I don't think anybody could have a patent on the dual-pivot principle. Altenburger sold a dual pivot brake in the 60s and GB I think marketed them as the Synchron. Certainly their dual pivot looks identical to the Altenburger and there were some close links between the two companies. Going back to the 1930s Constrictor sold brakes made on the same principle which were made in France. Apart from rims and tyres, Constrictor bought in all their products from outside manufacturers. Hilary Stone, Bristol, Britain
----------
>From: Bikerdaver@aol.com
>To: chuckschmidt@earthlink.net, brianblum@hotmail.com
>Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>Subject: Re: [Classicrendezvous] Classic brakes Ballili and Weinmann
>Date: Tue, Oct 3, 2000, 7:15 pm
>
> I agree with noticing the uncanny similarity between Balilla, Weinmann,
> Universal, Zues, and Superbe brake calipers. Who was the first with that
> design, I do not know, but I would guess it was either Universal or Balilla.
> As far as Shimano or Campy are concerned, I beileve that neither infringed on
> each others "patent-rights" since it was an European company by the name of
> something like "Altenburger" that first came up with the dual pivot design in
> the mid-sixties. Regretfully it was never targeted to the Racing market and I
> think it eventually shriveled on the vine as it were. Actually this would be
> a good question to ask Cycle-Art since they sold/had several of these
> calipers, but I don't know how to contact them. Cheers,
> Dave
>
> In a message dated 10/2/00 7:09:21 PM PST, chuckschmidt@earthlink.net writes:
>>
>> brian blum wrote:
>> >
>> > Did the original Weinmann brakes copy Ballili(sp?) of Italy? The original
>> > Weinmann were almost identical, was there no patent or was there a
>> > licensing arrangement?
>>
>> I would say that Weinmann, Balilla, and Zeus etc. were all in response
>> to the very successful and popular MAFAC Racer (Forge Dural) from the
>> early 50s. No patents in effect.
>>
>> A question I have asked, that always goes unanswered, is the uncanny
>> similarities in the Campagnolo and Shimano dual-pivot brakesets.
>> Particularily when disassembled into their respective individual parts.
>> Some third party must have sold the rights to both Campagnolo and
>> Shimano. Anyone know the lowdown?
>>
>> Chuck Schmidt
>> South Pasadena, California