Improvements in or relating to Automatic Wheel Locking Mechanism or Devices for Trolleys, Hand Barrows, or other Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Aug., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 17th May, 1900-Accepted, 4th Aug., 1900
Improvements in or relating to Automatic Wheel Locking Mechanism
or Devices for Trolleys, Hand Barrows, or other Vehicles.
I, ALFRED MILLS, of Duke Street Factory, Duke Street, Loughborough, in the
County of Leicester, Hosiery Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention relates more particularly to mechanism for automatically lock-
ing or applying a brake to the wheels of vehicles which are propelled by hand,
such for example as trolleys, hand barrows, bath chairs, or the like, in order to
prevent said vehicles from running down inclines when left by the attendant.
According to my invention, in a four wheeled truck or trolley provided with
a pivotted under-framing, the locking arrangement or brake may be applied to
either the wheels on the said under-framing, or the wheels on the body of the
vehicle as preferred. The handle for propelling the vehicle may be connected
to the pivotted under-framing, or an extension thereof, by a hinged or knuckle
joint, so that the handle will rise and fall in a vertical plane. At or near the
hinged or knuckle joint, the handle is provided with an arm or extension, the
end of which is connected by a link to a plate or block sliding in a casing
secured to the pivotted under-framing. This plate or block is moved away from
the handle when the latter is lowered, and back again towards the handle when
it is again raised, or vice-versa as preferred.
The plate or block is provided with slots or guideways which are inclined
relatively to the direction of the movement of the said plate, one guideway
being inclined in the reverse direction to the other. Engaging with each slot
or guideway, is a stud or projection on the inner end of a transverse bar, the
latter being carried in suitable guideways secured to the under-framing. The
outer end of each transverse bar is provided with a preferably toothed clutch, or
segment of a clutch, which engages with a corresponding toothed part on the
respective road wheels on the under-framing of the vehicle, when the clutch bars
are in their outer positions. This is the position the clutches are moved into
when the handle of the trolley is raised, the plate or block being then moved
towards the front, and by reason of the disposition of the slots or guideways in
the said plate, the clutch bars are moved into their outer positions as described.
The handle bar may be returned to this position automatically when released,
preferably by a spring or weight acting on the sliding block or plate, or on the
handle, and the wheels are thus locked immediately the handle is released and it
is impossible for the vehicle to run away.
If preferred the handle may be formed with or connected to a cam shaped
part at the point where it is pivotted to the underframing, said cam acting on a
link connected to, or an extension of the sliding plate or block.
With this arrangement the plate or block is held back against the action.

page_text: of a spring or weight by the cam, and the said cam may be so shaped that the
block is released by either raising the handle, or allowing it to fall, and the
clutches brought into action as previously described.
Instead of the sliding block described I may employ in its stead a double set
of toggle links, which will give approximately the same motion to the clutch
bars. A brake may also be employed instead of a clutch, the said brake or brakes
being operated by the arrangement described..
When it is desired to lock the wheels on the body of the vehicle, the slotted
plate or block is carried in a casing secured thereto, and the said plate or block
is connected to the arm on the handle, by a connecting rod provided with a
hinged or knuckle joint, or other convenient arrangement, that will not interfere
with the movement of the pivotted under-framing, to which the handle is also
in this case preferably attached.
When the vehicle is not provided with a pivotted under-framing, the handle or
handles and the locking device are attached to the body of the vehicle.
In a barrow or the like with one or two wheels and one or two legs, I place
on the wheel axle preferably two ratchet wheels, the teeth of one being placed in
the reverse direction to the other.
The teeth of these wheels are engaged and locked by pawls or projections on
the lower end of a swinging frame, when the latter is moved forward; the upper
end of this frame is preferably pivotted to the underside of the barrow framing.
The locking frame described is connected by a lever, which is pivotted on the
underside of the barrow, to a sliding bar carried parallel to each leg in suitable
guideways. When the legs of the barrow are raised the sliding bars fall and
release the locking frame from the ratchet wheels on the wheel axis, and thus
release the latter.
When in this position the lower ends of the sliding bars project beyond the
lower ends of the legs, and when the latter are placed on the ground again, the
bars are pushed up and the wheel or wheels securely locked again.
