Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes and similar Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 21st Sept., 1898-Accepted, 12th Nov., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes and similar Vehicles.
I, FREDERICK NOEL MACKAY, of 4, Nicoll Road, Willesden, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to brakes for velocipedes and similar vehicles, and it is
designed to provide improved brake devices adapted to be operated by either the
foot or hand of the rider, and also to provide improved devices operated exclusively
by the foot, or by the hand.
One feature of my invention consists essentially in providing a bell crank or
other two armed lever, having its arms symmetrical or alike, and both provided
with rollers, discs, or other suitable brake surfaces. This lever is pivoted at its
centre to the foot rest or to any other desired part of the framing of a velocipede,
so that the rider's foot may be applied to one arm in order to cause the brake sur-
face on the other arm to be brought against any rotating part of the velocipede.
The construction is such that when the brake surface on the arm that acts upon
the rotating part has become worn or damaged, the lever may be reversed, or
turned round, so that the arm which has been operated by the foot becomes the
brake arm, and the arm having the worn out brake surface becomes the operating
arm or that arm to which the rider's foot is applied.
A further feature of my invention consists in providing means whereby the
aforesaid brake surfaces may also be brought into operation through a hand lever
similar to that employed with the ordinary hand-operated brake. I also provide
means whereby, when such hand lever has been actuated to apply the brake, said
brake will be automatically held in its operative position, so that the necessity for
the rider to continue holding the hand lever is avoided. This part of my inven-
tion may also be constructed to form a complete hand brake, independent of the
foot brake devices.
According to my invention, and when applying the same to the foot rests of a
safety bicycle, I may provide a pair of bell crank levers, one of which is adapted
to be carried by each foot rest at or near the end that is attached to the front fork
of the bicycle. The central or axle portion of the lever is preferably formed with
collars or bearing surfaces at each end and a reduced portion between such collars,
around which portion I arrange a light coil spring for normally maintaining the
brake in its inoperative position. The foot rest is preferably formed in two
portions or halves each half being suitably shaped to form half the bearing for the
ever and half the clip for attachment to the fork; such halves being adapted to
be secured together after being placed around the fork, and with the lever and
pring in position, by screw studs or bolts.
The arms of the lever may be curved, and the upper arm is arranged to pro-
ect forwardly and inwardly towards the wheel, while the lower arm (which, as
before stated, corresponds exactly to the upper arm), projects outwardly and rear-
vardly into such a position as to be capable of being pushed forward by the rider's

page_text: heel while his foot rests upon the foot rest, whereby the brake surface upon the
upper arm is brought against the tyre or rim of the wheel.
For the purpose of operating my improved brake device by hand I may employ
a hand lever and a vertical brake rod of similar construction to those ordinarily.
employed. At the lower extremity of the brake rod I provide a yoke or double
armed piece adapted to pass over or partially around the tyre without touching
the same.
At their extremities the arms of this yoke piece are provided with
inclined surfaces adapted, when said voke piece is depressed, to bear against a
suitable part of the upper or brake arms of the bell crank levers and so cause them
to be pressed inwardly against the rim of the wheel.
Instead of causing the aforesaid yoke piece to operate the brake directly, I may
cause said piece to operate said brake through a spring or springs so as to main-
tain a constant pressure irrespective of any inequalities in the periphery of the
wheel. One form of this device may comprise a flat steel spring bent into the
form of a segment and partially surrounding the tyre and rim but out of contact
therewith. This spring is mounted centrally on a suitable part of the frame
of the velocipede in such manner that its extremities are in proximity to the
brake arms of the bell crank levers. The aforesaid yoke piece is adapted to act
upon the upper or side portions of this spring, and thereby cause it to apply the
brake to the rim, in a resilient manner. I transversely corrugate the sides of the
spring, or form ribs or projections thereon, and I provide the extremities of the
yoke arms with corresponding projections, so that when said yoke arms have
sprung over a rib they will be retained in that position. This arrangement per-
mits of varying degrees of brake pressure being applied, according to the position
of the yoke arms on the spring. Or instead of forming the spring with the afore-
said ribs or projections, I may effect the same purpose by providing or arranging
a catch or catches upon the brake rod or hand lever.
