Year: 1897

page_text: I, CHARLES JAMES WATTS, of 3 Doyle Terrace, Guernsey, Engineer. do her-by
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention is an application of a ratchet action between the pedal and
the crank of a cycle, whereby the pressure exerted at certain positions of the
crank and by the ankle motion of the rider, may be more fully utilized in the
propulsion of the machine.
It consists of a disc, either serrated, milled, or otherwise, secured to the end
of the crank, and clutches or pawls attached to the moveable part of the pedal,
in such a manner that whilst the pedal is retained in the normal position by the
foot of the rider, the forward motion of the crank is not impeded, the clutch
slipping past the disc in harmony with the crank motion.
Whenever, by the ankle action or otherwise, the foot of the rider is tilted or
depressed upon the edge of the pedal, the clutch engages with the disc attached
to the crank, thus preventing the pedal from swinging upon its own axis, and
thereby exerting an increased leverage upon the crank of the machine.
To facilitate detachment I form my disc upon the shoulder or boss of the pedal
in, which pin being the axis upon which the pedal moves, is usually bolted
to the crank end by a screw or nut. I attach one or more clutches or pawls to
the pedal equi-distant from the centre of the axis of the pedal pin, which clutch
or clutches engage with the disc before mentioned, as required.
1002
I, CHARLES JAMES WATTS, of 3 Doyle Terrace, Guernsey, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention is an application of a ratchet action between the pedal and

page_text: the crank of a cycle, whereby the pressure exerted at certain positions of the
crank and by the ankle motion of the rider, may be more fully utilised in the
propulsion of the machine.
It consists of a disc or collar either serrated, milled or otherwise indented,
secured to the end of the crank, and balls, pawls or their equivalents attached
to or contained in the moveable part of the pedal, in such a manner that whilst
the pedal is retained in the normal position by the foot of the rider, the motion
of the pedal frame is not impeded, the pawl slipping past the disc in harmony
with the crank motion.
Whenever, by the ankle action or otherwise, the foot of the rider is tilted or
depressed upon the front edge of the pedal, the pawl engages with the disc or
collar attached to the crank, thus preventing the pedal frame from swinging
upon its own axis, and thereby exerting an increased leverage upon the crank
of the machine.
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To facilitate detachment I form the disc as the shoulder or boss of the pedal
pin, which pin being the axis upon which the pedal frame moves, is bolted to
the crank end by a screw or bolt and nut. I attach to the inner end of the
pedal frame a ball race or box containing the said disc or collar, out of the edge
of which disc tapering spaces forming serrations are cut. Steel balls or rollers
are placed in these spaces and form the pawls of the clutch whereby the pedal
frame engages with the disc on the pedal pin, which disc rotates as before
mentioned inside the said ball race or box.
The pedals are right and left handed as they must be specially adapted to each
side of the machine.
If preferred both the rubber or other treads could be placed on the front side
of the pedal frame as shewn in Fig. 3 instead of one at each side as at present.
I will now describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which:
Fig. 1 shews a plan view of the inner end of a bicycle pedal constructed accord-
ing to my invention.
Fig. 2 is an end view of same, shewing the ball race or box with the cover
removed and the serrated disc and ball clutch in view.
Fig. 3 shews a plan view of the pedal with both treads in front of the pedal
frame.
a is the crank pin. b is the usual bridge piece connecting the two treads c.
The bridge piece b is provided at its centre with a circular box or ball race d
which contains the serrated disc f and balls g which together form the clutch c.
The disc f is firmly attached to or formed solid with the pin a, and is provided
with serrations which form the wedge shaped recesses fl. A ball or roller 9 is
placed in each of the recesses f. Therefore when the rider presses on the back
tread or centre of the treadle frame, the balls and disc run free, and the clutch
action does not operate. But if the rider tilts his foot slightly and presses on
the front tread, the balls or rollers will travel along the wedge shaped
recesses f. of the disc f and be jammed against the interior surface of the ball
race or box thus preventing the rotation of the pedal frame. The ball race or
box is preferably closed by a cap d' at its outer end, to keep the clutch e dust
proof.
Directly the pressure of the rider's foot is. removed. from the front tread the
clutch action is instantly and automatically freed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
clain: is:
1. In a pedal for bicycles, tricycles and the like the method of instantaneously
locking the pedal frame and pin together by means of the special clutch shewn,
thereby increasing the leverage of the crank at will, as herein described and set 5
anth

page_text: 2. In a pedal for bicycles, tricycles and the like the box or ball race d, serrated
disc or collar f, balls g or their equivalents, as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1897.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
Patent Agent, 171 Queen Victoria St, London.