Improvements in Cycle Bearings.
Year: 1895

page_text: Improvements in Cycle Bearings.
I, GEORGE HOOKнAм, of Nos. 7 and 8 New Bartholomew Street, in the
City of Birmingham, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to cycle bearings but it is intended principally for
application to the bearings of the crank axle of a bicycle.
In crank axle bearings of ordinary construction the axle is provided with
separate sets of ball bearings at its two extremities; that is, cach crank axle or
spindle has two ball bearings, one bearing at each end of the axle or spindle. To
take the strain of the pedals properly it is desirable that the two bearings should
be well apart from each other. Other advantages however, are obtained by
shortening the crank spindle and reducing the distance between the planes of
rotation of the two pedals and accordingly cycle manufacturers are now making
spindles short and therefore the distance between the spindle bearings very
short.
The object of my invention is to enable the spindles or the distance between
the cranks to be still further reduced while at the same time I provide a simpler
and more effective bearing.
My invention consists in providing a disc of sufficient diameter which I attach
to or form with the crank spindle or axle. At the periphery of this disc I apply
ball or roller bearings and I dispense with the second bearing hitherto required.
By making my disc of sufficient diameter I am able to reduce the leverage of the
pedals upon the balls or rollers forming the bearing to produce a less pressure than
is common with the two spindle bearing.
In one method of carrying my invention into effect I arrange a disc on the
crank axle, and in the periphery of the disc 1 form a groove to carry the balls
and form the fixed part of the bearing by two opposing conical surfaces attached
to the frame of the cycle, one of these surfaces at least being adjustable.
Suitable screws are provided to adjust the conical surfaces.
Instead of balls I may use rollers.
I form my frame at the part through which the axle passes to conveniently fit
my new disc bearing.
Although I preferably apply my disc bearing to the crank axle in order to get
a firm hold by reason of diameter instead of length yet I may also if desired
apply the bearing to other parts of a cycle.
Dated this 11th day of September 1895.
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: 1, GEORGE HOOKHAM, of 7 and 8 New Bartholomew Street, in the City of
Birmingham, 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 invention relates to cycle bearings, but it is intended principally for
application to the bearings of the crank axle of a bicycle.
In crank axle bearings of ordinary construction the axle is provided with
separate sets of ball bearings at its two extremities; that is each crank axle or
spindle has two ball bearings, one bearing at each end of the axle or spindle. To
take the strain of the pedals properly it is desirable that the two bearings should
be well apart from each other. Other advantages however, are attained by
shortening the crank spindle and reducing the distance between the planes of
rotation of the two pedals, and accordingly cycle manufacturers are now making
spindles short, and therefore the distance between the spindle bearings very
short.
The object of my invention is to enable the spindle or the distance between the
cranks to be still further reduced while at the same time I provide a simpler and
more effective bearing.
My invention consists in providing a disc of sufficient diameter which I attach
to or form with the crank spindle or axle. At the periphery of this disc I apply
ball or roller bearings, and I dispense with the second bearing hitherto required.
By making my disc of sufficient diameter I am able to reduce the leverage of
the pedals upon the balls or rollers forming a bearing to produce a less pressure
than is common with the two spindle bearings.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of drawings
Figure 1 is an elevation of part of a bicycle frame to which my invention bas
been applied, and
Figure 2 is a plan part in section.
In one method of carrying my invention into effect I arrange a disc A on the
crank axle B, and in the periphery of the disc 1 form a groove a to carry the
balls b, and form the fixed part of the bearing by two opposing conical surfaces cd
attached to the frame C of the cycle, one of these surfaces cd at least being
adjustable.
In the drawings the conical adjusting pieces c d are shown as screwed into the
ring attached to the frame C; and dust caps e are provided to protect the
ball race.
D is the wheel. E E are the cranks or treadles. F is the chain
wheel.
Suitable screws of other kinds may be provided to adjust the conical surfaces.
Instead of balls I may use rollers.
I may form
my frame at the part through which the axle passes to conveniently
fit my new disc bearing in other modes than that illustrated.
Although I preferably apply my disc bearing to the crank axle in order to get
a firm hold by reason of diameter, instead of length, yet 1 may also if desired,
apply the bearing to other parts of a cycle.

page_text: 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-
A disc bearing for cycles substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore.
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
1000
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.