Improvements in Bells for Cycles and other purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 28th July, 1896
1002
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bells for Cycles and other purposes.
1, ALBERT FENIMORE ROCKWELL, of 222 Summer Street, Bristol, in the State of
Connecticut, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
The primary object of my invention is to provide a gong bell which comes under the
class of what has come to be known as a double-stroke bell. Such a bell has been
found to be a desirable one in practice and to be popular among users, although my
invention is equally applicable to many other forms of bells as will appear more fully
hereafter.
Without attempting to detail all the essentials of such a bell it is evident that those
most worthy of consideration are as follows:-
First, it should be neat and attractive in appearance and capable of manufacture
in different sizes.
Second, simplicity and cheapness in construction are indispensable and to this end
it should consist of as few parts as possible.
Third it should be easy of adjustment, both to promote cheapness in manufacture
and manipulation and regulation by the non-expert user.
Fourth, it should be capable of giving forth two strokes at one manipulation which
should be clear and resonant, thus effecting an unmistakable and distinguishable
alarm.
Fifth, it should not rattle when subjected to jars upon a vehicle and should not
readily get out of order.
I am aware of many attempts to make a bell possessing those characteristics, some
of which have been to a greater or less degree successful. Each, however, has failed
in some one or more of these essentials.
To the end of overcoming the difficulties heretofore encountered and of meeting
the requirements above set forth my invention consists in the details of the several
parts of a bell and their combination in a bell as is bereafter more particularly
described.
In the construction of "double-stroke" bells the following necessities present
themselves first, the maintenance of the striker normally out of contact with the
gong so as not to check the vibrations thereof except when a blow is struck :
second the impingement of the striker sharply against the gong at one side to
sound the same and its immediate recoil: third, the sharp impingement, reciprocally,
of the striker against the gong on the other side and its immediate recoil.
In carrying my invention into effect I provide a base-piece with any one of the
usual means of attachment to the handle-bar of the bicycle or other support and a
gong also of any usual desired material and construction. A post is fixed preferably
in the centre of the base and supports the gong which may be secured thereto by
a screw-thread thereon or by any other suitable means.
A lever is pivotted to the base-piece and is preferably located as near as possible
to the circumference of the gong, both for the convenience of manufacture and for
obvious advantages in the use. A spiral spring holds the lever inside the pivot at
one end and at the other to a stud fixed to the base-piece. The material of the lever
must be brass or some metal which will pernait the formation of a fork with a
bifurcated resilient extremity extending on either side of the central post which serves

page_text: as a means to limit the motion of the lever. This is a convenient construction
although any o her limiting means may be used as for instance the employment of
a curved standard for attaching, the gong to the base-piece. At its outer end the
lever is constructel so as to form the familiar finger-pices of a bicy le bell. Means
however for attaching the end of a rope or wire connecting with a
bell-pull or
push-button, may take the place of this finger-piece, or any other means may be used
to oscillate the lever so as to cause it to perform its function, that is, to propel
and control the movement of the striker-mount.
At a point a little to one side of a line drawn through the pivot and post and
near the edge of the base-piece, is fixed another post provided at its upper extremity
with a head. This second post serves as a support and pivot for the striker-mount,
which is preferably but not necessarily cast in one pie e and consists of a hub from
the upper end of which extends a crank or arm. At the inner end of such arm is.
a striker having double ends. A small pin is attached to the striker arm.
just at
the back of the striker and projects from its under side, and this pin carries two
rolls, the smaller one of which is the lower in position on the pin and is grooved
around its circumference or so constructed that the end of a smill wire spring may
be conveniently coiled around it and engage it securely. A small wire spring is
provided bent into a substantially semi-circular form and coiled loosely round the
central post at one end and securely attached to the lower small roll at the other;
the bifurcated end of the lever hearing against the large roll in operating the bell.
