Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Apr., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 21st Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 23rd Feb., 1889
WILLIAM TRAVERS 34 York Terrace, Clapham Surrey Cycle Manufacturer do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
An improved pedal, working on eccentrics, which eccentrics are attached to the
pedal pin.
This is an improved pedal or treadle for a bicycle, tricycle or other velocipede. The
pin or centre of the pedal is fixed to the crank in the usual way. The cones however
instead of being placed centrally on the pin or centre of the pedal are put on "or
more or less out of the centre of such cones, by which the following advantages are
claimed and obtained. By placing the pedal on the crank (when the crank is at its
highest point) with the cones at their highest on the pin or centre, I gain or more
or less power (according to the size of the eccentric cones) on the thrust of the stroke,
and the return is shorter and therefore quicker to a corresponding degree. I also claim
I also claim that by
that the pedal carries me over the dead centre to a great extent.
placing the pedal in the crank slot (when the crank is at its highest point) in such a
position that the eccentric cones are at their lowest point; when so placed, a higher
wheel on an "ordinary" bicycle, to twice the extent of the distance the eccentric
cones are placed out of centre, can be reached, and a shorter up and down motion of
the leg is also obtained by this position, which is less tiring to the rider to a
considerable degree.
The bearing discs of cones on the side plates of the pedal are also placed out of centre
to a suitable extent.
The pedal can be made to work either with ball or spherical bearings or with plain
bearings.

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Pedals for Cycles or Velocipedes.
I, WILLIAM TRAVERS, of 3A York Terrace, Clapham, in the County of Surrey,
Cycle 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 :-
My improvement relates to the method of mounting the pedals of velocipedes and
it consists in mounting the pedal on the crank in such a manner, that that part of the
pedal on which the foot rests and which rotates or rocks on the pedal pin, is not
concentric with that part of the pin by which it is attached to the crank. It has for
its objects increasing the effective leverage of the crank without increasing the length
of the throw thereof, and facilitating the application of power to the crank throughout
a greater part of its stroke, thereby overcoming the dead centres, and also enabling a
larger machine to be ridden.
I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing in
which Figure 1. is a view-in plan-of the left hand crank of a cycle, at half
stroke, with the pedal mounted according to my invention, one part of the pedal
being shown in section; and Figure 2. is a view-in end elevation of the
pedal.
Throughout these views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
Instead of mounting the cones A A on which the pedal rocks or revolves concentric
with the pedal pin B, they are made larger than is usually the case to permit them to
be mounted eccentric with the pin, and the pedal C is so constructed that the bars c. c
are not placed equidistant on each side of the pedal pin B as is usually the case, but
are placed at unequal distances therefrom as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
The said bars may be either "rat trap" as shown, or rubber. 1 do not limit myself
to any particular method of mounting the cones on the pedal pin, or of adjusting the
one with respect to the other to adjust the bearing of the pedal. It will also be
obvious that the pedal may be made to run on a plain or coned bearing, instead of on
a ball bearing as illustrated.
I make that part of the pedal pin B which engages with the slot in the crank X, of
a square section so that it may be fixed to the crank in any position.
By placing the pedal on the crank-when the crank is at the top of its stroke-with
the cones at their highest position on the pin I gain more power on the thrust of the
stroke with a shorter and quicker return stroke, and greater facility for overcoming
the dead centres. By placing the pedal on the crank-when the crank is at the
top of its stroke-with the cones at their lowest position on the pin, an ordinary
bicycle with a larger driving wheel can be reached, and a shorter travel of the foot is
obtained.

page_text: am aware that prior to the date of my invention the cranks of cycles have been
mounted on eccentrics on the axle to give increased throw to the said cranks during
parts of their stroke, and also that the pedals of velocipedes have been constructed to
hang below their point of attachment to the cranks, I therefore do not broadly claim
such device or devices, but 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 ;-
1st. Mounting the pedals of cycles or velocipedes in the manner and for the purpose
herein before set forth.
2nd. In a cycle or velocipede, constructing the pedal so that the cones or their
equivalent on which the pedal rocks or rotates is eccentric with the pedal pin, as and
for the purpose set forth.
3rd. In a pedal for cycles or velocipedes, mounting the footbars out of centre with
the pedal pin, as and for the purpose set forth.
4th. In a cycle or velocipede the combination with the crank, of the pedal pin B,
the eccentric cones A A or their equivalents, and the pedal C with its bars cc placed
out of centre, all constructed, arranged, and operating, as and for the purpose set
forth.
5th. In a pedal for cycles or velocipedes in which the bars are placed out of centre
with the pedal pin and the cones on which the pedal rocks or rotates is not concentric
with the said pin, making that part of the pedal pin which is adapted to fit in the slot
in the crank, four sided, as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this ziet dow at
1000
1000
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71 & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
Dated this 21st dow
January
1000
1633
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71 & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.