GB405687A - Improvements in and relating to collision braking devices for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

405,687. Brakes applied by obstructionremovers and springs ; vehicle life-guards. TERRY, C. D., 141, Russell Road, Moseley, Birmingham. Aug. 11, 1932, No. 22465. [Class 103 (i).] A device adapted to apply the brakes on a vehicle when a guard or bumper at the forward or rear end of the vehicle encounters an obstruction comprises a spring 15 normally tending to separate a brake pedal 11 abutting a stop 20 and a lever 12 connected to the brakes by a link 13, the pedal and lever being locked to hold the spring compressed by a pawl 21 which is actuated to release the spring when the guard member closes an electric circuit of a solenoid 26, Fig. 4, the armature 25 of which is connected by a link 27 and other mechanism to the pawl; the movement of the guard member also causes the ignition and dynamo circuits to be broken and, when the vehicle is stationary, a horn to be sounded. As the brake-applying movement of the lever 12 is limited by the brake shoes contacting with the brake drums, subsequent depression of the pedal 12 again compresses the spring 15 and moves the pawl 21 to maintain the spring compressed. The solenoid 26, Fig. 4, the ignition, starter motor, and all the electrical components 32 except the side and rear lamps 30 are connected in circuit through switches 29, 34 and one of the bumper switches 28 so that when the armature 25 rises to release the pawl 21 it also opens the switch 29 and the solenoid is itself de-energized and the components rendered inoperative. A switch 31 controls the lamps. The gear lever (not shown) is associated mechanically with a barrel-type switch so that when any forward gear is engaged the forward switch 28 only is live, when the gear lever is in neutral both switches 28 are live and when reverse gear is engaged the rear switch 28 only is live. Connection between the solenoid and barrel of the switch and between the barrel and.forward and rear bumper switches 28 is established respectively by a control brush 35 and by brushes 36, 37. In order that the apparatus may be operated independently of the bumper switches, a switch 38 manuallyoperable by an occupant of the vehicle is provided. To enable a horn 40 to be sounded upon the closing of either bumper switch when the vehicle is stationary, a switch 39 short-circuits the solenoid and a switch 39a connects the bumper switches to the horn 40, instead of to the contacts 36, 37 of the switch 34, a brush 41 connecting the horn in circuit in this, the neutral, position of the gear lever. Fig. 1 shows the pawl 21 and its operating mechanism in normal position and Fig. 2 shows the parts on release of the spring with the brakes applied. The pawl, which co-operates with a shoulder 22, forming one end of a slot 23 in a flange 24 on the lever 12 is fulcrummed on the pedal 11 and pivotally connected with one arm 44 of a bellcrank 44, 45, the other arm 45 being connected by a link 47 to an extension 49 of the pedal. Normally the pressure of the shoulder 22 on the pawl is resisted by the pin 46 bearing against a recess 50 in the pedal. When the rod 27 is pulled upwardly by the armature 25, it acts on a lever 55 so that an impact face 59 thereon strikes a similar face 60 on a locking member 51 and causes the member 51 to rotate about a fulcrum 52 and out of engagement with the pin 48. Subsequently a surface 57 on the member 51 strikes a surface 58 on the bell-crank 44, 45 and simultaneously rotates the pawl 21 and also moves the toggle linkage 45, 47 past its dead-centre position to permit the pawl to clear the shoulder 22 and the lever 12 to apply the brakes.