IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Olaf Pihlfeldt of Coatham Redcar in the County of York.
Mechanical Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES
BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES
"
I
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Olaf Pihlfeldt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th December 1882.
OLAF PIHLFELDT of Coatham Redcar in the County of York Mechanical
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES
و"
My invention consists First of the construction and arrangements hereinafter
described of the parts of the mechanism by which the pedal or crank shafts of
tricycles and other velocipedes having two travelling or driving wheels of equal
size are connected with the shafts of the said driving or travelling wheels. The
object of this part of my invention is to permit of the travelling wheels rotating at
the same velocity when the velocipede is travelling in a straight line and at
different velocities corresponding to the different lengths of the paths described
when the velocipede is travelling in a curve.
I will describe this part of my invention in connection with a tricycle.
2
I fix one of the travelling wheels to one end of the principal shaft and I place
the other travelling wheel on the other end of the shaft and so combined there-
with that it is free to rotate thereon. I will call this wheel the loose travelling
wheel. Fixed to the hub of the loose travelling wheel is a spur wheel and fixed
to the shaft is another spur wheel of larger diameter situated at one side of the
spur wheel on the loose travelling wheel. Gearing with the last named or larger
spur wheel is a pinion turning loosely upon an axis fixed to the case which forms
the chain wheel and encloses the gearing mechanism.
Fast to the last named
pinion is a smaller pinion opposite the small spur wheel on the hub of the loose
travelling wheel but turning free of it. The number of the teeth of this smaller
pinion is the same multiple of the number of teeth of the spur wheel opposite to it
as the number of the teeth of the larger pinion is of the number of teeth of the

page_text: larger spur wheel An intermediate pinion turning on an axis fixed to the case
gears with the smaller of the before named pinions and with the smaller of the
spur wheels.
The motion of the pedal shaft is transmitted by chain or other gearing to the
outer case enclosing the toothed wheels described and when the tricycle is travelling
in a straight line the travelling wheels rotate with the same speed but when the
tricycle is steered in a curve the gearing described permits the loose travelling
wheel to rotate with a greater or less velocity according as it is describing the
outer or inner curve of the path in which the tricycle is travelling.
Instead of placing the gearing mechanism described in a case constituting the
chain wheel the said gearing may be placed in a box or case situated midway or at
other convenient part on the shaft of the travelling wheels. The shaft is divided
transversely and the divided parts are connected so that they can rotate inde-
pendently of one another but are preserved in the same right line. The case turns
freely on the shafts.
My invention consists Secondly of the following improvements in the ball
bearings of tricycles bicycles and other velocipedes.
I will describe this part of my invention in connection with a tricycle.
On the shaft of the travelling wheels or on sleeves fixed on the said shaft I
turn a nearly semi-circular groove and inside.a ring fitting on the shaft or sleeve
and within which ring the shaft or sleeve turns freely I make a corresponding
nearly semi-circular groove. Between these grooves the anti friction balls or
sphères are situated and revolve: The outer ring is connected to the frame of the
machine by a log or knuckle joint. This ring is split or divided transversely at
one side the division in the ring terminating in two-lugs. The opening between
these lugs is of sufficient size to permit of the introduction of the anti-friction balls
or spheres. After the introduction of the balls the space between the lugs is filled
by a filling piece and the lugs and filling piece are connected together by a screw
bolt. When necessary the filling piece may be removed and reduced in size to
compensate for the wear of the parts.
...The bearings described are applicable to all the bearing parts of tricycles
bicycles and other velocipedes.
1
My invention consists Lastly of the following method of attaching the bearings
of the pedal shafts of velocipedes to the frames of the said velocipedes.
To the tube of the frame I attach a clip by means of a screw and lugs. On this
clip. is a lug having a cylindrical hole parallel with the tube of the frame
In this hole a cylindrical axis or pin fits and turns freely being held in its place
.by a shoulder at one end and a nut and lock nut at the other end.
"
Near the shoulder described the bearing of the pedal shaft is connected to the pin
by a knuckle joint the axis of which is at right angles to that of the pedal shaft.
By, loosening the screw of the clip the pedal shaft can be moved on the tube of the
frame, and the driving chain can thus be adjusted. In order to diminish vibration
I insert india rubber or other yielding washers between the shoulder of the pin
and the lug and also between the lug and nut
:
By the movements permitted by the knuckle joint and the pin passing through
the lug on the clip the bearing yields to any motion of the pedal shaft occurring

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Olaf Pihlfeldt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th June 1883.
