From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Semi-hydraulic brake system, noting a similar design by the Sunbeam Co. and questioning the patentability of their own design.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 32\2\ Scan079 | |
| Date | 17th October 1932 | |
| R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. Lor. o.{Mr Oldham} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. RY/AH. X155q BY.1/G.17.10.32. RECEIVED 17 OCT 1932 SEMI-HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM FOR MOTOR CARS. N.SCH. 3560. Referring to R.1/M.5.10.32. we have gone carefully into this matter, but in making a search we find that the Sunbeam Co. have a very similar system which is described as follows :- "...... in Sunbeam cars, the operating cylinders are outside the brake drums, where their pistons take effect upon a cable, lever and camshaft, the latter being arranged as in orthodox mechanical braking practice. " It would therefore appear that we are forestalled in the main feature of your design, and I question whether if we are not able to make a claim in this direction whether a patent based on minor claims would be of any value, personally I think it would not. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Roy{Sir Henry Royce} | ||