Improvements in Chain Gearing for Cycles, Horseless Carriages, Reaping Machines, and Machinery-driving purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Oct., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 8th July, 1897-Accepted, 21st Aug., 1897..
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chain Gearing for Cycles, Horseless Carriages,
Reaping Machines, and Machinery-driving purposes.
JOHN BALLANTYNE SMALL Pneumatic Wheel-builder 7 Great George Street
Hillhead in the City and County of Glasgow, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The said invention has for its object the leverage, in rotatory motion, of the
hub-wheel spokes of driven wheels and the consequent reduction of driving power in
bicycles, tricycles and auto-motors, also in the driving of machinery and the propeller
shafts of steam-boats and the driving of machines and machinery where ordinary
chains are now used.
In order that the said invention may be better understood one sheet of drawings
accompanies this specification.
Figure 1 is an erection view shewing the three discs F, H, and D.
Figure 2 is a plan view of same.
Figure 3 is an erection view of the hemisphere of the hub-wheel or levered wheel H,
concentric with the rear wheel of a bicycle, or of the two wheels or one wheel or a tricycle,
or of the one or more wheels of a horseless carriage or other mechanically propelled
vehicle. The said wheel is chain-levered, 'by ineans of blocks, or other mechanical
contrivance fixed to the chain all of which will be more practically and specifically
described, further on.
In this application the adaptation of the chain and the chain-levered wheel is for
a bicycle of the ordinary rear-driver type; its other adaptations for various kinds of
horseless carriages or auto-motor cars, and, the driving of machinery, reaping machines
or propeller shafts are consequently subject to modification but with no deviation
froin the cardinal or main principle, herein, embodied and specifically described,
that is to say, the leverage, in rotatory motion, of the hub-wheel spokes with
anti-friction-bearing accompaniments.
In Figure I. C is the chain, F is the front wheel or driving wheel and which, in its
turn, is driven by means of the "Boudard "driving-gear, or, by any other mechanism
g ving a greater number of revolutions than the pedals.
The letter H represents the hub-wheel or levered wheel concentric with the driven
wheel of a bicycle. As shewn, there are eight anti-friction or ball-bearing spokes
and all numbered consecutively from one up to eight and which will throughout this
specification be known as H', H2 and forth up to H8. The number of the spokes is
not necessarily limited to eight but may be more or less than that number with even
numbers or with odd numbers that is to say there can be five pairs or seven pairs as
well as six pairs or ten pairs.
D is the drum-wheel composed of two discs and, in construction, resembling a
drum; it has no teeth but, when occasion requires it, guides or incisions may be
inserted. Its specific use is to keep the chain its upper and lower circuits perfectly
straight and in the rigid traction line or alignment without any deviation, thereof,
and for that purpose its distance from the hub wheel, in rear thereof, is regulable,
thereby, rendering the chain, in its traction passages, perfectly rigid and straight in its

page_text: working alignment. This dram wheel is fixed to an extension or projection from the
lower forks or other projecting part of the machine and in like manner there is fixed
an anti-friction rail on either side which takes off the friction of the chain in its
upper circuit from H to H2 and its lower circuit from H to H6; the spokes, H* and H8,
it will now be seen are levered from the angle of 45°; when smaller mechanism is
necessary, instead of the rail, a pivoted wheel, or roller of sufficient diametric size is
substituted,
The chain, it will be seen, in its upper and lower circuits is perfectly straight, the
upper and lower running parelel and, while in circuit, levers all the spokes, in turn,
or it may be made to miss one or more of the dual spokes as occasion demands, and,
in which case, the said dual spokes will be considerably lengthened, thereby, giving
greater leverage. In the drawings, two spokes, H' and Hs are simultaneously levered;
in the chain's lower circuit, His levered until it takes the place of H' and in the
chain's upper circuit H is simultaneously levered until it takes the place of H and
so on, in rotatory order, are the spokes of the hub-wheel levered which, being
concentric with the rear wheel of the bicycle drives it with less physical exertion or
expenditure of mechanical power than is now the case with pedal-driven bicycles.