When more than one sliding bar is employed, their upper ends are connected
by a cross piece, to which the rear end of the lever is connected by a suitable
joint. The lower ends of the sliding bars may also be connected if preferred by
a stay, in order that the barrow may be put down and the locking device operated,
when wheeling the vehicle on a narrow plank or the like.
The fore end of the lever is bent at an angle to the main part and may be pro-
vided with a slot which engages with a pin on the locking frame, or the bent end
of the lever may engage in a suitably shaped recess in the locking frame, so that
the up and down movement of this end of the lever will move the locking frame
to or from the ratchet wheels, in order to lock or release them.
If preferred where the wheels are secured to the axle, a single locking wheel
may be employed instead of two, but when the wheels are mounted loosely on the
axle I prefer to lock both wheels simultaneously, by duplicating the locking
wheels or clutches.
In say a two wheeled barrow with a leg at the back and front, I may apply
the locking device to one leg and form the other with the lower part hinged to
the main part. Sliding over the joint is a sleeve which is connected by a link
to an arm on the lower part, this link is slotted so that the sleeve when raised
may first move clear of the joint, and then engage with the arm and lift the
hinged part clear of the ground. When the sleeve is moved downwards the
hinged part is returned to the ground again and in line with the main part.
The sleeve described is so connected to the wheel locking mechanism, that the
sleeve is moved downwards bringing the leg into action when the wheels are
locked, and again raised when the wheels are released.
a four
The swinging frame and locking wheels described, may be used on
wheeled truck, instead of the arrangement described in reference to this class of
vehicle, or instead of the swinging frame I may employ the following arrange-
ment which is also adapted to all classes of vehicles.

page_text: Each wheel if mounted loosely on the axle, is provided with a toothed stop
wheel, and the teeth of the latter are engaged by a catch arranged as follows.
The catch is secured on the end of a tangential bolt, which slides in a sleeve
secured in a convenient position to the body or framing of the vehicle. The end
of the bolt is connected to the main part by means of a knuckle joint, which joint
when drawn into the sleeve, brings the end part into line with the main part, and
the catch into engagement with the teeth of the stop wheel.
When the bolt is pushed out of the sleeve, the hinged part is moved clear of
said sleeve, and also out of line with the main part, and the catch out of gear
with the teeth of the wheel, by means of a fixed cam shaped striking part which
engages with the end of the bolt.
The bolt or bolts may be attached to the arm on the handle as previously
described, and thus be operated by the latter, or they may be actuated by an
independent lever which is carried close to and is grasped simultaneously with
the handle, which may in this case be fixed.
Dated this 17th day of Auơnst 1899
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant
Improvements in or relating to Automatic Wheel Locking Mechanism
or Devices for Trolleys, Hand Barrows, or other Vehicles.
I, ALFRED MILLS, of Duke Street Factory, Duke Street, Loughborough, in the
County of Leicester, Hosiery Manufacturer, 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 more particularly to mechanism for automatically lock-
ing or applying a brake to the wheels of vehicles which are propelled by hand,
such for example as trolleys, hand barrows, bath chairs, or the like, in order
to prevent said vehicles from running down inclines when left by the attendant.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying draw-
ings in which
Fig. 1 is an end elevation, and
Fig. 2 a side elevation, partly in section, showing my invention applied to a
four wheeled trolley.
Fig. 3 is a plan showing detail of the mechanism.
Fig. 4 is a plan showing a modification.
Fig. 5 is an end elevation, and
Fig. 6 a side elevation partly in section showing a modification of my inven
tion, applied to a four wheeled trolley.
Fig. 7 is a plan showing details of the mechanism.
Fig. 8 is a side elevation partly in section, and
Fig. 9 an end elevation of an arrangement which is applicable to a three
wheeled trolley, bath chair, or the like.
Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation showing an arrangement which is applicable to
a hand barrow or the like.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
According to my invention, in the arrangement for a four wheeled truck or
trolley provided with a pivotted underframing, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the lock-
ing arrangement or brake, is for convenience, preferably applied to the wheels A,
on the underframing B.

page_text: The handle for propelling the vehicle is connected by a hinged or pivotted
joint C, to a part C, which is secured to the underframing B.
