An Improved Variable Speed Driving Mechanism for Velocipedes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 24th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 24th May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Variable Speed Driving Mechanism for Velocipedes.
I JOHN READ of 38 Raglan Street Coventry Gentleman do hereby declare the
nature of my invention for the improvement of bicycles and tricycles by the addition
of an improved hill climbing motion or hill climber to be as follows:-
My Invention is a hill climber or improvement in bicycles and tricycles-It is
adapted for safety bicycles and tricycles.
In the bicycles my improved motion is in front of the driving wheel-In the
tricycle the back shaft acts in the same way as. the pedal shaft does in the hicycle.
The back shaft in tricycle carries the motion-The boss is fixed on the back shaft
and the wheels lock into it-All the difference there is in the bicycle and tricycle is
the pedal shaft carries the motion in the bicycle and the back shaft in the tricycle-
Both are exactly alike in action.
a. a. represents the slow motion wheel which is locked in the pedal shaft boss b. b.
which is a fixture on the pedal shaft and propels the machine to the top of the hill at
a thirty inch wheel speed.
You change then to a sixty inch wheel speed by locking c. c. into the fast boss on
the opposite side and throwing the other wheel out of gear. The change is effected
by the fork d. d. which works in two grooves E. E. in the bosses of the driving
wheels.
f. f. represents the pedal shaft and G. G. the frame that carries the motion.
The motion can be applied to all speeds on either machine.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Variable Speed Driving Mechanism for Velooipedes.
I, JOHN READ, of 38 Raglan Street Coventry, in the County of Warwick, Gentle-
man 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 improvements in the driving gear for velocipedes, so that
the speed may be varied when ascending gradients, or running upon a level road, and
may be adapted to safety bicycles or tricycles.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I have appended the accom-
panying sheet of drawings, to which reference is made in the following description.
Two wheels, A and B are arranged so as to work loosely upon a pedal shaft C, carried
by a frame G, and are prevented from moving laterally by means of pins or studs,
indicated by the dotted outlines c which engage with grooves formed in the shaft C.
A clutch head a-b is cast upon, or otherwise attached to, each of the wheels A and B,
and a sleeve clutch D is arranged to slide upon the shaft C, and is provided with two
clutch faces, or jaws, corresponding to a and b before referred to. A key E, passing
through the sleeve clutch D'engages with a slot in the shaft C, indicated by dotted
lines, or I may use a fixed key or feather, or any equivalent device for enabling the
sleeve clutch D to move laterally upon C so as to engage with either a or band at the
same time to revolve with it. A groove F is provided upon D for the purpose of
effecting the change by means of a forked lever.
Presuming that the wheels A and B are ordinary pitched chain wheels, and that
the relative sizes of each are arranged for the desired rates of speed, whether for
ascending gradients, or ordinary level running, the change of speed may be instantly
CD C

page_text: effected by causing the sleeve clutch D to disengage one wheel, leaving it to revolve
freely upon the shaft C, and engage with the other wheel, which is then driven by the
shaft. When the clutch D is central, the pedal shaft C is entirely disconnected from
the driving mechanism.
The application of my invention to a bicycle or a tricycle is exactly similar with
the exception that the spindle or shaft C is the back shaft when adapted to a tricycle
instead of the pedal shaft.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
The variable speed driving mechanism for velocipedes, substantially as herein
described and shewn by the appended drawing.
Dated this 21st day of April 1890.
FREDK. WALKER & HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.