The operation of the bell is as follows:-One of the prongs acting by pressure
upon the finger-piece upon the larger roll moves the striker-mount against the force
of the small wire spring of semi-circular form away from its normal position. By
experiment it will be found that there is a centre of equilibrium at which the
striker-mount will be substantially or actually stationary that is, at which the small
wire spring of semi-circular form will exert no force in either direction. Having
been caused to pass that point by the pressure of one of the prongs of the lever,
the spring acts upon the striker-mount forcing it towards the extreme position and
causing the end of the striker-head to impinge sharply against the gong and to
produce a sound. The prongs of the fork of the lever are as heretofore. remarked
made of some metal having resilient qualities and they are so adjusted as to bear
upon the larger roll and hold the striker normally out of contact with the gong.
As the roll therefore strikes the prong the prong will give and permit the striker
to impinge against the gong, but will immediately spring back causing the striker
to rebound instantly from the contact with the gong. "Thereupon pressure from
the finger-piece being released the resilient action of the lever spiral spring will
cause the prong to bear against the roll carrying the striker-mount back past the
centre when in the same manner as described the small wire spring will cause the
other of the striker-heads to impinge upon the gong causing it to immediately
rebound.
It will be observed that very few parts are required in this construction and the
action of the working parts is capable of easy adjustment by the non-expert user by
springing the resilient prongs one way or the other and by increasing or diminishing
the power of the two springs.
I have called this bell a double-stroke bell because by a single pressure upon the
finger-piece two separate blows are struck upon the gong and two sharp resonant
tones are produced in quick succession.
I wish to point out the fact however that by a quick manipulation of the thumb-piece
a substantially continuous or electric ring inay be secured by removing or omitting the
lever spring or by holding firmly the thumb-piece after pressure in one direction a
single stroke is made. Thus while primarily designed as a double stroke bell this is
a combination of single-stroke, double-stroke and continuous stroke bell.
I have chosen to describe somewhat minutely one form of embodiment of my
invention, but I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the exact
construction set forth which it is plain may be varied in many details without
departing from the spirit of my invention.

page_text: I have for example described the bell as applicable to a bicycle handle-bar by
varying the form or mode of attachment it is equally effective for use in or on other
vehicles and for door or call bells or for any use to which a bell can be put.. The
essential feature of my invention being the method of effecting the alarm through the
lever with its resilient prongs the striker-mount and its actuating spring.
T
1802
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.
Improvements in Bells for voles and other
rposes.
I, ALBERT FENIMORE ROCKWELL, of 222 Summer Street, in the Town of Bristol,
County of Hartford, State of Connecticut United States of America, Manufacturer,
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 primary object of my invention is to provide a gong-bell which comes under
the head of what has come to be known as a "double-stroke" bell: Such a bell
has been found to be a desirable one in practice and to be popular among users,
although my invention is equally applicable to many other forms of bells as will
appear more fully hereafter.
Without attempting to detail all of the essentials of such a bell, it is evident that
those most worthy of consideration are as follows:
First, it should be neat and attractive in appearance and capable of manufacture
in different sizes.
Second, simplicity and cheapness in construction are indispensable and to this end
it should consist of as few parts as possible.
Third, it should be easy of adjustment, both to promote cheapness in manufacture
and convenience of manipulation and regulation by the non-expert user.
Fourth, it should be capable of giving forth two strokes at one manipulation which
should be clear and resonant, thus effecting an unmistakable and distinguishable
alarm.
Fifth, it should not rattle when subjected to jars upon a vehicle and should not
readily get out of order.
I am aware of many attempts to make a bell possessing these characteristics, some
of which have been to a greater or less degree successful. Each, however, has failed
in some one or more of these essentials.
To the end of overcoming the difficulties heretofore encountered and of meeting the
requirements above set forth, my invention consists in the details of the several parts
of a bell and their combination in a bell as is hereafter more particularly described
and pointed out in the claims.
In the construction of "double-stroke" bells the following necessities present
themselves: first, the maintenance of the striker normally out of contact with the
gong so as not to check the vibrations thereof except when a blow is struck;
second, the impingement of the striker sharply against the gong at one side to
sound the same and its immediate recoil; third, the sharp impingement, reciprocally,
of the striker against the gong on the other side and its immediate recoil..