In Figure 2 there is shewn a plan view of Figure I. C is the chain; is the
front wheel which may be either toothed or grooved and have lateral incisions or
catch-notches for the bolts fixed in the blocks or stronger portions of the chain; Dis
the drum wheel rendering the chain in its upper and lower circuits perfectly straight.
in the traction parelel alignments; H and H8 shew respectively the placement of the
left-hand and right-hand lever blocks with I. L the point whereat the said spokes are
levered and in the lower circuit of the chain H and H likewise designate the point
whereat the said spokes are levered. L L shew whereat the lever blocks are fixed on
either side of the chain; these lever blocks are fixed to a bolt or bolts passing
through the chain block or strong portion of the chain permitting the greatest strain;
the said lever blocks are fitted with incisions in their surfaces or anti-friction moulds
for the inception of the balls or cylindric wheels or rollers used for anti-frictional
purposes.
In Figure 3 there is given an erection view of the semi-circle of the hub-wheel or
levered wheel H.
This wheel is composed of two discs with the eight spokes on one side and the
corresponding eight on the other and the pairs (or dual spokes) are respectively
numbered from one up to eight. The chain goes between these pairs of frictionable
spokes running over the disc and levering the spokes, in rotatory movement.
Assuming that H on the upper circuit and its corresponding pair of spokes H in the
lower circuit are the levered pairs of spokes, the chain passing through between H
in the upper circuit and H4 in the lower circuit the lever blocks L come against the
balls, cylindric wheels or rollers and in the straight and undeviating passage of the
chain, the anti-friction bearings which describe a circuit similar to the drive-chain
itself, pass in H' from the top to the bottom, in their circuit, running down the
levered side and up the other side while in H the motion of the anti-friction bearings
is exactly the opposite, the balls, therein, running up the levered side and down the
other side. T L is the traction line; C is the chain; A is the anti-friction rail
guiding the chain, in its passage where friction is at its greatest, and, not permitting
it to get out of its alignment or true traction line, thereby, effecting a levemge of
the spokes, and having the friction correspondingly relieved by the anti-frictional
bearings. B represents the anti-friction bearings, on the spokes, and which hearings
may be composed of separate or discatenated balls or concatenated balls; in the latter
case they are inade with holes bored and united by means of steel pin axles or wires
or other suitable material, and, in the former case, with discatenated or loose balls or
pellets which are kept in their endless channel by having only one-third of their
surface exposed; this is arranged by having the balls placed in their channel and
afterwards enclosed with two-thirds of their surface in, or, at least the greater portion
of the surface enclosed and the lesser exposed. These balls are also threaded or
strung longitudinally in the manner of beads; this is done when very small pellets

page_text: are used; in other cases when the size permits it a pin axle is put through them and
they are connected on either side by a continuous band. The balls are made of the
finest indurated steel and in the case of balls requiring holes bored for axles, said balls
are firstly perforated and afterwards indurated or case-hardened to the required
hardness of metal. Wherever necessary for the anti-friction of the chain, rollers or
little cylindric wheels are fixed to said chain; these rollers may be plain or bevelled
and in the case of bevelled rollers their respective inceptive parts are all made so as
to obtain the lease friction. On one spoke there may be more than one concatenation
of balls or rollers and in which case they are placed parelel with each other. The
lever blocks in the case of heavy chains are fitted with ball or roller anti-friction
bearings or with little wheels either plain or bevelled on the frictionable parts and in
which case there is a corresponding groove for the inception of same in the levered
spokes. Some kinds of the roller bearings have lateral projections resembling axles
which can either be built in or the roller made entire with them and with these
lateral projections in the dead centre they can be enclosed in their endless channel,
discatenated or concatenated and thus showing only the lesser or frictionable parts of'
the roller. Made with a continuous band on either side, this two-third covering can
be dispensed with. For back-peddling, the blocks on either portions are so arranged
that a check in the machine's speed in going down an incline or in making a
retrograde movement is permissible. In the case of heavy chains, the anti-friction
rail, A, has concatenated or discatenated ball or cylindric bearings working in their
revolutionary motions the same as the anti-frictional bearings of the spokes and where
grooved rollers or plain rollers are used on the chain their reciprocal receptive parts
are all made so as to obtain the greatest amount of anti-friction. The chain can he
made double, and in which case, the wheel, H, is made with single spokes instead of
pairs of spokes or dual spokes. A chain thus made would have the lower block in
centre and lateral incisions in F wheel for the inception of the catch-bolts in the
chain. With a modification in the size of the drum wheel and other parts, the chain
could be made for a sprocket wheel in which case the upper and lower circuit of the
chain would not be run parelel but as in the case with the sprocket-driven chain, the.
