Improvements in or connected with Brakes for Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Brakes for Velocipedes.
I, JOHN BROWNING of 63, Strand, London. Gentleman. 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in or connected with brakes for veloci-
pedes and refers more particularly to certain improvements on my former Letters
Patent No. 7850 A.1). 1897 wherein mechanism for applying a brake to the back
wheel of a velocipede in combination with a front brake is described. the object of
the present invention being firstly to greatly simplify the brake operating
mechanism, secondly to reduce friction as according to my present invention there
is no connection between the mechanism of the front brake and the rear wheel
brake when not actually in use, and thirdly to reduce the cost of the brake by dis-
pensing with knuckle and other complicated joints which were essential where the
brake operating mechanism described in the Specification of my former Letters
Patent herein before referred to, was employed, while by my improved form of
construction the weight is considerably reduced.
In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will now proceed to
describe same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a
diagrammatic side elevation of a velocipede showing the brake operating
mechanism, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a part of the ball head of a velocipede
showing the essential parts of my improved operating mechanism applied thereto,
and Fig. 3 is a plan of such mechanism.
Fig. 4 shows in side elevation and plan an improved form of bell crank lever
that I now employ and Fig. 5 is a plan of a suitable clamp by means of which the
aforesaid bell crank lever may be secured in position.
In carrying my invention into practical effect, the front wheel brake is of the
ordinary or plunger type such as is well known and understood, while the brake
for the back wheel comprises a pivoted arm or lever a carrying a brake pad p
and designed to be brought into contact with the ban wheel by means of a bell
crank lever 6 (Fig. 1), and connecting rod, wire or the like h.
This bell crank lever is of special form and consists of a vertical or upright
armr (Figs. 2 to 4) and a horizontal curved arm c designed to pass round the
front of the tubular head t of the velocipede, said bell crank lever being pivoted
or secured in position in any convenient manner, a clamp suitable for the purpose
being shown at Fig. 5.
In order to operate the bell crank lever b (Fig. 1) the plunger rod d
(Figs. 1 to 3) carries a pin, stud, or projecting part f designed to come into con-
tact with the curved arm c of the bell crank lever as it is depressed, thereby
forcing the said curved arm in a downward direction simultaneously bringing
forward the vertical arm r and applying the brake pad ? to the back wheel of the
velocipede through the connecting band, wire rod or the like h as can be seen
from Fig. 1.
It will be seen that there is no connection whatever between the brake
mechanism of the front wheel and that of the back wheel except when actually in

page_text: use so that there is perfect freedom in the steering of the machine under normal
conditions, while the pin, stud, or projecting part f carried by the plunger rod d
comes into contact with the curved arm c of the bell crank whatever may be the
position of the front or steering wheel and its brake mechanism as is indicated
slightly in dotted lines in Fig. 3.
Instead of bringing the curved arm c of the bell crank inside the plunger rod b
and between it and the tubular head t, it may be extended and brought outside the
said brake rod in which case the pin, stud, or projecting portion of would be
arranged upon the front of same.
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
I claim is:-
1/. The improvements in brake operating mechanism substantially as herein
described and shown, and for the purposes specified.
2. In combination with a front brake of the ordinary or plunger type; the
application of a brake to the back wheel by means of a bell crank lever of special
form such as (Fig. 1), a pin, stud, or projecting part such as f carried by the
plunger rod d, the brake arm or lever a and a connecting wire, rod or the like h,
the whole combined, arranged, and operating substantially as herein described and
shown, and for the purposes specified.
3. The improvements in brake mechanism comprising the combination of a
bell crank lever such as with a pin, stud, or projecting part f, a brake rod or
lever a and a connecting wire, rod or the like h, substantially as herein described
and shown, and for the purposes specified.
4. In brake operating mechanism, a bell crank lever having a vertical or
upright arm and a curved or horizontal arm c substantially as herein described
and shown with reference to Figs. 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, and for
the purposes specified.
5/. In brake operating mechanism the combination with a bell crank lever such
as above claimed, of a pin, stud or projecting part f, carried by the plunger rod d,
substantially as herein described and shown and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 8th day of November 1807
F. G. CASSELL
(Of Cassell & Co.),
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W.,
Agent for the Applicant.