Improvements in the Driving Mechanism of Velocipedes and Motor or other Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Driving Mechanism of Velocipedes and Motor
or other Vehicles.
We, THOMAS FERDINAND WALKER and THOMAS SYDNEY WALKER, both of
58, Oxford Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Engineers, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows: —–
This invention relates to improvements in the driving mechanism of veloci-
pedes and other vehicles and is designed to provide means whereby the driving
force may be applied in either direction-to impel the vehicle forwards or to
retard or drive it backwards, and at the same time to provide means whereby the
driving mechanism may be, for the time being, rendered idle, or inoperative as
an impelling force.
Our invention in its simplest form is embodied in a part which we will call
the female member which is provided with teeth, or friction surface on its
exterior to drive a chain, band or gearing, in case it is applied in the crank
axle; or to be driven by such means, if applied in the hub of the wheel, or in
equivalent position and this part has a concentric inner surface or ring-a coact-
ing part which we will call the male member and which may consist of a disc,
or discs applied to and driving, or being driven by, the axle on which it is
applied. This male member or disc has recesses in which are located rollers, or
the like, in pairs adapted to act--one of each pair-in opposite directions accord-
ing to the direction of relative motion of the male and female members-to
lock those members together and for the time being to give them operative
unity. This operative connection is brought about by the rollers, or the like,
moving along the recesses in which the rollers are located and which recesses
are inclined or wedge formed; thus, each acting roller as it travels from the
larger space of the recess formed between the frictional inner surface of the
female member, or ring and the inclined outer surface of the disc, becomes
jammed and brings about an operative connection by the friction developed.
The locking means or rollers may be kept up to, or about the points of engage-
ment with the inclines and the ring by means of spring pressure.
The relative positions of the inclines and shoulders, or recesses, and the con-
centric parts on the male and female members may be reversed.
In order when desired to prevent the engagement of the rollers, or equivalent
locking means between the concentric frictional surface of the one member,
and the inclined surfaces of the other member, we bring into obstructive position
a part or series of parts--say one restrainer to each roller or its equivalent to
be kept inoperative, so as to restrain the roller or set of rollers that would
otherwise jam between those, surfaces, from coming to the locking point. This
restraining action we attain by means of a stop stud or projection or set thereof,
or equivalent, which stop part, or set is pressed into the roller cavity or cavities
against the roller or rollers it is desired to withhold and such stop or series of
stops may be mounted on a disc or plate carried by the axle of the driving or

page_text: driven part; said disc or plate by being slidden to or from the clutch parts,
moving the stop parts into or out of operation. These stop parts may be
actuated by sliding or otherwise, and act internally, or from the side, or from
the periphery. The stops may be radial pins, arms or parts, or inclined studs,
or studs acting in an inclined direction, or otherwise as may be found convenient
for the particular construction of machine.
The return movement of the stop parts for disengagement may be effected
or aided by springs. The engagement movement may be effected by hand or
foot gear.
When the stop parts are in operation, the clutch members are kept out of
engagement and revolve free of each other in the direction desired.
By these means facility is afforded for the driving of a velocipede or motor
vehicle in a forward direction by the engagement of the one set of locking parts,
or for "back pedalling," or driving the machine in a reverse direction when
the other set of locking parts are engaged, and for its running with a "free
wheel" when the locking parts are restrained as described, without the necessity
for performing complicated movements of parts, or the employment of delicate
mechanism liable to readily get out of order, or be damaged, and not necessarily
interfering with brake arrangements.
Improvements in the Driving Mechanism of Velocipedes and Motor
or other Vehicles.
We, THOMAS FERDINAND WALKER and THOMAS SYDNEY WALKER, both of
58, Oxford Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Engineers, 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 follow-
ing statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in the driving mechanism of veloci-
pedes and other vehicles and is designed to provide means whereby the driving
force may be applied in either direction to impel the vehicle forwards or to
retard or drive it backwards, and at the same time to provide means whereby the
driving mechanism may be for the time being, rendered idle, or inoperative as
an impelling force.
Our invention in its simplest form is embodied in a-part which we will call
the female member which is provided with teeth or friction surface on its
exterior to drive a chain, band or gearing; in case it is applied on the crank
axle; or to be driven by such means, if applied in the hub of the wheel, or in
equivalent position and this part has a concentric inner surface or ring-a coact-
ing part which we will call the male member and which may consist of a disc,
or discs applied to and driving, or being driven by, the axle on which it is
applied. This male member or disc has recesses in which are located rollers or
the like, in pairs adapted to act-one of each pair-in opposite directions accord-
ing to the direction of relative motion of the male and female members-to
lock those members together and for the time being to give them operative
unity. This operative connection is brought about by the rollers or the like,

page_text: B
hoving along the recesses in which the rollers are located and which recesses
re inclined or wedge formed; thus each acting roller as it travels from the
arger space of the recess formed between the trictional inner surface of the
emale member, or ring and the inclined outer surface of the disc, becomes
ammed and brings about an operative connection by the friction developed.
The locking means or rollers may be kept up to, or about the points of engage-
ment with the inclines and the ring by means of spring pressure.
The relative positions of the inclines and shoulders, or recesses, and the con-
centric parts on the male and female members may be reversed.
In order when desired to prevent the engagement of the rollers, or equivalent
locking means between the concentric frictional surface of the one member,
and the inclined surfaces of the other member, we bring into obstructive position
a part or series of parts-say one restrainer to each roller or its equivalent to
be kept inoperative-so as to restrain the roller or set of rollers that would
otherwise jam between those surfaces, from coming to the locking point. This
restraining action we attain by means of a stop stud or projection or set thereof,
or equivalent, which stop part, or set is pressed into the roller cavity or cavities
against the roller or rollers it is desired to withhold and such stop or series of
stops may be mounted on a disc or plate carried by the axle of the driving or
driven part; said disc or plate by being slidden to or from the clutch parts,
moving the stop parts into or out of operation. These stop parts may be
actuated by sliding or otherwise, and act internally, or from the side, or from
the periphery. The stops may be radial pins, arms or parts, or inclined studs
acting in an inclined direction, or otherwise as may be found convenient
for the particular construction of machine.
The return movement of the stop parts for disengagement may be effected
or aided by springs. The engagement movement may be effected by hand or
foot gear.
When the stop parts are in operation the clutch members are kept out of
engagement and revolve free of each other in the direction desired.
46
By these means facility is afforded for the driving of a velocipede or motor
vehicle in a forward direction by the engagement of the one set of locking parts,
free
or for "back pedalling," or driving the machine in a reverse direction when
the other set of locking parts are engaged and for its running with a
5 wheel" when the locking parts are restrained as described, without the necessity
for performing complicated movements of parts, or the employment of delicate
mechanism liable to readily get out of order, or be damaged, and not necessarily
interfering with brake arrangements.
0
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 shews a side elevation partly in section on line A A Fig. 2 of one forni
of the apparatus as applied to a safety bicycle.
Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same parts taken along the axis of the
spindle.
Fig. 3 is a like view to Fig. 1 but with the parts in a different relative position,
15 for free wheel
50
55
Fig. 4 shows a side elevation and
Fig.
a vertical section of a modification of the apparatus.
Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 show parts of the apparatus according to Figs. 1, 2 and 3
separately.
Figs. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 show other details of the construction accord-
ing to Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
Figs. 17 to 23 show another modification in construction; Fig. 17 by side
elevation, Fig 18 by plan view (partly in section) and Fig. 19 by side elevation
with parts in section, (the retaining plate being removed).
Fig. 20 shows an edge view of the inner portion of Fig. 19.

page_text: Portions of a safety bicycle framing connected to the clutch mechanism are
also indicated in Figs. 17 and 18 in order the better to illustrate means for
operating the same whilst the machine is being ridden.
Figs. 21, 22 and 23 show by side elevation, plan, and end view, respectively,"
a method of operating the disc-nut which drives the stop mechanism into its
working position.
