Improvements in Cranks for Bicycles, Tricycles, Steam Engines, and other Machinery.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Cranks for Bicycles, Tricycles, Steam Engines,
and other Machinery.
I, JOHN NICHOLDS LESTER, No. 9, Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, Metal Broker,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The manner in which I propose to make improvements in Cranks, is as follows,
to so construct the same, that the peculiar shape will increase the leverage without
increasing the stroke, or the direct distance, from the centre to the circumference
thereby giving more power, and increased strength of Crank also. I do this by
first of all, taking the Crank in a backward direction from the centre, and then
returning it in a direct manner to the circumference of its stroke.
Improvements in Cranks for Bicycles, Tricycles, Steam Engines,
and other Machinery.
I, JOHN NICHOLDS LESTER, No. 9, Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, in the County
of Stafford, Metal Broker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:
The manner in which I propose to make improvements in Cranks, is as follows,
to so construct the same, that the peculiar shape will increase the leverage, with-
out increasing the stroke, or the direct distance, from the centre to the circum-
ference, thereby giving more power and increased strength of Crank also, I do
this by first of all, taking the crank in a backward direction from the centre, and
then returning it in a direct manner, to the circumference, of its stroke. To fur-
ther describe this invention-From the axle or centre I bring the crank in a back-
ward direction a short distance, which I regulate, according to the length of the
longer Arm of the Crank, and arranged so as to gain the greatest power, I then
bring it back in an almost opposite direction past the centre or Axle but at a suffi-
cient distance to clear the centre the angle formed and the shape of the Crank
to be such as is considered most suitable for the several purposes to which it is
applied but when applied to a bicycle or tricycle that the axle of the pedal, which
is attached to the Crank, shall, while describing a circle, from the centre of the
Axle of the machine, not travel at a greater distance from the centre of the axle
than a direct line from the centre of the axle to the centre of the pedal. In

page_text: the drawing accompanying my Specification I show a side elevation (B.C.). A is
the axle of the machine. B is the short arm, which I first of all take in a backward
direction. C is the long arm of the crank which I bring back in an opposite direc-
tion. D is the Crank pin of the pedal or the point at which the motive power is
applied to revolve the Axle A so by having a greater length of arm C which acts
as a large lever on to the smaller arm or lever B a greater force is obtained with-
out increasing the distance travelled though the length of the crank C. B. is longer
than the distance from the centre A to the circumference of the circle described
at D.
Having now particularly described and ascertained, the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is performed I declare that what I claim is :-
That by the peculiar construction of my Crank as described, that I gain con-
siderable power, by bringing it first in a backward direction for a short distance,
I lengthen the leaver upon which the power is applied, without increasing the
distance between the centre of axle and the pedal or that point from whence the
motive power is applied.
Dated this the 19th day of November 1807