OLAF PIHLFELDT of Coatham, Redcar in the County of York Mechanical
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRICYCLES, BICYCLES AND OTHER VELOCIPEDES'
"3
My invention consists, first, of the construction and arrangements hereinafter
described of the parts of the mechanism by which the pedal or crank shafts of
tricycles and other velocipedes having two travelling or driving wheels of equal
size are connected with the shafts of the said driving or travelling wheels. The
object of this part of my invention is to permit of the travelling wheels rotating
at the same velocity when the velocipede is travelling in a straight line and at
different velocities corresponding to the different lengths of the paths described
when the velocipede is travelling in a curve.
I will describe this part of my invention in connection with a tricycle.
I fix one of the travelling wheels to one end of the principal shaft and I placo
the other travelling wheel on the other end of the shaft and so combined there-
with that it is free to rotate thereon. I will call this wheel the loose travelling
wheel. Fixed to the hub of the loose travelling wheel is a spur wheel and fixed to
the shaft is another spur wheel of larger diameter situated at one side of the spur
wheel on the loose travelling wheel.
Gearing with the last named or larger spur wheel is a pinion turning loosely
upon an axis fixed to the case which forms the chain wheel and encloses the gearing
mechanism. Fast to the last named pinion is a smaller pinion opposite the small
spur wheel on the hub of the loose travelling wheel but turning free of it. The
number of the teeth of this smaller pinion is the same multiple of the number of
teeth of the spur wheel opposite to it as the number of the teeth of the larger
pinion is of the number of teeth of the larger spur wheel. An intermediate pinion
turning on an axis fixed to the case gears with the smaller of the before named
pinions and with the smaller of the spur wheels.
The motion of the pedal shaft is transmitted by chain or other gearing to the
case enclosing the toothed wheels described and when the tricycle is travelling in
a straight line the travelling wheels rotate with the same speed but when the
tricycle steered in a curve the gearing described permits the loose travelling
wheel to rotate with a greater or less velocity according as it is describing the
outer or inner curve of the path in which the tricycle is travelling
Instead of placing the gearing mechanism described in a case constituting the
chain wheel, the said gearing may be placed in a box or case situated midway or
at other convenient part on the shaft of the travelling wheels. The shaft is
divided tranversely and the divided parts are connected so that they can rotate
independenty of one another but are preserved in the same right line. The case
turns freely on the shafts.
: One arrangement of this part of my invention is represented in longitudinal
vertical section in Figure 1 and elevation of the chain wheel and gearing in
Figure 2 of the Drawings, the said Figures 1. and 2 being drawn of the full size.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in both figures.
"
:
a is the principal shaft of the tricycle carrying the two travelling wheels, one of
the said wheels (not shown in the Drawing) being fixed to one end of the shaft a
and the other travelling wheel, a portion of which is marked b in the Drawing,
being free to rotate on the other end of the said shaft a. The travelling wheel b is
hereinafter called the loose travelling wheel.: Fixed to the hub of the loose
travelling wheel b is a spur wheel cand fixed to and turning. with the shaft a is a

page_text: (
second spur wheel d of larger diameter than the spur wheel c; e is a pinion gearing
with the large spur wheel d. The pinion e turns loosely upon the axis f fixed to
the part a² of the case a², a³. The two parts a², a³ of the case are connected
together by screws y, y.
The said case a³, a³ encloses the gearing mechanism and on the part a³ the chain
wheel is made as represented. By an examination of Figure 2 it will be seen that
the case a, a³.is supported at both sides, the pârt a' having a bearing on the collar
of the wheel c and the part a³ a bearing on the collar of the wheel d. Fast to the
pinion e, or made in one piece with it, is a smaller pinion g situated opposite the
small spur wheel c on the loose travelling wheel 6 but turning free of it (see
Figure 2). The number of teeth of the smaller pinion g is the same multiple of the
number of teeth of the spur wheel c opposite to it as the number of teeth of the
larger pinion e is of the number of the teeth of the larger spur wheel d; h is an
intermediate pinion turning on an axis i fixed to the part a² of the case a³, a³.
This intermediate pinion h gears with the small pinion g and with the small spur
wheel c thus coupling together the said pinion g and spur wheel c. By means of
a chain or other gearing working over the part a³ of the case a² a³, the motion of
the pedal shaft is transmitted to the said case and shaft a. When the tricycle is
travelling in a right line all the parts of the gearing contained in the case a² a³
are relatively at rest, that is, are carried round with the case a², a³ but have no
motion on their respective axes. When however the tricycle is travelling in a
curve the gearing in the interior of the case a², a³ performs the following motions.
