Improvements in Velocipedes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Apr., 1896-Accepted, 21st May, 1897
Improvements in Velocipedes.
I, JEAN-BAPTISTE FONDU of 86 Boulevard de la Senne, Brussels, in the
Kingdom of Belgium, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, tu be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention consists in the various improvements hereafter described.
A. In the application to cycles and similar vehicles, of a support which will
keep the machine upright after the rider dismounts and give increased stability to
the military tricycle.
B. In the mechanism intended to make the cycle-support act automatically, by
means of the saddle by a simple movement of the rider's body according as he
wishes to raise or lower the cycle-support.
C. In the new mechanical device allowing the cyclist to change the speed
development of the machine without stopping, this being accomplished by a new
arrangement of ball-bearings, and the use of chain-wheels or gearings of different
diameters, enabling different speed-rates to be instantly obtained without getting
off the velocipede.
The movement with this view is so contrived that the engagement of one of the
operating chain-wheels takes place, while the other remains free, turning loosely
on balls.
ADVANTAGES OF MY SEVERAL IMPROVEMENTS.
(A & B.) By the application of a velo-support, the cyclist is spared the trouble,
when he ets off the machine, of having to seek an apparatus, or stand, in which
he can fix his machine if he does not wish to leave it standing against a wall,
which may itself be injured whilst also damaging the machine.
In the country, for example, if one wants to rest, or to dismount for any cause
whatever, one is forced to lay the machine flat on the ground with the risk of
soiling it, or of spoiling the pedals, whereas with my apparatus, the machine
remains standing by itself. There is also a great convenience for beginners who
can thus readily re-mount and gain their equilibrium on the pedals. As soon as
the rider is in the saddle he has only to move his body slightly and the support is
at once lifted.
My system therefore offers great advantages, which are indeed self-evident. For
instance, when the support has been let down to hold the machine upright, by a
movement of the saddle, as above mentioned, the latter remains lowered and
wedged or keyed in that position, so that dismounting, as well as mounting, is
facilitated. In a word, my system does for the cyclist what a groom does for an
equestrino, when he holds the horse ready for the latter to mount. Moreover,
you have a horse which lowers itself to allow you to mount without difficulty.
In reconnoitring, soldiers can get off their machiue to fire, without any
encumbrance, whilst the velocipede stands at their side ready for use when they
wish to start off again.
This apparatus will be found very useful when applied to mitrailleuse-tricycles,
inasmuch as "rests" and other heavy cumbersome supports can be altogether
dianensed with.

page_text: By a special arrangement of the supports, the frame on which the piece of
ordnance rests is uplifted. On the other hand the supports will form resisting
stays and complete stability will be obtained conducing to greater precision of
aim. A few turns given with a crauk to an endless screw will suffice to mount
and dismount the apparatuses, which will remain always ready for use with the
tricycle.
(C.) By my system of speed-changing the altered development is effected
without stopping and without any altering of the machine. One can, beforehand,
give the machine the desired developments without loading it with any bulky
additions. The whole of the leading or principal mechanism is contained in the
box, or bracket, which does not exceed the ordinary dimensions of the usual
bracket. Two rods made of very fine steel, almost invisible, are connected to a
Jittle lever, which is moved without any inconvenience to the rider. Two chain-
pinious and a chain (if a chain-machine is used) and a set of gearing, if it is, a
genr machine, compose the whole of the changing apparatus. The whole of the
device is protected from daniage or injury.
My system thus applied has also the advantage that in case of chain or gearing
getting broken, as frequently happens, one may still continue to advance with more
or less speed and will, in any case, be able to complete the journey on one's cycle.
Moreover by pedalling with two developments, the strain on the chains or genrings
will be less violent and consequently they will last much longer, the wear being
divided so to speak between the two driving provisions.
The Sheets 1, 2, 3, and 4, Fige. A, B, C, D, E, F, G, M, N, P, R, S show
clearly all the improvements comprehended in my invention, as claimed.
In Sheet 1, Fig. A shows tho mechanism actuating the supports; and that
governing the change of development;
Fig. B is a section of the rib-tube 1;
Fige, C & D are broken views of the rear side of the governing mechanism
shewn in Fig. A.
In Sheet 2, Fig. E is a side view of the supports resting on the ground; Fig. F
shows the supports brought together while Fig G shows them separated.
In Sheet 3, Figs. M, N show the two speed mechanism.
In Sheet 4, Figs. P, R, S show the application of my supports to mitrailleuse-
tricycles.