Another construction may comprise two curved arms, resilient or rigid, pivotted
side by side above the periphery of the wheel; said arms passing down one on
each side of the tyre, and having their lower extremities adapted to act upon the
brake arms of the bell crank levers as above described. Each of these curved
arms has an outwardly inclined portion extending above its pivot, which exten-
sions are adapted to be separated by a roller or block mounted on the end of the
brake rod, so that when said rod is depressed and the extensions moved outwardly.
the lower extremities of the curved arms are moved inwardly and cause the brake
to be applied.
01
T
1
1007
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes and similar Vehicles.
I, FREDERICK NOEL MACKAY, of 4, Nicoll Road, Willesden, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, 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 brakes for velocipedes and similar vehicles, and is
designed to provide improved devices adapted to be operated by either the foot or
hand of the rider, and also improved devices operated exclusively by the foot, or
by the hand.

page_text: One feature of my invention consists in providing a two armed lever, having
two symmetrical or similar arms provided with rollers, discs, or other suitable
brake surfaces. This lever is pivoted at its centre to the foot rest or to any other
suitable part of the framing of a velocipede, so that the rider's foot may be applied
to one arm in order to cause the brake surface on the other arm to be pressed
against any rotating part of the velocipede. The construction is such that when
the brake surface on one arm has become worn or damaged, the lever may be
reversed, so that this arm is presented to the foot and the other becomes the brake
arm.
A further feature of my invention consists in providing means whereby the
aforesaid brake surfaces may also be brought into operation by means of a hand
lever similar to that employed with the ordinary hand-operated brake. I also
provide means whereby, when such hand lever has been actuated to apply the
brake, the latter will be automatically held in its operative position, so that the
necessity for the rider to continue holding the hand lever is avoided. I further
provide means for maintaining a constant brake pressure irrespective of any
irregularities in the periphery of the wheel.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into
effect I will describe the same more fully with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an elevation of one of the aforesaid two armed levers arranged on
the front fork of a bicycle and adapted to be applied to the rim of the steering
wheel.
Figure 2 is a front elevation and Figure 3 a plan illustrating a modification
of my invention to be used as a foot brake only. These figures also show means
which I prefer to employ for causing the brake pressure to be applied equally
on both sides of the rim, irrespective of any inequality in the pressure of the feet.
Figure 4 is a front elevation and Figure 5 a side elevation of one form of my
invention to be operated either by the hand or the feet of the rider.
Figure 6 is a fragmentary view showing another device for operating the brake
by hand.
Referring more particularly to Figure 1, A is a two armed lever, and it is
intended that two of such levers shall be arranged on a bicycle one being carried
by, each foot rest B at or near the end thereof that is attached to the front fork.
The extremities of the arms of these levers carry suitable brake surfaces which
may consist of a pad or block of leather, vulcanized rubber, or vulcanite, such
material being preferably moulded around a flanged metal boss or nut on the
extremity of the arm. The central or axle portion a of the lever is provided with
collars a at each end. Around this portion a I arrange a light coil spring c,
attached at one end c¹ to the lever and at the other end c² to the foot rest, for
normally maintaining the brake in its inoperative position. The foot rest is pre-
ferably formed in two portions or halves each half being suitably shaped to con-
stitute the bearing for the lever, the two halves being secured together after being
placed around the fork, with the lever and spring in position, by screw studs or
bolts. Any other appropriate form of foot rest, or bracket, for carrying the
levers A may however be employed.
The upper arm A¹ of the lever projects forwardly and inwardly towards the
wheel, while the lower arm A2 (which, as before stated, is symmetrical with the
upper arm), projects outwardly and rearwardly into such a position as to be
capable of being pushed forward by the rider's heel while his foot is applied to
the foot-rest, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, whereby the brake surface upon
the upper arm is brought against the rim of the wheel.
According to the construction shown in Figures 2 and 3 I employ a separate
bearing tube or barrel for the lever, which tube is secured to the steering fork
and is disposed slightly in advance thereof. The foot rest may be arranged either
so that the rider's toe or so that his heel can operate the lever.
I reduce the central portion a of the lever and twist the same into the form of

page_text: a spiral which winds around the spring c. The said spiral portion of the lever
will permit the foot operated arm A² a slight movement after the arm A¹ has
been stopped by abutting against the wheel rim, whereby the too sudden applica-
tion of the brake, or too great a pressure thereon, is prevented. This construction
also provides for the application of the brake in a resilient manner. I may so
arrange the parts that after they have been moved to forcibly apply the brake,
the spiral portion a and the spring e will be so twisted or bound together (the end c
of the spring being fixed to the stationary tube b) that no further forward move-
ment of the arm. A² is possible.
