Improvements in or relating to Brakes for Velocipedes and other Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 1st May, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 25th Jan., 1900-Accepted, 3rd Mar., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Brakes for Velocipedes and other
Vehicles.
1, LUCAS WILLIAMS, 31, Church Street, Rhyl, North Wales, Artist, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is, to provide a brake that will give the maximum
amount of resisting power, to the ininimum amount of exertion expended in
applying the same, always ready, reliable and convenient.
This propose to do by. fixing to the fork crown by nut and bolt, or the
like device, a crosspiece of metal, which has a hole through for a bolt or spindle,
on this spindle is pivoted a bracket, on which is fixed the brake shoe, spoon,
roller, or pad, the brake rod is fixed to this pivoted bracket.
The handlebar is of the adjustable or rotary type, on this rotary handlebar
are fixed one or a pair of short arms, or cams which are also adjustable; an
oscillating lever, or levers are pivoted to an adjustable clamp-on the handlebar
stem, or steering post, to one end of the oscillating lever is fixed a link or a
pair of links connecting it with the short arms or cams on the rotary handlebar,
to the other end the brake rod is fixed and connects the same with the brake,
the above arrangement is for a down thrust lyre brake. By crossing or inter-
changeing the oscillating lever, and making it a link, and the link a pivoted
lever on the clamp fixed to the handlebar stem, an upward movement is secured
for a rim brake: the brake rod in this case has a stirrup shaped loop at one
end, to clear the tyre, and reach the leavers which form a hanging bracket from
the spindle at the fork crown, on these levers the shoes, spoons, rollers or pads
are fixed, and shaped and adapted to the contour of the rim.
The brake rod may be connected direct from the bracket to the handlebar.
Both motions are made and manipulated by lifting the handlebar only any up
01 down movement of the handlebar is thus communicated direct to the brake,
and the tension applied and regulated at the riders will, as the brake through
the rotary handlebar is always in the riders hand.
To secure a rigid handlebar for mounting the machine, an adjustable crossbar
is clamped on to the handlebar stem, this crossbar is rubber cushioned, which
tends to reduce any vibration in the handlebar to a minimum, on depressing the
handlebar, the short arms or cams thereon, come in contact with and rest on
the rubber cushioned crossbar, and cannot proceed further, thus securing the
desired rigidity. To adjust the brake, the crosspiece joining the ends of the
oscillating levers, or pivoted links, has a bulb in its centre, through which the
brake rod is screwed to the desired length, it may be adjusted in the usual way,
by clamp and screw.
This arrangement of rotary handlebar, oscillating levers, and links is equally
applicable to the ordinary plunger brake and may be communicated to tyre or
rim brakes on the back wheel or a brake on each wheel, operated simultaneously
from the rotary handlebar, by connecting rods and hell crank levers, or the
like device.

page_text: Springs may be used to keep the brake off the wheel, and regulate the tension
if desired.
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DL
"' 1171
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1
1940
Improvements in or relating to Brakes for Velocipedes and other
Vehicles.
1, Lucas WILLIAMS, 19, Barratt Street. Stockton-on-Tees, late of 81, Church
Street, Rhyl, North Wales, Artist, 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:—
By fixing to the fork crown by nut and holt or the like device, a crosspiece
of metal forming a spindle on this spindle is pivoted a bracket in the form of a
quadrant, on which is fixed the brake shoes or friction blocks, the brake rod is
attached to the quadrant of this pivoted bracket.
The handlebar forming the lever, is of the adjustable or rotary type, free to
turn in the ordinary top lug or T piece of the steering post, on this rotary
handlebar is fixed one or a pair of short arms or cams, which are also adjust-
able, an oscillating lever or levers are placed on an adjustable clip on the
steering post, to one end of the oscillating lever is fixed a link, or a pair of
links, connecting it with the arms or cams on the rotary handlebar, to the other
end the brake rod is attached, and connects the same with the brake, the above
is for a down thrust brake.
By crossing or interchanging the oscillating lever and making it a link, and
the link a pivated lever on the clip fixed to the steering post, an upward move-
ment is attained for a rim brake.
By dispensing entirely with these compound levers on steering post: and
connecting the brake rod direct from the quadrant to the arms or cams on the
rotary handlebar, a simplified form of rim brake is secured, which is preferable
to either, in which case the upper part of the brake rod is looped or forked
nearly to the adjustment nut, to allow it to revolve around the head of the
machine, when no adjustment is required rod or rods may connect the brake
with the arms or cams on the rotary handlebar direct.
The brake is applied and manipulated in evry case by raising or lifting the
handlebar only, any up or down movement of the handlebar is thus communicated
direct to the brake, and the tension thereby regulated at the riders will, as the
brake through the rotary handlebar is always in his hands. The brake once
applied to the rim keeps itself on as it nets in opposite direction to motion of
the wheel and the tension is not released, untill the handlebar is depressed.
The brake shoes or blocks for preference should be square so that by slackening
the screws which hold them to the quadrant bracket, and reversing or turning
the blocks, a new surface is secured when one is worn, and can shaped and
adapted to the contour of the rim before lightening the screws again.
To secure a rigid handlebar for mounting the machine, an adjustable crossbar
is cliped on to the steering post, near the T piece, this crossbar is rubber cushioned
or the arms may be coupled by a link resting on a spring attached to the steering
post, this arrangement tends to reduce any vibration in the handlebar to a
minimum.
On depressing the handlebar, the short arms or cams thereon come in contact
with, and rest on the rubber cushioned crossbar or spring, and cannot proceed
further, thus securing the desired rigidity.

page_text: This arrangement of rotary handlebar, compound levers looped or forked
brake rod, is equally applicable to the ordinary plunger, or rim brake; or a
brake on each wheel operated simultaneously from the rotary handlebar by
connecting rods and bell crank levers, or the like device.
Springs may be used to regulate the tension if desired.
Fig. I represents a down thrust brake. A in the drawing is short arm fixed to
rotary handlebar. B link connecting handlebar with oscillating lever. C oscil-
lating lever D brake rod. E rubber cushioned crossbar.
Fig. 2 is a rim brake. A is arm fixed to rotary handlebar. B pivoted link.
Coscillating lever now a link. D brake rod. E rubber cushioned crossbar.
Fig. 3 is a rim brake simplified by dispensing with compound levers.
A is short arm on rotary handlebar. D is looped or forked brake rod. E rubber
cushioned crossbar. F crosspiece with spindle. G quadrant bracket. rever
sible or turnable shoe or block.
Fig. 4 E is rubber cushioned crossbar and clip.
Fig. 5 F is a crosspiece forming spindle.
Fig. 6D is looped or forked brake rod.
Fig. 7 G is quadrant bracket (one side of) H is reversible brake shoe or
block.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
1 claim is:-
A new or improved brake, and brake mechanism for velocipedes and other
vehicles, applied absolutely by rotary handlebar, dispensing entirely with the
usual brake lever attached to handlebar. once applied keeps itself on tension
(as a rim brake) with improved brake shoe, compound levers, quadrant bracket
looped or forked brake rod, and antivibrating handlebar operated solely by
lifting the handlebar only.
Dated this 24th day of January 1900.