An Improved Driving Apparatus for Velocipedes or other Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION..
An Improved Driving Apparatus for Velocipedes or other Vehicles.
ANDOR BODDING, Captain, 3, Princess Road, Regent's Park, London N.W. do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
An improved driving apparatus for velocipedes and other vehicles, principally
characterized by following points :
1. The apparatus can be arranged either with or without a driving chain or chains.
2. The motion of the driving cranks is not bound to be the usual circular one, hut
the pedals, when worked, can be arranged as to follow a hypercycloidal curve. They
also can be arranged as to work all round the periphery, or only down- and upwards
at the front part of same.
3. The moving force produced by working the pedals is not acting (as usual) in a
circle (viz. about a fix centre), but acts either in a straight (or nearly straight) line,
or by a combination of straight-lined and circular motion.
4. The arrangement for transmitting the driving force to the driving wheel of the
vehicle is a special one, as indicated below.
The apparatus is essentially constructed as follows:
The principal part of the apparatus is a modificated "epicycloidal wheel" of
following construction:-An inside geared ring (the "guide"),or segment, if
arranged for moving the pedals only down- and upwards, is fixed to the frame of
the vehicle. Into this guide is working a small cogwheel (the "crankwheel "), which
is connected with the driving crank. The crank can either be in one piece with the
crankwheel, in which case the crank has no fix turning centre, but follows the
movement of this wheel, or the crank can have a fix turning centre, about an axle, in
the centre of the guide. In this last case the cogwheel is arranged as to rotate about
its centre on a pin, fitted to the crank; if this last arrangement is chosen, the pedals
of course, when moving, will describe a circle, as usual.
In the first case (viz.: when crank and crank wheel are made in one piece) the
crank wheel, in order to keep it in its position to the guide, is fitted to an eccentric
tappet or crank, the turning axle of which is in the centre of the guide.
In both cases the crank wheel, when the driving crank is worked, will have a double
motion, w. one about the centre of the guide, and one about its own centre.
The diameter of the crankwheel is just half as large as that one of the guide, and
by this reason any point at the periphery of the crank wheel will, when the crank is
worked, travel to and fro on a straight line, represented by the corresponding diameter
of the guide, whilst points, which are near the periphery, will follow curves,
which differ from the diameter, less or more according to their distance from the
periphery.
This motion just mentioned, represents the driving element of the apparatus, a point
at or near the periphery of the crank wheel, properly chosen, constituting the attaching
point of the connecting parts for transmitting the driving force to the driving wheel
of the vehicle.
This transmission of the driving force can be effectuated in different ways: by a
band, wire or similar means, or by chain (chains) and chainwheels.
If a band, wire or similar means is used, it is properly fitted with one end to the
crank wheel, either by a stud at or near the periphery of same, or to the periphery of a

page_text: desk, fixed to the crank wheel, with its centre in the same point as just mentioned for
the stud, and revolving with the crankwheel, at the same time as it moves to and fro
along the diameter of the guide (as mentioned above). At its other end, the band,
wire etc. is wound on to a drum on the hub or spindle of the driving wheel of the
vehicle. This drum is arranged as to transmit the pull of the band etc. to the driving
wheel of the vehicle, when the crank is worked downwards, whereupon it returns
automatically, winding up again the unwound hand, wire etc., and taking the crank
back into its upper position.
If chain (chains) and chainwheels are used, the arrangement is a special one, quite
different from the ordinary: the driving chainwheel is fixed to the crank wheel at the
same place as the above mentioned desk, whilst the driven chainwheel is fitted to the
hub of the driving wheel of the vehicle in ordinary way. As, the centre of the driving
chainwheel will move to and tro (as above described), it must be independant of the
length of the chain, and this is provided for by an extra guiding chainwheel, or by
similar means, which can be arranged in different ways.
Some other special arrangements for the chain are to be mentioned; thus, the two
branches of it can be worked separately, or they can be worked alternately, or only
one of its branches can be worked by the chainwheel.
The driving apparatus thus briefly described, which can be applied to different
kinds of vehicles; is, if necessary, to be fitted on both sides of the vehicle.
Dated this Sixth day of March 1896.
ANDOR BODDING, Captain, 3, Princess Road, Regent's Park, London N.W. 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 an improved driving apparatus for velocipedes and other
vehicles, principally characterized by following points:
1. The apparatus can be arranged either with or without a driving chain or chains.
2. The motion of the driving cranks is not bound to be the usual circular one, but
the pedals, when worked, can be arranged so as to follow a hypercycloidal curve.
They also can be arranged so as to work either all round the periphery, or only
down and upwards at the front part of same.
3. The moving force produced by working the pedals is not acting (as usual) in a
circle (viz. about a fix centre), but acts either in a straight or nearly straight line,
or in a combination of straight-lined and circular motion.
4. The arrangement for transmitting the driving force to the driving wheel of the
vehicle is a special one, as indicated below.
