Year: 1896

page_text: I, JEANNE MARIE JULIETTE GALLIEN, of 4 Avenue De la Republique, Paris, in
the Republic of France, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described,
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The driving gear for bicycles, which forms the subject of this invention is
represented in the accompanying drawing in which
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the rear part of a bicycle with the improved
driving gear;
Figure 2 is a corresponding plan;
Figure 3 is a detail, on a large scale, of one of the essential parts of the gear.
According to my invention the movement of the driving wheel A is obtained
by means of two foot levers B and B arranged one on each side of the wheel and
adapted to oscillate upon the axle of the said wheel. These oscillating levers are
provided each with a sector CC having movable teeth and engaging with one of
the toothed wheels D D keyed to the extremities of the shaft E (pedal 'shaft of
the systems heretofore used).
It will be observed that the sectors C and C¹ have an effect upon their respec-
tive wheels D and D' only in their downward movement, accordingly they act
alternately. However, for ensuring with certainty the continuity of motion, the
levers B and B are connected by a chain or by a cord F passing over a guide
pulley G mounted at a suitable point of the frame. When under these circum-
stances one of the levers B B is at the lower end of its movement the other
is at the upper end of its own. A soctor C C is therefore always and necessarily
in action.
I will now proceed to set forth the construction of these sectors. The teeth,
herebefore called, movable teeth, are formed of small metallic blocks c Figure 3
suspended at their upper part upon small shafts c¹ held by the webs of the U-irons
forming the sectors. Under the action of their weight these blocks assume of
themselves the position indicated in the drawing and suitable for their engage-
ment, at the time of the downward movement of the sectors, with the wheels D D'
provided with ratchet teeth. During the upward movement of the sectors these
blocks move away (as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3) and escape the,
ratchet teeth. The engagement thus caused is very soft and sure; it does not

page_text: necessitate the action of any spring. Moreover, it will be remarked that the feet
of the cyclist act at the extremity of long levers and that their action is exerted
with the same power during the entire period of the downward movement of the
said levers, the arc of the circle described being almost a straight line.
transmits the movement of the shaft E to the axle of the driving wheel A.
Lastly it will be understood that I do not limit myself to the arrangement,
forms and dimensions of the several parts constituting the before described driving
gear.
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:
First. A driving gear for bicycles of any kind characterized by the combina-
tion of foot lovers. B B, provided with pawls or any other similar part, ratchet
wheels D D engaging with the pawls or other similar parts of the said levers and
a chain H passing round wheels respectively keyed upon the shaft of the said
ratchets and upon the axle of the driving wheel.
Second. In this driving gear the following features:
(a) The connection of the foot levers B B by means of a chain or cord F
combining their alternating movements.
(b) The arrangement, upon these levers; of sectors C C₁ furnished with mov-
able teeth formed of a series of small blocks c articulated at their upper
part and adapted to engage of themselves with the ratchet teeth D D' during
the downward movement of the foot levers.
Third. The driving gear for bicycles of any kind such as herein before set forth,
in its entirety and in its details, with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated this 4th day of December 1896
HASELTINE LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C. Agents for the Applicant.