Reference is to be had to the annexed drawings, and to the letters and figures
marked thereon, forming a part of this specification, the same letters designating.
the same parts or features wherever they occur.

page_text: Itererring to the drawings:
Figure is a perspective view of the 'bell attached to the handle-bar of a bicycle
(in outline) with the gong broken away. so as to show the arrangement of parts.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the bell in normal position as viewed from above.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the bell in the same position but with the gong removed,
showing the position of the parts after pressure upon the thumb-piece; the normal
position of parts is shown by dotted lines.
Figure 4 is a plan view of the interior of the bell looked at from below with the
base-piece removed.
Figure 5 is a detailed, perspective view of the striker-mount and spring.
In the accompanying drawings the letter a designates. the base-piece which may
be provided with any one of the usual means of attachment to the handle-bar of
the bicycle or other support. b is the gong also of any usual desired material
and construction. A post fixed preferably in the center of the base supports the
gong which may be secured thereto by a screw thread thereon or by any other
suitable means. d is a lever pivoted to the base-piece as ate. This pivot is
preferably located as near as possible to the circumference of the gong both for
convenience of manufacture and for .obvious advantages in use. A spiral spring f
holds the lever in position, being attached to the lever inside the pivot at gatione
end and at the other to a stud fixed to the base-piece at g'. The material of the
lever must be brass or some metal which will permit the formation of a fork with
two resilient prongs d¹ d' extending either side of the central post c which serves as a
means to limit the motion of the lever.
This is a convenient construction, although any other limiting means may be used,
as for instance, if the gong were attached to the base-piece by a curved standard as is.
sometimes the case. At its outer end the lever is constructed so as to form the
familiar finger-piece of a bicycle bell d. Means, (not shown), however, for attaching
the end of a rope or wire connecting with a bell pull or push button may take the
place of this finger-piece, or any means may be used to oscillate the lever so as to
cause it to perform its function, that is, to propel and control the movement of the
striker-mount..
At a point a little to one side of a line drawn through the pivote and post c and
near the edge of the base-piece is fixed a post h provided at its upper extremity with
a head. This post serves as a support and pivot for the striker-mount which is
preferably, but not necessarily, cast in one piece and consists of the hub m from which
extends the crank or arm 1. At the inner end of the arm is a striker k having
double ends as kk. A small pin n is attached to the striker-arm just back of the
striker and projects from its inner side. Carried by this pin are two rolls o and P.
The smaller roll o is the lower in position on the pin and is grooved around its
circumference, or so constructed that the end of a small wire spring may be
conveniently coiled around it and engage it securely. r is a small wire spring bent
into a substantially semi-circular form and coiled loosely round the central post at one
end and securely attached to the small roll o at the other. The prongs d¹d bear
against the roll p in operating the bell.
The operation of the bell now becomes clear. By pressure upon the finger-piece
the prong d' acting upon the roll p moves the striker-mount against the force of the
spring away from the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 3. By experiment
it will be found that there is a center of equilibrium at which the striker-mount will
be substantially or actually stationary, that is, at which the spring will exert no
force in either direction. Having been caused to pass that point by the pressure of
the prong, the spring acts upon the striker-mount, forcing it towards the position
shown in full lines in Figure 3 and causing the end k¹ of the striker-head to impinge
sharply against the gong and sound the same. The prongs of the fork of the lever
are, as heretofore remarked, made of some metal having resilient qualities, and they
are so adjusted as to bear upon the roll p and hold the striker normally out of contact
with the gong. As the roll, therefore, strikes the prong d', the prong will give and

page_text: permit the striker to impinge against the gong but will immediately spring back,
causing the striker to rebound instantly from contact with the gong.
