Improvements in Driving-Gear for Bicycles and other Velocipedes.
Year: 1896

page_text: is 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 10th day of June 1897.
Date of Application, 10th Jan., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 6th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 11th July, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Driving-Gear for Bicycles and other Velocipedes.
I, ARTHUR THOMA'S COLLIER, of Gonvena, St. Albans, in the County of
Herts, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in driving-gear for bicycles and other
velocipedes, in which compound cranks are employed so that a greater leverage
will be obtained and a greater force exerted upon the driving-shaft through the
pedals during the downward movement of the latter than during the upward
movement thereof. And my said invention is designed to provide simple, efficient
and practical means for accomplishing such result without unduly increasing either
the weight of the bicycle or other machine or the friction between the relatively
moving parts, and without necessitating any change in the position of the centre of
gravity relatively to the pivots of the compound crank.
My said invention comprises novel means for connecting together the two arms
or levers of the compound crank so that one of the said levers is capable of
longitudinal sliding motion and also of angular motion relatively to the other, with
a minimum amount of friction, this result, moreover, being attained whilst making
the said compound crank so that it will occupy comparatively little space.
My said invention also comprises the provision of suitable means for varying the
length of the eccentric lever to increase or diminish the throw of the pedal.
And ny said invention also comprises other improvements hereinafter
mentioned.
In one form of my improved driving-gear, there is firmly secured to the frame
of the machine a circular piece or disc having an eccentric hole through which
extends the crank-shaft or driving-shaft, the centre of the said disc being in
advance of the centre of the said shaft. On this disc is fitted a rotary strap having
formed therewith or attached thereto an arm or lever which constitutes the
eccentric lever of the compound crank, and in the free end of which the treadle-
pin is secured as hereinafter mentioned. This pin is provided with a slotted
enlargement or head in which slides the other or concentric lever of the compound
crank, this lever being preferably fixed upon the crank-shaft or driving-shaft
whereon the chain-wheel is also fixed.
To permit the required longitudinal and angular motion of the one lever
relatively to the other with a minimum of friction, I connect these parts in the
following manner, viz. -I provide a ball-bearing around the treadle-pin on each
side of the strap-lever and I secure the said lever to the treadle-pin by means of a
flanged nut which is screwed upon the threaded end of the treadle-pin and bears
firmly against a shoulder thereon, so as to properly connect the parts whilst
permitting free angular motion of the strap-lever about the said pin with but very
little friction. Moreover I provide ball-bearings in the said slotted enlargement

page_text: or head of the treadle-pin to diminish the friction in the sliding or longitudinal
movement of the same along the concentric lever. For this purpose I make the
said lever with a V-shaped or other suitable groove in each edge thereof, and in
combination with each grooved edge of the ssid lever I provide a continuous or
endless series of balls which roll between the surfaces of the said groove and the
surfaces of a V-shaped or other suitable groove in a metal bar or bars secured in
the said slotted head; I also provide a curver pipe or passage through which the
balls, as they pass from one end of the groove or channel, can return to the other
end thereof to again' operate to diminish the friction between the said slotted head
and the lever upon which it slides. I preferably provide means for adjusting the
ball-bearings of the slide. For instance I fit the metal bars in a dovetail groove
in the slotted head and provide them with suitable adjusting screws.
To prevent the entrance of dust into these ball-bearings, I secure on each end of
the said,slotted enlargement or head a metal plate formed with a hole of such
shape as to exactly fit the grooved part of the lever, and between this plate and
the slotted head I place a correspondingly shaped piece of leather or other suitable
material. Or I provide at each end of the said slotted head a suitable stuffing-box
through which the said lever works. By thsee means dust is very effectually.
excluded from the ball-bearings and any mud or dirt that may be deposited upon
the lever will be easily removed. To more effectually prevent the entrance of
dirt or foreign matter into the bearings, I sometimes attach a mvd-guard to each
end of the slotted head, which guard extends along to a sufficient distance in either
direction to at all times cover the grooved part of the lever that works in the said
bearings.
