An Improved Driving Gear for Cycles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 22nd Jan., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Driving Gear for Cycles.
We, THOMAS EWART WHITE and Cuthbert Read, both of Trangie, in the Colony
of New South Wales, Station Hands, 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 our invention is to provide a Direct Driving Gear for Cycles and to
avoid the loss of power consequent upon the friction created by the use of driving
chains, cogged driving rods, and the like. But to more clearly express and define
the object and method of our invention we now refer to the accompanying sheet
of drawings.
In Figure 1 X is the rear wheel of the cycle hereafter termed the "driving
wheel." A is one of the two "operating wheels" situated one on each side of
the driving wheel. These operating wheels are placed as far forward of the centre
of the driving wheel as to cause their inner circumierences to be in contact with
the outer circumferences of the " sprocket wheels" B, B, fixed on either end of
the axle of the driving wheel. The operating wheels revolve on suitable bearings
fastened to the frame of the cycle by movable fastenings in such a manner as to
allow of the operating wheels being moved a short distance backwards or forwards
should the wear and tear of the driving gear render this necessary.
Each of these operating wheels is rotated by a pedal-bar, fastened thereto and is
so set on the frame that the pedal-bars of the two operating wheels (one on either
side of the driving wheel) lie in the same straight line as shown at C and Cº.
Figure 2 is plan of operating wheel which consists of a rigid metal ring Y into
which are fastened a number of rollers Z Z (of steel or other suitable material).
These rollers revolve on ball or any suitable bearings.
Figure 3 is the sprocket wheel with circumference consisting of a number of
concave surfaces so formed that the rollers of the operating wheel can grip and
rotate it.
Figure 4 shows operating and sprocket wheels occupying their proper relative
positions.
Figure 5 is an elevation of a suitable movable bearing to hold the operating
wheels, 6 being a bearing block sliding in a slot a in the frame and adapted to
be fixed or set by a screw c, but any bearing capable of being moved backwards or
forwards along the bar to which it is fastened would be equally suitable.
Reverting to Figure 1.
When the pedal-bar, C, is depressed, the operating wheel is rotated and the
rollers, fastened to its outer ring fitting into the concaved surface of the circum-
ference of the sprocket wheel, B, compel it to revolve also and with it the driving
wheel of the cycle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
In the driving gear of cycles, the combination and arrangement of a pair of

page_text: operating wheels A A, each fixed to and rotated by a pedal-bar C, and having
fastened to its outer ring Y a series of rollers fitting into and revolving a sprocket
wheel, with circumference of suitable concaved surfaces, and through it the
driving wheel of the cycle substantially as herein described.
Dated this 19th day of February 1897.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicants.