Improved Driving Gear for Cycles and like Vehicles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 19th July, 1895-Accepted, 31st Aug., 1895
Improved Driving Gear for Cycles and like Vehicles.
We, GEORG RUSP and JOHANN RUSP, of 25a, Maistrasse, Munich, in the
Kingdom of Bavaria, Locksmiths, 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 driving gear which is particularly suitable for cycles
and like vehicles, and it is so arranged that the ratio of gearing can be quickly
changed while the machine is in motion. This driving mechanism differs from
other existing or known constructions of variable speed gears inasmuch as it is
chainless, and consists solely of toothed wheels which engage with one another in
a peculiar way, whereas a chain has its tension affected by the changing of the
ratio of the gearing.
One construction of this improved driving gear is illustrated in the accompanying
drawing in which :—
Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, and
Figure 2 is a view in sectional plan.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
On the tube a which forms one limb of the fork of the cycle frame carrying the
rear driving wheel is mounted another tube b which is capable of longitudinal
movement, but is prevented from rotating. This tube b has at each end a ring c
which forms the circular bearing surface or race of an ordinary ball bearing. d is
a third tube which carries at each end a pinion e or e¹. In each of these pinions
there is arranged a bearing cup c¹ which rests upon the balls c² that are inserted
between it and the corresponding ring or race c. The circular races c are adapted
to be pressed with more or less force against the balls c² according to requirement
by means of nuts c³.
On the rear driving wheel axle are fixed a number (three in the present case) of
rings of teeth f, f', f, of different diameters. On the crank axle is mounted the
driving wheel g which has teeth similar to the toothed rings f, f', ƒ², which do not
project beyond the outermost periphery of the rim of the wheel or ring as is in the
ordinary spur wheels, but are arranged on one side of the said rim, as is shown by
Figure 2. The narrow pinion e is adapted to gear either with one or with another
of the rings of teeth f,f,, whilst the pinion e' which has comparatively wide
teeth remains always in engagement with the driving wheel g.
2
The tube b is connected by means of a rod or rods h with a lever which is
mounted on the handle bar of the cycle, or is arranged at a suitable point of
the frame where it can be conveniently operated by one foot. On moving this
lever, the tubes and d are moved along the tube a to an extent corresponding to
the desired ratio of gearing, and the pinion c is caused to engage with the
corresponding ring of teeth f, f, or f³.
From the preceding description it will be readily understood that it is sufficient
to simply actuate a lever in order to produce a change in the ratio of the gearing,
and that no part of the driving apparatus is affected by the change of gearing in
such a manner as to interfere with the working of the driving apparatus or destroy
its smoothiness of working.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
(1.) The improved driving gear for "cycles and like vehicles substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying drawing.
(2.) A variable driving gear for cycles 'and like vehicles consisting essentially
of a pinion such as e which is rigidly connected with a pinion such as e¹ which
engages with the driving wheel g, the said pinion e being adapted to be moved by
means of suitable connecting rods h in such a manner as to be caused to engage
with rings of teeth f, f', f, of different diameters mounted on the axle to be driven,
as set forth.
(3.) An arrangement of the driving gear for cycles and like vehicles as specified
in the preceding claim in which the two pinions e and e¹ are mounted on a tube d
which can be moved, together with a tube b carrying the ball bearings c, c², c², c³,
along the tube a (which forms one limb of the fork carrying the driving wheel) to
an extent corresponding with the desired ratio of gearing, by the operation of
suitable connecting rods, as set forth.
2 T1
1005
Dated this 10th day of July
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Associate Agent.