Improvements in Rim-brake Mechanism for Cycles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1899-Accepted, 10th June, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rim-brake Mechanism for Cycles.
I, GEORGE WILLIAM RICE, of 6, Victoria Pavement, Brighton Road, Surbiton,
in the County of Surrey, Cycle 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;
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This invention relates to rim-brakes for the rear-wheel or wheels of cycles, and
has for its object to provide a simple single brake and means for operating same
by which sufficient power is afforded to the rider to absolutely stop the machine.
when occasion requires, and which can be applied directly and instantaneously
and with but little power.
To this end I fit near the rim of the rear-wheel or wheels of a bicycle or tricycle
a pair of spring-return brake-blocks or bobbins, and I provide in combination
with such arrangement a connecting rod and special mechanism at the steering
head of the machine (where the direction of motion of the operating rod is
changed) by which not only can the brake be easily and efficiently operated, but
the free turning motions of the steering head and wheel are not in any way
interfered with.
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I will describe my invention in reference to the accompanying drawings in
which Fig. 1 is an elevation of a safety bicycle with rim-brake on rear-wheel and
one arrangement of operating mechanism therefor. Fig. 2 is an elevation of an
alternative arrangement of operating mechanism. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan of
the latter. Fig. 4 is a sectional plan showing the rim-brake and connections.
A. A are the double rim-brake blocks or bobbins composed preferably of vulcanised
fibre and loosely mounted upon the downwardly projecting parts 6 of a forked
lever B rigidly fixed at c to a suitably curved lever I attached to the seat-pillar S
This lever is normally pressed rearwardly by a spring such as d so as to
maintain the brake-bobbins A clear of the rim R. To the foot of the lever D is
adjustably connected the operating rod E which lies snugly beneath the diagonal
bar of the frame. In the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1 the forward end of the
rod E is connected by a swivelling connection such as the hook and eye shown
at eg to a sliding rod G passing through a hole K in the head or crown of the front
forks; the other end of the rod G is pivotted to the upper end of a curved lever
or arm F centred on the head at f. To the same joint is pivotted the foot of the
usual adjustable rod h which is depressed when required by an ordinary lift-up
brake-lever H. The above arrangement necessitates the passing of the rod G
through the steering head or fork which is avoided by the alternative arrangement
shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In this arrangement the end of the rod E is pivotted
at el to the two ends of a stirrup G¹ passing around each side of the steering
head and pivotted at its forward part to the upper end of the curved lever F,
which as before is centred upon the frame at f. In new machines the lever F
may be easily centred upon a fixed lug, but for adapting the invention to old
machines a fixing clip such as is illustrated at N may be used to which the lever F
is centred as shown. To the upper side of lever F is connected the rod
which for the purpose of enabling the head to be turned in any direction is pro-

page_text: .
vided with a suitable form of rotary joint at 2. By either of these simple
arrangements the front wheel can be turned about in any direction required and
the rod E can be at any time easily disconnected for cleaning, adjusting or other
purpose. An additional spring such as may be used or not as desired, but the
spring-d is of itself sufficient to return all parts to normal position after release
of the brake-lever. To apply the brake, on raising the hand-lever H the rod his
depressed, forcing outwardly the curved arm F and drawing forward the sliding
pin G or the stirrup G', the parts referred to then taking positions such as are
shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2. This changing of position serves to draw
forward the rod E and through levers D and B to press with any required degree
of force the bobbins A against the rim R against the pressure of spring by
which, on release of the brake-handle H, all the parts are instantly returned to
normal positions: I have above described an ordinary pull-up brake-lèver H but
this is not essential since the required movement of the curved arm F may be
equally well effected by a foot-lever, rotary hand-grip or other equivalent device
suitably connected to same.
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. A. rim-brake for cycles comprising in combination a pair of spring-return-
brake-bobbins carried on a forked lever and disposed near the rim of the rear wheel,.
an operating rod connected either by a sliding pin passing through the head or
by a stirrup encircling same, to the upper end of a curved arm centred on the
head and adapted to be depressed by the brake-lever, a swivelling connection being
provided as specified, whereby the free turning motions of the steering-head and
wheel are in no way interfered with, substantially as described and illustrated
in the drawing.
2. The arrangements of rim-brake mechanism for cycles substantially as herein
described in reference to and illustrated respectively in Fig. 1, and in Figs. 2.
and 3 of the drawings.
J
1000