Improvements in or relating to Cycles and other Vehicles Propelled by Gearing.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Cycles and other Vehicles Propelled
by Gearing.
I, EDWARD JOHN FRENCHL, of 50, Park Road, Regent's Park, London, N.W.,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of cycles also ap-
plicable to motor cars and the like vehicles.
I will describe the invention as applied to the construction of a bicycle.
The bicycle frame and wheels may be of any usual construction, and it possesses
the usual chain transmission for conveying motion from the pedal axle to the
sprocket wheel on the driving wheel axle. The ordinary sprocket wheel on the
pedal shaft, however, is replaced by a mechanism of my invention which has
for its object to enable the machine to be driven at two different speeds, alter-
able at will by the rider without dismounting. The mechanism, moreover, has
means for allowing the pedals to run free when this is desirable. The steering
gear and saddle of the cycle are of the usual construction, but the brake mech-
anism is of such a kind that the brake can be applied at will, either to the
surface of the tyre, or to the rim, or both at once.
The advantage of this improved construction of brake is obvious, inasmuch as
the rim brake commonly known possesses various drawbacks, and is considered
to throw excessive strain upon the wheel and to tend to deform the same, whilst
on the other hand the ordinary tyre brake is liable to be rendered useless if
the tyre deflates in consequence of a sudden puncture. If such deflation takes
place during the descent of a steep hill for instance, the rider may be placed
in a position of great danger.
By the use of my improved brake this danger is entirely obviated, because the
rider whilst normally using the tyre brake in the usual manner, can at any
moment cause the rim brake to come into action, and thus repiace the other
whenever needed.
In carrying my invention into effect I construct the pedal gear in the form of
a sprocket wheel having within it concentric internal contact rings. These
rings can be locked into place by the adjustment of a bolt or slide, so that the
gear can be varied at will, or if desired the pedals may be caused to revolve
freely and independently of the gear; this latter addition is not required in all
machines.
The gear revolves on ball bearings in the usual manner, and the alteration
can be effected without dismounting by moving the locking bolt which unites
the concentric rings within the sprocket wheel, by suitable means such for
instance as a cam operated by a rod and lever attachment connected to a handle
within reach of the hand of the operator.
The operation of the locking bolt is as follows. When the top of the said bolt

page_text: is flush with the top of the disc, the cam aforesaid is turned down and the square
stop face thereof presses against the edge of a concentric ring, thus causing the
low gear to come into action. When the high gear and free pedal is required
the cam is raised to clear the aforesaid ring and at the same time a check pawl
is disengaged from its slot and engages in another slot cut on the edge of another
internal contact ring overlapping the periphery of the aforesaid disc. Finally
when high gear and fixed pedal is required the cam is still further raised and
the bolt whilst still engaging with the slot in the face of the internal contact
ring, passes upwards and engages in one of the slots in the external chain-ring
revolving normally around the internal contact ring. When the whole is locked
together by the bolt in its uppermost position, the high speed and fixed pedal
gear is obtained.
ihe gear is put together preferably as follows. The disc is placed against
the bottom bracket face and a toothed ring with roller thereon placed in position
on an eccentric projection. The balls are then placed in a race and the internal
contact ring is put in its place. Another ball race corresponding to the first
one is adjusted and the internally cut teeth of the contact ring engage with the
externally cut teeth on the ring aforesaid.
In place of the roller on the toothed ring may fix a toothed ring centrally
on the outer disc which ring connects with the first mentioned toothed ring by
means of a "Marlborough" wheel revolving on a special spindle. An outer disc
rigidly attached to the arms of the pedal crank is then fixed in position. The
outer face of the ring possesses a thrust collar and on the face of the internal
contact ring are cut recesses for a ratchet pawl. There are also a corresponding
number of recesses for the locking bolt. Suitable mechanism is provided to
keep the apparatus together and hold the chain ring în place; and also to allow
of adjustment of the mechanism.
In cases in which the free pedal device is not required the mechanism can be
correspondingly simplified. The brake mechanism which forms another portion
of my invention is substantially as follows.
I provide three arms on a shaft pivoted behind the scat pillar tube above the
chain strap. These arms are worked by suitable rod and lever motion from the
handle-bar or other desirable point. On one arm is placed a rubber shoe to
engage on the tyre, and the other two arms have each a pad suitably secured
to engage on the rim of the wheel, when by further pressure they are caused to
press against the same. It desired, the rim brake can be arranged to act simul-
taneously with the tyre brake, or the two may be caused to work independently
of one another.
Detail modifications in the mechanism of the devices set forth will not render
the construction beyond the scope of my invention.