Tube 1 is constructed with a rib 2 Fig. B. The use of such tubes offers great
advantages from the point of view of solidity, besides protecting the driving parts
and concealing them from view. In this hollow rib 2 are placed a rod 2 which is
of hollow rectangular section and the indented rib 3 forming part of the saddle
pillar 20'. In this rod 2' is fixed the rack-bar 211 by soldering it to the rectangular
tube; the rod 21 carries an annular branch 4, inside the tube 1, under which is
placed a spiral spring 5, of the diameter of the inside of the said tube 1, resting
on the bottom of the tube 1 and pressing on the branch 4. This rack-bar is in
communication, through a slot in the tubo 1, with the small gear-wheel 6 turning
loosely on the pivot 7 carried by the bracket 14 and it engages the pinion 8, koyed
on the pivot 9, by means of a groove 9. The pivot 9 is provided with a rib 9
along its whole length to fix also the two pieces 10 and 11 Figs. E, F, G Sheet 2,
likewise grooved. These pieces carry frames or cheeks 12 and 13 to receive the
two pivoting pieces 15 bearing the metallic tubular legs (10 & 11), which form
the cycle-support. These pieces 15 are jointed in the said frames or
cheeks (12 & 13). The effect of these joints is to make the two legs open out
when they descend as shewn in Fig. G, and to close them together again when they
are raised, Fig. F.
These opening and closing movements are effected, as may be seen from the
drawings, by means of the projecting parts, which form cams (16, 16) constituting
part of the box or bracket (14). The ears (17, 18) of a piece with the pieces 15
meet, in their rotary movement, with the cams (16, 16) and so cause the said
metallic legs (10, 11) to open or shut as the case may be.

page_text: The steel tubes 10¹, 111 engage directly with the pieces (15) as shown in
Fig. D, E, F, G. Fig. E represents the legs in the two positions the leg (101) when
it is held to keep the velocipede standing, and the leg (11) in dotted lines, when
it is raised above the transverse tube (19). At the ends of these legs, an india-
rubber pad (0) is provided to avoid concussions and slipping.
As I have now shewn the action of the supports and how they expand or open
out on being lowered and close to on being raised, I shall now explain how they
are made to act automatically from the saddlo.
I have already said that a spiral spring exercises constant pressure on the
branch (4) of the rod 2' so that the latter is pushed upwards and thus, by means of
a double gearing (6 and 8) keeps the legs 10', 11' raised above the tube (19). It
is in this position that they are shewn in Figs. A, E, F, Sheets 1 & 2 and in order
to avoid any complication in the drawings I have shown in Sheet (1), Fig. A, the
supporting legs represented by a dotted line 11' only, as I show the movement by
a separate drawing, Sheet 2.
Above the branch (4) there is a second spiral spring 5', weaker than the first,
which is intended to raise the saddle (20). This spring presses against the bottom
of the saddle pillar 20' and the branch (4). The saddle-rod (20) is made a rib-
tube of the same shape as the stout tube (1), Fig. B but of smaller diameter,
being movable within the large one. This rib as the drawing shows, is notched
to allow of fixing at the required height without setting any mechanism in
motion.
The saddle continues to be pushed upwards by means of the second spiral
spring, as soon as the cyclist releases it from its catch. All that is required,
therefore, is to rise on the pedals and to allow the saddle to rise to the desired
height. In the position shewn in Fig. A of the drawing the saddle is at its
maximum height and as if the cyclist were resting on the saddle. The stop-
lever (21) prevents it from going down or up, so that the saddle can never escape
from the tube (1), seeing that the catch 31 of the stop lever 21 engages with the
special incision near the bottom of the rod 20' and is formed so as to stop the saddle
at the beginning of its course. When the cyclist wishes to descend from his machine
be moves the small lover (22) bringing it into the position shown by dots (23).
This lever carries a pin (231) which rests on the stop lever (21) and when the
cyclist wants to move the saddle, he simply lifts himself on the pedals, whereupon
the catch chauges its position by the pressure of the spring (21); he then presses
on the saddle, the spring 5' which maintains alone the weight of the saddle, gives
way and going down it makes the rack 3 descend. The saddle buing then at the
bottom of its course, the spring 5' bears on the annular branch 4 which makes the
rod 2' descend and the wheel 6 engages with the rack 2" the two legs becoming
then placed in the position shown in Fig. G Sheet 2, and by dotted lines in
Fig: A Sheet 1, (101). The saddle, thus lowered is held by the catch 21' of
the stop lever 21 which catches in the special incision (27) formed in the rib 3
of the saddle pillar. This is the position of the parts when the cyclist descends
and can leave his machine standing by itself. Before re-mounting all he requires
to do is to raise the small lever 22 to put it back in its original position. The
pressure of the spring 5' keeps the saddle wedged or fixed and thus, the machine,
standing firm with its saddle lowered, mounting is facilitated. To start off again
on one's way all that is needed is to. seat oneself in the saddle which goes down a
little to allow the arresting catch to be released, whereupon by lifting oneself a
little on the pedals, the saddle rises automatically and the supports raise, allowing
the cyclist to set his machine in motion. Nothing can be simpler or more eminently
practical. It will be readily understood that the bottom spring 5, being stronger
than the top one 5', the stronger one acts first and with the slightest lifting of the
saddle, the supports rise, owing to the pressure of the spring 5 on the lower part
of the annular branch 4 which makes the rack bar 21 ascend and engages the
wheel 6.