I sometimes make the said lever tubular and form therein, during the drawing
thereof, the V-shaped or other grooves; and I can, if desired, make the said lever
of a round bar or tube and arrange it to slide in a circular slotted head.
In place of the ball-bearings above mentioned, I sometimes use wheels or rollers
having their periphery suitably shaped to engage with the grooved part of the
lever and mounted with suitable ball-bearings upon pins or studs fixed in the said
slotted head.
To permit of varying the throw of the pedals I sometimes make the eccentric
lever carrying the pedal in two parts and provide a suitable device, such, for
instance, as a nut with right and left handed threads, for lengthening or shortening
the said lever.
I provide for still further diminishing the friction by arranging a ball-bearing
between the stationary disc and the strap surrounding the same, and making the
disc with an adjustable ring which serves for adjusting the ball-bearing as
required, and with means for locking the said ring in any position to which it may
be adjusted.
Instead of using a dise with balls surrounding the same, I sometimes support the
rotary strap by means of three or more sets of balls arranged somewhat like those
of the slide ball-bearing above mentioned, or by means of three or more wheels or
rollers mounted with suitable ball-bearings on pins or studs fixed in a frame which
takes the place of the said disc.
In applying my improvements to a safety bicycle, I attach the stationary dise or
its equivalent next the chain-wheel, to an extension of the frame of the machine or
I form it in one piece with such extension so as to keep the connection of the disc
and frame clear of the said chain-wheel. This connection in conjunction with the
shaft extending through the eccentric hole in the disc, forms a very efficient
support for the said disc. I sometimes arrange a ball-bearing between the said
disc and the shaft.
The disc or its equivalent on the side of the machine, opposite to the chain-wheel
may conveniently be formed with the bearing or tube in which works the
crank-shaft or driving-shaft. A ball-bearing may, in this case, also be arranged
between this disc and the shaft.
Instead of forming the treadle-pin directly in the centre of the slotted head or

page_text: slide, I sometimes provide the said slotted head with an extension in which the
said treadle-pin is secured, so that the eccentric lever will not at any time extend
beyond the pedal.
In another form of my improved driving-gear, I employ an arrangement the
converse of that above mentioned. For instance, I form the rotary strap at. each
side of the machine in such a manner that it will serve as a chain-wheel, and I
provide corresponding chain-wheels on the axle of the driving-wheel. The
strap-lever in this case slides in the ball-bearings in the slotted head of the
treadle-pin, which pin extends through a hole in the other or eccentric lever.
The last-named lever is pivoted to the disc or the like at a suitable distance in
front of the said driving-shaft. The treadle therefore revolves about the pivot of
the eccentric lever, the strap-lever meanwhile sliding to and fro in the ball-bearings
carried by the treadle-pin.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Driving-gear for Bicycles and other Velocipedes.
I, ARTHUR THOMAS COLLIER, of Gonvena, St. Albans, in the County of
Herts, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be perforined, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in driving-gear for bicycles and other
velocipedes, of the kind in which compound cranks are employed so that a greater
leverage will be obtained during the downward movement of either pedal than
during the upward movement thereof. And my said invention is chiefly designed
to provide simple, efficient and practical means for accomplishing such result
without unduly increasing either the weight of the bicycle or other machine or
the friction between the relatively moving parts, and without necessitating any
change in the distance of the centre of gravity of either lever of the compound
crank from its centre of motion during its rotation, as hereinafter set forth.
My said invention comprises novel means for connecting together the two
arms or levers of each compound crank so that one of the said levers is capable
of the requisite longitudinal sliding motion and also of the requisite angular
motion relatively to the other, with a minimum amount of friction, this result,
moreover, being attained whilst making the said compound cranks so that they
will occupy comparatively little space, and will not necessitate an excessively wide
"tread."