Fig. 24 by vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 23 at right angles
to the axle and Fig. 25 by vertical section taken along the line of said axle
show a modification wherein the two sets of rollers are arranged in separate
chambers concentrically.
Fig. 26 shows a modification of the device for locking the disc ring e in position
for driving and back pedalling or for free wheel.
Figs. 27, 28, 29 and 30, by vertical section taken on the line of the axis of
the back hub, side elevation, and two opposite side elevations show a modification
in which the two sets of rollers and their coacting inclines are arranged side by
side, around the same axis.
In the drawings, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are
drawn to an enlarged scale to facilitate elucidation of details.
In the arrangement shown by Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the change of position of the
stop parts is designed to be effected by the rider, dismounted, by swinging an
operating lever from one extreme position to the other. In this arrangement
the cam disc a (see Figs. 11 and 12) is here shown as being rigidly attached to
the revolving hub B of the back wheel of a bicycle, C being the spindle on which
said hub revolves.
The chain wheel d is mounted between the retaining disc-rings e, e¹ which
are attached to each other and kept in place on cam disc a by means of screw
bolts, which bolts serve both this purpose and as stops to the action of the
rollers when these are required to be kept out of action to allow the wheel to
run free" of the driving mechanism. f, f' are members of two sets of rollers
which respectively engage two sets of inclines a, as in the recessed portions of
the cam disc a. The disc a is shown separately in edge view in Fig. 11 with
the lower half in section and by side view in Fig. 12.
*
f. f are the rollers which are engaged with the inclines a when driving, f¹
those which are engaged with the inclines a when "back pedalling," or retarda-
tion of the rotation of the wheel is being effected, and f' are the rollers kept
back by the screw bolts e³ when the alteration of position of those stops
relatively to the rollers and inclines, is effected by the rotation of the eccentric a³
for the purpose of allowing the parts to assume the position for the wheel to
run free.
This eccentric is operated by the lever a' and these parts as shown separately
in side and edge views by Figs. 13 and 14, consist of a circular part ³ which
rotates in a recess in cam or disc ring a, a crank or eccentric part a³ and the
operative arm a whilst a' is a projection which is sprung into one of two holes
in the retaining disc ring e respectively at each end of the path of movement
of arm *.
The disc ring, see Fig. 6, has an elongated slot in which the eccentric a³
moves during the operation of shifting the said disc ring e.
The construction of this ring e will be best seen by reference to the separate
views thereof Figs. 6 and 7, the former fig. showing the same by side view
and the latter by edge view with the upper half in section. The opposite disc
ring e¹ is shown by like Figs. 8 and 9.
One of the stop pins separately is shown by Fig. 10.
The projecting parts a on the cam disc a serve as additional bearings for the
chain ring d and the holes a¹ therein serve to retain and form abutments for
the springs all which press the followers a to the rollers to keep them to their
operative positions.

page_text: 0
Although in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 we have shown the eccentric as the moving
art of the device for shifting the position of the ring e relatively to the rollers fi
his movement may be attained by making the part a rotate in a fixed bearing
n the ring e, and a cam action obtained by the movement of the part a³ in a
uitably formed recess in the cam ring a, in place of the circular chamber a" or
by any like construction.
Referring to the modification shown by Figs. 4 and 5 the push pins, or stops gl
are set obliquely in the disc or plate 9 whilst the pins or stops ³ are set at
right angles to the plane of said plate.
In this case the retaining disc rings e, e¹ are secured in relatively fixed position
These
and the chain ring d revolves loosely thereon except when these two parts are
operatively connected by the rollers engaging the inclined recesses.
recesses are formed as shown in a continuous groove formed between the chain
ring d and the disc ring a the inclines being formed on the outer circumference of
the groove, that is to say on the inner surface of the chain ring d. As here
shown the rollers are pressed to their operative positions against the narrower
parts of the inclines by the springs a When one set of these rollers f¹ is
required to be withheld from engagement with the inclines the plate g is
pressed inwards by any suitable cam movement, or screw action, and this inward
movement causes the inclined pins, or stops g' and the vertical pins 92 to come
into position to restrain the rollers f¹ from engaging the inclines a² and thereby
to leave the wheel "free" to revolve.