passage of the chain in its upper and lower circuits would describe an angular
divergence. The anti-friction wheel or wheels A can be placed above or below the
chain. In placing said wheel or wheels above the chain in the upper circuit and
helow the chain in the lower circuit the blocks are kept in their traction line in
levering the chain-levered spokes.
1000
Improvements in Chain Gearing for Cycles, Horseless Carriages,.
Reaping Machines, and Machinery-driving purposes.
JOHN BALLANTYNE SMALL, Pneumatic-wheel-builder of 7 Great George Street
Hillhead, in the City and County of Glasgow 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 said invention relates to a chain of specific design, with lateral lever-blocks or
drive-block, and, gear suitable therefor, and, has for its object the leverage, in rotatory
motion, of the hub-wheel spokes of the driven wheel or other wheels and the
consequent reduction of driving power necessary for the propulsion of tricycles,
various kinds of cycles and horseless carriages or auto-motor cars, also for the driving

page_text: of machinery and propeller shafts of steam-boats and the driving of all kinds of
machines and machinery where ordinary driving chains are now used.
The chain, as ordinarily made, is made with blade-like links having one link, and,
one pair of links, in alternation throughout the length or circuit of the chain. Through
the said pairs or dual links of these blade-like links, at the required distances there
is placed a bolt, and, on each side of said bolt there is fixed an anti-frictional lever-
block or drive-block preferably of circular shape but subject to modification as will,
hereinafter, be described. The chain, for its various adaptations, is similarly modified,
having the single or dual links duplicated, triplicated or with any number of folds of
blades for strengthening purposes when and where necessary. The said lever-blocks,
in their upper and lower circuits, coming in contact with the levered spokes, drive the
hub-wheel or levered wheel of the cycle, motor-car or other wheel or wheels as the
case may be. For my invention, three wheels, F, the front wheel or driving wheel;
H, the hub-wheel or levered wheel, and, D, the drum-wheel or chain-regulation wheel
are absolutely necessary, which three wheels driven unitedly by chain-leverage, in
rotatory motion, as will be further on described, form the basis of my invention.
F, the front wheel or driving wheel of my mechanism is driven by means of any other
mechanisin giving a greater number of revolutions than the pedals.
As I am aware that several such-like mechanisms "giving a greater number of
revolutions than the pedals" already exist, the means whereby my front wheel, F, is
driven is obviously ommitted, both in the drawings, and, in this specification, and,
hereat, be it understood, I lay no claim per se to any such-like mechanisms, nor do
I limit myself to the use of any one specific mechanism "giving a greater number
of revolutions than the pedals" as my driving mechanism consisting of said three
wheels with lever-block-chain arrangement is, with necessary modification, adaptable
to its many requirements.
In the drawings accompanying this specification, it is to be understood that my
mechanism has its front wheel, F, rotated by some of the aforesaid mechanisms, also,
that its application is for a tricycle with its one wheel in front or for an auto-motor or
horseless carriage of the ordinary type with three or more wheels. For a tricycle
with its one wheel in rear, the necessary modifications are, of course, made as in all
cases to meet the exigencies of the work to be performed.
In order that my invention and the manner of performing or carrying same into
practice may be more fully understood, I have, hereunto, appended two sheets of
drawings in which the same letters and numerals are used to designate the respective
parts in all the figures where shewn.
In sheet No. 1 are to be found the figures from 1 up to 6 and in sheet No. 2 are to
be found the figures from 7 up to 19.
Fig. 1 shews an elevation view of the three wheels F, H and D, in unition, which
fundamentally compose this invention, the succeeding figures being the details of
same.
Fig. 2 is an elevation view of spoke H¹ which is one of the four spokes of H wheel,
the said spoke being levered by the drive-block or lever-block up to the vertical point.