Thereupon pressure upon the finger-piece being released, the resilient-action of the
spring will cause the prong d to bear against the roll carrying the striker-mount
back past the center, when in the manner already described the spring will cause
the striker-head to impinge upon the gong as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 3,
prong d causing it to immediately rebound.
the
The prongs must not only be made of metal having resilient qualities but must be
adapted in size to permit them to perform the desired function, to wit, to hold the
striker normally out of contact with the gong when at rest, as illustrated by striker-
mount in dotted lines in Figure 3 and to give sufficiently to permit the striker to
impinge against the when the striker-mount is forced againt the prong as shown
at k¹, Figure 3. This is further illustrated by Figure 4. Pressure upon the lever
at d has forced the striker-mount away from its normal position as held by the
spring, the pressure has been released and the spring has actuated the lever and
prong to propel the striker-mount up to and past the center of equilibrium.
gong
It will be observed that very few parts are required in this construction and that
the action of the working parts is capable of easy adjustment by the non-expert user,
by springing the resilient prongs one way or the other, and by increasing or
diminishing the power of the two springs.
I have called this bell a double-stroke bell because by a single pressure upon the
finger-piece two separate blows are struck upon the gong and two sharp, resonant
tones are produced in quick succession. I wish to point out the fact, however, that by
a reasonably quick manipulation of the thumb-piece, a substantially continuous, or
electric ringing may be secured. By removing or omitting the spring for by
holding firmly the thumb-piece after pressure in one direction, a single stroke is
made. Thus while primarily designed as a double-stroke bell, this is a combination
of single-stroke, double-stroke, and continuous or electric-stroke bell.
I have chosen to describe somewhat minutely one form of embodiment of my
invention, but I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the exact
construction set forth, which it is plain may be varied in many of its details without
departing from the spirit of my invention.
I have, for example, used for illustration the bell as attached to a bicycle or handle-
bar. By varying the form of mode of attachment by well known ordinary means, it
is equally effective for use in, or on, other vehicles and for door or call bells or for
practically any use to which a bell can be put. The essence of my invention is in the
method of effectuating the alarm through the lever with its resilient prongs, the
striker-mount, and its actuating spring.
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. A gong-bell, comprising in its construction a hase-piece and gong, a spring-
actuated striker-mount provided with a striker, and a lever provided with resilient
prongs for propelling, and controlling the movement of, the striker-mount,
substantially as described and set forth.
2. A gong-bell comprising in its construction a base-piece and gong, spring-
actuated striker-mount provided with a striker, and a lever, spring-actuated in one
direction and provided with resilient prongs for propelling and controlling the move-
ment of the striker-mount, substantially as described and set forth.
3. A gong-bell, comprising in its construction a base-piece and gong, a striker-
mount provided with a striker, a spring for actuating the same in either direction
from a center of equilibrium, and a lever provided with resilient prongs for propelling,
and controlling the movement of, the striker-mount, substantially as described and set
forth.
4. In gong-bell mechanism a lever pivoted to the base-piece provided with

page_text: resilients prongs for propelling; and. controlling: the movement of; the striking
mechanism, substantially as described-and set forth.
5.1.Ingong belli mechanism a striker-mount comprising in its construction a hub,
a crank or arm on the hub, a' striker on the crank or arm provided with a pin carrying
a roll, and a spring coiled loosely around a support at one end and secured to the roll
of the striker-mount at the other for actuating the striker-mount in 'either direction
from a center of equilibrium, substantially as described and setiforth:
6: A gong-bell, comprising in its construction a base-piece and gong; a striker-
mount constructed of a hub; a crank or arm at one end of the hub, a striker on the
end of the crank or arm; a pin extending below the striker carrying two rolls; a
spring curved into substantially semi-circular form coiled loosely about a support at
one end and attached to the lower of said rolls at the other for actuating the striker-
mount in either direction from a center of equilibrium; and a lever spring actuated
in one direction, constructed with means of manipulation and having resilient prongs,
and limited in movement so as to propel the striker-mount by bearing against the
upper of said rolls past the center of equilibrium in either direction, but maintaining
the same normally out of contact with the gong except at the instant of impingement,
substantially as described and set forth.
7. In gong-bells, the construction, arrangement and combination of parts
substantially as described and set forth.
Dated this 20th day of November 1896.
ALBERT FENIMORE ROCKWELL.
Marks & Clerk,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.