The springs g³, of which one is shown in Fig. 5, serve to return the plate g to
its inoperative position as regards the operation of stops g', g³.
The modification shown by Figs. 17 to 23 illustrates a construction by which
free wheel" can be effected by the rider. without
the change from fixed to
dismounting.
66
By "fixed" wheel we mean that condition of the parts when the driving gear
is operative to drive the machine, or reversely to restrain the revolution of the
wheel, and by "free wheel". we mean when the machine is free to run without
restraint except by brake power.
Fig. 17 is an elevation of the pedal chain wheel marked d¹ in these figs. with
part of the frame of the machine shown and with the push or stop pins gl
indicated in dotted lines.
Fig. 19 is an elevation of the chain wheel d¹ and cam ring a with the push
pin or stop carrying plate g and retaining disc rings e, el removed, but with the
push pins g' in section at the level of the face of the cam ring a.
The stop carrying plate g and cam ring a with push or stop pins g¹ and rollers
are best seen in Fig. 20.
The cam disc a as here shown, is affixed to the pedal crank mounting b¹ which
forms part of the pedal crank b, the plate b¹ being attached to a by the screws c, c.
The chain wheel dis mounted between the retaining disc rings e, e¹ which
are attached to a by screws not shown, the chain wheel d¹ and the cam disc a
being capable of revolving freely and independently except when gripped to-
15 gether by wedging action of the rollers and inclines.
The rollers serve to lock together the cam ring and the chain wheel d
when the machine is being driven forward, i.e. in the direction of the arrow,
and the rollers fi act in like manner in the reverse direction.
The stop carrying plate g is fitted with inclined push pins or stops g' passing
50 through smoothly fitting holes in the retaining disc ring e, so that when the
push plate is against the said retaining disc ring e, the inner ends of the
inclined push pins g' will have come into contact with the set of rollers f' (which
normally are brought into action by back pedalling) and thereby restrains then
from locking together the cam ring az and the chain wheel ring d in working
65 connection.
.
This proximity of the push plate g to the retaining ring e is brought about by

page_text: revolving the disc nut i, (in the direction of the arrow). This disc nut i is
internally screwed to work on the screw k as shown which screw is fixed to the
bottom bracket D whereby said disc nut i moves longitudinally on the fixed
screw to force the push plate sideways, or longitudinally of the crank axis.
This partial revolution of the disc nut i according to the construction shown,
is effected by means of the rod m which actuates a long and short armed bell
crank more clearly seen in Figures 21, 22 and 23 the axis of which is carried
in a bearing o affixed to the frame work E of the machine by the arm o¹ and
clip P
The lines and dotted lines m, m³ respectively indicate the extremes of move-
ment of the rod m to cause the long arm of the bell crank n to partially rotate
the disc nut by means of a pin working in a slot of the disc nut i.
The dotted lines indicate the position of the bell crank corresponding
to m. When the disc nut is brought back to normal position the push
plate g as shown is forced back by the spring s
This same effect may however be produced by a collar on the inner end of the
disc nut, in the position indicated by dotted lines at t in Fig. 18, in which
case the springs would not be required.
The backward movement of the push plate is restricted by the heads of
the screws u, u.
This method of bringing the push plate and pins into working position by
means of a partially revolving disc nut can readily be applied to the chain wheel
on the back hub of a bicycle in which case the screw on which the disc nut i
works would be fixed on to the non-rotating spindle such as indicated at c
Fig. 2 and the disc nut would be actuated directly by the rod m or some such
equivalent means.
In the arrangement shown by Figures 24 and 25 a back hub chain wheel of
a bicycle is provided with two sets of rollers corresponding to sets f, f¹ already
described, but arranged in separate chambers concentrically.
The direction of motion being as indicated by the arrow, and the chain
wheel being the driver, the inner circle of rollers f will drive the machine
forward and the outer circle of rollers f¹ will drive the machine in the reverse
direction, or serve to back pedal or restrain revolution.