In this case, the spoke is plain being without anti-frictional device or arrangement
the same as shewn in Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 2 shewing also the opposite pair of spokes H³
belonging to the lower circuit.
Fig. 4 is the same as Fig. 3 with spokes H' and H' in the upper and lower circuits
respectively. The spokes, herein, instead of being plain, are fitted up with anti-
frictional arrangement which will all be, hereafter, specifically described.
Fig. 5 is an enlargement of the cylindric or roller anti-frictional device, as seen in
Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a plan view (looking down) of the cylinders or rollers in their endless
chaunel as shewn in Fig. 5.
One row of these rollers runs up the rail while the other runs down.
Fig. 7 is an erection end view of one of the endless anti-frictioning devices as shewn
in Fio 4.

page_text: Fig. 8 is a side erection view of Fig. 7 shewing the anti-friction rollers in their
endless channel.
Fig. 9 shewing only one row, is another view of the anti-friction device shewn in
Fig. 8 having, in this case, by way of modification, intervening double-concave anti-
frictional blocks which modification is preferably used on the largest sizes. Said blocks
are fixed to the cylinder axles, thus forming an endless anti-frictional chain.
Fig. 10 is a plan view of the lever-block-chain. One of the pilot-holts belonging
to the chain is here, also, shewn. This is the chain as ordinarily used for cycles, but,
is subject to modification such as the lengthening of the middle or single link with
the dual link correspondingly lengthened.
Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of cylinder as shewn in Fig. 6 which is used for the
very heaviest machinery and, herein, is shown the groove or recess into which the
link or concatenative is fixed in order to be out of the reach of the friction point
of contact or in-turned edge of plate, further on to be specifically described.
Fig. 12 shews the half of dise of either For D wheels with the octagonal
enlargement for catching, in rotatory motion, the chain links also recesses for pilot-
bolts. This wheel is not necessarily of eight sprockets per circle; but, can have a
greater or less number of these link planes as exigency demands. The wheel shewn
in the drawings embodies the general principles of wheel used for this specific chain
and is subject to minor modification such as the shortening of the link plane and
rounding off at the octagonal points to receive the corresponding link. The chain
shewn in Fig. 10 to work on said wheel would, as aforesaid, require a corresponding
lengthening of the links with the necessary rounding off at the octagonal points; thus
it will be seen, the chain shewn, in this figure, is the exact size of chain as shewn in
Fig. 10 and is, of course, here shewn merely to illustrate the cardinal principles of
the invention.
Fig. 13 shews an end view of one pair of lever-blocks with block bevelings to
prevent chain deviation.
Fig. 14 gives an erection view of one of the lever-blocks as shewn in Fig. 13.
shewing beveling on the inner or chain side.
Fig. 15 is the same as Fig. 14 shewing the outer side which, in this case, is without
beveling.
Fig. 16 is an end view of Figs. 14 and 15 shewing the bolt broken away with
the bevel ring on the inner or chain side and no bevel ring on the outer side.
These bevel rings are, of necessity, placed on the inner or chain side but they
can be likewise placed on the outer side, as seen in, Figs. 3 and 10.
Fig. 17 is an enlargement of Fig. 15 shewing the internal anti-frictional
arrangement of concentric rings and rollers.
Fig. 18 is an end view of Fig. 17,shewing the interna! anti-frictional arrangements,
thereof, in succession from the outer ring to the centre.
Fig. 19 is a modification of Fig. 17 with reciprocal inceptive parts for the
inception of the rollers on the anti-frictional spoke, such as those shewn in Fig. 8.
Referring to Fig. 1, there are, belonging to this invention, three wheels in unition
that is to say, F, the front wheel or driving wheel which as already specially
described may be driven by means of another wheel or wheels; H is the hub wheel
or levered wheel and is of course concentric with the driven wheel or wheels of a
tricycle or auto-motor carriage or whatsoever wheel it may be driving. In the wheel
herein described, for simplification only four spokes are shewn in the drawings and
they are numbered respectively from H to H. The chain, C, has eight pairs of
lever-blocks, L, though more, of course, can be used.
D is the drum wheel made similar to F wheel inasmuch as it has two discs and
inside of these it is made octagonal for the inception of the chain links which are
made, of size, eight to the circle.
