An Improved Variable Speed-driving Mechanism for Velocipedes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 9th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 9th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 16th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Variable Speed-driving Mechanism for Velocipedes.
I, HENRI MAURICE MERCIER of 23 Boulevard de Strasbourg, Paris, in the
Republic of France, Architect, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to speed-regulating apparatus for velocipedes.
My improved speed-regulating apparatus comprises a stepped cone having
interior crowns of teeth and a toothed pinion which is at will caused to engage
with one or the other crown of teeth in the cone wherein the said pinion is
arranged.
This pinion is keyed upon the axis of the treadle cranks. The aforesaid cone
has in its interior as many crowns of teeth as different velocities are to be obtained.
It is adapted to turn in a bearing provided with two prolongations, one of which
serves for fixing the whole apparatus to the velocipede, and the other for carrying
a socket transversely at its extremity. A cylindrical part cast integral with the
said cone receives externally a crown of teeth which is designed to gear with the
chain for transmitting the movement to the wheels of the velocipede. In the afore-
said axis of the treadle cranks are formed annular grooves with which a bolt or
catch is adapted to engage. This bolt or catch is operated through the medium of
a wire one end of which is attached to a handle placed upon the backbone or frame
of the velocipede in proximity to the ordinary handle for operating the brake, and
the other end to the said bolt or catch, the latter being adapted to oscillate upon
an axis. Part of the said bolt or catch is so arranged that it will limit the
oscillatory movement by striking against one of the bearings wherein the axis of
the treadle cranks can turn. These bearings which may be provided with rollers
if desired, are carried by a fork which is arranged to oscillate by turning with its
axis held in the above mentioned socket. The oscillation of this fork is limited by
means of a stop. Diaphragms are provided for closing the two openings of the
aforesaid cone with slight friction which is caused by springs fixed upon the
A spiral spring
diaphragms and pressing upon the bearings above referred to.
maintains the fork at the lowest point of its movement, and another spiral spring
serves to throw the bolt or catch back into the grooves provided in the axis of the
treadle cranks.
My improved apparatus whereby the speed of the velocipede can be varied
presents the following advantages.
The friction is practically null at the greatest velocity, and increasing pro-
gressively has at the smallest velocity a very slight value (0.04 per cent. of the
work performed instead of 7 per cent. as in the apparatus heretofore used).
The lubricant is continually renewed in order to ensure a very low co-efficient of
friction having despite the great pressure which chases the oil so as to cause inter-
mittent lubrication. This lubrication is necessary for protecting the teeth from
speedy destruction.
A casing closes the apparatus hermetically, thereby obviating the access of dust
and the escape of drops of oil projected during the movement.
The weight is reduced to half the weight of the apparatus hitherto used so that
there will be only an additional load of from 1 to 2 kilogrammes according to the
machines employed. The volume is about one-quarter the volume of the apparatus
used up to the present time.
The play between the teeth does not increase with the wear and has no influence
upon the cranks so as to cause then to oscillate at the moment when they pass the
dead point

page_text: "
:
My improved speed-regulating apparatus is cheap, for it does not require any
regulation and it operates with a cone of cast metal, which is either round or oval,
and which does not necessitate any, finishing.,
The transmitting device is actuated by hand and is very simple. It does not
disfigure the machines, enables the rider to effect a change in the velocity without
leaving the seat, and does not prevent the machines being carried on the shoulder
when mounting stairs.
When the motion takes place at the greatest speed the pinion hereinbefore
referred to, engages with the interior crown which has the same number of teeth.
This pinion directly actuates the cone and chain without a reduction in the speed.
Everything takes place as in an ordinary machine except that the strains are
distributed upon three bearings instead of two, which does not cause any supple-
mentary friction.
The above-mentioned bolt or catch takes into one of the grooves formed in the
axis of the treadle cranks and prevents any lateral movement.
In case the motion takes place at any one of the other speeds the pinion on the
axis of the treadle cranks is caused to gear in the oil bath with the corresponding
crown of teeth. The cone then rotates at a velocity reduced in the same proportion
as the diameters of the wheels in gear.
