Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Aug., 1887
Complete Left, 18th Jan., 1888
Complete Accepted, 13th Apr., 1888
I, RAYMOND SNYERS Civil engineer, 14 park place Regents park London N.W.
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
1° The present invention concerns the mechanical application to brakes and
clutches, of the principle of infinitesimal division of a mass into clastics elements and
their dynamical integration.
2° This principle is practically realized by dividing a body into elastics filament
or laminea, which all take their support on the same platband, which gives to the
whole, the aspect of a brush; and the dynamical integration of these elements is
obtained by obliging all the filaments to deflect on the projections of a corrugated or
serrated surface, or on another brush.
3º The constitutive parts of the process that apertain to this invention, consist
thus in a brush that is made to act on a corrugated or serrated surface whatever be
the mechanical use made of it and of which I shall show forth further on a few
applications as specimens.
4° The brush" may be made of any substance whatever, but preferably metallic,
so that the filaments may possess as far as possible a perfect elasticity.
The corrugated surface may consist of a corrugated sheet fron plate, whose
projections are suitably apportioned.
5°-The characteristic object of this process is to establish a mechanical connexion,
either permanent or temporary, between two masses moving at different speeds and
o enable them to act on each other absolutely without any shock or breakage.

page_text: 6º-Utilized as a brake, this process stops progressively and without any shock,
any mass whatever, be it either projected like a cannon ball, and penetrating into
another mass divided, as described above, into an infinity of elastics filaments; or bo
it a mass armed with "brushes" that a mechanism of any description, puts at a
given moment, into contact with a corrugated surface.
It is to this last category that belong the safety brakes for cages of mines, lifts etc.
the brake for the recoil of cannons and for machinery in general.
When utilized as a brake, one of the organs, either the brush or the corrugated
surface, is supposed fixed and absorbs progressively the vis. viva of the mass in notion.
If both the organs are moving or rather if the one be moving, and the other be 1
movable, their contact will create a clutch, and the transmission of motion will be
effected without it being necessary to previously slacken the speed of the motor
machine, whatever be the speed of the latter, and whatever be the effort to be
transmitted by the clutch.
70-The arrangement for safety brakes for cages of mines, lifts etc. is as follows.
(Fig. 1) The cage is flanked with two or more brushes B carried on levers l; to the
top levers are jointed the suspension rods or chains t, to which is hooked the
cable K. These levers also carry the sectors CD furnished with brushes, whose
filaments are in permanent contact with a corrugated band or strip, fixed on the side
of the pit from the top to the bottom.
In case of fracture of the cable, the reaction of the brushes ( D on the corrugations
of the band, is sufficient to raise up the brushes B (that may be equilibrated by
counter-weights Q), and put their filaments into contact with the said corrugated
bands. The filaments have to deflect and the reaction they develop will stop the
cage within a certain length, depending on the excess of these reactions over the
weight of the cage.
The permanent contact of the brushes CD with the bands, enables this safety
appliance to act without springs.
80 The arrangement for gun-carriages, consists is affixing to the carriage one or
several brushes B (Fig. 2) in contact with the corrugated surface C fixed on to the
rails frame C.
The reaction of the filament of the brush increases gradually in ratio to the recoil
of the carriage. The brushes can be disengaged by a lever L so as to allow the
carriage to run down the incline plane of the frame C.
90 The arrangement for machine brakes may be as follows.
A corrugated disc D is keyed on the shaft of the machine; a second disc E, which
is fixed so that it cannot partake of the motion of the disc D, can be moved towards
or away from the latter, by means of a lever L, thus the speed of the disc D can be
graduated at will or the disc can be stopped, if the total resistance of defection of the
filaments be sufficient.
But this resistance varies according to the length of filament engaging with th
corrugations, and consequently according to the greater or less bend to which
filament is compelled in order to disengage itself from a corrugation.
10° From this last arrangement it is easy to pass to the arrangement for clutches
The disc E instead of not being able to take a motion of rotation, is on the contrar
fixed to the shaft by means of a fixed key or any other method which allows it to b
slid following a generator. When the brush E is caused to engage with th
corrugated disc D, a sliding first takes place, until the inertia of one of the shafts an
of the organs depending thereon be overcome by the reaction of all the deflecte
"filaments." I intend also the word "clutch in the largest sense of the wor
that is to say, for any instantaneous transmission of motion to a fixed machine, as
seen in the treadles for railways.