The description of this my invention which is now to be given in details refers
to the accompanying drawings. These drawings illustrate the principal mechanical
arrangements through which the invention is to be performed, but without being
binding in all such details which only refer to the practical working out of the said
arrangements without touching the principles, character and nature of the invention.
Amongst the different purposes for which this driving apparatus is suitable is chosen,
as an example, its application to a bicycle, to which example this description especially
refers.
In the drawings,
Fig. 1. shows in side elevation an arrangement for up- and downwards motion of

page_text: the crank, in which the transmitting part is fitted direct to the "crank wheel "; (only
straight-lined motion).
Fig. 2. is the same, shown in plan.
Fig. 3. shows in side elevation a similar arrangement, but in which the "guide" is
fixed in another way, and the transmitting part is fitted to a disc; (combined straight-
lined and rotary motion).
Fig. 4. is the same, shown in plan.
Fig. 5. shows in side elevation the arrangement when the driving crank has a fixed
turning centre and a circular motion.
Fig. 6. is the same, shown in plan.
Fig. 7. shows in side elevation a modification in the way of fitting the "crankwheel,"
and also the arrangement for chain-transmission.
Fig. 8. is the same, shown in plan.
Most of the drawings are partly sectional. Corresponding parts are throughout
designated by the same letters.
The principal part of this driving apparatus is a modified "epicycloidal wheel,"
applied one on each side of the vehicle, and of following construction:-An inside
geared ring, or segment, G, (hereinafter called the "guide"), is fitted to the frame of
the bicycle. This fitting can be effected in different ways, for instance as shown in
Figs. 1. & 2., or as shown in Figs. 3. to 8. In the first arrangement, the "guide" is
fixed in a frame, F, with outwardly bent spokes, a, and hub, h, which latter is screwed
on to the hottom bracket, b, of the cycle. In the other arrangement, Figs. 3. to 8.,
the "guide
is fixed inside a box, B, which in such case replaces the bottom
bracket.
In any case, that shape of the "guide" which is shown in Figs. 1. to 6., (ciz. a
segment), is chosen for an up- and downwards motion of the crank-pedal, whilst the
shape shown in Figs. 7. & 8., (viz. a ring), is chosen when a rotary motion of said
pedal is desired.
Into this "guide," it may be a segment or a ring, there works a small
cogwheel, C, (hereinafter called the "crank wheel"), the diameter of which is just equal,
to half the diameter of the "guide." This cogwheel is connected with the driving
crank, C", of the cycle in different ways which are now to be described in connection
with the corresponding arrangement of the "crank wheel" itself in the different
cases :-
The methods used for connecting the driving crank with the "crankwheel" are of
two distinctly different principles, viz. 1. The crank can be in one piece with, or
absolutely fixed to the "crank wheel," in which case the crank has no fixed turning
centre, but follows the motion of the "crankwheel"; or 2. The "crankwheel" is
fitted to a fixture on the crank or crank axle so as to allow it to rotate with its own
axle in bearings applied to said fixture. In this case the driving crank, being fixed
to a horizontal axle at the centre of the "guide," has a fixed turning centre in said
axle.
Re. Method 1:Here the point for fixing the crank can be chosen anywhere
within the circumference of the "crank wheel; but the most suitable place is that
point in the pitch circle of the "crank wheel" in which, in the vertical positions of the
crank, it touches the pitch circle of the "guide." This is point c, shown in
Figs. 1., 3. and 7.
With regard to the corresponding arrangement of the "crankwheel" C, different
examples are shown in Figs. 1. & 2., Figs. 3. & 4. and Figs. 7. & 8. In Figs. 1. & 2.,
the "crankwheel," in order to keep its right working position, is fitted to the end
of a small crank, k, which has its turning axle, t, at the centre of the "guide"; in
this case, said axle is supposed to run on ball bearings in the bottom bracket, b, of
the cycle, as indicated in Fig. 2. The same fig. also shows a ball arrangement for
the pin, p on which the "crank wheel" rotates. Figs. 3. & 4. show another arrange-
ment: The axle of the small crank in the centre of the "guide,"-for guiding
the "crank wheel," is here supported by ball discs, 61 Fig. 4., carried by supporting
arms fitted to the inner wall of the box B. The arrangement of the pin p is the

page_text: same as in Fig. 2. In Figs. 7. & 8., another arrangement is shown in which the small
crank (on both sides) is substituted by a rotating disc, D; in which is fixed
eccentrically a ball bearing device d for the pin p which is, in this case, fixed to the
"crank wheel" as an axle, the other end of which is supported by a similar ball bearing d'
in the rotating disc D' of the other side (see Fig. 8.). The disc 1) has its rotating
centre at the centre of the "guide," but has no axle. For the purpose of rotating,
it is provided round its periphery with a ball groove g which fits to a corresponding
ball groove g¹ in the inner wall of the box B, the two grooves g and, fitted with
balls, thus furnishing a reliable bearing for the rotation of the disc D. The disc D¹
is exactly of the same construction as D, and they are connected one with the other
by square pieces q so as to form together one rigid part.