The spur wheel c travels at the same rate as the loose travelling wheel of the
tricycle and the spur wheel d (which as already described is fixed to the shaft of
the other.fixed or travelling wheel) travels at the same rate as the fixed travelling
wheel and the pinions h and g, e rotate to an extent dependent on the difference
between the motions performed by the wheels c and d respectively.
Figure 3 represents in longitudinal section drawn to half scale the modification
of my invention in which the gearing mechanism is placed in a box or case
separate from the chain wheel and the shaft of the travelling wheels is divided into
two parts.
In this modification, the two parts of the divided shaft are marked k, 7 respec-
tively, the travelling wheel p being fixed on the outer end of the part of the shaft
and the travelling wheel o on the outer end of the other part of the shaft. The
case m, n in which the gearing is contained has fixed to it sleeves or tubular parts
k2, which said sleeves with the parts m, n of the case turn upon the solid divided
shaft k,l the function of the said sleeves 2, 12 being to preserve the two parts k, l
of the divided shaft in the same right line while permitting of their independent
rotation. The case m, n contains the gearing by which the two parts k, l of the
shaft are connected and by which their rotation is permitted when the tricycle is
describing a curve.
The parts of the gearing marked c, d, e, ƒ and g Figure 3, will by an examination
of Figures 1 and 2 be seen to be analogues of the parts marked in the said
Figures 1 and 2 with the same letters. The pinion h Figure 2 is not seen in
Figure 3 but it must be understood that the arrangement Figure 3 is provided
with a pinion exactly similar in function to the pinion Figure 2, that is, for
gearing together the pinion g and spur wheel c; q is the chain wheel geared to the
crank shaft which chain wheel may be fixed on any part of the sleeve k² or 12 or
may be made part of the case m, n.
The action of this modification of my invention is the same as that of the
arrangement Figures 1 and 2.
My invention consists Secondly of the following improvements in the ball
bearings of tricycles, bicycles and other velocipedes.
I will describe this part of my invention in connection with a tricycle.
On the shaft of the travelling wheels or on sleeves fixed on the said shaft, I turn
a nearly semi circular groove and inside a ring fitting on the shaft or sleeve and
within which ring the shaft or sleeve turns freely. I make a corresponding nearly

page_text: semi circular groove. Between these grooves the anti friction balls or spheres are
situated and revolve. The outer ring is connected to the frame of the machine by
a lug or knuckle joint. This ring is split or divided transversely at one side the
division in the ring terminating in two lugs. The opening between these lugs is
of sufficient size to permit of the introduction. of the anti-friction balls or spheres.
After the introduction of the balls, the space between the lugs is filled by a filling
piece and the lugs and filling piece are connected together by a screw bolt. When
necessary the filling piece may be removed and reduced in size to compensate for
the wear of the parts.
:
This part of my invention is represented in Figure 4 of the drawings, which
Figure 4 represents. in vertical section, end elevation and horizontal section a ball
bearing constructed according to my invention -a is the shaft of the travelling
wheels and b is a sleeve fixed on the said shaft; d is a ring fitting on the sleeve b
the latter turning freely in the said ring. In the said sleeve b (or in the shaft a) a
semi circular groove c is made and inside the ring da corresponding semi-circular
groove e is made (see the horizontal section of Figure 4). Between the grooves c
and e the anti friction rollers or spheres ƒ are situated and revolve. The outer
ring d of the bearing is connected to the frame of the machine by a lug.or by a
knuckle joint g. The ring d is split or divided transversely at one side (see the
vertical section of Figure 4) the division in the ring terminating in the two lugs
h, h. The opening between the lugs h, h2 is of sufficient size to permit of the
introduction of the anti friction balls or spheres f into the case d. After the intro-
duction of the balls or spheres into the bearing, the space between the lugs h, h² is
filled by the packing piece i (see the end elevation of Figure 4) and the lugs and
filling piece are connected together by the screw bolt k. The filling piece i may be
removed and reduced in size from time to time to compensate for the wear of the
parts.
