Improvements in or relating to the Driving Gear of Velocipedes and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 30th June, 1900-Accepted, 1st Sept.. 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Driving Gear of Velocipedes
and the like.
I, STANLEY. COOPER, of 258, Waterloo Street, Oldham, Lancashire, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the driving gear of velocipedes and the like including
motor velocipedes, and has for its object to provide means whereby the rider may
release a portion of the driving gear so as to render the pedals and cranks
independent of the driving road wheel, and whereby he may also re-connect the
parts of the driving gear so that he may propel the machine forward or back-
pedal as with an ordinary fixed gear; a further object is, if desired, to combine
free wheel gear with a fixed gear; the operation of the mechanism being
adapted to be performed by the rider without his leaving the saddle or stopping
the machine.
a
I will describe my invention as applied to the driving wheel of a rear driven
safety bicycle, to which it is more particularly applicable.
The
On to the driving gear end of the hub I secure a collared sleeve, preferably by
screwing it on, to the larger of the two screw-threaded surfaces usually found at
this end of the hub. The chain ring is mounted freely on the smaller part of
the sleeve, and is confined laterally by the collar on the sleeve on one side and a
shoulder on the hub on the other side. The chain ring is provided with an
outwardly projecting flange which encompasses the collar of the sleeve, which
collar is cut. into a circunferential series of inclines, forming rack teeth.
flange on the chain ring is provided with one or more, say three, radial slots in
its outer face. In each of these slots lies a block of approximately rectangular
form, the inner end of the block being preferably fashioned to correspond to the
inclined surface of the rack teeth with which the blocks are adapted to make
contact. The upper, outer edges of these blocks are preferably bevelled off.
The collared sleeve may be locked in position by an extended ring nut the
circular outer surface of which forms a bearing for an annular cup adapted to
slide lengthwise thereon. A vertical washer may be introduced between the
sleeve and ring nut to help to retain the blocks in position in their slots. The
ring nut is provided with a flange or the like on its outer end to limit the move-
ment of the cup and to assist in keeping the cup true to its work. The rim of
the cup is preferably bevelled off on the inside and the base is provided with a
circumferential vertical groove.
The
To some suitable part of the machine, such as the adjacent bottom stay of the
frame, I secure a blade spring, as by passing bolts through its forward end and
through the stay, fixing the same with nuts, or by other suitable means.
rear end of this spring is forked to freely engage with the groove in the base of
the cup.
If the chain adjustment be at the rear, the centre line of the fork is
set in the transverse plane of the centre lines of the fork ends, but I prefer to
arrange the chain adjustment at the bottom bracket. The spring tends to carry
the cup towards the chain ring, the flange of which it encompasses when the gear

page_text: is fixed. I provide any suitable means for drawing the forked part outwards,
and at present prefer to employ for this purpose a light chain one end of which
is secured to the spring and the other end of which passes through a guide in
the back part of the bottom stay already referred to. The outer end of this
guide is headed and the mouth is flared. The guide is fixed in position by a nut
screwed on to its inner end, and this nut may be adapted to act as a stop for the
outward movement of the spring. To the end of the chain passing out through
the guide I secure a stranded wire which passes up over a grooved guide or
pulley mounted on the saddle pillar grip bolt and thence passes forward to a
small lever pivotted on a clip mounted say on the upper backbone near the head,
though it might be on the handlebar or elsewhere. These connections are so
arranged that when the lever is pulled back the spring is left free to carry the
cup inwards when the lever is pushed forward it tightens the connections and
draws the spring and cup back; when moved right forward the lever over-
balances slightly and the action of the spring retains the cup in the outer
position.
The action is as follows: When the lever is released by turning it back, the
blade spring carries the cup inwards and the bevelled rim of the cup slides over
the bevelled edges of the blocks so as to drive the blocks inward into engagement
with the rack teeth. The cup then slides further in so as to encompass the
blocks which now form a positive connection between the sleeve fixed on the hub
end and the chain ring. In forward pedalling the blocks bear against the
shoulders of the rack teeth; in back pedalling the blocks jam between the
inclined surfaces of the said teeth and the interior of the cup; in both cases the
driving gear is positively connected to the driving road wheel as in an ordinary
fixed gear.
:
When the lever is turned over forward, the blade spring carries the cup
outwards leaving the blocks free to move inwards and outwards in their slots,
so that when the rider ceases effective forward pedalling the hub rotates forward
within the chain ring, the blocks sliding idly relatively to the ratchet teeth or
standing clear thereof. The outward movement of the blocks is limited, prefer-
ably by stopping the cup at such a point that the bevelled rim of the cup is still
in engagement with the bevelled edges of the blocks. This also enables the
blocks to be thrown into positive engagement practically at any moment.