S, a bar of iron or other suitable material, is the wheel support upon which, at the
respective distances, the wheels rotate; the said bar is broken away towards F
shewing that it can be extended, if need be, beyond wheel pivots for the reception
of other wheels for the purpose of driving the aforesaid F wheel; this bar can be

page_text: placed on either side or on both sides to suit the kind of work to which it is
applicable. The spokes H¹ and H are both in position for being simultaneously
levered by means of the lever-blocks, L, the spoke H' being in the upper circuit and
H³ in the lower circuit. The arrow shews the direction of propulsion.
Fig. 2 is an elevation view of spoke H¹ which has been levered up to the vertical
point as shewn by the lever-block, I, fixed in the centre of one pair of links of
chain, C. The plain view in Fig. 10 gives the relative placements of driver and
driven spoke. As this wheel, H, drives the one or two rear wheels of a tricycle or
other auto-motor, the axle, R, is here shewn square which, of course, can also be
made oblong, hexagon, or other suitable shape giving a mechanical equivalent.
Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 2 with its opposite pair of spokes, H³, in the lower
circuit. The pairs of spokes Hand, H' have, as shewn in the drawings, no anti-
friction bearings they being made plain and the whole of the anti-frictioning being
done by the lever-blocks, L, which are of necessity correspondingly enlarged.
C is the chain in its upper and lower circuits; B₁ are the anti-frictional rollers
fixed in the druin of the wheel to reduce the consequent friction on the chain; R is
the axle.
Fig. 4 is the same as Fig. 3 but with an arrangement of endless chains of anti-
frictional cylinders or rollers either in concatenation or discatenated as particularized
in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 89 and 11. B are the anti-frictional bearings which, on coming in
contact with the lever-blocks, L, (not shewn in this figure but shewn in Fig. 3) move
down the one side and up the other as the direction of the lever-blocks may be
actuated. Hand H³ are respectively the pairs of spokes fixed to the wheel all as
already specifically described; B are the anti-frictional rollers fixed in the drum of
For the driving of large machinery, these anti-frictioned spokes are
correspondingly enlarged to suit the requirements of the work but for the driving of
the smaller kinds of cycles and auto-motors, the bare steel spokes as shewn in Fig. 3
and preferentially used. The lever-blocks, L, with modifications hereinafter to be
described in Fig. 19 lever the spokes as shewn in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of three of the cylinders or rollers with lateral
projections for in-keeping as seen in the endless chains of same in Fig. 4 and
enlarged in Fig. 11 and as seen in the erection side view of Fig. 8. B are the
anti-frictional rollers or cylinders, B are the cylinder axles or lateral projections to
prevent tangential flight of roller whilst moving up and down or round about in
endless channel; P is the spoke plate; P is the in-turned edge of P preventing
tangential flight of rollers; P is the spoke plate screw nail; three of these are
preferentially used but this number can be altered to meet exigencies; P³ is the
endless rail which may either form part of the spoke or be made separate and screwed
on in the same manner as the spoke plate.
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the cylinders or rollers in endless channel as seen in Fig 5;
this view (looking down the endless channel) shews one roller moving up and the
other down in their anti-frictional movements. B are the anti-friction rollers or
cylinders; B the lateral projections which in the drawings are made very large;
these with well-tempered steel can be reduced to the eighth of an inch and thereby
an increase of the anti-frictional bearing power is given. P¹ shews whereat the
in-turned edge of plate, P, of hub-spoke H¹ holds the whole circle of rollers or
cylinders in place all as specifically described in Fig. 8.
The rollers, berein shewn, can be used discatenated as shewn, the in-turned edges
of plate, P, and of spoke, H', keeping them in place and thus effectually preventing
tangential flight. As a modification, the in-turned edge, P, can be dispensed
with and rollers similar to those shewn in Fig. 11 substituted, in which case the
rollers are necessarily concatenated. By this concatenated arrangement, the greatest
bearing surface is obtained. P is the endless rail on spoke. This can be made
separate from the spoke, or, as in the case of small-spokes, the rail and spokes can be
made all of one metal; P is the spoke plate screw nail uniting plate, P, to the
endless rail, Pa, which a made of the finest tempered steel.