For this purpose I fit upon the concentric lever of each compound crank a
slide-block or head which is pivotally secured to the eccentric lever and which is
provided with continuous or endless series or groups of rollers or balls arranged
as hereinafter described so that the said concentric lever and block or head can
slide longitudinally relatively to each other with a minimum of friction. And
I preferably arrange one or more ball-bearings between the said eccentric lever
and the pivot whereby it is secured to the said slide-block or head.
My said invention also comprises the provision of suitable means for varying
the length of the eccentric lever of each compound crank to increase or diminish
the throw of the pedal.
And my said invention further comprises other improvements hereinafter
described.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.

page_text: igure
pian, parvy
section,
Figure 2 a side elevation, partly in vertical section on the line a, a, Figure 1,
illustrating one arrangement of my improved driving-gear.
Figure 3 is a vertical central section, drawn to an enlarged scale, illustrating
the means for connecting the two levers of the compound crank.
Figure 4 is a section on the line a', ', Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a side elevation showing a modified arrangement of my driving-gear.
Figures 6 and 7 are sections illustrating details of construction.
Figure 8 is a plan or top view showing another arrangement of my driving-
gear.
Figure 9 is a plan, partly in horizontal section, and
Figure 10 a side elevation, partly in vertical section, illustrating a further
modification of my invention.
Figure 11 is a plan, partly in horizontal section and
Figure 12 a side elevation, partly in vertical section, showing a still further
modification of my said invention.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
In the arrangements shown in Figures 1 to 4, the eccentric lever a of each
compound crank, which is provided with a strap b that revolves about.a stationary
disc c secured to the frame A of the machine, has the treadle-pin d secured
therein as hereinafter described, and the treadle-pin d is formed with or rigidly
secured in a slide-block or head e which slides to and fro upon the concentric
lever of the compound crank, when the two levers are turned about their
respective axes. In the slide-block or head e are arranged two continuous or
endless groups of rollers or balls g, which rollers or balls, in the to-and-fro
movement of the said slide-block, roll along to and fro in the channel or race in
which they are enclosed, travelling in a straight path for a certain distance and
then deviating from this path at one end and returning through a curved passage
or tube h to the other end thereof. The slide-block e and lever f are made with
V-shaped, square, round or other suitable grooves to form the ball-race, the
bearing surfaces of the said slide-block being formed on removable pieces e¹, e
which are fitted in a dove-tail groove or recess in the said slide-block, and are
adjustable by means of screws e³.
The eccentric lever a is pivotally connected to an extension of the treadle-
pin d in such a manner that the levers a, f are capable of angular motion
relatively to each other as required in their revolution about their respective axes.
The said lever a is secured upon the extension d¹ by means of a nut j which
extends through the said lever and bears against the block or head e, ball-
bearings, being arranged between the said lever and the nut j and block e
respectively, to diminish the friction in the relative angular motion of the said
levers a, As neither of these levers has any longitudinal movement relatively
to its centre of motion, the distance of its centre of gravity from such centre of
motion will be the same in all positions of the compound crank.
To preclude dust and other foreign matter from the slide ball-bearings, I
provide at each end of the block or head a suitable device, such as a stuffing-
box m the gland of which is made to closely fit the grooved part of the lever,
or a flat piece of leather shaped so as to fit the grooved part of the said lever and
pressed against a flat surface on the block or head e by means of a correspondingly-
shaped metal plate. By these means, dust is very effectually excluded from the
said ball-bearings, and any mud or dirt that may be deposited upon the lever will
be easily and automatically removed. To more effectually prevent the entrance
of dirt or foreign matter into the bearings, I sometimes attach a mud-guard to
each end of the slotted slide-block or head, which guard extends along to a
sufficient distance in either direction to at all times cover the grooved part of the
lever that works in the said bearings.
By making the concentric lever f with grooves in its edges and fitting it to
slide to and fro in the slide-block or head connected with the eccentric lever and

page_text: provided with rollers or balls which roll along to and fro in such grooves, I effect
the required connection between the parts without permitting any twisting or
rocking of the treadle-pin about the said concentric lever. To more effectually
prevent such twisting or rocking, I sometimes use at both sides of the lever f
roller or ball bearings such as those in the slide-block or head above described.