Dated the 28th day of Vorch 1800

page_text: 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 alterable speed driving gears for bicycles & the like
such as motor cars. The bicycle frame & wheels may be of the usual construc-
tion, and it possesses the usual chain transmission for conveying motion from
the pedal axle to the sprocket wheel on the back hub. The ordinary sprocket
wheel on the pedal shaft, is however, replaced by the mechanism of my invention,
which has for its object to enable the machine to be driven at two different
speeds, alterable at will by the rider without dismounting The mechanism,
moreover, has means for allowing the pedals to run free or to remain rigid by
revolving with the chain as the cycle moves, as desired. My brake mechanism
is of such a kind that the brake can be applied at will, either to the surface of
the tyre, or to the rim, or both at once. The advantage of this improved con-
struction of brake is obvious, inasmuch as the rim brake commonly known pos-
sesses various drawbacks, and is considered to throw excessive strain upon the
wheel & to tend to deform the same, whilst on the other hand the ordinary tyre
brake is liable to become useless if the tyre punctures. By the use of my im-
proved brake this danger is entirely obviated, because the rider whilst normally
using the tyre brake in the usual manner, can at any moment cause the rim
brake to come into action, and thus replace the other whenever needed. In carry-
ing my invention into effect I construct two side plates (circular) marked A
and B on Sheets 1 and 2 on the side plate A I turn an excentric boss C Figs. 1,
Sheets 1 and 2, recessed out at Z for the sliding bolt G and Z' for the boss J on
plate B Figs. 1 and 2, Sheets 1 and 2, on the excentric boss I place a separate
ring of teeth to gear into O Fig. 1 Sheet 1 and Fig. 3 Sheet 2, held in place by
two flat headed screws Y Fig. 1 Sheet 2 this ring also gears into the small
Marlborough" wheel Q Fig. 1, Sheet 1, and Fig. 1, Sheet 2, which revolves
on the stud P Figs. 1 Sheet 1 and 2, around the inner edge of this plate A I
turn the recess U Figs. 1 Sheets 1 and 2 for a ball race, on the outside of plate A.
I also turn the ring R, Figs. 1 Sheet 1 and 2 with a recess in it to allow the bolt G
to slide up and down, this bolt is shown on Figs. 1 and 2 Sheet 1, held in posi-
tion by the strap H Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet 1, and the screwed shank with the nut
marked W Fig. 1, Sheet 1, and the spring washer S, W, Fig. 1 Sheet 1. On
the outer plate B on the inner side, Fig. 1 Sheet 1, and Fig. 2 Sheet 2,.I turn
the central boss J and rigidly fix by screwing & pins the toothed ring I which
also engages with the Marlborough" wheel Q, Fig. 1. Sheet 1, and Fig. 1
Sheet 2, I also turn a recess Fig. 1 Sheet 1 & Fig. 2 Sheet 2 for ball bearings
& recess the outside of plate at C B Fig. 1 Sheet 1 for crank boss which is screwed
into plate B & firmly fixed with pins between these two plates A and B I place
the internal cut toothed ring O Fig. 3 Sheet 2 whose teeth gear with the toothed
ring X Fig. 1 Sheets 1 and 2, on the outer periphery of this ring I turn a recess
for the split ring F Fig. 1 Sheet 1, to be sprung into place and held in position
by the screw K Figs. 1 and 2 Sheet 1 one or more of which screws may be used,
the object of this ring being to allow for free pedalling by letting the chain
ring M Figs. 1 and 2 Sheet 1 run on the balls in the races marked U, Fig. 1
Sheet and Figs. 1 and 2 Sheet 2. On the outside periphery of the ring O
Fig. 1 Sheet 1 & Fig. 3 Sheet 2 is also cut any number of ratchet recesses for
the pawl L Figs. 1 and 2 Sheet 1, the recesses being marked T on Sheet 2 Fig. 3.
I also cut a single slot on the side face of this ring 0, as marked at S Fig.
Sheet 2 for the bolt G Fig. 1 & 2 Sheet 1 to slide in when desired, the ratchet
recesses on the periphery of ring O Fig. 3 Sheet 2 being so divided as to allow
of any one of the slots S on ring M Figs. 1 & 2 Sheet 1 to stop exactly over the single
slot S in ring O Fig. 3 Sheet 2 when ring M Figs. 1, & 2 Sheet 1 is engaging with
pawl L Figs. 1 & 2 Sheet 1 then comes the chain ring M slipped over all the
other parts and on the screws K being inserted holds it from working off side-
gear is actuated as follows, an index plate A Fig. 4 Sheet 1 is clipped
by the clip Fig. 4 Sheet 1 to any, suitable part of the frame and has three points
ways.
