Improvements in Cycles or Velocipedes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 27th Oct., 1894
Improvements in Cycles or Velocipedes.
1, PERCY HUGH PRITCHETT, of Kanieri, in the Colony of New Zealand,
Clerk in Holy Orders, 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 :-
The object of my invention is to provide a ready and efficient means and
apparatus by which the power of the hands of the rider of a cycle can be made use
of to propel the vehicle with or without the usual pressure of the feet.
In carrying my invention into effect, I substitute for the ordinary steering bar
and handle of a cycle, a forked bar or bracket extending upwards to a sufficient
distance so as to carry a set of ball bearings on either side of the center of the
machine, and in these bearings I fit a spindle capable of being revolved at right
angles to the path of the machine. To each end of this spindle and at a convenient
distance apart I fix ratchet wheels having their teeth pointing to the opposite
direction to that in which the machine is travelling, and to these ratchet wheels
I fit pawls and levers, with suitable handles for actuating and revolving the levers
by hand; and, so actuating the ratchet wheels that in moving the said levers
forward the pawls catch into the teeth of the ratchet wheels and propel the
vehicle, but so that the said levers are free to revolve backward without moving the
vehicle. These levers and handles I prefer to move on ball bearings accurately
fitted to the spindles. The motion of the hand ratchet spindle is conveyed to the
main axle of the cycle by suitable gearing, and a convenient hand break and
steering handle is substituted for the ordinary steering gear. The steering may
also be effected if desired by means of the handles upon the levers used for
revolving the ratchet spindle.
My invention is illustrated on the accompanying sheets of drawings on
which,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of an ordinary safety bicycle fitted with my improved
gear.
Figure 2 is an enlarged end view of the driving and steering mechanism, and
shewing the construction of the ball bearings.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in all the figures.
(a) is the upright of an ordinary cycle which usually carries the steering bar and
handles, but for which I substitute a bracket (b) carrying ball bearings (b').
These bearings (6) carry a spindle (s) which is fitted with ratchets (r) in such a
manner that when the handles upon the levers (h) are moved forward the ratchets
carry round the spindle (s), but the said handles are quite free to return. (w) is a
wheel which I prefer to be a sprocket wheel fitted with a chain (w¹) so as to gear
into the wheel (w) on the main axle of the cycle.
By these means I am enabled to work a cycle by hand or by foot power or by
both combined, the wheels being properly proportioned so as to distribute the power
properly and regulate the speed.
(k) is a brake wheel fitted on the spindle (s), and having a strap (k), which strap
is actuated by a lever (t) pivoted to the upright (a) beneath a handle (a) which
handle may be used for the purpose of steering the cycle in addition to the
handles (h) upon the ratchet levers (h).
It will be evident that the ratchets might be dispensed with, and a convenient
form of disengaging gear substituted, so that the spindle (s) and levers (h) could be
actuated independently of the sprocket wheel (w); also that the spindle (s) might
ID 477

page_text: be locked in its bearings if desired, and have suitable disengaging gear: moreover
the several details can be varied without departing from the principle of my
invention.
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 is-
1. In a cycle or velocipede, the bracket (6) carrying a spindle (s) in ball
bearings (6) and fitted with ratchet wheels (r) levers (h) and handles (h), as and
for the purposes substantially as described herein and illustrated.
་
2. In a cycle or velocipede, the spindle (*) forming a steering bar combined with
sprocket wheels (w) & (w³) and a connecting chain such as (w¹), or mechanical
equivalents of the same.
3. In a cycle or velocipede, the spindle (s) actuated by handles (¹) and carrying
sprocket wheel (w) connected to and actuating a driving wheel and provided with
suitable disengaging gear.
4. In a cycle or velocipede, the brake wheel (k) having a strap (') and lever (t)
substantially as described herein and illustrated.
5. The whole combination and arrangements of parts constituting my improve-
ments in cycles and velocipedes substantially as described herein and illustrated.
Dated this 13th day of September 1894.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.