Re. Method 2-This is shown in Figs. 5. & 6: t is the crank axle, fitted in the
same way as shown in Fig. 4. and described above. The small rotating crank kis
substituted by a fork-shaped fixture on the axle t or the crank C. This fork
encloses the "crankwheel" (which is fitted to it by the axle to which it is fixed,
and which rotates in corresponding bearings in. Thus, the "crank wheel is secured
in its proper working position, following the rotation of the crank C at the same
time as it is allowed rotation about its own axis.
After having thus described several forms and arrangements of the principal parts
of this driving apparatus, I would now describe the action of those parts:-
When the driving crank is worked, the "crankwheel" will enter into a double
motion, viz. its centre will travel in a circle the centre of which is the centre of the
"guide," at the same time as it will rotate about its own centre. During this motion,
any point in the pitch circle of the "crank wheel" will enter into a reciprocating
motion on a straight line represented by the corresponding diameter of the "guide,"
whilst points inside or outside the pitch circle of the "crankwheel will travel on
curves which differ from said diameter, more or less, according to their distance
from the periphery.
Said straight-lined reciprocating motion represents the important driving element
of this apparatus; therefore, a point at or near the periphery of the "crank wheel"
is the suitable attaching-point of the connecting part or parts for transmitting the
driving force to the driving wheel of the vehicle.
I would now show, by some examples, how the transmission of the driving force is
or can be performed:
In Figs. 1. to 6., viz., for up- and downwards motion of the pedals, the transmission
is effected by a band or wire or by similar means: In Figs. 1. & 2. the band or
wire w is fixed to a connecting piece v, properly fitted to a stud at the lower part
of the driving crank. In Figs. 3. to 6. the stud for the connecting piece is applied
at the periphery of a disc u, fixed to the "crankwheel" with its centre at above
mentioned point c. In all these cases, the other end of the band or wire is wound on
to a drum on the hub or spindle of the driving wheel of the cycle. This drum is
arranged so as to transmit the pull on the band etc. to the driving wheel of the cycle,
when the crank is worked downwards, whereupon it returns automatically, winding
up again the unwound band etc., and taking the crank back again into its upper
position. In this arrangement it is necessary to have transmitting parts on both
sides, the driving pull being produced alternately by the two cranks.
Remark: "Above indicated arrangement at the driving wheel is not shown in the
drawings, as it is a well known mechanical appliance."
Figs. 7.& 8. show the arrangement when a driving chain is applied-The driving
chainwheel in the ordinary cycles is replaced by a chainwheel's with teeth only on
half its periphery and fixed to the "crankwheel" with its centre at the point c, whilst
the receiving chainwheel is like the ordinary one, therefore not shown in the drawings.
Now, when for instance the right side crank is worked from its upper to its lower
position, (viz. one half revolution), the centre c of the chain wheels will travel in a
straight line from c to e, at the same time as the chainwheel itself makes one half
revolution about its centre. If a driving chain is fitted as shown in Fig. 7., parallel
to the diameter e c', it will, through the combined linear and rotary motion of the

page_text: chainwheels, be driven forwards a distance equal to the sum of the lenght of the
line c c' and the half periphery of s.
In order to get the chain in the right position, a idle chainwheel i of same
diameter as s is applied in a proper position in the front of the driving mechanism,
and the chain is led over this guiding wheel and from there back to the receiving
chainwheel on the hub of the driving wheel of the machine. In order to further
secure the chain in its position and prevent it from slipping from the teeth of the
chainwheel s, small rollers z are applied as indicated in Fig. 7.
Now the further action of this arrangement will be as follows:-At the same moment
as the right side crank reaches its lowest position, the last tooth of the chainwheel s
leaves the upper branch of the chain, and the lowest tooth of s engages into the lower
branch of the chain which was, during the downward motion of the right side crank,
untouched by the chain wheel. Exactly at the same moment, the left side crank has
reached its highest position and is now worked downwards, whereby a motion of the
chainwheel s similar to that during the action of the right side crank, but in reverse
direction, is produced. This motion will pull the lower branch of the chain through
the same distance through which the upper branch was pulled during the downward
motion of the right side crank. In this way, through alternately working the two
cranks, a continually acting force will drive the machine forwards.
As secondary arrangements it may be pointed out, that the same effect can be
obtained by providing the chainwheels with teeth all round its periphery; but then
it must be placed with its centro a little outside and above the point c. Also, that if
chain and chainwheels are applied on both sides, the upper branch only may be
worked. And finally, that if,-through some means or other, (for instance through
sliding guide-rollers) the chain is allowed a variation in its lenght, in order to
adapt itself to the reciprocating motion of the chainwheel, the guiding wheel i
may be omitted and the chain be applied to the driving chainwheel in the ordinary
way.
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 application of the "epicycloidal wheel" between a crank and any means of
transmitting power (applied to the crank) to a driving wheel, for the ultimate attain-
ment of rotary motion in the wheels of vehicles.
2. The special forms of such application, and any equivalents of such forms, as set
forth in above specification.
Thof Tan1907
ANDOR BODDING.