Year: 1896

page_text: Date claimed for Patent under Sect. 103 of Act, 1
being date of first Foreign Application (in 13th Apr., 1896
Queensland),
Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 22nd Aug., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Aug., 1896-Accepted, 14th Nov., 1896
Queensland),
Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 22nd Aug., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Aug., 1896-Accepted, 14th Nov.. 1896
1, CHARLES EDWARD BECKMAN, of 14 Q.D. Bank Chambers, Adelaide
Street, Brisbane, in the Colony of Queensland, Mechanical Engineer, 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 :-
It is well known amongst cycle riders that when racing or climbing hills great
strain is put upon the handles so much so that it not unfrequently happens that the
bandles are wrenched naunder.
This strain is to a certain extent waste power and the object of my invention is
the production of means for the utilization of this power in the arms of the rider
for the purpose of assisting his legs; or may even be used as a substitute for the
legs.
More particularly stated my invention consists in driving the front wheel; and,
also in some cases hereinafter explained the back wheel; by means of a band or
chain from a small sprocket wheel on the front wheel to a larger sprocket wheel,
running with ball bearings on a shaft forming part of the handle bar. This wheel
is driven by means of ratchet teeth on the inside rim into which engage pawls
carried on short levers sccured to the ends of the handle bar which in my invention
is made in two pieces.
On raising and lowering the handles the levers and pawls cause the sprocket
wheel to revolve and so drive the front wheel.
In order, however, that my invention may be clearly understood I will now
describe it, reference being made to the accompanying drawings of which―
Figure 1 is a side sectional elevation of my inventiou
Figure 2 is a front clevation of same.
Figure 3 is an enlarged front sectional view of the sprocket wheel more clearly
illustrating my invention.
Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of lever shewing device for throwing the pawl
out of gear.
As my invention can ae readily be applied to an old bicycle as a new one, I will
describe it herein as fitted to an existing machine, in which case the handles are
removed and a forked steering head A having two bearings B fitted with removable
caps is put in its place.
The handles C are cut at their junction and each fitted, with a lever D, D',
having at its lower extremity a pawl E, E and a device with trigger such as F
for throwing the pawl out of gear. These handles C are placed in the bearings B
after the shaft G and sprocket wheel G with ball bearings G' have been placed
in their position as shown in detail in Figure 3. The shaft G besides carrying
the sprocket wheel G acts as a stiffener for the handles C into which it extends.

page_text: The sprocket wheel G may be connected to the sprocket wheel Fl ou the front
wheel by any suitable hand or chain.
The handles are free to move through an arc of about 26 degrees the amount
being made to suit tho rider, but the travel of the handles and gearing of the
sprocket wheels should be such, that, when the rider lifts one haudle the full
stroke while he depresses the corresponding pedal, both wheels of the machine
shall be propelled forward an equal distance.
The operation of the invention is as follows.-
As in rowing on a sliding seat the hands and legs reciprocate so with my
invention, as the rider depresses the right pedal so ho lifts up the right hand at
the same time depressing the left hand and raising the left pedal and so on; the
hand working in concert with the corresponding foot and so enabling the rider to
put forth his utmost power in propelling his machine.
As the handles are lifted in turn the pawls on the levers. in turn engage in the
teeth of the sprocket wheel so that practically a continuous motion is obtained.
Should the rider not want to use his arms, he depresses the trigger F on each
lever and so throws the pawl out of gear the sprocket wheel continues to revolve
without the pawls touching it.
The invention can of course be modified in its details without departing from
the principle; but, when the invention is applied to a tandem triplet or quad-
ruplet-cycle besides the invention being applied to the front wheel it would also
be fitted to the other handles and drive down on the main gearing. When the
invention is applied to a tandem, triplet, &c. the fittings ou the handle bar would
be so modified as to shape and proportion of gearing as to allow the back wheel
being driven by the rider or riders sitting behind the steerer.
Locking gear may be fitted to hold the handles when not being used for
propelling, but, instead thereof a second set of handles can be placed as shown,
for ordinary use.
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.―
1. The heroin described arrangement of independent or separate handles actuating
suitable mechanism for the purpose of utilizing the strength of the arms in pro-
pelling or assisting to propel velocipedes.
2. The arrangement of independent or separate handles such as C, having levers
such as D, D and pawls such as E, E', iu combination with a wheel, carried on
ball bearings, between the ends of the handles, having teeth on the inner rims,
and forined on the periphery for driving by means of a band or chain the steering
wheel or back wheel of a bicycle or velocipede.
Dated this 18th day of August 1896.
RLES EDWARD BECKMAN.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.