It is these latter rollers therefore which have to be restrained from coming
into working position by means of the push plate with its pins as previously
described in connection with foregoing arrangements.
We have not in illustrating this modification, thought it necessary to show the
push plate and pins as their application will be readily understood.
Referring to Fig. 26; in this modification the ring g carrying the stop pins g
is turned by the fingers grasping the ring itself and turning it to left or right,
and with it those pins, bringing said pins against or away from rollers f¹ (as
was done by the eccentric device in Fig. 1) and letting the spring pawl or catch w
engage itself in the one, or the other nick 1, 2, to lock the parts in either position.
The fixed or screw end w¹ of the spring pawl is fixed to the chain ring d,
whilst the opposite end is thus connected to the ring g.
Referring to Figs. 27, 28, 29 and 30, this arrangement shows another modifica-
tion of the invention, in which the two sets of rollers f, f¹ and inclines a³, a³,
instead of being arranged concentrically one within the other as in Figs. 24
and 25, are placed side by side within the same chain ring .or an attachment
thereto.
ff, are the driving rollers for forward progress. f¹, f¹, are those used in
back pedalling, and are put out of operation by the stop pins 93 (shown in dotted
lines in Fig. 28 and in full lines in Fig. 30) when free wheel is required.
Fig. 29 shows a front elevation of this device regarded from the left hand
side of Fig. 27, and Fig. 30 shows correspondingly the opposite or right hand side
of Fio 27

page_text: 0
The arrows to Figs. 29 and 30 show respectively direction of rotation in 101
ogress of the machine
In this arrangement d is the chain wheel to which the disc rings e and'e are
fixed. This chain wheel d has also formed in its inner surface the inclined or
edge formed recesses for the rollers fl to work in, said rollers effecting a
ripping hold between the inclined faces of said recesses and the plain portion a
the cam disea whilst the corresponding recesses for the rollers f
n the cam disc a, the said rollers f taking their grip upon the plain inner
urface of the chain ring, and upon the inclines of the coacting recesses in the
am disc.
are formed
These two sets of parts are as shown, located side by side, and both upon one
am disc and within the same chain wheel.
The push or stop carrying plate g which carries the sliding straight pins g
o and from the rollers f¹, is here formed with ratchet teeth g around its
periphery for engagement, when needed, with a pawl or click centred on
the pin g mounted on a suitable part of the adjacent frame of the machine. This
pawl is engaged and disengaged for shifting the relative positions of the
pins and rollers f¹ to the inclines, by means of a cord or connection m with a
spring intervening and operated by the rider, in any convenient well known
manner such as is used in applying a brake to a bicycle. g are screw studs
which pass through slots in the plate g into the disc ring e and serve to retain
these parts in working connection or this may be effected by a small retaining
ring on the hub or on the axis, or in any other convenient manner.
The operation of these parts is as follows: for simply pedalling forward, the
rollers funder the influence of the chain ring will engage and give revolution
to the cam disc a and drive the hub of the wheel; for back pedalling the rollers f
would cease to cause a grip between d and a whilst the rollers fl would be
brought into action to cause a grip between the plain portion and the chain
ring d thereby exerting a restraining action on the wheel hub; for "free wheel"
the connection m operates the ratchet g on its centre g³ engaging it with one of
the teeth of the ratchet wheel that wheel or plate g³ moving the stop. pins,
carried thereby, into contact with the rollers f¹ pushing them out of operative
gripping engagement, leaving the wheel hub disconnected from driving engage-
ment and free to revolve, whilst the chain ring or equivalent part and the stop
carrying plate g³ remain at rest.
Although in the accompanying drawings we have shown the various arrange-
ments of rollers f with their counter parts fl in numbers equal, it will readily
be understood that such numerical equality is not imperative and the respective
numbers of rollers f. or fl may be varied."