. Fig. 7 is an erection end view of the anti-friction rollers or cylinders as shewn

page_text: in Fig. 4. B are the rollers seen on the one side; in Fig. 8 they are seen on both
sides of the endless rail or channel.
Fig. 8 is an erection side view or side erection view of Fig 7 with B, the anti-
friction cylinders; H is the hub wheel disc and R the axle; is the plate which is
screwed on to the rail, 13, at the three points P2 P1 is the in-turned edge of
plate, P, and which keeps the cylinders in place, only one-third (more or less) of
said cylinder surface being exposed during anti-frictioning process. The endless
rail, P³, forms part of the levered spoke or it can be made detachable being screwed
on or off at the points, 12, all as specifically described.
Fig. 9 shews a modification of the arrangement of the cylinders as shewn in Fig. 8,
intervening concave blocks being here shewn in the composition of the endless anti-
frictional chain; this arrangement is preferentially used with the very largest
machines and where great leverage is required; Care the concave blocks; B, the
anti-friction cylinders; P is the endless rail all as already specifically described
in Fig. 8.
Fig. 10 is a plan view of the lever drive-block chain otherwise designated the
lever-block-chain. H and H are respectively the levered spokes as shown in Fig. 1.
L are the lever-blocks, 1. is the boli of the lever-blocks uniting both and thus giving
the greatest driving-power as the distribution thereof is equalized throughout the
entire cirenit of the chain; 1. is the pilot holt fixed in the intervening double link
and which, in rotatory motion, works into the pilot-bolt-hole I as seen in Fig. 12;
C is the chain single link; C the chain double-link and C are the chain rivets.
These rivets are made of the finest tempered steel and are modified in size and
shape to suit the largest or smallest chains. The arrow shews the direction of
propulsion which on comparison with Fig. 1 it will be seen that HI levered in the
upper circuit will be followed by H¹ and so on.
Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of the anti-friction cylinder, B, shewing B³ the
incissions in the axle for fixing chain link or other means of concatenation thereby
joining the anti-frictional cylinders in an endless chain and thus preventing the
lateral projections of same coming in contact with the frictionable parts of plate, P.
B are the axles or lateral projections of the cylinder.
Fig. 12 shews the half of dise of either For D wheel with the octagonal arrangements
for catching the chain, link by link. R is the round axle, L'are the pilot-bolt-holes;
as shewn in Fig. 10, there is the bolt for same which is, herein, recessed, link by
link; C3 is one of the double links of the chain with the single links C² on either
side (broken off) with C, the link rivets. As already explained, the chain here
shewn is an exact production of chain as shewn in Fig. 10, and, as a consequence,
the said link is smaller than the octagon demanded by this size of octagon wheel.
Fig. 13 shews end view of one pair of lever-blocks. C is the chain, L are the
lever blocks with bevelings on the inner side, with, L, the bolt of the lever-blocks,
L, uniting both blocks. In Fig. 10 a modification is given in the bevel rings which
are shewn with a slight beveling on the outer sides and the enlarged bevel rings on
the inner side,
Fig. 14 gives an enlarged' erection view of one of the lever-blocks as in Fig. 13.
L is the lever-bolt-hole in inner disc, I, with the bevil ring. This inner disc
with bevel ring is preferably made of one plate of metal and screwed on for
preventing the ingress of extraneous and gritty matters into the lever-block; the
said dise must be screwed on tightly and the lever-bolt-hole, IA, is preferably
covered with an India-rubber washer composed of contractile rubber of specific
manufacture all in accordance with the manufacture-process as specially described
in Small, MacLellan & Walker's Patent No. 6202 of 20th March 1896.
Fig. 15 gives an outside view of the lever-block shewing, O, the outer disc. This
disc, the same as the inner disc, I, is screwed on after having had all the
anti-frictional contents placed in the lever-block, in the order as shewn in Fig. 17.