At or near the joint C, the outer part of the handle is provided with an
arm or extension D, the point D of which is connected by a link D₁ to a
point D on the bolt D2, and the latter is connected to a plate E. The bolt De
slides in a guide D³ on the part 2 whilst the plate E, (a plan of which is shown
in Fig. 3) is mounted in guideways on the underside of the underframing B,
and is held in position by the axle A of the wheels A.
The plate E is provided as shown in Fig. 3, with two slots or guideways E¹,
which are inclined relatively to the direction of movement of the said plate, and
one in the reverse direction to the other.
Engaging in the slots E¹ are studs F1 F1 on the inner end of two bolts F F
these bolts are carried in guideways F2 secured to the underframing B, and
their outer ends when they are in their normal position (in which they are shown
in the drawings), engage with the wheels A, or with locking wheels attached
thereto, and this locks them. The bolts are withdrawn and the wheels A released
by the action of the slots E7 in the plate E, when the latter is moved towards
the handle C. This is effected by raising the handle C into the position shown
in dotted lines at C³ (Fig. 2), when by the action of the link D', the plate E is
moved the requisite extent through the intermediary of the bolt 12.
It is only when the handle is in the position shown at C that the wheels are
unlocked, as by reason of the position of the points of connection of the link D'
to the handle C and bolt D2, if the handle Û be raised beyond this point, the
plate E will be moved in and the locking bolts F outwards again, and will
resume their normal position when the handle is at the position shown in dotted
lines at C
The plate E is returned to its normal position again by the weight of the
handle C when the latter is released, it is also assisted by a spring G secured to
the underframing B, acting on a stud G¹ on the plate E. It thus follows that
the wheels A are locked immediately the handle C is released, and it is therefore
impossible for the vehicle to run down an incline when left by the attendant.
Instead of the slotted plate E, I may use the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, in
which the bolt 1 is connected by toggle links De to the inner ends of both the
locking bolts F.
I may also if preferred use a cam instead of the arm D2 and link D¹, the said
cam is connected to the handle C at the joint C and engages with a stud on the
bolt Dº.
In the modification shown in Figs. 5-6 and 7, brake blocks H are used for
locking the wheels A instead of bolts F.
These brake blocks H are adjustably mounted on extensions H¹ of the trans-
verse bar H2, which is shown in plan at Fig. 7, This bar H2 is provided with a
central extension H³ which is mounted in and slides in guideways in the under-
framing B. The end of the extension H³ is provided with a stud G₁ which
engages with the spring G and the said spring assisted by the weight of the
handle C, normally holds the brake blocks H on the peripheries of the wheels A.
The bar His connected to the bolt D2 of the arrangement previously
described, and is thus withdrawn against the action of the spring G and the
wheels released, when the handle C is held in the intermediate position C3 shown
in Fig. 2.
Both the arrangements described may be applied to the wheels on the body of
the vehicle if desired. In this case the plate E and locking bolts F, or the brake
bar H2, are mounted on the body of the vehicle, and are connected to the bolt D2,
preferably by a chain or the like, carried over or between pulleys mounted on
the pivotted underframing B.
The arrangement shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is specially applicable to three
wheeled trolleys, bath chairs or the like, but it may also in part be used on all
classes of vehicle

page_text: -
Each wheel I if mounted loosely on the axle I' is provided with a toothed
stop wheel 12 both of which normally engage with a catch arranged as follows:-
The catch J is secured on the end of a tangential bolt J, which latter
slides in a sleeve J³ secured in a convenient position to the body of the vehicle K.
The end of the bolt, is connected to the main part 2, by a knuckle joint *,
which joint may be moved into the sleeve J³, thus straightening the bolt J1 J2
and bringing the catch J into engagement with the stop wheel 1.
When the joint J is moved clear of the sleeve J³ the catch is free to fall out
of engagement with the stop wheel, but where necessary, the end of the bolt J
is adapted to engage with a fixed cam plate K¹ on the body of the vehicle, and
the catch J is thus positively moved out of gear. The joint J on the bolt is
drawn into the sleeve J³ when the bolt is released, by a spring K³ connected to
the bolt and vehicle respectively.