With reference to Fig. 28 in which we have illustrated the means of engaging
the disc or plate to give it the requisite movement to emplace the stop parts
that restrain the rollers so that the driving mechanism may be for the time.
rendered idle as an impelling force or in other words permit of a "free wheel"
-ás consisting of a ratchet and pawl, it will be obvious that this is only one, of
15 a number of known available mechanical devices for attaining the desired
movement, and we may for instance substitute therefor a friction band, braking
on a plain surface, or drum formed on said plate g, instead of the ratchet toothed
surface 98.
..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
50 invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:-
1
1. The construction and arrangement in combination, of parts of a driving
mechanism for a cycle or other vehicle so that whilst normally, the driving forc
. can be transmitted in either direction of rotation at will for forward progres
55 or back pedalling as the case may be; yet by a simple movement of parts operat

page_text: ing checks, or stops, those checks or stops are brought into or out of position to
restrain one set of rollers, or like driving connections, whereby rotation forward
or in the one direction of the driven wheel, or part, is made "free," as set
forth.
2. The use of two sets of rollers, or like rotatory driving connections, arranged
so that in normal condition the driving force is transmitted in either direction
of rotation by the cooperation of two sets of inclines and recesses forming parts
of a suitable clutch mechanism, in combination with a set of pins or stops mov-
able at will into, or out of position to act in restraint of one set of rollers coming
into working contact with the driving and driven parts which normally in use
they would otherwise cause to cooperate, and means to move said stops, or
pins into and out of use, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. The construction and use of inclined, or wedge shaped chambers adapted
to coact with suitably arranged sets or pairs of rollers, to transmit motion from
the driving to the driven parts of driving mechanism of a cycle, or other vehicle
in either direction, the narrowing portions of the coacting recesses being located
between the members of each pair of rollers, with a restraining stud, pin, or
stop adapted when moved into acting position to restrain one member of each
pair or set of rollers from coming to its gripping position, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth and shown by the drawings.
4. The use in combination with the mechanism for applying, restraining and
re applying the impelling force claimed in Claims 1, 2 or 3, of the apparatus
illustrated in Figs. 21, 22 and 23 for applying and putting out of operation the
means for restraining the grip of the clutch parts, without necessitating the dis-
mounting of the rider of a cycle, or driver or other occupant of a vehicle, sub-
stantially as set forth.
5. The construction and use of driving clutch mechanism for a bicycle or
other vehicle in which the coacting rollers and inclined or wedge shaped cham-
bers are arranged in two sets one within the other, or concentrically, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth, with reference to Figures 24 and 25
of the drawings.
6. The construction and use of driving clutch mechanism for a bicycle or
other vehicle in which the coacting rollers and inclined or wedge shaped cham-
bers are arranged side by side around one and the same axis, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth with reference to the Figures 27, 28, 29 and 30 of
the drawings.
7. The construction and use in a driving mechanism for a bicycle or other
vehicle, of clutch mechanism having rollers and coacting inclines disposed so
as to grip and drive in either direction-for forward pedalling, or back pedalling
respectively in combination with means for restraining the one set or series of
rollers from engaging their inclines when the machine is to run with a
" free
wheel," substantially as described and shown by the drawings with reference
to Figures 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 26.
8. The construction and use in a driving mechanism for a bicycle or other
vehicle, of a clutch mechanism having rollers and coacting inclines so disposed
as to grip and drive in either direction-for forward pedalling, or back pedalling
respectively in combination with means for restraining at will the one series of
rollers from engaging their inclines, so as to let the machine run with a
"free
wheel," such restraining means being applicable and removable without necessi-
tating the dismounting of the rider, substantially as described and illustrated by
the drawings with reference to Figures 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23.
9. The various constructions of driving mechanism for velocipedes and motor,
or other vehicles, whereby the driving force may be applied in either direction
to impel the vehicle forwards or to retard, or drive it backwards and the com-
bination therewith of means whereby the driving mechanism may be for the
time being, rendered idle, or inoperative as an impelling force, and the parts

page_text: again reinstated in their operative relations, as set forth and illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
Dated the 26th day of April 1900.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicants.