the brake drum by the slightest, action of back-pedalling
and the continued rotation of the said drum automatically brings the remain-
ing links of the band or chain into frictional engagement with the drum, so
that the action of back-pedalling is merely to set the brake in operation, and
therefore requires very little effort on the part of the rider.
It will be understood that the disc E or its equivalent operating the before
mentioned rocking or reversing lever D) is connected directly or indirectly with
the chain wheels by means of a clutch so that movement is only imparted to
it by back-pedalling.
The brake which may be employed in connection with either the driving
chain wheel on the pedal-crank axle or with the driven chain wheel on the
driving wheel is used in connection with any suitable form of clutch driving
gear which will give what is known as a "free wheel," but we prefer to employ
it in connection with the driven chain wheel on the driving wheel, which
method relieves the driving chain of al! undue strain.

page_text: The form of clutch we prefer to employ both for driving the free wheel and
for the back-pedalling mechanism is of the ratchet and pawl type but it differs
in construction from those hitherto used inasmuch as the pawls H are each
provided with a spring arranged so as to exert a transverse pressure-with
à considerable amount of leverage-above the point of pivot of the pawl against
the moving surface of the disc or its equivalent having the ratchet teeth.
This frictional contact tends to keep the pawl either in or out of engagement
with the ratchet teeth as the case may be according to the direction of the
frictional tendency and thus avoids the usual clicking noise common to clutches
of the ratchet and pawl type.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:-
(1) In a brake for velocipedes the combination with either the driven or
the driving sprocket wheel, of a flanged sleeve V fixed to the part to be driven
and connected with the sprocket wheel Y by a clutch, of a brake drum B fixed
to the part to which the braking action is to be applied, of a supporting drum C
mounted concentrically with the brake drum in such a manner that it cannot
rotate, of a disc E mounted loosely on the supporting drum and connected by
means of a clutch, with a disc y carried by the sprocket wheel, of a linked
band or chain A formed of a series of links pivotted together the one end
link a of the said band or chain being connected to the brake drum and the
other end link a¹ engaging one end a rocking lever mounted on the brake
drum B the other end of the said lever engaging a projection e on the disc E,
as and for the purpose set forth.
(2) In a brake for velocipedes the combination with either the driven or the
driving sprocket wheel, of a flanged sleeve V fixed to the part to be driven
and connected with the sprocket wheel Y by a ratchet and pawl clutch the
pawls of which are provided with springs arranged to exert pressure on the
pawls in a transverse direction, of a brake drum B fixed to the part to which
the braking action is to be applied, of a supporting drum C mounted concen-
trically with the brake drum in such a manner that it cannot rotate, of a
disc E mounted loosely on the supporting drum and connected by means of a
ratchet and pawl clutch, the pawls of which are provided with springs arranged
to exert a transverse pressure between the pawls and the disc or its equivalent
having the ratchet teeth with the disc y carried by the sprocket wheel, of a linked
band or chain A formed of a series of links pivotted together the one end link
of the said band or chain being connected to the brake drum and the other end
link a engaging one end of a rocking lever D mounted on the brake drum B
the other end of the said lever engaging a projection e on the disc E, as and
for the purpose set forth.
(3) In a brake for velocipedes the combination with either the driven or
the driving sprocket wheel, of a flanged sleeve V fixed to the part to be driven
and connected with the sprocket wheel Y by a clutch, of a brake drum B fixed
to the part to which the braking action is to be applied, of a supporting drum C
mounted concentrically with the brake drum in such a manner that it cannot
rotate, of a disc E mounted loosely on the supporting drum and connected by
means of a clutch with a disc y carried by the sprocket wheel, of a linked
band or chain A formed of a series of links pivotted together so that their ends
abut against one another each link having its operative face curved to the
same radius as the operative face of the drum with which the band or chain
engages when the brake is in action, the one end link a of the said band or
chain being connected to the brake drum C and the other end link a¹ being
adapted to engage the one end of a rocking lever D pivotted to the brake drum B,
the other end of the said lever being adapted to engage a projection e on the
disc E, as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: (4) In a brake for velocipedes the combination with either the driven or
the driving sprocket wheel, of a flanged sleeve V fixed to the part to be driven
and connected with the sprocket wheel Y by a clutch, of a brake drum B fixed
to the part to which the braking action is to be applied, of a supporting drum C
mounted concentrically with the brake drum in such a manner that it cannot
rotate, of a disc E mounted loosely on the supporting drum and connected by
means of a clutch with a disc y carried by the sprocket wheel, of a linked
band or chain A formed of a series of links pivotted together so that their ends
abut against one another each link being of the same width and having its
operative face curved to the same radius as the operating face of the drum with
which it engages when the brake is in action, the one end link a of the said
band or chain being connected to the brake drum C and the other end link a
engaging a rocking lever I) or its equivalent mounted on the brake drum B and
in engagement with the disc E, and of a spring F engaging the end links of
the band or chain A to lie in contact with the supporting drum C when the
brake is out of action, as and for the purpose set forth.
(5) In a brake for velocipedes comprising a drum mounted on the rotating
part to which the braking effect is to be applied, a second drum mounted con-
centrically with the brake drum and adapted to support the brake band
when it is out of action with the brake drum, a linked strap or band, the links
of which are pivotted or otherwise connected together and have their operative
faces curved to the same radius as the operative face of the drum with which
the strap or band engages, the one end link of the said strap or band being
attached to the supporting drum and the other end link to a reversing link or
its equivalent mounted on the brake drum and adapted to operate to cause the
strap or band to engage the brake drum with its links in extension as set forth.
(6) A brake for velocipedes comprising a linked band or chain formed of a
series of links pivotted together a drum mounted on the rotating part to which
the braking effect is to be applied and connected therewith by a ratchet and
pawl clutch having transversely arranged friction springs, a second drum
mounted concentrically with the brake drum and adapted to support the linked
band or chain when it is out of action with the brake drum a disc loosely
mounted on the supporting drum and connected with the rotating part to which
the braking effect is to be applied by means of a ratchet and pawl clutch
having transversely arranged friction springs, the one end link of the linked
band or chain being attached to the supporting drum and the other end link
to a reversing link or its equivalent mounted on the rotating drum and adapted
to operate to cause the band or chain to engage the brake drum with its links
in compression, as set forth.
(7) In a strap and drum brake for velocipedes actuated by back-pedalling or
exerting back pressure on the driving pedals, the use of a linked strap or band
and a rocking lever such as D or its equivalent for reversing the motion set up
by the action of back-pedalling whereby the linked brake strap or band is
brought into operative engagement with the brake drum, as set forth.
(8) The improved back pedalling brake for velocipedes, as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by Figures 1, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawing.
(9) The improved back pedalling brake for velocipedes, as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by Figure 5 of the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 25th day of June 1900.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS,
Assoc.M.Inst.C.E., M.I.Mech. E.,
Chartered Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.