In the arrangement shown in the drawing, the main parts J2 of the two bolts
are carried up the back of the vehicle K, and the handle H2 is mounted directly
on their upper ends, so that any pressure on the handle forces the bolts J down-
wards against the action of the spring K³, and releases the catches from the
locking wheels.
This arrangement may not however always be convenient for all vehicles, and
the bolt or bolts may then be connected to the handle, by other and more suitable
means.
A further arrangement is shown in Fig. 10 which is applicable to a barrow
or the like, having one or two wheels, and one or two legs.
On the wheel axle L, or on the two wheels if the latter are loose on the axle, I
place preferably two ratchet wheels M M³, the teeth of one being placed in the
reverse direction to the other.
The teeth of these wheels are engaged and locked by catches or projections NI
on the lower end of a swinging frame N, when the latter is moved forward,
the said frame being hinged or pivotted at its upper end to the underframing N
of the barrow.
The locking frame N is connected by a lever 0, which is pivotted at O' to the
underframing N2, to a cross bar P, and the latter is connected to the upper
ends of two sliding bars P₁, which are carried down the sides of the legs 12 of
the barrow respectively. When the legs of the barrow are raised, the sliding bars
fall and draw the locking frame N from the ratchet wheels M M, and thus
release the latter.
When in this position the lower ends of the sliding bars P project beyond the
lower ends of the legs P2, and when the latter are placed on the ground again,
the bars P are pushed up and the ratchet wheels locked again.
The fore end of the lever O is bent at an angle to the main part, and this hent
part is provided with a slot 02 which engages with a pin 03 on the locking
frame N.
If preferred the bent end of the lever 0 may engage in a recess in the locking
frame, so that the up and down movement of the end of the lever, will import the
requisite in and out motion to the locking frame.
When two bars P₁ are employed as shown, their lower ends may be connected
by a cross piece or stay, in order that the barrow may be put down and the lock-
ing device operated, when wheeling the vehicle on a narrow plank or the like.
If preferred when the wheel or wheels are secured to the axle L, a single
locking wheel may be employed instead of two, but when two wheels are mounted
loosely on the axle, I prefer to lock both wheels simultaneously.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:―
1. In wheel locking devices for trolleys or like vehicles the combination with a
hinged handle such as C of a slotted plate such as E a link 1)' and bolt such

page_text: as D2 for connecting the plate to the handle C and locking bolts such as F
engaging with the said plate and wheels A respectively substantially as described.
2. In wheel locking devices for trolleys or other vehicles the combination with
a hinged handle such as C of a bolt such as D2 a link ¹ for connecting the bolt
to the handle C toggle links D and locking bolts F substantially as described.
3. In wheel locking devices for trolleys or other vehicles the combination with
a hinged handle such as C of a bar such as H₁ provided with brake blocks Ha
link D and bolt such as D2 for connecting the bar H₁ to the handle C sub-
stantially as described.
4. In wheel locking devices for trolleys or other vehicles the combination with
a hinged handle such as C of a cam on the said handle for actuating a bolt
such as D2 connected to the locking mechanism substantially as described
5. In wheel locking devices for trolleys or other vehicles the combination with
a locking wheel such as 12 on the road wheel or road wheel axle of a tangential
bolt such as J1 J2 in two parts hinged together a catch J on the part J and a
sleeve such as J3 substantially as described.
6. In wheel locking devices for trolleys or other vehicles the combination with
a locking wheel such as I2 on the road wheel or road wheel axle of a tangential
bolt such as J J in two parts hinged together a catch J on the part J a sleeve
such as J3 cam plate such as K¹ and handle such as K2 connected to the bolt J³
substantially as described.
7. In wheel locking devices for trolleys or other vehicles the combination with
locking wheels such as M M¹ on the road wheel or road wheel axle of a swinging
locking frame such as Na lever 0 and sliding bar P¹ the lower end of which
engages with the ground substantially as described.
8. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete wheel
locking arrangements for trolleys or the like substantially as described and illus-
trated in Figs. 1 to, 5 to 7, 8 and 9 and Fig. 10 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 16th day of May 1900.
A. MILLS.
Boult, Wade & Kilburn,
Agents for the Applicant.