page_text: Thus in these applications and in all those which may be made later on, I only
claim this new method of mechanical connexion between two bodies of whatever
mass, moving at whatever speed, and which proceeds from the principle "of division
of masses into clastic elements and their dynamic integration," and I have practically
realized this principle by interposing one or many brushes and corrugated surfaces,
as aforesaid, between the two bodies, which are to be made to act the one upon the
other but with the reserve, that if one of the bodies act as a projectile and penetrate
into a brush, the projectile itself is considered as a corrugation which forces the
filaments to deflect. The mechanical basis of the method is precisely formed on this
forced deflection of the filaments; each filament opposes only a feeble resistance but
the whole lot added together produced a considerable resistance, whilst as regards the
mass, each filament remains isolated and the mass of each one is so reduced, that
the shock which results from their inertia is so to say nul.
Dated this Nineteenth day of August. 18 aiahiv
SATAAN

page_text: New Method of Mechanical Connection without Shock or Breakage
between Two Bodies of any Description Moving at any Speed,
Applied to Brakes and Clutches.
I RAYMOND SNYERS, Civil Engineer, of 14 Park Place, Regent's Park, London,
N.W., 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 has reference to the application in the construction of brakes and
clutches of brushes composed of elastic filaments or strips of suitable material,
preferring metal, arranged in such a manner as to establish when required a mechanical
connection between a body to which they are fitted, and a surface or part that is
corrugated or ribbed or equivalently formed so as to cause the brushes to bend as
hereinafter described or another brush or brushes, on another body, the arrangement
and operation in each case being such that a body in motion may be regularly
arrested or retarded or may be gradually brought into connection with, so as to impart
motion to, a body that was at rest or was moving slower without shock or liability to
breakage.
Brakes and clutches to operate on the principle of this invention may be constructed
in different forms, and may be employed for various purposes.
Referring to the sheet of illustrative drawings filed with my provisional specifi-
cation,
Fig. illustrates in vertical section an application of this invention in the construc-
tion of a brake suitable for a cage or lift. A is the cage provided with two (or there
may be more) brushes B formed of elastic filaments or strips of suitable material
such as steel with suitable backs and jointed to levers and arms. To the levers !,
which have their fulera at m, are connected the rods or chains t, whereby the cage is
connected to the rope or cable K. The levers are provided with sectors c, D, C, D,
furnished with brushes, whose filaments or strips are designed to be always in contact
with the corrugated or ribbed or equivalent surfaces S which are fixed in the shaft or
space within which the cage travels and at opposite sides of the cage. Q, Q, are
counter-weights on the levers 1, l. With the arrangement described it will be evident
that in case of fracture of the rope or cable K, the reaction of the brushes c, D, on
the ridges or ribs S, S, will through the levers 1, 1, move the brushes B, B, outward
into contact with the corrugated or ribbed surfaces S. The filaments or strips of the
brushes B will have to deffect, and the reaction developed will have the effect of
retarding and ultimately arresting the cage.
By arranging the brushes c, D, so as to be at all times in contact with ridges or
projections S, S, the appliance is adapted to act without springs or weights.

page_text: The arrangement might be modified by mounting corrugated or ribbed plates or
surfaces upon the levers 1, 1, and substituting brushes for the corrugated or ribbed
surfaces or parts S shown as being fixed in the shaft or space through which the cage
has to move.
It will also be evident that brakes for other purposes can be constructed to operate
on the principle set forth with reference to Fig. 1.
Figure 2 of the drawings illustrates an application of brakes according to this
invention to a gun carriage: there may be one brush or more. B is a brush connected
to arms of levers having their fulera at m, m, and their other arms connected by a
rod that can be operated by a lever L. S is a corrugated or ribbed surface on the
chassis c.
With this arrangement the reaction of the filaments or strips of the brush
will increase gradually in ratio to the recoil of the carriage. The brushes can be
disengaged by the lever L (which is shewn about in mid position) so as to allow the
carriage to run down the inclined surface of the chassis c.
Fig. 3 illustrates an arrangement of apparatus that may be employed as a brake or
as a clutch.
In this arrangement D is a corrugated or ribbed disc keyed on a shaft a
which I will assume to be the shaft of a machine the rotation of which is to be, when
required, retarded or arrested. B is a brush carried by a disc E which is movable
lengthwise of a shaft but cannot rotate. L is a lever whereby the brush E can be
caused to approach or recede from the disc D. With this arrangement by operating
the iever L the speed of the disc E and consequently of the machine can be regulated
at will, or the dise D can be stopped if the total resistance offered by the filaments
or strips of the brush B be sufficient. This resistance will vary according to the
length of filaments engaging with the corrugations or ribs, and consequently according
as the filaments are compelled to bend more or less in the endeavour to disengage
themselves from the ridges or projections on the disc D.
The arrangement illustrated may, as will be obvious, be readily modified to serve as
a clutch. In this case the disc E will be mounted upon a shaft so as to be movable
end wise thereof, and so as to be able to rotate with the shaft, but not independently of
it. The disc D will be fixed upon the other shaft. When the brush B is caused to
engage with the ridges or projections of the disc D, the filaments or strips will at
first have a sliding action, but ultimately the inertia will be overcome by the reaction
of the deflected filaments or strips, and thus gradually the two shafts will rotate in
unison.
The same arrangement may be employed for transforming a loose pulley into a fixed
pulley. In this case the two discs D and E are arranged on the same shaft.
One of the discs, D for instance, which acts at the same time as a pulley, may turn
loose on the shaft; the other disc E is keyed on the shaft by a fixed key, in such a
manner that it may be pushed forward or drawn back. When the brush B is in
contact with the corrugated or ribbed disc D, the latter becomes fixed on the shaft.
And, on the contrary, when the brush B is withdrawn from the disc D, the latter
revolves loosely on the shaft.
As will be evident, in lieu of the ridges or ribs on the disc D, a second brush or
brushes similar to B may be employed.
The following are further examples of arrangements of brushes according to my
invention acting on projections or a surface having portions in relief.
Referring to the sheet of drawings filed herewith.
ment of brake for blind buffers on railways.
Fig. 4 illustrates an arrange-
The buffer consists of one or more rods having buffer plates at one end. The whole
rrangement is carried by a carriage running on rails, between which, or outside
which, are arranged the projections or portions in relief S which cause a deflection of
he fibres of one or more brushes B, carried by the small levers L. The rails are laid
on a straight incline. When a vehicle is sent against the buffer, the former rises on
he incline; but its brush, which, at the commencement of the movement was already
n contact with the projections or portions in relief, opposes a resistance which
progressively arrests the buffer carriage and the vehicle. As soon as the movement
eases, the buffer carriage has a tendency to run down the incline.