The arms A¹ A2 of the lever A are formed separately from the axle portion
thereof and are provided with bosses a² having square holes therein fitting onto the
square ends of the said axle portion, and adapted to be secured by nuts or other
means. The bearing surfaces or collars a¹ are formed on these bosses a².
In order that the brake pressure may be applied equally on both sides of the
rim, irrespective of any inequality in the pressure applied by the feet, or if one
lever only be operated by the rider, I provide the following arrangement:
An upright rod D) is rigidly secured to, or formed integrally with, the axle of
each lever, so as to form an extension thereof which will partake of the angular
movement of said lever. At the upper extremity of each rod D is fixed a cross-
piece D, and the cross pieces of the two rods are connected by crossed bars or
rods d d, so that whenever one lever is turned the other lever is turned to an equal
extent in an opposite direction. I prefer to provide a tie bar d¹ connecting the
extremities of the rods D and serving as a stay or support for the same.
By this means unequal pressure on opposite sides of the wheel rim, and the
consequent tendency to displace the wheel, is avoided.
It will be obvious that other arrangements of connecting bars may be employed
for effecting this purpose. For instance the cross bars d d may be arranged in a
vertical plane and serve to connect two vertical levers pivoted to the frame of the
velocipede and engaging, at their lower extremities, the arms A¹. Or the con-
nection of the two levers A may be made by means of a flexible shaft passing over
the tyre; or a pneumatic connection may be employed.
Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, I provide a flat steel spring E bent into the
form of a segment and adapted to partially surround the tyre and rim but out of
contact therewith. This spring is mounted centrally on a suitable part of the
frame of the velocipede in such manner that its extremities are in proximity to the
brake arms A¹, or to the back of the brake surfaces. In the example shown, this
spring is secured to a clip F adapted to be clamped around the steering post
between the crown plates of the steering fork. This clip also carries the socket f
for guiding the brake rod G. The brake rod, and the hand lever for actuating
same, may be of the ordinary construction, 9 being the spring for lifting said rod.
Secured to the lower extremity of said rod is a rigid yoke or double armed
piece G¹, which, when depressed, is adapted to act upon the upper or side portions
of the spring and thereby cause it to press the brake surfaces inwards and
apply them to the rim in a resilient manner.
I transversely corrugate the sides of the spring, as shown at e, or I form ribs
or projections thereon, and I provide the extremities of the yoke arms with
corresponding projections g¹ formed, in this instance, by bending over the ends
thereof, so that when said yoke arms have sprung over one of the pairs of corruga-
tions e they will be retained in that position the spring g not being sufficiently
powerful to withdraw the yoke piece G¹. This arrangement permits of varying
degrees of brake pressure being applied, according to the position of the yoke
arms on the spring. Instead of forming the spring with the aforesaid ribs or
projections, I may effect the same purpose by providing or arranging a catch or
catches upon the brake rod or hand fever.
I may dispense with the spring E and adapt the yoke piece G¹ to pass partially
around the tyre without touching the same, and provide inclined surfaces at the
ends thereof which will, when depressed, bear against and slide upon the arm A'

page_text: and so cause the brake surface to be applied to the wheel rim. The said yoke
piece may be formed of spring steel or other resilient material.
The construction shown in Figure 6 comprises two curved arms H H, resilient
or rigid, pivoted above the periphery of the wheel, and passing down one on each
side of the tyre. The lower extremities h h of these arms are adapted to act upon
the brake surfaces of the levers in the same manner as that above described with
reference to the spring E. Each of these curved arms H has an outwardly inclined
portion h¹ extending above its pivot, which extensions are adapted to be moved
apart by depressing a block I mounted on the end of the brake rod, so that the
lower extremities of the curved arms are moved inwardly and cause the brake to
be applied.
Projections or ribs may be provided on the portions h¹ engaging corresponding
projections on the block I, so as to maintain the brake in its operative position,
as before described.
It will be seen that with any of the above constructions the brake surfaces may
be applied to the rim either by the feet or by the hand.
!
