Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 14th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 13th Feb., 1897
We, BRUNO ENDLER, of XIII Lingerstrasse No. 94, Vienna, Austria,
Merchant, and HEINRICH FREYBERGER, of Zurich, Switzerland, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to an improved construction of brake apparatus for
bicycles and other velocipedes which, instead of acting on the tyre of oue of the
wheels as with ordinary brake apparatus, is made to act directly upon the pedal-
crank axle. It consists essentially of a brake block, strap, or equivalent device
which is situated within the axle box between this and the journal of the crank
axle, and which block is acted upon by the rider by suitable gear so as to be
pressed against the surface of the crank axle.
For this purpose, according to one arrangement a block having a concave inner
surface adapted to fit on to the cylindrical surface of the axle, has fixed to it a rod
passing upward through a guide formed on the axle box and extending upward to
a convenient point where it can be acted upon by the rider so as to press the block
down against the axle, which is by preference formed with circular ridges or
corrugations fitting corresponding ridges or corrugations on the brake block, so as
to increase the frictional contact. When not depressed as described the block is
kept away from the axle by a suitable spring.
Instead of connecting the actuating rod directly to the block, it can be connected
to the long arm of a double ended lever, also situated within the axle box, and
whose short arm carries the brake block, so that in this case the brake block is
applied by a pull on the rod.
According to another modification, in place of an ordinary brake block there is
employed a curved plate or loop that embraces the axle, so that by a pull upon the
rod attached to the loop this is drawn into frictional contact with the axle.
The said loop may also be made as a flexible band one end of which is attached
to the inner surface of the axle box while the other end is attached to the
pull rod.
According to another arrangement we form the brake block as a wedge which on
being forced inwards by the before mentioned rod, is wedged more or less forcibly
between the periphery of the axle and a plane surface formed on the inner face of
the axle box.
action, a cord passing up through a
In some cases also, the rod is formed
rotated for exerting the requisite pull
When the brake is operated by a pulling
tubular guide can be substituted for the rod.
as or is connected to a screw spindle which is
or push, or the rod may be connected to an ordinary hand brake lever for obtaining
the requisite power.
Dated this 14th day of February 1896.
ABEL & IMKAY,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: We BRUNO ENDLER late of 13 Lingerstrasse No. 94 Vienna but now of
Baumgarten Vienna, Austria and HEINRICH FREYBERGER of 14 Häringsgasse
Zurich Switzerland, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
The object of our invention is to replace the ordinary brake, heretofore used with
cycles, which operates upon the rim or tyre of the wheel by a brake housed in the
crank bracket case and operating upon the crank shaft.
The braking action upon the crank shaft may be effected either by one or more
brake shoes or blocks or by a wedge and these parts may be operated either by
tension or pressure by means of a rod or cord.
By preference we dispose the rods, levers or cords for operating the brake inside
the tubes of the cycle frame and connect them with a lever outside of the frame, or
in any other suitable manner.
In the annexed drawing this improved brake is shewn in several modifications.
Fig. 1 shows a bicycle provided with this brake, partly in section.
Fig. 2 is a section through the crank bracket, parallel to the line of axis of the
crank shaft.
Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section through the crank bracket.
Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 show in sections, similar to that of Fig. 3, four modifications
of the brake.
Fig. 7 shows a longitudinal section of the modification represented in.
Fig. 7.
As will be seen from the drawing, we place between the crank shaft a and the
bracket box b one or more brake shoes or blocks c (Figs. 1 to 3) or one or more
brake bands d (Fig. 5) which are moveably connected with a rod e by means of which
they may be pressed against the crank shaft with more or less force. In Figs. 1
to 3 an ordinary brake block or shoe c is employed which extends around part of
the circumference of the crank axle a and which is connected to the rod e either
rigidly or by a joint. The other end e¹ of the rod e is here, by way of example
connected with a bell crank lever f, attached to the frame of the cycle, to the other
arm of which lever a rod g is jointed which serves to operate the brake direct, or
which connects with the brake lever. When the rod g is depressed the brake
block or shoe e will be pressed against the crank shaft a by aid of the lever f
and rod e.
Instead of the brake shoe pressing against the crank shaft a direct, this shoe may
be attached to a metal band h (Fig. 4) placed around the crank shaft a, and may be
pressed against this shaft by tension upon the rod e. The brake shoe may further
be employed in the form of a wedge k, (Fig. 6), which slides against a corre-
sponding surface b', provided in the crank bracket case and when operated in the
right direction will exert a braking pressure upon the shaft a.
In Fig. 5 a modification is shewn in which the crank shaft a is surrounded by a
band d the inner surface of which is roughened or provided with brake blocks di.
When this band is drawu tight against the crank shaft by means of the
rod e, its roughened surface or its blocks d' will act as a brake upon the crank
shaft.
In Figs. 7 and 7 the brake is shewn provided with a two armed lever m inside
of the bracket case b, to the one end of which lever is attached the brake block or
shoe c, while the other end is connected with the operating rod e.

page_text: In order to increase the frictional resistance of the brake, the brake blocks or
shoes c as well as that part of the crank shaft a upon which they operate may be
provided with annular projections or grooves a2 and 3, which fit into each other
and produce a greater friction surface. The described rods for operating the brake
may be substituted by a wire cord running through the tubes of the cycle frame to
the brake handle or other device for operating the brake, or a screw spindle may
also be employed for operating the brake blocks.
A brake of this kind, being completely enclosed in the hollow parts of the cycle
offers many advantages, principally that of being protected against clogging by
mud and dirt, and of doing away with the injury to the rubber tyre of the old
outside brake.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
A brake for cycles, consisting of a brake block or blocks c or its equivalent
contained within the crank axle bracket or case and situated between the crank
shaft a and the bracket box or case b of the cycle and operated by a rod or
rods e, g, or by a wire cord, by preference running inside of the hollow parts of
the cycle frame to the place where the braking force is to be applied, substantially
as described and shewn on the drawings.
Dated 14th December 1896
GEO.
DOWNING,
8 Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.