Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Oct., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 26th July. 1892-Accepted, 10th Sept., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
I ROBERT SAMUEL LOVELACE of The Blackmoor Vale Cycle Works,
Henstridge, in the County of Somerset, Cycle Manufacturer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows
11
My invention relates first, to a chain guide for guiding and preventing the
swaying of driving chains when they are running slack, an evil which is intensified
in the cycles constructed with a long wheel base, owing to the increased length of
the driving chain, and secondly to an improved device for adjusting the tension of
the driving chain.
In carrying the first part of my invention into practical effect, I mount on the
prong of the back fork, or its equivalent (on that side of the machine on which the
driving wheel runs) a bracket carrying a depending fork the prongs of which are
adapted to fit over the driving chain and so guide it in its travel. The prongs of
this fork are preferably formed as rollers, or rollers are mounted on them, so as to
lessen the friction between the chain and the fork. A similar fork may if desired
be used to guide the top part of the driving chain, but as this is always taut under
the driving strain the necessity for the guide does not exist to such an extent.
I carry the second part of my invention into practice in the following manner :-
The pedal-crank axle is mounted in the well-known manner in a bearing bracket
having two tubular arms formed on or fixed to the ends of the said bearing brackets.
These arms are adapted to fit and slide in extensions of the prongs of the lower
back fork or their equivalents. On the ends of these said extensions are mounted
split clip sockets capable of gripping the arms carrying the pedal-crank axle bracket
after adjustment. To adjust the chain, i.e., the position of the pedal-crank axle
bracket with respect to the frame, a set screw passes through the pedal-crank axle
bracket and is threaded into a cross bar fixed to the extension of the prongs of the
lower back fork or their equivalents.
As a modification only one arm may be used, in which case it is placed centrally
and is preferably of oval section and it is adapted to engage with a similar tube on
the crown of the lower back fork, the adjusting and locking mechanism being as
hereinbefore described.
Dated thin 976h das of October 1891
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Velocipedes.
I ROBERT SAMUEL LOVELACE of The Blackmoor Vale Cycle Works,
Henstridge, in the County of Somerset, Cycle 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 :-
My invention relates first to a chain guide for guiding and preventing the
swaying of driving chains when they are running slack, an evil which is intensified
in the cycles constructed with a long wheel base owing to the increased length of
the driving chain, and secondly to an improved device for adjusting the tension of
5 the driving chain.
In carrying the first part of my invention into practical effect, I mount on the

page_text: prong of the back fork, or its equivalent, on that side of the machine on which the
driving wheel runs, a bracket carrying a depending fork the prongs of which are
adapted to fit over the driving chain and so guide it in its travel. The prongs
of this fork either have rollers mounted on them or they are covered with
leather, rubber, or any other suitable soft material. A similar fork may if
desired be used to guide the top part of the driving chain but as this is always
taut under the driving strain the necessity for the guide does not exist to such
an extent.
I carry the second part of my invention into practice in the following
manner: The pedal-crank axle is mounted in the well-known manner in a bearing
bracket which has two tubular arms formed on or fixed to it. These arms are
adapted to fit and slide in extensions of the prongs of the lower back fork or
their equivalents. On the ends of these said extensions are mounted split clip
sockets capable of gripping the arms carrying the pedal-crank axle bracket after
adjustment. To adjust the chain, i.e., the position of the pedal-crank axle
bracket, with respect to the frame, a screw bolt passing through a lug on the pedal-
crank axle bracket is threaded into a cross bar fixed to the extension of the
prongs of the lower back fork or their equivalents. As a modification only one
arm is used in which case it is placed centrally and is preferably of oval section,
and it is adapted to engage with a similar tube carried by the crown of the
lower back fork, the adjusting and locking mechanism is the same as is used with
the double arms.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will more particularly
describe it making reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 Sheet No. 1 is a broken view in side elevation on a small scale of part
of a cycle embodying my chain guide.
Figure 2 Sheet No. 1 is a broken view showing one construction of the chain
guide, and
Figures 3 and 4 Sheet No. 1 are broken views showing another construction
thereof.
Figure 5 Sheet No. 2 is a broken view in side elevation partly in section, and
Figure 6 Sheet No. 2 is a broken view in plan showing my improved device for
adjusting the tension of the driving chain, and
Figures 7 and 8 Sheet No. 2 are broken views in plan showing modifications
thereof.
Throughout the several views similar parts are marked with like letters of
reference.
Referring to the first part of my invention, A designates the bracket for
carrying the forks B adapted to act as guides for the driving chain, the said bracket
being clamped to the member X of the frame by means of a plate a and a couple
of nuts threaded on the prongs of one of the forks B. The prongs of the fork B
are either covered with sheaths 6 of leather, rubber, or other suitable soft material
as shown by the accompanying drawings, or they may have rollers mounted on
them. If desired the fork for guiding the upper part of the chain may be dispensed
with. The crowns of the forks B or their equivalents are preferably faced with
strips a' of leather or rubber to deaden the noise should the chain strike them.
Referring to the second part of my invention. C designates the pedal-crank
axle bracket and D the arm or arms thereon adapted to slide in the extension or
extensions E of the lower back fork X adapted to carry the driving wheel of the
machine. F designates the split clip socket on the end of the extension E adapted
to be drawn together by the bolt to cause the extension E to grip the arm D
after the position of the two parts has been altered to adjust the tension of the
driving chain. The position of the arm D is adjusted with respect to the
extension E by means of a screw bclt G threaded into an enlargement f¹ on
the bolt if there is but one arm D as shown by Figures 5 and 6, or into a cross
bar between the split clip sockets F if there are two arms D as shown by
Figures 7 and 8. As a modification the bolt G may be made in two parts coupled

page_text: With this con-
together by a right and left hand nut g as shown by Figure 8.
struction of frame it will be obvious that the members of the upper back fork must
be pivotally attached to the other members of the frame or to the axle of the
driving wheel to allow of the variation in the length of the lower back fork.
I wish to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the precise
details of construction hereinbefore described and shown, but that I hold myself at
liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and
scope of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven--
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
olaim is :-
1. The improvements in and relating to velocipedes, as hereinbefore described
and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. A guide, for the driving chains of velocipedes, constructed, arranged, and
operating as set forth.
3. The improved device for adjusting the tension of the driving chains of velo-
cipedes, as set forth.
4. The improved construction of frame for rear-driving cycles whereby the
distance between the pedal-crank axle and the axle of the driving wheel can be
varied for the purpose of adjusting the tension of the driving chain, as set forth.
Dated this 26th day of July 1892.
"
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.