66
If one or more of the blocks remain in contact with the teeth, the rider may
re-commence effective forward pedalling at once, as in a "free wheel," without
touching the lever. But this cannot be depended upon, and if it be desired to
obtain a free wheel action in combination with the above described device, I
subject the blocks to a spring action which impels them to remain in contact
with the ratchet teeth. For example, I may provide the blocks with a groove
in their outer ends, and in these grooves I sink an encircling, contracting
spring.
I do not confine myself strictly to the above description which is intended to
indicate the nature of my invention without excluding modifications.
Dated this 29th day of September 1899.
DOUGLAS LEECHMAN, M.Cy.E.I.,
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents,
18; Hertford Street, Coventry,
9, Exchange Chambers, New Street, Birmingham, and
75, Chancery London, W.C.,
Patent Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to the Driving Gear of Velocipedes
and the like.
I, STANLEY COOPER, of 258, Waterloo Street, Oldham, Lancashire, 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:--
My invention relates to the driving gear of velocipedes and the like including
motor velocipedes, and has for its object to provide means whereby the rider may
release a portion of the driving gear so as to render the pedals and cranks
independent of the driving road wheel, and whereby he may also reconnect the
part of the driving gear so that he may propel the machine forward or back-pedal
as with an ordinary fixed gear; a further object is to combine a free wheel"
gear with a fixed gear; the operation of the mechanism being adapted to be
performed by the rider without his leaving the saddle or stopping the machine.
In order that my invention may be properly understood I will describe the
same by way of example by the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein
Figure 1 is a side elevation showing one arrangement of the actuating
apparatus.
Figure II is a similar view showing a modification.
Figure III is an end elevation of a hub, part of the mechanism being
disclosed.
•
Figure IV is a vertical section showing the cup in its inward position.
Figure Vis a horizontal section showing the cup in its outward position.
Figure VI shows the parts separated.
Figures I and II are drawn to a smaller scale than the others.
The same numerals indicate the same parts throughout the drawings.
On to the driving gear end of the hub 2 I fit a washer 3 and next thereto I
secure a collar 4, preferably by screwing it on to the larger of the two screw-
threaded surfaces 6, 7 usually found at this end of the hub. The chain ring 8
is mounted freely on the said collar, and is confined laterally by the washer 3
on one side, and a second washer 9 on the other side. The chain ring is provided
with an outwardly projecting flange 10 having, say, three radial slots Il in its
outer face; and the collar 4 has a circumferential series of, say, six inclines 5
forming angular teeth 12. In each of the slots 11 lies a block 13 of approxi-
mately rectangular form, the inner end 14 of the block being preferably fashioned
to correspond to the inclined surfaces of the angular teeth with which it is adapted
to make contact. The upper, outer edge 15 of the blocks is preferably bevelled
off.
The collar 4 is locked in position by an extended ring nut 16 the circular
outer surface of which forms a bearing for an annular cup 17 adapted to slide
lengthwise thereon. The washer 9 introduced between the collar 4 and ring
nut 16 also helps to retain the blocks 13 in position in their slots 11. The said
ring nut 16 is provided with a flange 18 on its outer end to limit the movement
of the cup 17 and to assist in keeping the said cup true to its work. The rim 19
of the cup is preferably bevelled off on the inside and the base is provided with
a. circumferential vertical groove 20.
To some suitable part of the machine, such as the adjacent bottom stay. 21
of the frame, I secure a blade spring 22 by any suitable means, such as by passing
bolts 23 through its forward end and through the stay and fixing the same with
nuts 24. The rear end of this spring is forked (25) to freely engage with the
groove 20 in the cup. If the spring be fixed to the bottom stay
prefer to

page_text: arrange the chain adjustment at the bottom bracket 26 by mounting the crank
axle 27 eccentrically therein, as shown. The spring 22 tends to carry the cup 17
towards the chain ring 8, the flange 10 of which it encompasses when the gear is
fixed. I provide any suitable means for drawing the forked part 25 of the
spring outwards, and at present prefer to employ for this purpose a small lever 28
pivotted on a bracket 29 secured to the fork end 30. The lower end of the lever
is forked to engage a head or nuts 32 on a stud 31 projecting from the spring
through a hole in the said forkend. The upper end of the said lever is connected
to a rod 33 the other end of which is jointed to an arm 34 pivotted on the end
of the saddle pillar bolt 35. A second rod 36 passes forward from the arm 34
to a small lever 37 pivotted on a clip 38 mounted say on the upper backbone 39
near the head 40. These connections are so arranged that when the lever 37 is
pushed forward the spring 22 is left free to carry the oup 17 inwards; when the
lever is pulled back it draws the said spring and cup back; and a catch 41 is
provided to retain the parts in this position. The forked spring may, if desired,
be operated by a flexible steel cord, led through the members of the frame to a
lever on the handlebar, this arrangement being very suitable for ladies' machines ;
or other suitable means may be employed for the purpose.