Fig. 16 is an end view of Figs. 14 and 15. L'is the lever-block-bolt broken off;
O is the outer disc, I is the inner disc with bevel ring 11. No bevel ring is here
shewn on the outside disc; but, as already specially described, modifications can be

page_text: made either with a disc ring as large as the inner one or with one modified in
size and curvature to meet the exigencies of the work required. The outer dise, O,
can be unscrewed and taken off in a few seconds and oil poured therein, and, at the
end of the day's running, or other "convenient period, all the outer dises of every
lever-block can be taken off and all the internal anti-frictional arrangements
lubricated, and, in the event of there being any worn-out parts, the same can be
replaced with new inter-changeable parts which are ever kept ready amongst the spare
outfits.
Fig. 17 is an enlarged view of one of the lever-blocks with the outer disc, O, as
shown in Fig. 15, screwed off, thus displaying the internal anti-frictional
arrangement of the lever-block. Commencing with the outer ring, E is the external
anti-frictional ring, E the inner anti-frictional ring, B the cylinders, rollers or
balls; E a number of concentric rings with interspaces for rapid lubrication;
herein, seven is the number used as shewn in Fig. 18; but, of course, this
number varies according to the size and nature of the work required. I is the
lever-block-bolt which with the seven concentric rings, E, around it, is always
plenteously supplied with oil which is throughout the lever-block, in continuous
percolation, deseminating itself with every movement of the block through all the
interspaces as shewn in Fig. 18.
Fig. 18 is an end view of Fig. 17.
E is the external anti-friction ring, E' the inner anti-friction ring with E the
lubricating perforations in said ring permitting a gradual and regulable flow of oil
to and from the anti-frictional bearings. Three of these lubricating perforations
are shewn in the drawing. The rollers, B, which in this drawing have no lateral
projections these being for this specific purpose unnecessary.
E are seven of the concentric independent rings, around the lever-block-bolt, LA.
These cylinders may be alternated as occasion demands and balls substituted or
balls and cylinders may be used.
The cylinders or rollers are here preferably made with spiral or concentric
incissions on their bearing surfaces for the accelerated circulation of the
lubricants.
As already specifically described, the outer dise can be unscrewed, and, all these
anti-frictional rings and cylinders cleaned, one by one, and again replaced, and the
outer disc screwed on again.
Fig. 19 is a modification of Fig. 17. L is the lever-block-bolt. This for greater
friction-reducing power can be made with anti-frictional arrangement all as
specifically described in Figs. 17 and 18. G is the upper extension of the lever-block
and G the lower extension, G2 the right-hand anti-friction clutch-plate and G³ the
left-hand anti-friction clutch-plate. These clutch-plates, G and G³, are, when
over-worn, replaceable.
The upper extension, G, with part of clutch-plate covering same can be taken off
and the lower extension, G', correspondingly lengthened to suit the exigencies of
the work.
The portions, G and G, are prevented from occillating to a greater or less angle
than 45° by having pins within the double links of the chain regulating the
occilation in the chains circuit to the forty-fifth degree, or thereabout, these pins
being fixed to give a declination of little more or less than the aforesaid angle of
forty-five degrees. The face plates, G2 and G3, as already specifically described are
replaceable, they being screwed off or on by means of screws fixed on top and
bottom.
In the circular lever-blocks, the reciprocal inceptive parts are made simply by
having the surface toothed and the same on the spokes.
The greatost leverage and the greatest friction received are at the initial points of
contact.
As a slight modification, I utilize the drum wheel for communicating propulsive
power to another wheel or to other wheels. To accomplish which, an axle projects
from D wheel which drives another wheel or wheels at a greater or less speed than

page_text: the pedal wheel, F, thereby, dispensing with the complicated mechanism necessary
for driving the front wheel with a greater number of revolutions than the pedals.
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
claim is
First. The method of manufacturing or constructing a lever-block-chain or chain
consisting of single and dual links with lever-blocks as in Fig. 10 and a lever-spoke-
wheel, H, as in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 suitable therefor with F and D wheels mounted on
support, S, all in combination for the propulsion of tricycles, auto-motors, steamboats
and for machinery-driving purposes in general, all substantially as, herein, described,
in reference to and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Second. A wheel composed of duplex or dual spokes and chain-levered by means of
lever-blocks, L, all as specifically described in Figs. 2 and 3 substantially as, herein,
set forth.
