Improvements in Cyclometers, and in the Method of Mounting them and Clinometers or Barometers upon Bicycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Sept., 1896-Accepted, 7th Nov., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cyclometers, and in the Method of Mounting them
and Clinometers or Barometers upon Bicycles.
I, CHARLES ROBERT HARRIS, of Williamsport, County of Lycoming, State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 improvement in indicators adapted for permanent
attachment to bicycles, the object of the invention being to provide a bicycle with
a cyclometer and with a device for indicating the grade, or with a barometer, the
object of the invention being to provide indicators, the casings of which constitute
the top of the fork crown of the bicycle, and a permanent part of the bicycle
frame.
With these ends in view my invention consists in the parts and combinations of
parts as will be more fully described and pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a view in section through the fork crown showing my invention applied
thereto.
Fig. 2 is a view in plan of the fork crown showing my attachments thereon and
Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views of a modification.
A represents the front fork of a bicycle, and B the steering post or bar rigidly
secured to the fork crown C in the ordinary manner. Secured to the top of the
fork crown C, are the two sections D and D¹ of the cyclometer one section D
comprising a disk with a movable pointer for indicating the fractions of a mile,
and the other section D comprising a series of disks for indicating miles and
multiples of a mile.
Each section of the cyclometer consists of a circular metal rim or casing a
secured to or integral with the fork crown, and provided with a glass face b through
which the numbers on the disks are readily read, the glass face being protected by
the beveled edge c of the casing a. These beveled edges of the casings a serve as
foot rests for the rider while coasting.
The section D of the cyclometer is provided with a fixed dial d marked off into
spaces each of which represents one sixteenth of a mile, and the entire series from
zero around representing one mile. Secured to the arbore is the finger or pointer f
which latter moves over the face of the dial and indicates by its position on the
dial, the fraction of a mile 'traversed. Secured to the arbor e below the dial is
the toothed wheel E. This wheel E is actuated by the vertical shaft F, and in
turn actuates the dials of the section D' of the cyclometer.
The shaft F is mounted in a bearing in the fork crown, and in a bearing g
secured to one member of the fork and is provided at its lower end with a spur
wheel H, the teeth of which are designed to be engaged, one at each revolution of
the front wheel G of the bicycle, by the detent g.rigidly secured to the rim or to a
spoke of wheel G.
The shaft F is provided at its upper end with a single tooth h, hence it will be
seen that once in each revolution of wheel G, the detent g strikes a tooth H and
turns shaft F, a distance equal to one tooth, hence if wheel H has ten teeth the
shaft F will make one tenth revolution to e.ich full revolution of wheel G, and as
shaft F is provided at its upper end, with but a single tooth it will be seen that
wheel E is turned a distance equal to one tooth at each full revolution of shaft F.

page_text: The wheels are so proportioned that a complete revolution of the pointer represents
a mile, and as the dial and pointer are of considerable size and in plain sight of the
rider, it becomes a simple and easy matter for the rider to accurately measure
distances between points without dismounting. Wheel E is also provided on its
lower face with single tooth j which latter engages the teeth of wheel I on
shaft J. This horizontal shaft is suitably mounted, in the fork crown and is
provided at its other end with the bevel pinion k which latter meshes with pinion
on the short arbor 1. This arbor / carries the unit disk K provided on its upper
face with numerals from 0 to 9. . This disk together with the other disks K' and K²
of the series, are mounted on suitable arbors carried in bearings on the fork crown
and casing L, and the casing is covered by a glass face b and surrounded by an
outer casing a as before described. The disk K is designed to turn one tenth of a
revolution at each revolution of wheel E, and hence when wheel E completes
its revolution shaft J is given a partial turn, which rotates disk K one tenth
of a revolution. Disk K' is geared up to disk K so as to be turned one tenth of a
revolution at each complete revolution of disk K, and disk: K2 is also geared up to
disk K so as to make one tenth of a revolution at each complete revolution of
disk K. Disks K, K₁ and K2 are numbered from 0 to 9 and hence it will be seen
that when the wheel E has made its first revolution, shaft J is given a partial
revolution thus turning the disk K until the numeral 1 is under the opening in
casing L. When disk K makes its full turn it as before stated turns disk K' from
zero to 1, thus indicating 10 miles on the tens and units disks K' and K. When
disk K' has been given nine partial revolutions and thus registers 90 miles and the
disk K turned to register 9, thus indicating. ninety-nine on the two disks K' and K,
the next turn of disk imparts movements to disks K and K. This movement
exposes the zero marks on the disks K and K and the numeral 1 on the disk K2,
thus indicating 100 miles. It will be seen that with this device the miles and
fractions of miles are indicated, and as the section of the cyclometer for indicating
fractions is one side of the steering head, it can be made sufficiently large to be
readily seen by the rider while on his machine thus enabling him to measure
fractions of a mile without dismounting.
Located within one side arm of the fork is the weighted pointer or pendulum M.
This pointer is weighted at its lower longer end and pivoted to the fork near its
upper end. The upper end passes through an oblong slot in the fork crown and
in the dial D, and the dial is graduated to indicate the deviation from a level
surface. Thus when the upper end of the pointer is at zero, it indicates a level
road.
The graduations on opposite sides of the zero mark indicate deviation
in fect to a mile or other horizontal distance, and hence indicate the rise or fall
in feet to the mile or other distance either in ascending or descending a hill.
The two casings or sections of cyclometer cau be covered and protected when
not desired for use by the cap N which latter can be of bright polished metal or
enameled material and thus present when in position, a finished and ornamental
appearance.
Instead of making the cyclometer in two sections as above explained I can locate
the cyclometer on one side of the fork crown, and a metallic barometer on the other
side as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
By attaching a barometer P permanently to the bicycle, the rider can foretell
with a reasonable degree of certainty, changes in the weather and thus be in a
position to seek shelter in advance of a storm. The cyclometer and barometer
form neat and ornamental top to fork crown and besides adding to the appearance
of the bicycle, also form convenient foot rests while coasting.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination with the front fork of a bicycle, of a cyclometer attached

page_text: 2. The combination with the front fork of a bicycle, of a cyclometer attached to
the fork crown to one side of the steering head and a barometer attached to the
fork crown on the other side of the head, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination with a bicycle, of a cyclometer permanently attached to the
front fork thereof, substantially as set forth.
4. The combination with the front fork of a bicycle, of a two part cyclometer,
one part located on one side of the steering head and the other part on the other
side and gearing connecting the two parts.
5. The combination with the front fork of a bicycle, of a two part cyclometer
located on the fork crown, one part located to one side of the steering head and the
other part to the other side of the steering head, substantially as set forth.
6. The combination with the front fork of a bicycle, of a two part cyclometer
one part adapted to indicate the fractions of a mile and the other part the
multiples, the two parts being located on opposite sides of the steering head and
geared together, substantially as set forth.
7. The combination with the front fork of a bicycle, of a two part cyclometer
rigidly secured to the fork crown and projecting beyond same, and removable
covers for the casings.
8. The combination with the front fork of a bicycle, of a two part cyclometer
one part located on one side of the steering head and the other part on the other
side and-gearing and a horizontal shaft connecting the two parts of the cyclometer,
substantially as set forth.
9. The combination with the front fork of a bicycle, of a two part cyclometer,
one part located on the fork crown to one side of the steering head and the other
part located on the fork crown, at the other side of the steering head, one section
of the cyclometer comprising a single disk for indicating the fractions of a mile
and the other comprising a series of disks for indicating multiples, substantially as
set forth.
10. The combination with the front fork of a bicycle, of a two part cyclometer,
one part located on one side of the steering head and the other part on the other
side, gearing connecting the two parts, and a device adjacent to one part of the
cyclometer and protected by the casing thereof for indicating the grade of the
surface, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 24th day of September 1896.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
18 Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C.,
Agents to Applicant.