Improvements in Driving Gear for Velocipedes..
Year: 1897

page_text: 44
Improvements in Driving Gear for Velocipedes..
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a chainless transmitting mechanism for bicycles, which
differs from those heretofore used in that the intermediate shaft which communicates
the movement to the rear wheel is concealed in one of the tubes of the interior rear
fork; the toothed wheel mounted upon the shaft of the pedals and the corresponding
pinion are concealed in a box which forms one piece with the crank axle bracket in
such a manner as to obviate any access of dust or dirt to this part of the
mechanism.
A suitably arranged casing also protects the two rear pinions.
The shaft of the pedals carries the large toothed wheel which gears with the
pinion. The whole is enclosed in a box attached to the frame and closed by a cover
with the aid of screws. This cover carries one of the ball bearings of the pedal
shaft.
The bevel pinion is carried by a solid shaft end fixed to the extremity of a tube
serving as a transmitting shaft.
This tubular transmitting shaft entirely enclosed in the tube of the rear fork
terminates in another shaft end carrying a bevel pinion; the latter gears with the
last pinion fixed upon the hub of the rear wheel.
The extremity of the rear fork terminates in a special part or bracket having two
branches between which the axle passes.
By reason of this arrangement the rear wheel can be easily put in its place without
any need for separating the tubes, the opening of the branches allowing the axle to
pass easily at the time of the mounting.
An opening is provided in the part or bracket above referred to, to afford a passage
for the pinion and to enable the latter to gear with the pinion on the hub.
The system of pinions at the rear end being protected by a box of appropriate
shape, and the box at the forward end forming one piece with the tube, the result is
that the mechanism will be entirely concealed and will be protected from inclement
weather.

page_text: Improvements in Driving Gear for Velocipedes.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
This invention relates to a method of chainless transmission for velocipedes, which
differs from those heretofore used in that the intermediate shaft which transmits
motion to the rear wheel is concealed in one of the tubes in the lower rear fork; the
gear wheel mounted upon the pedal shaft and the corresponding pinion are concealed
in a box forming one piece with the bottom or crank axle bracket, in order to prevent
the admission of dust or mud to this portion of the mechanism.
A suitably arranged cover or casing similarly protects the two rear pinions.
In the accompanying drawing my improved method of transmission is repre-
sented in
Figure 1 in longitudinal section, and in
Figure 2 in plan.
The crank shaft A carries the large toothed wheel B which meshes with the
pinion C. The whole is enclosed in a box D fixed upon the frame of the machine
and closed by means of a cover E screwing into the box, D.
This cover carries one of the ball bearings f¹ of the shaft A.
being arranged at the extremity of the box D.
1
The other bearing f¹
These bearings are adjusted by means of two cups g g¹, of which y is screwed to
the crank axle box and g¹ to the plate E which is itself screwed into the box D as
already stated; these cups g g¹ are further held in position by screw-threaded
collars h h which serve as lock nuts.
The advantage of this arrangement is that it permits of the large toothed wheel B
being readily brought nearer to the pinion C which transmits the motion to the
rear wheel.
The bevel pinion C is carried by a solid shaft end b which is fixed to the extremity
of the tube F serving as transmitting shaft.
This tube F, which is completely enclosed in the tube G of the hind fork, termi-
nates in a second shaft end c carrying the bevel pinion H; this latter gears with a
final pinion K fixed upon the hub M of the rear wheel.
The rear extremity of the fork terminates in a part N formed with two arms or
branches d d each of which has a recess i forming a segment of a circle; the axle o
can readily pass between these arms when the machine is being fitted together.
This axle is then held in position by means of a washer k through which passes the
axle o the parts of the washer fitting into the circular recesses ii in the
branches d d of the fork; the washer being held firmly against the fork by means
of a nut m.
An opening e is formed in the part N to make room for the pinion H and to
enable it to gear with the pinion K.
The system of pinions H and K being protected by a casing of suitable form,
and the box D forming one with the tube G, it follows that the mechanism is
entirely concealed and is protected from the effects of bad weather.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communi-
cated to me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
My improved method of chainless transmission for velocipedes, as above described
and represented in the accompanying drawing, which presents as characteristic
features.

page_text: 1. The arrangement of the mechanism, the driving wheel of which is placed in
a closed box, permitting the passage of only the two extremities of one of the
pedals, the transmission to the pinions of the rear wheel being effected by means
of a shaft arranged within one of the branches of the horizontal hind fork, in such
a manner as to protect the mechanism from the effects of bad weather.
2. The adjustment of the bearings of the crank axle carrying the large toothed
wheel by means of two screw cups, permitting of the displacement of this axle and
the toothed wheel thereon.
3. The method of mounting the rear axle upon a fork having a circular recess
serving for the reception of a washer supporting the axle, this washer being held in
position by means of a nut.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.