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 combination with the wheel or other rotating part of a vehicle of a two
armed lever having symmetrical or similar arms provided with brake surfaces,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
2. The combination with a velocipede or other wheel, of two levers such as
those set forth in Claim 1 provided with a connecting device substantially as
described for causing both levers to move equally when pressure is applied to
either or both of them.
3. The combination with a brake lever such as that set forth in Claim 1, of
means substantially as described for operating the brake by hand.
4. In the devices hereinabove described, a spring or springs interposed between
the brake surface and the part to which pressure is applied, substantially as and
for the purposes specified.
5. An improved brake for a velocipede having its parts arranged and combined
to operate substantially as described with reference to any of the figures of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 21st day of Se
1000
TAWA
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left. 21st Oct., 1898-Accepted, 26th Nov.. 1898
Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes and Similar Vehicles..
I, FREDERICK NOEL MACKAY, of 4, Nicoll Road, Willesden, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to brakes for velocipedes and similar vehicles.
One feature of my invention consists in providing an improved concealed brake
device capable of being operated by a movement of the handle relatively to the
handle-bar, without the necessity for the rider to release his hold of the handle or
otherwise incur any liability of inadvertently deflecting the steering wheel. This
arrangement also comprises means whereby the brake is automatically held in opera-
tion and caused to effect a greater or less degree of brake pressure at the will of the
rider.
According to my invention I provide a segmentally bent flat steel spring partially
surrounding the tyre and rim and carrying brake surfaces at its extremity adapted
to act upon the wheel rim. This device is preferably situated between the forks of the
steering wheel-say-of a safety bicycle, and it is attached to a flexible rod, wire or
cord passing up within the steering post and along one side or half of the handle bar
to the handle. A guide and a spring are placed at the bottom of the steering post in
order to retain the segmental spring in position and to normally keep the brake sur-
faces out of contact with the rim. The attachment of the flexible rod to the segmental
spring may be so arranged as to permit adjustment of the length of said rod, or this
adjustment may be otherwise obtained.
That handle to which the opposite extremity of the flexible rod is connected is so
pivoted or hinged to the handle bar as to be capable of a slight angular motion or
swing thereon, and the rod or cord, or a flat piece of spring steel attached thereto, is
carried through or over the pivot or hinge at a point eccentric to the centre thereof,
so that when the smaller angle formed between the handle and handle-bar is decreased
the said rod is pulled, thereby drawing upward the segmental spring and applying
the brake in a resilient manner.
I provide a pawl, dog or like retaining device on the flexible rod, or on the piece of
flat steel, adapted to engage with a rack or ratchet carried by or formed upon the
handle bar, so that the handle may be returned to its normal position without
releasing the brake. The rod or cord may be connected to the handle or its pivot
by a clutch or grip device so that further movements of the handle will pull the rod
or cord further, and thus put increased brake pressure on the wheel rim. The brake
may be released by withdrawing the rack or retaining device from engagement, by
means of one or more conveniently placed arms, triggers or buttons; or by with-
drawing the pawl or the like from engagement with the rack, say, by means of a
rotating guide carrying said pawl; or in any other manner.
A locking device may be combined with the means for releasing the brake.
The aforesaid segmentally bent flat steel spring, carrying the brake surfaces at its
extremities, enables such brake surfaces to be applied to the wheel rim or other
surface in a resilient manner so that a constant pressure is maintained between the
surfaces irrespective of any inequalities of the surface to which the brake is applied.
ለ'ግ

page_text: Obviously this part of my invention is applicable to brake devices other than those
known as concealer brakes. And moreover the resilient device through which the
brake surface is applied may be modified in various ways.
For instance, I may employ a hand lever and a vertical brake rod of similar con-
struction to those ordinarily employed. The aforesaid segmentally bent spring may
be mounted centrally on a suitable part of the frame of the velocipede in such
manner that the extremities are in proximity to the surfaces to which the brake
surfaces are adapted to be applied; and the lower end of the brake rod is provided
with a yoke or doable armed piece adapted to act upon the upper or side portions of
this spring and thereby cause it to apply the brake to the rim in a resilient manner.