Ball bearings of the construction described and represented are applicable to all
the bearing parts of tricycles, bicycles and other velocipedes.
a
My invention consists Lastly of the following method of attaching the bearings
of the pedal shafts of velocipedes to the frames of the said velocipedes. To the
tube of the frame I attach a clip by means of a screw and lugs. On this clip is a
lug having a cylindrical hole parallel with the tube of the frame. In this hole,
cylindrical axis or pin fits and turns freely being held in its place by a shoulder at
one end and a nut and lock nut at the other end. Near the shoulder described
the bearing of the pedal shaft is connected to the pin by a knuckle joint the axis
of which is at right angles to that of the pedal shaft and also at right angles to the
said pin. By loosening the screw of the clip the pedal shaft can be moved on the
tube of the frame and the driving chain can thus be adjusted. In order to
diminish vibration I insert india rubber or other yielding washers between the
shoulder of the pin and the lug and also between the lug and nut. By the move-
ments permitted by the knuckle joint and the pin passing through the lug on the
clip, the bearing yields to any motion of the pedal shaft occuring under the
varying strains to which it is subjected.
This part of my invention is represented in Figures 5 6 and 7 of the drawings.
Figure 5 represents in front elevation, plan and part of the same in end elevation,
one of the arrangements constituting this part of my invention; is a portion of
the tubular frame of the velocipede and t is the pedal shaft. On the said frame
is a clip m fixed in its place by means of a screw and lugs at n.. By loosening the
screw of the lugs at n the clip m may be moved on the tube as required. On
the top of the clip is a lug o having a tubular piece p parallel with the tube of
the frame. A pin p² fits and turns freely in the tubular piece p the said pin being
held in its place by a shoulder q at one end and a nut and lock nut r at the other
end. The shouldered end of the pin p2 carries a fork or one half of a knuckle
joint x. The bearings of the pedal shaft t carries the other party of the knuckle
joint and the two parts x, y of the knuckle joint are connected together by the pin
or axis u the said axis being situated at right angles to that of the pedal shaft and

page_text: .
"
'
to the axis of the pin p³ as represented. By loosening the screw at n of the clip m
the pedal shaft t can be moved on the frame and the driving chain adjusted with
great facility and by the movements permitted by the knuckle joint x and y and
the pin p² passing through the tubular part p of the said clip the bearing 8 yields
to any motion of the pedal shaft t occuring under the varying strains to which it
is subjected.
For convenience in removing and replacing the clip m from the tube 1, the said
clip may be made in two parts as represented in side and end elevation in Figure 6.
The two parts of the clip are semi tubular and are marked respectively m and m²
the said parts being provided with lugs connected by screws as seen at n, n².
Where it is only desired to give the bearing s the power of yielding in one
direction, the said bearing may be connected to the tube of the frame by means
of the modification of the clip m represented in side and end elevation in Figure 7.
In this modification the bearing s is connected directly to the upper part of the
clip m by the knuckle joint x, y without the pin p³ Figure 5.
Having now described the nature of my invention and the manner in which the
same is to be performed I wish it to be understood that I claim as my invention of
Improvements in tricycles bicycles and other velocipedes."
First The construction and combination of parts of gearing mechanism herein
before described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings
for permitting the two travelling wheels of the tricycle or velocipede to rotate at
the same velocity when the velocipéde is travelling in a straight line and at
different velocities corresponding to the different lengths of the paths described,
when the velocipede is travelling in a curve; that is to say, gearing mechanism
consisting essentially of a case containing a double pinion e, g the larger part e of
which gears directly with a spur wheel d fixed to the shaft a on which one of the
travelling wheels is secured and the smaller part g of the said.double pinion gears
through an intermediate pinion h with a spur wheel c on the hub of the loose
travelling wheel substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated; also
the modification herein before described and illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings.
Also constructing the case a², a³ containing the gearing in the manner described
and represented, that is, making the said case of two parts connected together by
screw pins each of the said parts having a bearing on the shaft of the tricycle or
velocipede.
Secondly -The construction and combination of the parts of ball bearings
herein before described and illustrated in Figure 4 of the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly The construction and combination of parts herein before described and
illustrated in Figure 5 of the accompanying Drawings for attaching the bearings
of the pedal shafts of velocipedes to the frames of the said velocipedes for the
purpose and substantially as described and illustrated; also the modifications of the
said arrangements herein before described and illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 of the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof I the said Olaf Pihlfeldt have hereunto set my hand
and seal this fifth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty three
Witness,
GEORGE SHAW.
OLAF PIHLFELDT (L.S.)