The action is as follows, When the lever 28 is released and moves forward,
the blade spring 22 carries the cup 17 horizontally inwards and the bevelled
rim 19 of the cup slides over the bevelled edges 15 of the blocks 13 so as to drive
the said blocks radially inward into engagement with the angular teeth 12. The
cup then slides further in so as to encompass the blocks which now form a
positive connection between the collar 4 on the hub 2 and the chain ring 8.
In forward pedalling the blocks 13 bear against the shoulders of the angular
teeth 12; in back pedalling they jam between the inclines surfaces 5 and the
interior of the cup in both cases the driving gear is positively connected to
the driving road wheel as in an ordinary fixed gear.
When the lever is set back, the blade spring 22 carries the cup 17 outwards
leaving the blocks 13 free to move inwards and outwards in their slots, so that
when the rider ceases effective forward pedalling the hub 2 rotates forward
within the chain ring 8, the blocks 13 sliding idly relatively to the angular
teeth 12 or standing clear thereof. The outward movement of the blocks is
limited, preferably by stopping the cup at such a point that the bevelled rimi 19
thereof is still in the plane of the bevelled edges 15 of the blocks. This also
enables the blocks to be thrown into positive engagement practically at any
moment.
66
If one or more of the blocks 13 remain, by gravity or otherwise, in contact
with the teeth 12, the rider may recommence effective forward pedalling at once,
as in a free wheel," without touching the lever. But this cannot be depended
upon and in order to obtain a certain free wheel" action in combination with
the above described device I subject the blocks to a suitable spring action which
impels them to remain in contact with the angular teeth.
For example I may provide the flange 10 and the blocks 13 with a groove, 42
and sink an encircling, contracting spring 43.
Figure II shows the construction I prefer to adopt if the chain adjustment be
at the rear. In this case I employ swinging stays 44 and inclined forkends 45.
[ secure the blade spring 22 to the said stay on the gear side of the machine so
that the adjustment of the chain does not interfere with the working of my
device, all the parts moving together. The action is the same as above described.
I do not confine myself to the above description as my invention may be
carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In the driving gear of velocipedes and the like, a device comprising a

page_text: "free wheel" gear and a fixed gear and means for changing from one to the other
which may be operated without the rider leaving the saddle or stopping the
machine.
2. In the driving gear of velocipedes and the like, the herein described means
for allowing the rider to release a portion of the driving gear so as to render
the pedals and cranks independent of the driving road wheel, and to reconnect
the parts of the driving gear so that he may propel the machine forward or back
pedal as with an ordinary fixed gear.
3. In the driving gear of velocipedes and the like, the combination of angular
teeth on the driven part, a loose gear wheel, one or more blocks carried by, but
movable radially relatively to the said gear wheel and adapted to engage or ride
over the said angular teeth, a movable cup adapted to hold the said blocks when
required in engagement with the said angular teeth and means for moving the
said cup relatively to the said blocks while the rider is mounted and the machine
in motion, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In the driving gear of velocipedes and the like, the combination of angular
teeth on the driven part, a loose gear wheel one or more blocks, carried by but
movable radially relatively to the said gear wheel and adapted to engage or ride
over the said angular teeth, a movable cup adapted to hold the said blocks when
required in engagement with the said angular teeth, a spring fixed to the frame
and adapted to move the said cup towards the said blocks and means for moving
the said cup in the opposite direction against the action of the spring while the
rider is mounted and the machine in motion, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
5. In the driving gear of velocipedes and the like, the combination of angular
teeth on the driven part, a loose gear wheel, one or more blocks carried by but
movable radially relatively to the said gear wheel and adapted to engage or ride
over the said angular teeth, a movable cup adapted to hold the said blocks when
required in engagement with the said angular teeth, a spring or springs adapted
to impel the blocks into contact with the angular teeth and means for moving
the said cup relatively to the said blocks while the rider is mounted and the
machine in motion substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. Driving gear for velocipedes and the like constructed arranged and adapted
to operate substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. I, III, IV, V
and VI of the accompanying drawings.
7. Driving gear for velocipedes and the like, constructed, arranged and adapted
to operate substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. II, III. IV
and VI of the accompanying drawings.
ווחת תני
T
T
1000
DOUGLAS LEECHMAN, M.Cy.E.I.,
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents,
18, Hertford Street, Coventry,
9. Exchange Chambers, New Street, Birmingham, and
75, Chancery London, W.C.. Patent Agent for the Applicant.