I transversely corrugate the sides of the spring, or form ribs or projections thereon,
and I provide the extremities of the yoke arms with corresponding projections, so
that when said yoke arms have sprung over a rib they will be retained in that
position. This arrangement permits of varying degrees of brake pressure being
applied, according to the position of the yoke arms on the spring. Or instead of
forming the spring with the aforesaid ribs or projections, I may effect the same
purpose by providing or arranging a catch or catches upon the brake rod or hand
lever.
Another construction may comprise two curved arms, resilient or rigid, pivotted
side by side above the periphery of the wheel; said arms passing down one on each
side of the tyre, and having their lower extremities adapted to act upon the segmental
spring carrying the brake surfaces, as above described. Each of these curved arms
has an outwardly inclined portion extending above its pivot, which extensions are
adapted to be separated by a roller or block mounted on the end of the brake rod, so
that when said rod is depressed and the extensions moved outwardly, the lower
extremities of the curved arms are moved inwardly and cause the brake to be applied.
Dated this 27th day of April 1898.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Brakes for Velocipedes and Similar Vehicles.
I, FREDERICK NOEL MACKAY, of 4, Nicoll Road, Willesden, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, 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 brakes for velocipedes and similar vehicles.
One feature of my invention consists in providing an improved concealed brake
device capable of being operated by a movement of the handle relatively to the
handle-bar, without the necessity for the rider to release his hold of the handle or
otherwise incur any liability of inadvertently deflecting the steering wheel.
According to this part of my invention I connect the brake surfaces to a flexible
rod or cord passing through the steering post and handle bar and attached to one of
the handles or to a rack or other device adapted to be operated by the angular
movement of such handle which is pivotally mounted upon the handle bar.
Further features of my invention relate to means for enabling the brake surfaces
to be applied to the wheel rim or other surface in a resilient manner so that a
constant or approximately constant brake pressure is maintained irrespective of any
inequalities of the surface to which the brake is applied.
According to this part of my invention, which is applicable to brake devices other
than those known as concealed brakes, I provide flat segmental or other forms of

page_text: springs carrying the brake surfaces and attached to the brake rod or other operative
part of the brake device. Instead of carrying the brake surfaces, said springs may
he connected to levers upon which said surfaces are mounted.
My invention also comprises means whereby the brake is automatically held in its
operative position and cause:l to effect a greater or less degree of brake pressure at
the will of the rider, as hereinafter set forth.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into
effect I will describe the same more fully with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a front view and Figure 2 a plan of one construction of my improved
concealed brake device; the steering post and handle bar being shown in
section.
Figures 3 and 4 are respectively a front and side view showing my improved brake
operated by a hand lever and connecting rod mounted outside the handle bar and
steering post.
Figure 5 is rear view and Figure 6 a side view of a modified construction
whereby I may employ the ordinary form of hand lever and rod for operating my
brake.
In all the figures like letters of reference indicate the same
parts.
or similar
A is the wheel rim, B the steering post, B₁ B₁ the steering forks, C the handle
bar, C the landle bar stem, and D one of the handles, of a bicycle or other similar
velocipede.
Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, a is a segmentally bent flat steel spring which
partially surrounds the tyre and rim and carries brake surfaces a adapted to act
upon the wheel rim A. This device is secured to the lower extremity of a short rod
or tube b, mounted in guides formed by the perforated discs b1, b constituting the
ends of a small cylinder 2 fitted into the extremity of the steering post and secured
therein by a screw b³. A spring b bearing upon the under surface of the upper guide
disc band upon a projection on the rod b tends constantly to depress said rod and
so cause the brake surfaces to remain out of contact with the wheel rim.
To the rod b is attached a 'flexible rod, wire or cord c passing up within the steering
post and along one side or half of the handle bar to the handle. This attachment is
effected by a nut cx screwing upon the coned and split tubular extremity of the
rod b, which grasps the rod or wire c, so as to permit of the adjustment of the length
thereof.
That handle D to which the opposite extremity of the flexible rod c is connected is
pivoted or hinged to the handle bar C by a knuckle joint D¹ or other suitable device
in such manner as to be capable of a slight angular motion or swing thereon. The
rod or wire c is secured to a flat piece or strip of spring steel c¹ which passes between
the leaf or knuckle of the pivot or hinge that is secured to the handle and the adjacent
side or wall of the tubular handle bar C. This strip c¹ is perforated with a number
of holes c, forming a rack which is engaged by the projection d upon the said leaf
or knuckle and also by the retaining pawl d' controlled by the spring d.