Third. A wheel composed of duplex or dual anti-frictional spokes, chain-levered
by means of lever-blocks, L., all as specifically described in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 8
substantially as set forth in said drawings.
Fourth. A lever-chain, C, with lever-blocks, L, lever-block-bolt, L', pilot-bolt, L²,
all as specifically described in Fig. 10, and, specifically as, herein, set forth.
Fifth. A lever-chain, C, with all its belongings (as per Claim No. 4 hereof) driving
plain spokes, as shewn in Figs. 2 and 3, all substantially, as herein, described in
reference to and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Sixth. The lever-chain, C, with lateral drive-blocks as shewn in Fig. 19 with or
without anti-frictional arrangement as shewn in Figs. 17 and 18 in combination with
levered spokes as shewn in Figs. 2 and 3 and anti-frictional spokes as in Fig. 4, all
substantially, as herein, described in reference to and shewn in the accompanying
drawings.
Seventh. Anti-frictional spokes composed of rows of cylinders or rollers as in
Figs. 5, 6 and 11, concatenated or discatenated, all substantially as herein described
in reference to and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Eighth. Spokes of drive-wheels as shewn in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 8 fitted with anti-
frictional cylinders, rollers or their equivalents as shewn in Fig. 11 with recesses, B³,
in lateral projections for the insertion of anti-frictional concatenation links or their
equivalents all substantially, as herein, described in reference to and shewn in the
accompanying drawings.
Ninth. Spokes of wheels as shewn in Figs. 4 and 8 running on endless rail, P³,
as shewn in Figs. 5 and 6 with spoke plate, P, with in-turned edges, P¹, spoke plate
screw nails, P, and endless rail, P³ either detatchable or integral with the lever spoke
of wheel all substantially as herein described in reference to and shewn in the
accompanying drawings.
Tenth. Chain-lever-blocks or drive-blocks as shewn in Figs. 17 and 18 with inner
and outer discs as shewn in Figs. 14, 15 and 16 copulated by means of lever-block-
bolt, L', as shewn in Fig. 13 and fixed to chain as shewn in Fig. 10, all substantially
as herein described in reference to and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Eleventh. Lever-chain as in Fig. 10 with circular drive-blocks as in Fig. 17 or
oblong drive-blocks as in Fig. 19 working on wheel as shewn in Fig. 12 with pilot-
bolt-hole, L³, all substantially as herein described in reference to and shewn in the
accompanying drawings.
Twelfth. Chain-lever-blocks or drive-blocks fitted to chain as shewn in Fig. 10
composed of internal anti-frictional device as in Fig. 17 with detatchable outer disc, O,
and permanent or detatchable inner disc, I, beveled at I, all substantially as herein
described in reference to and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Thirteenth. Drive-block, L, as shewn in Fig. 19 with upper extension, G, and lower
extension, G¹, fitted with detatchable or replaceable anti-friction clutch-plates,
G and G³, all substantially as herein described in reference to and shewn in the
accompanying drawings.

page_text: Fourteenth. Drive-blocks for chains, coupled as in Fig. 13 with internal anti-
frictional arrangement as in Figs. 17 and 18 with external anti-frictional ring, E,
notched or indented on the outer surface for reciprocal inception, the inner
anti-frictional ring, E', with lubricating perforations, E³, bored therein with rollers, B,
and concentric rings, E2, all moving round lever-block bolt, L, all substantially as
herein described in reference to and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Fifteenth. A lever-chain gear with lever-chain therefor; the said chain of specific
design, as shewn in Fig. 10, moved round on wheels F and D and levering spokes of
H wheel from the forty-fifth angle to vertical and from vertical to the angle of
forty-five, in upper and lower circuits, simultaneously, as shewn in Fig. 1; the said
chain fitted with drive-blocks either circular as described in Figs. 16, 17, and 18 and
paired as in Fig. 13 or oblong drive-blocks às in Fig. 19 with wheels F and D as in
Fig. 12 all forming in combination a chain-levered anti-friction driving-gear for
cycles, auto-motors, steam-boats and various other machinery-driving purposes.
Dated at Glasgow this Seventh day of July 1897.
JOHN BALLANTYNE SMALL.