Improved Brake Apparatus for Bicycles and the like..
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 17th July, 1897--Accepted, 4th Sept., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Brake Apparatus for Bicycles and the like..
I, RICHARD SEDGEWICK CURRIE, of 37 ime Street, London, Commercial Clerk,
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 arrangement of brake apparatus for
bicycles and the like which is applied within the handle-bar stem and steering
head of the bicycle in such a manner as to be adapted to partake of all the guiding
movements thereof, and consists of the improved combination of apparatus here-
inafter more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which, Fig. 1, represents a sectional elevation through the steering head of a
safety bicycle; Fig. 2, is a section at 1-1, Fig. 1; and Fig. 3, is a plan of the
handle-bar.
A, represents the steering socket constituting part of the cycle-frame, and B,
represents the top and bottom head-cups fast to the head-tube C, which extends
upwardly from the crown of the front or steering fork D, all said parts being
of a customary formation.
E, represents the handle-bar, which may be fitted with flat, dropped or raised
handles whether for road or racing purposes, as may be required.
The brake appliance is applied to and within the handle-bar-stem F, and the
head-tube C, excepting its head part r, by which it is manipulated, and the brake-
block 1.
The device consists of an adjustable brake-rod consisting of a part ³, applied to
and projecting above the handle-bar and adapted for engagement and operation
by the hand, and a part ³, applied to and projecting below the head-tube and
crown of the front fork and adapted for engagement with the wheel G. These
parts are adjustable at at, the one screwing into the other, to accommodate any
desired alteration in the height of the handle-bar.
Both parts of the brake-rod are caused to co-act with the turning movements
of the handle-bar and steering head, so as to cause the brake-block to always
maintain the desired position in relation to the wheel G, the part ³, being squared
at its end, where it projects through the handle-bar, and the part ³, being made
of an external square formation where it extends through the inner end of the
handle-bar-stem, which is closed by an internally squared collar, with which
the tube ³, has a sliding engagement. The tube 3, may be continued of a square
external formation throughout its length, emerging from a guiding collar 6,
brazed into or otherwise secured to the lower end of the steering head, or, it may
be of a circular external formation at that part thereof which will not engage with
the collar. The tube 3, is provided with an adjustable collar, serving to
adjust the tension of a spring, by which the brake details are returned to their
normal position after being operated by hand, and with a collar, which limits
such action of the spring, both such collars being adjustable. The brake-block.c¹,
may be secured to the lower end of the tube ³, by a screw alº, or in any other con-

page_text: venient manner, which will permit of the block being readily removed from the
tube.
At its head, the rod a², is fitted with a troughed presser-head ", which partly
encircles the head of the handle-bar at its junction with its stem F, and is con-
veniently situated for being depressed by the hand or hands while the cyclist
retains hold of the handle-bar-stem and control of the steering wheel.
Such brake appliance will be most convenient to cyclists who ride with the
hands on the handle-bar adjacent to the handle-bar-stem, as, without leaving hold
of the latter or stretching the hand to manipulate the usual lever, the cyclist can
most conveniently depress the head all, and apply the brake directly to the
wheel G.
Among other advantages, the improved brake device located within the steering
head will not be liable to the disadvantage of being bent or distorted by coming
against the upper or lower backbone when the steering fork swerves round, to
which existing external brake rods are liable.
When it is desired to accommodate the parts a², 23, to any desired alteration in
the height of the handle-bar, the collar a³, is firstly loosened, whereupon, the
spring, projects the squared end x, of the part, and the head ¹¹, beyond
engagement with the handle-bar, whereupon, the part a³, can be turned, as may
be required, independently of the handle-bar..
The brake rod may be wholly withdrawn from the steering-head-tube C, together
with the handle-bar, after firstly removing the brake-block a¹, and the collar ³.
The handle-bar may also be removed from the steering head, without affecting the
brake device, upon removing the head x".
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said In-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
A brake device located within the handle-bar-stem and steering head of a cycle
and consisting of adjustable parts 2, 3, respectively connected to an external
head, and brake-block a¹, and guided by the handle-bar and its stem in such
manner as to co-act therewith in all steering movements thereof, and by a
collar, and provided with adjustable collars 7, 9, and a springs, all adapted
to operate as hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 10th dow of T₁l 1907
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
Chartered Patent Agents,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.