When the handle is turned into the position shown in dotted lines Figure 2, the
rod or wire c is pulled, thereby drawing upward the segmental spring and applying
the brake in a resilient manner. The pawl will then engage the said strip, so that
the handle may be returned to its normal position without releasing the brake.
Further movements of the handle will pull the rod or wire further, and thus put
increased brake pressure on the wheel rim. For releasing the brake I provide the
pawl d with a finger-piece d arranged in a convenient position relatively to the
rider's fore finger. When this finger-piece is pressed toward the handle, the pawl d¹
will be withdrawn from engagement with the strip c¹, and the spring 6 will then put
the brake out of operation.
In connection with this retaining pawl d¹ I employ a lock E the bolt e of which is
adapted to be shot into such a position that the said pawl cannot be withdrawn from

page_text: A
its engaging position, so that if the brake be applied before locking said pawl the
velocipede cannot be ridden until such pawl is unlocked.
The extremity of the strip, c¹ projects slightly beyond the knuckle joint and is
prevented from being withdrawn too far into the handle bar under the action of the
spring b by a split ring c³ passed through one of the holes c², and adapted to come
against the extremity of the handle bar tube as shown in the drawings. This ring
also enables any slack of the wire or cord c to be taken up, by transferring said ring
from one of the holes c² to another nearer the said wire, and it thus obviates the
necessity of removing the parts and adjusting the attachment of said cord to the
rod or tube b.
If preferred, instead of the guides 6 within the steering post, I may
employ guides arranged upon the steering forks and embracing the sides of
the spring a.
When employing this resilient brake support a in connection with a brake lever
and rod mounted outside the handle bar and steering post, I may employ a hand
lever and a vertical brake rod of similar construction to those ordinarily employed.
The aforesaid segmental springs may be mounted centrally on a suitable part of the
frame of the velocipede in such manner that the extremities are in proximity to the
surface to which the brake surfaces are adapted to be applied, the lower end of
the brake rod being provided with a yoke or double armed piece adapted to act upon
the upper or side portions of this spring and thereby cause it to apply the brake
to the rim in a resilient manner.
I may transversly corrugate the sides of the spring, or form ribs or projections
thereon, and provide the extremities of the yoke arins with corresponding projec-
tions, in the same manner as described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the
drawings filed with my Complete Specification No. 30245 of 1897, so that when said
yoke arms have sprung over a rib they will be retained in that position. This
arrangement permits of varying degrees of brake pressure being applied, according
to the position of the yoke arms on the spring. Or instead of forming the springs
with the aforesaid ribs or projections, I may effect the same purpose by providing or
arranging a catch or catches upon a suitable part of the framing of the velocipede
adapted to engage a notch or notches on the brake rod or hand lever, as shown in
the construction illustrated by way of example in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying
drawings and hereinafter described.
prefer however to mount the springs a directly upon the brake rod and for this:
purpose I employ the construction shown in Figures 3 and 4.
To a plate a upon the lower extremity of the brake rod c, I attach, on each side
thereof, one or more spring arms a which may be formed of flat spring steel bent in
the manner shown, or may be of wire having one or more curves or coils therein as
shown in the construction illustrated in Figures 5 and 6; or the spring may be of
the same form as that shown in Figure 1, and attached directly to the end of the
brake rod c. The free extremities of these arms carry suitable brake surfaces a¹
adapted to be applied to the wheel rim.
The brake rod is constructed in two parts so as to be adjustable as to its length in
the well known manner, and its upper extremity is pivotally connected to the hand
lever d. The fulcrum of this lever is on that side of the brake rod remote from the
handle or free extremity of the said lever, so that when said lever is raised the rod is
also raised and caused to apply the brake surface to the wheel rim. I sometimes
however pivot this lever and connect the brake rod thereto in the usual manner, and
instead of operating said lever directly by hand I so arrange it that its free extremity
bears against the adjacent steering handle which is pivoted to the handle bar in the
manner above described and is capable of a slight angular downward movement so
as to depress said extremity of the lever and thus raise the other extremity thereof
and apply the brake.
6 is a spring bearing upon the under surface of the lamp bracket and upon a
projection on the brake rod, and tending to depress said rod so as to maintain the
brake surface out of contact with the wheel rim. A tie rod or stay ƒ is pivotally

page_text: connected to each side of the spring a and to the adjacent fork or other, suitable part
of the velocipede, said rod or stay serving to assist in maintaining the brake surfaces
in their proper position, and to thus relieve the strain upon the brake rod guide 6¹
when the brake is in operation due to the tendency of the wheel rim to carry with it
the said surfaces.
Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, c is an ordinary brake rod adapted to be
depressed by a hand lever in the usual manner. The lower extremity of said rod is
provided with a transverse bar or head ax to the extremities of which are connected'
two springs a (one on each side of the wheel) formed of tempered steel wire or other
appropriate material and having one or more curves or coils therein. The lower ends
of these springs are connected to levers a³ carrying brake surfaces a¹ at their opposite
extremities. Each of the said levers is pivoted to a clip a² secured upon one of the.
steering forks, the construction of the pivot being such that a slight side play or
movement of the lever is permitted, so that the brake surfaces can move away from
the wheel rim to pass over any inequality or projection thereon. The springs a are
so bent or coiled that their lower ends constantly press the extremities of the levers
to which they are connected outward so that the brake surfaces on the opposite
extremities are forced toward or upon the wheel rim in a resilient manner.
In this case also I may, if desired, employ a pivoted steering handle adapted to be
moved angularly to operate the brake lever dx, said lever being connected to or
bearing upon an extension or lug provided on the handle and extending beyond the
pivot or knuckle joint.
Instead of wire springs I may employ the form of spring shown in Figures 1 and 2,
such spring being so constructed that its extremities tend to move outwardly in the
manner and for the purpose above described.
It will be obvious that this arrangement for carrying the brake surfaces a¹ may be
employed with my concealed brake operating device shown in Figures 1 and 2. In
such case however the fulcrum of the lever would be at one end thereof, the brake
surfaces being at the other end and the flexible rod being connected to each of the
levers at an intermediate point.
In order to retain the brake in its operative position I employ a spring controlled
pawl d suitably carried on, say, the steering post of the velocipede and adapted to
engage a rack c² formed on the brake rod. When the said brake rod is depressed to
apply the brake this pawl automatically engages one or other of the notches of the
rack, according to the intensity of brake pressure required and the consequent
amount of depression given to the rod, and holds such rod in its depressed position.
For releasing the brake when desired I employ a short rod / carried by and capable
of sliding in guides h¹ h¹ upon such brake rod, and provided with a block or shoe h²
which, when said rod his depressed, pushes the pawl out of engagement with the
rack. 3 is a light spring for normally maintaining the rod in its elevated position.
When it is desired that the brake shall not be held in its operative position after
being applied, the sliding piece g mounted on the handle bar and capable of sliding
partly around the same with a certain amount of friction, may be turned so as to bear
against the knob or top of the rod and hold it in its depressed position.
In the drawings I have shown three forms of brake surface a¹, which may con-
sist of leather, indiarubber, vulcanite, or other suitable material; and it will be
understood that any one of these forms may be employed with any of the con-
structions of brake devices illustrated.
The brake surface shown in Figure 1 consists of strips of leather or other material
secured by cement or rivets to the extremity of the spring a which is bent over as
shown so as to embrace one edge of such strips.
The brake surface shown in Figures 3 and 4 consists of a roller mounted upon a
spindle carried by the ends of each pair of spring arms a. As it becomes worn, this
roller may be turned so as to present fresh surfaces to the wheel rim.
The brake surface shown in Figures 5 and 6 consists of a block formed, for
instance, of strips of leather carried in the recessed or box shaped end of the lever a³.
The said block is held in place by a pin or pins secured to the lever and passing

page_text: through a slot or slots in said block, whereby said block is allowed a slight amount
of sliding movement in the recess or box. This movement is controlled by a resilient
pad of soft india-rubber at, or a spring, placed at the bottom of the recess and on
which said block bears.
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 in a velocipede or similar vehicle is :-
1. A brake device adapted to be operated by the angular movement of one of the
steering handles of the velocipede, substantially as described.
2. The combination with the brake blocks of a spring or springs connected with
the brake operating mechanism, substantially as described.
3. The brake device having its parts constructed, arranged and combined to operate
substantially as described with reference to one or other of the arrangements illus
trated in the accompanying drawings.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.