Improvements in or relating to Bicycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Feb., 1896-Accepted, 28th Mar.. 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Bicycles.
I WILLIAM EDWARD BARGERY of Junction Road, Totton, Hants, Millwright, 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 relates to a device to be employed in connection with bicycles, and
has for its object to provide an arrangement which will increase the speed, and also
render the riding smoother.
In carrying out my invention I propose to employ an endless band of strong canvas
or any other suitable material adapted to encircle both wheels of the bicycle. This
band passes over the rear surface of the back wheel, extends along the ground until
it reaches the front wheel, and passes thence over the top of the latter preferably lying
loosely in front, thence passing straight or following the line of the frame to the top
of the driving wheel. The band revolves during the driving of the machine forming
a continuous line on which the wheels run, the line being laid as the cycle travels.
This arrangement will serve to prevent puncture, as an additional thickness of
material is added to the cover of the tyre. It also reduces the friction as it prevents
the wheels directly touching the ground, and enables them to get a good grip on the
road especially when passing over loose ground keeping the wheels from sinking in.
Suitable guides are furnished which keep the band in proper position on the
machine.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which Fig. 1 is a general view of the machine
with my invention applied, and Fig. 2 is a detail view showing one of the guides.
The band A extends around the back of the rear wheel B lying closely against it
and turning with it. It then passes along the ground to the front wheel B', but does
not fit closely around its periphery lying loosely at the front and passing over the
guide C which keeps it slightly in front of the wheel. A guide is fitted at the
front fork consisting as shown in Fig. 2 of two rollers covered with rubber or other
suitable material between which the band passes. The band may then be carried
straight to the top of the rear wheel. It may also proceed as shown in dotted lines
below the crank bearing and thence behind the centre tube, the result being the same
in each case.
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 what
I claim is
(1.) Improvements in bicycles consisting of an endless band encircling both wheels
and forming a line or track on which they run, substantially as described and shown
in the accompanying drawings and for the purposes specified.
(2.) The improved device for use in bicycles consisting in an endless band
encircling both wheels, and forming a track carried by suitable guides substantially
as described and shown in the accompanying drawings, and for the purposes
specified.
Dated this 21st day of February 1806
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.