The strain which is due to the application of the power to the extremity of the
crank, and which is transmitted to the point of contact of the teeth that engage
with each other, prevents the wheels from coming out of gear, and keeps them in
their proper position. The spring above mentioned whose action increases this
strain is however provided, not for this purpose, but for enabling the operation of
the said boit or catch when changes in the speed are effected.
The changes in the speed can be produced whenever they may be deemed
necessary during the ride, without operating the treadles more slowly.
The only
precaution to be taken is to allow the cranks to turn freely during the operation
without however relinquishing them. The velocipede must move freely at most
only during one turn of the pedals.
For changing from a given speed to the next higher speed a slight pressure is
exerted upon the handle placed upon the backbone or frame of the velocipede. By
means of the wires connected with the handle this movement will be transmitted to
the above-mentioned bolt or catch. As the latter is thus caused to oscillate upon
its axis it will compress one of the spiral springs hereinbefore referred to. The
bolt or catch is disengaged from the groove in the axis of the treadle cranks and its
point will press against the aforesaid bearing. Then the handle meets with a slight
resistance owing to the other spring above mentioned.
At this moment the two cranks are caused by the feet to move to the left and a
slight pressure is exerted upon the handle in order to overcome the resistance of
the said spring. The fork turns in the above mentioned socket, the pinion follows
the movement and rises in the cone. When it has reached the level of the crown
of teeth with which it is to engage the pinion, being still forced to the left through
the medium of the cranks and their axis will suddenly gear with the said crown
and bear against the side of the next crown which stops it. The slight shock
produced indicates that the change has been effected, and it is only necessary to
release the handles for the two spiral springs to return to their original position.
The bolt or catch is then engaged with the next groove in the axis of the treadle
crank.
For changing from a given speed to the next lower speed, pressure is exerted
upon the handle as above described until the resistance of the said spring is felt.
At this moment the pedals are moved to the right. The pinion slides from one
crown of teeth and then falls into the next crown of teeth.
The slight shock which is produced indicates that the change has been effected.
It is then sufficient to release the handle and to move the pedals slightly to the left
for causing the bolt or catch to engage with the corresponding groove in the axis of
the treadle crank.

page_text: In order to change from any speed to a greater or smaller one without making
use of the intermediate speeds, pressure is exerted upon the handle for disengaging
the bolt or catch and for lifting the fork until it bears against its stop.
The pinion is now concentric with the cone and can be pushed laterally to the
right for obtaining greater force, or to the left until it abuts for obtaining greater
speed the handle being then released in order to enable the springs to return to
their original position.
Dated this 9th day of July 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Variable Speed-driving Mechanism for Velocipedes.
HENRI MAURICE MERCIER, of 23, Boulevard de Strasbourg Paris, in the
Republic of France, Architect, 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:-
This invention relates to speed-regulating apparatus which is applicable to
velocipedes.
The improved apparatus comprises the use of stepped gearing for regulating or
modifying the speed, and is composed of a cone having internally toothed wheels
formed integral therewith and acting in combination with a toothed pinion which is
caused to engage with one or the other of the said internally toothed wheels of the
cone, in which the pinion is arranged.
In order to enable my invention to be better understood I have shown in the
accompanying drawings how the same may be conveniently, and advantageou-ly
carried into practice. In the said drawings,
Figure is a side elevation of a safety bicycle provided with my speed-regulating
apparatus.
Figures 2 and 3 show side elevation and a horizontal section respectively of the
speed regulator proper.
Figures 4 and 5 show similar views of a modification of my apparatus.
A is the chain-wheel of the machine and is formed integral with the cone B.
haying internally toothed wheels a b c and mounted in ball bearings in a support C
carried by the arms D pivoted at D' to the frame of the velocipede and provided
at the opposite end of the arm D with a slot E in which is arranged a clamping
screw designed to maintain this support C in a fixed position. The slot E, which
enables the said support C to be held in a definite position, serves to give to the
chain F the proper tension.
The axis G of the pedals carries a driving toothed wheel H which can be caused
to engage with one or the other of the above mentioned internally toothed wheels
of the cone by means of the following device:
The support C carries a sleeve I arranged on the axis J provided with two
arms K K'in which the axis G of the pedals turn. A spring L surrounding the axis J
and sleeve I, is fixed on the one hand upon this sleeve and on the other hand upon
the arm K; the tension of the said spring is such, that it constantly tends to push
the wheel H towards the left and downwards.
In the position represented in Figures 2 and 3 the wheel H gears with the
largest a of the internally toothed wheels of the cone.
To displace the wheel towards one of the other two internally toothed wheels for
the purpose of increasing the speed the cord M fixed to one of the bearings N in
which the axis of the pedals turn, is acted upon; the driving tooth wheel H is
raised and disengaged from the teeth of the wheel a and the spring L which

page_text: constantly tends to force it to the left of the cyclist pushes it so as to cause it to
gear with the teeth of the wheel 6 or those of the wheel c according to the distance
which it has been raised.
The cord is actuated either by hand or by a handle placed upon the frame; when
the wheel H is to be caused to gear with a larger wheel for reducing the speed it
is sufficient to exert upon the pedals a lateral pressure with the feet to the right;
the driving tooth wheel H passes successively upon the middle and the largest
internally toothed wheel, and the spring L which constantly tends to push it to the
'eft and downwards holds it in the position which has been chosen. The spring L
can, moreover, be arranged in a manner different from that represented in the
drawing; it may be placed at any other suitable point of the apparatus provided
that it produces the same effects, for instance it may be placed outside the axis J,
and in close proximity to the same.
Figures 4 and 5 show a modification of my apparatus in which the spring L is
dispensed with.
The driving toothed wheel H is kept in the desired position by a lever O pivoted
at P upon the support C and carrying a pin R which enters a hole in the sleeve I
and axis J.
The said wheel H is displaced to the right or to the left by a lateral pressure of
the feet upon the pedals; after the pin R has been removed from its hole by acting
upon the lever O by a cord, pulled either by hand or by a handle pivoted upon the
frame. This operation is effected without difficulty when it is desired to increase
or reduce the speed to another smaller one; it is not only necessary to move the
pin from its hole for permitting the lateral movement, but also to raise the axis of
the pinion for lifting it to engage with the desired internally toothed wheel the said
lever acts upon the axis for lifting it immediately after the pin R has been
removed from its hole.
The axis J is provided with three cavities designed to receive successively the
pin R according to the position of the wheel H relatively to the internally toothed
wheels a band c.
My improvement is applicable either to bicycles or to tricycles, it is sufficient to
arrange the cone in such a manner that the chain wheel shall be in the axis of the
vehicle in the case of a tricycle, or laterally in the case of a bicycle.
The apparatus can be operated irrespective of the direction of rotation in which
the tension of the chain is exerted either upon the upper part or upon the lower
part.
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
First. The improved speed-regulating apparatus for velocipedes, such as safety
bicycles, tricycles, tandems, and the like, comprising a cone having formed therewith
internally toothed wheels with one of which gears a driving toothed wheel secured
upon the axis of the pedals, the change of speed being obtained by varying the
position of the said wheel so as to cause it to engage with one or the other of the
internally toothed wheels of the cone, made integral with the chain wheel, according
to the speed which it is desired to obtain.
Second. The displacement of the driving toothed wheel above mentioned under
the action of a spring the tension of which tends at the same time to lower the said
wheel against the base of the teeth with which it is in gear, and to move the
said driving toothed wheel towards the internally toothed wheel for the greater
speed, when the said driving wheel is disengaged from the teeth with which it is in
gear by the lifting of the frame which carries its axis upon which the pedals are
secured, the lifting of the said wheel, for a change of speed, being produced by
means of a cord pulled by the hand of the rider.
Third. For maintaining the position of the driving toothed wheel in the interior

page_text: of the cone having internally toothed wheels of different diameters the arrangement
of a pin entering one of the holes formed in a rod of the frame which carries the
axis of the pedals, this pin being actuated by a cord within reach of the hand of the
rider.
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L A 1001
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.