The

page_text: marked 1, 2 and 3, the first position is for high gear & fixed pedal the second for
high gear & free pedal & the third & lowest for low gear & fixed pedal when the
check pawl CP Fig. 2 Sheet 1 driven down by the check pawl spring C PS
Fig. 2 Sheet 1 comes into action by dropping into the slot S in edge of ring O
Fig. 2 Sheet 1 and locking M Fig. 1 Sheet 1 against pawl L Fig. 1 Sheet 1. The
lever A Fig. 4 Sheet 1 is connected by any ordinary way of bell cranks and rods
from B Fig. 4 Sheet 1 to the cam N Fig. 3 Sheet 1 at B also, the end of cam
arm N marked B₁ vibrating on the bolt B Fig. 1 Sheet 3 and actuates the slide G
Figs. 1 and 2 Sheet 1 as follows, when the handle A is at its lowest point 3
Fig. 4 Sheet 1 the slide G is pushed down by the cam N which passes into the
recess V on bolt G Fig. 2 Sheet 1, and the cam N slips into the recess in the
ring R Fig. 2 Sheet 1 & holds the back plate A Fig. 1 Sheet 2 perfectly rigid
then in Fig. 1 Sheet 1. The wheel 1 drives the pinion Q and Q drives the ring X
which in turn drives the ring O & the check pawl CP and pawl L Figs. 1 and 2
Sheet 1 take up the driving, and the low gear is in. In the next position 2 Fig. 4
Sheet 1 the cam N Fig. 3 Sheet 1 moves up flush with the top of ring R. Fig.
Sheet 2 & releases plate A Fig. 1 Sheet 1 and at the same time pushes the
slide G to the top of slot S in ring O Fig. 3 Sheet 2 and by locking the wheels
gives the high gear and free wheel as owing to the top of bolt G Figs 1 & 2
Sheet 1 being flush with the top edge of ring O Fig. 3 Sheet 2 the check pawl C P
Fig. 2 Sheet 1 is thrown out of gear by the leader piece J Fig. 2 Sheet 1 pass-
ing bolt G Fig. 2 Sheet 1 and allows the driving pawl L Figs. 1 and 2 Sheet 1
to overrun the recesses T Fig. 3 Sheet 2 when the gear is held stationary with
the pedals at rest, & the chain ring M Figs. 1 and 2 Sheet 1 alone revolves owing
to the motion of the cycle being transmitted through the chain from the back
hub, then for high gear & fixed pedal the bolt Gigs. 1 & 2 Sheet 1 is moved
up by the cam N Fig. 3 Sheet 1 to its highest position 1 Fig. 4 Sheet 1 & enters
into any one of the slots S Fig. 2 Sheet 1 in the side face of ring M Fig. 2 Sheet 1
and locks that also to the main body of gear, the whole then revolving as a
solid mass.
The leader piece J on check pawl CP Fig. 2 Sheet 1'is placed there
for the purpose of giving free wheel at the moment of changing from low to high
gear and thus preventing shock to the mechanism. The pawls L & CP Fig. 2
Sheet 1 are pivoted at 2 and 1 Fig. 2 Sheet 1. In my brake I arrange two
plates A Figs. 1 & 2 Sheet 3 bolted side by side against the two down tubes
entering the bottom bracket, and which are inset to clip the plain lever P L
Figs. 1 & 2 Sheet 3 at B the plain lever P L is then split out below the bolt Bs
into the crutched lever C L Figs. 1 and 2 Sheet 3. On the end of the plain
lever PL is fitted an adjustable quadrant Q Figs. 1 & 2 Sheet 3 with rubber
shoe R and plates on the crutch CL with leather pads marked P & P¹ Figs. 1
& 2 Sheet 3, the rubber shoe R engages with the tyre & the pads P act on the
rim of wheel, the side pads P1 being arranged with a small amount of side play
to touch against the inside of chain stays CS Fig. 2 Sheet 1 if there should be
excessive pressure trying to force the crutch C L outwards. Slots are provided
in plates A Figs. 1 & 2 Sheet 3 at B2, in the quadrant Q, and on the outer ends
of crutch lever C L for suitable adjustment, The telescope rod M Fig. 1 Sheet 3
is attached at one end to the side of crutch lever C L and at the other end to
lever N Fig. 1 Sheet 3 which lever N is kept in position by the spring S Fig. 1
Sueet 3 attached at one end to N and the other end to the shell of bottom
bracket. The lever N is then connected by any suitable system of bell cranks
& levers, or rods, to the handle bar, the fulcrum of brake is at Bª Figs. 1 & 2
Sheet 3 in the plain lever P L.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is;-
(1) In alterable speed gears for bicycles and the like the combination of
mechanism herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings,

page_text: the connecting wheel marked Q Fig. 1 Sheet 1 and the leader piece J on check
pawl CP Fig. 2 Sheet 1 being the distinguishing features.
(2) In the brake the combined construction of lever PL & levers C L Figs. 1
and 2 Sheet 3 is the distinguishing feature.
D
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