page_text: Owing to the effect of the counterweight Q, the brush then slightly rises in order
When it has
to permit the buffer carriage to run back to its original position.
arrived there, the levers L strike a catch t which brings the brushes into contact with
the projections or portions in relief.
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate an arrangement of brakes for carriage and other windows.
The application to windows consists in attaching a few elastic and flexible fibres or
strips to the window frame.
These fibres or strips may be held either in the small blocks B, pivotted in such a
manner that they offer scarcely any resistance when the window is raised, but only
oppose resistance when it is lowered with the object of counter-balancing the weight
of the window and of maintaining it in whatever position it may be placed. The
fibres or strips may also be held in a block (Fig. 6) with the addition of small
pins a a, which cause a sufficient stiffness or resistance in the fibres or strips to oppose
the descent of the window, while leaving them perfectly flexible, so as to oppose
scarcely any resistance when the window is raised.
Fig. 7 shows an arrangement of brake for chandeliers, gaseliers, electroliers and
other similarly suspended objects.
This arrangement is similar to that for windows. The central rod or pipe T is
provided with projections or portions in relief, while the tube in which the rod or
pipe slides is fitted with a few brushes, fibres or strips B, arranged as above described,
so as to offer resistance only during the descent, and scarcely any or even no resistance
during the upward movement.
Fig. 8 shows an arrangement of brakes for vehicles generally, including railway
carriages or wagons, bicycles and tricycles.
any
To the wheel R is attached a plate T with projections or portions in relief S, or any
similar arrangement for obliging the fibres or strips to bend. The wheel itself may
addition
also be so constructed as to have portions sufficiently in relief to render
unnecessary. A brush B, hung in any suitable manner from the frame of the vehicle,
may, at the proper moment, be brought into contact with the portions in relief what-
ever be the system or method by which such contact or engagement be effected, be it
the Westinghouse, the air, the vacuum or any other system of brake. The arrange-
ment of the brushes or strips, acting on suitable surfaces having portions in relief,
such as shown in Fig. IX and IX bis is intended to supersede the ordinary brake
blocks, which act by friction, and to substitute for them the resistance caused by the
deflection of the brush fibres or strips.
The brushes may be mounted on the train and the corrugations be formed on the
metals or on bars adjacent to them. The brushes would be provided with means to
raise and lower them.
Fig. 9 shows a face or front view of a disc acted upon by brushes. The portions
in relief, S, which project a certain distance-say from one to five millemetres-are
arranged in such a manner as to accumulate, or store up, in the best manner possible
the sum of the reactions caused by the deflection of the fibres or plates; and as has
already been said these projections may be replaced by another brush.
Fig. 10 shows another arrangement of a clutch according to this invention. The
brushes B are on the periphery of the wheel and act on toothed ares which can b
moved on the centres P P fixed on a disc keyed on a shaft to which the brushes I
must communicate the motion (or vice versa). The arcs A A are shown engaged
To disengage them they are placed in the position A¹.
The motion of a shaft can be transmitted to another, whatever be the obliquity o
the one with regard to the other according to this invention as shown in Fig. X
One of the wheels can have projections or corrugations instead of brushes. Th
wheels can further be thrown in or out of engagement by moving one or other
them along the corresponding shaft.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inver
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that I do n
claim broadly the use of brushes or filaments or strips for transmitting linear motion

page_text: as examples of the use of brushes for such purposes are to be found in the specifica-
tion of a former Patent No. 1870 dated 10th February 1885 for Improvements
relating to the use of electricity for the automatic stoppage of railway trains, and
apparatus therefor," and in the specification of my application for Letters Patent
No. 11, 234, dated 17th August 1887, for "Improved method of and apparatus for
automatically and mechanically working signals and other analogous appliances on or
connected with railways and of automatically stopping trains by the signal at
danger attitude," but what I do claim is
---
The construction and use of brakes and clutches with brushes or strips or pieces of
elastic (flexible) material arranged to act upon corrugated or equivalent surfaces, or
upon other brushes, substantially as hereinabove described.
1:1
10th day
Tuary 1000.
R. SNYERS, C.E.
W. Lloyd Wise,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.