My new system of support offers very important advantages in its applications

page_text: to mitrailleuse or machine-gun tricycles, such as are now being introduced for
campaign use. In support of this statement, I give two modes of employment by
way of example, see Sheet 4 (Fige. P, R, S). The piece of ordnance rests ou the
two drive-wheels, the axle of which cuters the tube (74), Figs. P, R. All that is
required is to lift this tube by the help of my supports, thus removing the wheels
from the ground and as a great resistance is necessary to bear the recoil of the gun,
I provide for this by a special construction shewn in the above-named figs. On
the tube (74) I place, in the most convenient position, two boxes (75) fixed by
means of four bolts (76) and two scrows (761). In these boxes, I lodge an endless
screw (77), threaded half right, half left, operated by means of a crank which
engages with one or other of the square ends (78). Two supports (79, 80) toothed
at the upper part to match the endless screw with which they engage, pivot on two
axles (81) passing through the box (75). The legs, composed of solid steel-tubes,
terminating in india-rubber pads (87) are of unequal length, the longer one (79)
being intended to withstand any recoil, the other to maintain stability. A reference
to the drawings will show at once how this extremely simple apparatus will give the
best results, seeing that a few turns of the crank, given to the endless screw (77)
suffice to bring the levers into the position shown in the drawings and that the same
can be iminediately lifted by a few turns of the crank to resume a horizontal
position when the tricycle is again started.
By way of a further example, Fig. S shows another kind of construction. The
two supports 79 & 80 toothed at their upper end, engage with each other and act
together. They are operated by means of the rod (84) fitted to one of these
supports, or to a crank (86) keyed on the shaft (85) outside the box (75). This
rod may be operated, at will, by a crank and a lever, or otherwise. I have yet to
explain the construction and novelty of my system of changing the speed-rate. I have
provided a special sheet to illustrate my new ball-box, or bracket, and my system of
development.
Sheot 3, Figs. M, N supplemented by Sheet 1, Fig. A, C, D, clearly shows the
working of my system. On the crank-axle (24) are keyed the pedal-cranks (26) by
means of the screws (28).
In the cranks, holes (56) are drilled in which the catches (57) catch. These
catches form part of the chain-wheels (58 & 59) of different diameters, if a chain
machine is in question. On the other hand, if my system is to be applied to a
genred machine the cog-wheels are replaced by gearings of different diameters. The
wheels (58) & (59) therefore turn freely on the crank-axle of a piece with the ball-
sheath (60). The balls are placed in recesses having a depth almost equal to the
diameter of the balls.
The shaft (24) is held in the centre of its box by grooves filled with balls
and made half in the shouldor (61) of the shaft and half in the thickness of the box
or bracket. For the latter, it is indispensable that a hole should be drilled in the
box through which to introduce the balls and this hole is afterwards closed by
means of a screw.
At the lower part of the bracket, a socket (63) is contrived, see Sheet 1
(Fig. A) perforated to receive the axle (64). The latter is bent upwards and
at its end (65) an opening is arranged to receive the pin (66) forming part of the
piece (67) furnished with two other pius (68). On the axle 64 is keyed a two-
branched lever (69); at the ends of these branches are placed two very fine steel-
wire rods (70) which are engaged with a three-branched lever (711) journaled on its
axle (71). The two first branches serve to receive the rods, the third to effect the
movement by the handle (72).
Under the conditions shown in the drawings, it is the lower speed-rate which is
geared; to change it, the cyclist moves the little lever (711) towards the left,
pushing with the right hand against the handle (72). Thus the lever (69) regains
the position shown in dotted lines Fig. D. The lever (65) makes the piece (67)
slide aud draws with it the ball-sheath (60), by means of the pins 68, as well
as the wheels (58) aud (55) which released from one crank, engage with the

page_text: other. This system of engagement or gearing may be carried out by friction,
by clicks or catches, or by any other suitable means, the way I have shown being
only an example.
By the arrangement of the catches (57) and the openings (56) made
bevelled, the engagement holds without having to exorcise any pressure on the
lever (711).
By this special arrangement, also, the machine can be held back by the pedals
when going down hill, and it can be stopped almost immediately by bringing
both wheels into engagement at once, thus avoiding accidents when the cycle
is going with great impetus and serving, in fact, as the most, powerful of
breaks.
To prevent the machine from rolling when it is left standing all that is
needed is to put the lever (711) at the middle of its course, the engagement
being thus effective at both sides, the velocipede is wedged or looked so to
speak.
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
claim is:
1. All the new points, movements and velocipede appliances described above and
shewn in the drawings.
2. More especially the novel adaptation to every kind of cycle, of a support
to keep the machine upright and motionless when the cyclist dismounts from it.
3. The invention of a new ball-bracket by which either of the two differential
movements applied to the machine may be brought into operation, leaving that which
is inoperate to turn loosely.
4. Also the new ball-box and the device for holding the driving-shaft by means
of balls, which avoids all friction on the holding pieces.
Dated this 20th day of Anvil 100A
L. DUVINAGE,
Agent for Applicant.