I sometimes make the said lever tubular and form therein, during the drawing
thereof, the V-shaped or other grooves; and I can, if desired, make the said lever
of a round bar or tube and arrange it to slide in a circular slotted slide-block or
head provided with two or more ball-bearings as above described,
In place of the said ball-bearings, I sometimes provide the said slide-block or
heade with wheels or rollers having their periphery suitably shaped to bear
against or engage with the grooved part of the lever and mounted with (or
without) suitable ball-bearings upon pins or studs fixed in the said slide-block
or head.
The stationary dise or eccentric c is rigidly attached to the frame A by means
of a support A¹ in front of the crank-shaft B, and this shaft extends through a
hole in the said disc and serves as an additional support for the said disc, thus
imparting great strength to the parts without increasing the weight thereof.
A ball-bearing n is provided between the strap b and disc c, the said disc being
farnished with an adjustable ring c for taking up the wear, and with a locking
device o for securing the said ring in any position to which it may be adjusted.
To provide for varying the throw of the pedals to suit different riders, I prefer.
to make the eccentric lever a in two parts and to connect the same by means of a
nut a', Figures 9 and 10, having right and left handed screw-threads, or I provide
the said lever with some other suitable device for increasing and diminishing its
length as required.
Instead of using a disc with balls surrounding the same, I sometimes support
the rotary strap 6 by means of three or more sets of rollers or balls arranged
somewhat like those of the slide ball-bearings above described, and situated at
suitable intervals around the said strap within or outside of the same, the return
passages for the balls being arranged either in suitable supports attached to the
frame of the machine, or in the strap itself, in which case the balls will roll upon
a circular bearing surface attached to the frame of the machine. Or I support
the said strap by means of three or more wheels or rollers p, Figure 5, carried by
a support e which is secured to the frame A in place of the aforesaid disc. Each
roller p is provided with a ball-bearing, as shown, for example in Figure 6, or
with two ball-bearings as shown in Figure 7. The said wheels or rollers are
sometimes arranged at suitable intervals around the periphery of the rotary strap
instead of within the same.
In applying my improvements to a safety bicycle, I attach the stationary disc
or its equivalent next the chain-wheel to an extension of the frame of the machine,
or I form it in one piece with such extension, so as to keep the connection of the
disc and frame clear of the said chain-wheel. This connection affords, in con-
junction with the shaft extending through the eccentric hole in the dise, a very
efficient support for the said disc. I sometimes arrange a ball-bearing between the
said disc and the shaft.
The disc or its equivalent on the side of the machine opposite to the chain-wheel
may conveniently be formed with the bearing or tube in which works the crank-
shaft or driving-shaft. A ball-bearing may, in this case also be arranged between
this disc and the shaft.
Instead of forming the treadle-pin directly in the centre of the slotted head or
slide, I sometimes provide the said slotted head with an extension in which the said
treadle-pin is secured, so that the eccentric lever will not at any time extend far
beyond the pedal.
In cases where it is desirous to employ a large chain-wheel C, as in Figure 8, the
support for the stationary disc c next the said chain-wheel is bent or cranked as
shown in this figure and the tube A' of the frame A is preferably made with a

page_text: fork A³ so as to support the crank-shaft B on both sides of the said chain-wheel
and thus increase the strength and rigidity of the machine, the outer prong of the
fork being prolonged beyond the chain-wheel to afford additional support for the
stationary disc.
Instead of securing the slide-block or head e to the treadle-pin, I sometimes
secure it to the crank-shaft B, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the lever, in this
case, being pivotally connected with the treadle-pin d and sliding to and fro in the
said block or head e, which is provided with roller or ball-bearings substantially
as above described.. This arrangement, however, is not so advantageous as that
hereinbefore described, as the position of the centre of gravity of the revolving
parts is slightly altered during the revolution of the levers about their respective
axes, and an undue pressure is put on the slide ball-bearings.
