Improvements in connection with the Driving Apparatus of Velocipedes.
Year: 1894

page_text: "This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 18 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883), as allowed by
the decision of the Comptroller General of the 13th day of December 1895.
Date of Application, 13th July, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 13th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 18th May, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with the Driving Apparatus of
Velocipedes.
I, JAMES WILLIAM FLAVELL, Elsdene, Wretham Road, Handsworth, juxta
Birmingham in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to an improved method for increasing the power
of propulsion in connection with velocipedes, and consists in the employment of
an additional pinion or pinions or other suitable wheel or wheels (but by preference
I employ one additional pinion or wheel only) secured at any suitable and
convenient part of the frame of a velocipede around which to pass the chain or
other driving medium, thereby increasing the length of the said chain for the
purpose of gaining more leverage and power.
As at present used the endless driving chain is simply passed around
the chain wheel on the bottom bracket and the pinion on the hub of the
driving wheel of the velocipede, but by my invention the endless chain is passed
around one or more additional wheels, the said additional wheel or wheels being
placed above or below the ordinary chain wheels (but by preference above) by
which means the driving chain is necessarily increased in length thereby increasing
the pedalling leverage which would naturally permit of the acceleration in the
speed of the velocipede.
For the purpose of adjustment or tightening of the chain the additional wheel
or wheels may be made to move eccentrically on their centres or axes or the said
wheel or wheels may be made to slide up and down.
Dated this 12th day of July 1801
JAMES WILLIAM FLAVELL.
JAMES WILLIAM FLAVELL.
Improvements in connection with the Driving Apparatus of
Velocipedes.
I JAMES WILLIAM FLAVELL, Elsdene, Wretham Road, Handsworth juxta
Birmingham in the County of Warwick, 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:-
This invention has reference to an improvement in connection with the driving
gear for increasing the power of propulsion in connection with velocipedes.

page_text: In order that my invention may be clearly understood I have annexed the
accompanying sheet of drawings which illustrates same.
In carrying my invention into effect I employ an additional pinion wheel A, or
1 may employ two or more pinion or other suitable wheels, the said pinion
wheel A revolves on a suitable ball or other bearing and is secured to the seat
pillar tube B which represents part of the frame of a velocipede. The endless
driving chain C passes from the ordinary bottom bracket chain wheel D around
the additional pinion wheel A and thence around the ordinary hub pinion wheel E
mounted on the spindle of the back wheel of the velocipede, by which means the
said endless driving chain C is necessarily increased in length thereby increasing
the pedaling leverage which would naturally permit of the acceleration in speed
of the velocipede.
Although I have shewn the additional pinion wheel A mounted on the seat
pillar tube B it can with equal advantage be mounted on any other suitable part
of the frame of the velocipede, but I prefer to mount the said pinion wheel A
as shewn in the drawings.
For the purpose of adjusting or tightening the endless driving chain C I secure
the said additional pinion wheel A to a split collar F, which said collar Fis
fastened to the seat pillar tube B by means of the two wing nuts a or other
suitable means.
When the said wing nuts a are slackened the split collar F can
be moved either up or down the tube B as required.
Instead of adjusting the tension of the endless driving chain C as above
described I may form a thread on the tube B or equivalent & place a nut under-
neath a suitable collar working in a guide or guides to which the additional
pinion wheel A is secured. It will be easily understood that when the nut is screwed
either up or down it will allow the said endless driving chain C to be adjusted.
Or I may mount the said additional pinion wheel A on an eccentric and adjust
the tension of the said endless driving chain C in that manner.
I do not confine myself to the arrangements as shewn and described for adjusting
the tension of the endless driving chain C as there are various other means of
adjustment which would answer the same purpose.
By the employment of an additional pinion wheel as above described the
vibration on the bottom bracket chain wheel of a velocipede is materially lessened
and the strain on the driving hub chain wheel is more regular on account of the
steadying effect of the said additional pinion wheel, and there is also less
friction on the chain links and rivets by reason of the arc of the chain not being
so acute.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I would have it under-
stood that I do not confine myself to the precise details as herein shewn and
described as they may be varied without departing from the nature of my said
invention, but what I wish to claim is :-
In a velocipede the use of one or more additional pinion wheels or other
suitable wheel or wheels for the purpose substantially as herein shewn and
described.
Dated this 12th day of April 1895.
JAMES WILLIAM FLAVELL.