A Device for Keeping the Chain of a Velocipede Clean and Lubricated when Travelling without a Gear Case.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Oct., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 14th July, 1900-Accepted, 8th Sept., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Device for Keeping the Chain of a Velocipede Clean and Lubricated
when Travelling without a Gear Case.
GEORGE JAMES GEARY, Highfield, Wardle Road, Sale, Cheshire, Merchant,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention, to be as follows:-
The device consists of a little bath or box in which a small wheel with a tyre
of felt, pile cloth, bristles or other suitable material, plain, or shaped to enter
the chain links, revolves; and a wiper or brush of one of such materials placed
at each end of the bath or box above & below the chain: the whole enclosed in
a case of metal, celluloid, or other suitable material with an opening at each
end through which the chain can run. The case is clamped to the back fork
of the vehicle by a suitable arrangement to adjust it to the height & line of the
chain; it opens to admit of removing the box & brushes &c. for cleaning.
The lubricant, preferably powdered graphite, is placed in the bath or box and
is applied to the chain by the wheel over which the chain runs in passing through
the case.
The wipers,
or brushes, at one end of the case serve to take grit & dust off the
chain before the lubricant is applied; and those at the other end to spread
the lubricant. By the use of this device the chain is kept clean, lubricated &
in good working order, and the accumulation upon it of grit & dust from the
road prevented.
The lubricant is applied to the inner side of the chain, where it is most
needed.
A Device for Keeping the Chain of a Velocipede Clean and Lubricated
when Travelling without a Gear Case.
I, GEORGE JAMES GEARY, of Highfield, Wardle Road, Sale, Cheshire, Merchant,
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 device consists of a bath or box in which a small wheel with a tyre of
felt, pile cloth, bristles or other suitable material shaped to enter the chain links
.or plain revolves and a wiper or brush of one of such materials placed at each
end of the bath or box above and below the chain, the whole being enclosed in a

page_text: case of metal, celluloid or other suitable material, with an opening at each end
through which the chain can run. The case opens to admit of cleaning the
brushes or wipers and box etc., when necessary.
The lubricant, preferably powdered graphite, is placed in the box or bath, and
is applied to the chain by the wheel over which the chain runs in passing through
the case.
The wipers at the one end of the case serve to take grit and dust off
the chain before the lubricant is applied, and those at the other end serve to
spread the lubricant.
By the use of this apparatus the chain is kept clean, lubricated and in good
working order, and the disagreeable friction caused by the grit and dust from the
road accumulating on it is obviated. The lubricant is applied to the inner
side of the chain which engages with the cog wheels where it is most wanted.
The apparatus is clamped to the back fork, and has a suitable arrangement io
adjust it to the various gears. It may be. advantageously used with a gear case
not having an oil bath."
To permit of my invention being more readily understood and carried into
practical effect I have hereunto attached a sheet of drawings and with the aid
of the figures and reference letters.marked thereon I will now proceed to describe
the same in detail.
Fig. 1 illustrates so much of the chain driving gear of a safety velocipede as
is necessary to demonstrate the application of my invention hereto.
Fig. 2 illustrates a part exterior and part sectional side elevation (to a larger
scale) of the device itself separate from the machine and with the lid detached.
Fig. 3 illustrates a vertical transverse section on line a-b.
Fig. 4 illustrates a plan. Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 illustrate side and plan views
respectively of each of the several parts composing the complete device.
(A) designates the case for holding the cleaning and (or) lubricating devices
which in any suitable manner is fitted upon a stationary part of the velocipede
and in such relation to the chain as to permit of the chain readily passing
through it, as shewn, for example, in Fig. 1.
The said case is, by preference made of aluminium and its sides, ends and
floor produced from one piece of metal, the ends being formed with two lugs
or flanges (B) which are slotted for the attachment of the clips by a bolt and
nut and to admit of the adjustment of the case to various gears. Each end above
the flanges (B) is cut away and leaves an opening (1) for the passage of the
chain.
Within said case (A), or within a smaller case or trough (E) (also by preference
made of aluminium as shewn more clearly in Figs. 7 and 8) I fit the small wheel
or runner (F) mounted axially and provided with a tyre of felt, pile cloth or
other suitable material, or with tufts of bristles, and of such a size and formation
as to almost touch the floor of the bath and touch and enter the links of the
chain as it rotates:
Such trough (E) lies centrally in the case (A). Alongside one end of the
trough I place a brush (G) and alongside the other end a felt or pile cloth pad (H),
the upper faces of which are slightly below the level of the periphery of the
wheel (F.) When so placed the parts are a neat fit in the case (A), longitudinally
and laterally.
To the lid (I), which is also, by preference made of aluminium and stamped
up in similar manner to the case (A), I fit a further brush (J), adapted with the
lid on the case to lie directly over the brush (G). To such lid I also fit a
wiper (K) along a portion of its length as shewn, or a pad or brush, which lies
directly over the chain and the pad (H), as shewn more clearly in Fig. 2.
In the trough or bath (E) I place preferably powdered graphite, and with the
device fixed as aforesaid and the chain to be lubricated passing through the case (A)
in the direction of the arrow (2) the resulting effect is that the links of the chain
are first brushed and cleaned by the brushes (G) and (J), then lubricated by
the wheel (F) which by frictional contact with the chain is rotated and thereby
:

page_text: imparts a quantity of the lubricant to the chain; and lastly cleaned and polished
by the pads (H) and (K). The lid (I) is fastened to the casing in any suitable
manner and for example by slots (M) in the casing (A) and small tongues (N)
on the lid.
In the case of a safety" velocipede I prefer to attach the device to one of the
chain stays by means of two clamps (N), which are of such a length and are so
bent as to embrace the stay and permit of their being clamped thereon by the
screws (C), which also serve for preserving the shape of the case (A).
The pads brushes and trough all being loose permit of ready removal for
cleaning, examination or renewal, and render the device easy and cheap to make.
As a modification I may elongate the case (A) and provide for further brushes
or pads, and in such connection I might use two wheels, one for cleaning and
the other for applying the graphite, with, or without, cleaners or wipers at
either end of the case, or I may arrange two separate devices, side by side.
To ensure of the brushes or pads making proper contact with the links of the
chain (especially after they are slightly worn) I may introduce a spring behind
each or any of them adapted to yieldingly hold the brushes or pads against the
links.
To permit of the chain readily entering the case (A) and without risk of the
links or rivet heads catching the edges thereof I bevil or bend a portion of such
edges outwards, as illustrated, upon either side of the openings (D).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be
understood that I do not confine myself to the precise form of the parts, or kind
of materials herein described, nor to the precise manner of their fixing, as the
same may be varied without departing from my invention, and what I claim is:-
1:—In a device for keeping the chain of a velocipede clean and lubricated,
the construction, arrangement and combination of parts, substantially as herein
described and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
2: A case containing or comprising a lubricating trough, a small lubricating
wheel or circular brush running in such trough, and a brush pad or wiper at
each end of the trough, substantially as and for the purposes herein described
and illustrated on the accompanying drawings.
3: A case containing or comprising a lubricating trough, and a small lubri
cating wheel or circular brush running in such trough, substantially as and for
the purposes herein described and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 13th day of July 1000
GEORGE JAMES GEARY.
By. John G. Wilson & Co., Fels. Inst. P.A.,
Manchester.
GEORGE JAMES GEARY.
By. John G. Wilson & Co., Fels. Inst. P.A.,
Manchester.