In another form of my improved driving-gear, shown in Figures 11 and 12,
I employ an arrangement the converse of that above described. Each concentric
lever is, in this case, formed with the strap b which encircles the stationary
disc c, and each strap 6 is formed with a toothed ring C which will serve as a
chain-wheel, two chain-wheels being also fixed on the axle of the driving-wheel
and two chains being employed. The crank-shaft B is, in this case, mounted
eccentrically to the chain-wheels C, and the eccentric levers a of the compound
cranks are fixed upon the said crank-shaft, and are pivotally connected to the
treadle-pins d respectively, suitable ball-bearings, as at k, being provided to
diminish the friction. The lever f slides to and fro in the block or head e which is
provided with slide ball-bearings as above described. The support A for the
disc c or its equivalent is, in this case, arranged behind the crank-shaft. B.
It is obvious that I can somewhat further modify the construction of my
improved driving-gear without departing from the nature of my said invention.
For instance, instead of arranging the supporting wheels or rollers for the strap b
within the said strap, I can suitably arrange them to bear against the outer
periphery of the same. Or I can, if desired, provide two circular series or groups
of balls between the strap b and disc e, a loose ring being employed between the
two series or groups of balls. Instead of using V-shaped grooves as shown, I can,
if desired, use grooves of other suitable form. The return passages for the rollers
or balls of the slide-block or head may, if desired, be formed in the lever instead
of in tubes attached to the slide-block.
It is evident, moreover, that the slide-block or head nay, if desired, be attached
directly to the strap of the eccentric instead of to an arm extending from the said
strap.
I am aware that it has been proposed to make the driving-gear of cycles with a
compound crank one of the levers whereof works in a block or head attached to the
other lever; and I make no claim broadly or generally to such a combination of
parts; nor do I claim except in so far as it forms one of the elements of my
invention hereinbefore described a ball-bearing provided with a return passage for
the balls; nor do I claim compound cranks or driving-gear comprising the same.
other than those in which the slide block or slotted head connecting the two levers
is constructed as herein set forth with two series or groups of rollers or balls which
roll along grooved bearing surfaces both of the slide-block, and of the lever working
therein, for the purposes above specified. I am also aware that it has been proposed
to make driving-gear in which a toothed ring serving as a chain-wheel is formed
on or attached to a strap working on a fixed or stationary disc or eccentric; and I
make no claim to such form of construction apart from my improvements herein set
forth.
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 I
claim subject to the foregoing disclaiming clause-
First. A compound crank in which the concentric lever is formed with
grooves in its edges and works in a slide-block or head pivotally connected to the

page_text: eccentric lever and provided with rollers or balls adapted to roll along the said
grooves, substantially as herein before described and for the purposes above
specified.
Second. The combination of the compound crank, the treadle-pin and the slide-
block or head formed with or attached to the said treadle-pin and provided with
the roller or ball-bearings, substantially as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Third. The slide-block or head provided with the continuous or endless series
or groups of rollers or balls, the return-passages and the adjustable bearing
surfaces, substantially as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Fourth. The combination, with the concentric lever, and the slide-block provided
with the roller or ball bearings, of the means for precluding dust and other foreign
matter from such hearings, as above set forth.
Fifth. The employment of, wheels or rollers mounted with ball-bearings upon
pins or studs attached to the frame of the machine, for supporting the rotary strap,
substantially as described.
Sixth. The improved driving-gear for bicycles and other velocipedes, constructed
substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 of the drawings and
operating as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Seventh. The modification of my invention in which the slide-block or head is
secured to the crank-shaft, and both levers of the compound crank are pivotally
connected to the treadle-pin, substantially as described with reference to Figures 9
and 10 of the drawings.
Eighth. The modification of my invention wherein the concentric lever of
each compound crank is formed with the rotary strap and with a toothed ring
serving as a chain-wheel, substantially as described with reference to Figures 11
and 12 of the drawings.
Dated the 5th day of February 1896
ARTHUR T. COLLIER.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.