Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 4th June, 1895-Accepted, 7th Sept., 1895
A communication by THE CHEVALIER ANTONIO PETTINATI, of Rome, in the
Kingdom of Italy, Chief Technologist in the Royal Italian Navy.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester
both in the County of Lancaster, 118 New Street, Birmingham in the County
of Warwick and 31 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manuer the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to an improved auxiliary lever mechanism for velocipedes
for the purpose of increasing the initial force of the cyclist, and is shown in the
accompanying drawings, in which
Sheet shows the invention fitted to a bicycle and
Sheet 2 details of the improved device.
Referring to Sheet 1, Figures 1 and 2 are side and front elevations respectively.
This mechanism is composed of the following parts:
1. A metallic support A fitted on to the upper cross bar a of the velocipede,
and to the sheath or socket b of the steering bar of the front wheel. This
support A is fitted on without any alteration or boring of any part of the
velocipede.
I. An oscillating lever B of the first order formed of a steel tube, the fulcrum
of which is formed on the support A. This lever has a double crown or ring of
small balls round its axis of oscillation e, and has internally another tube D which
is bent forward to the form of an elbow lever carrying a handle which the cyclist
grips with his right band when he wishes to make use of the. mechanism. This
tube D moving in its sheath B is prevented from turning therein by a stop d.
The tube D may be fixed therein at different heights by a clamp L, until it
attains the height or extension of 6 centimetres, to suit the convenience of the
cyclist, and according to whether he wishes to lengthen the arm of the lever.
III. A tubular connecting rod E which connects the lower end of the lever B
with a crank F. This connecting rod is composed of two parts, the rear part
being provided with small balls at its point of juncture with the crank, and the
front part, sliding therein, provided with a clamp y which enables the distance
between the extremity of the lever B and the crank F to be adjusted.
IV. A crank F keyed at the place of the right pedal of the machine. It carries
a pin surrounded with small balls, on which the end of the rod E revolves, and
the pedal e is fixed on this pin.
The working of the arrangement is as follows:-
When the cyclist wishes to make use of this auxiliary power device, he takes
hold of the handle of the elbow lever with his right hand, and draws it towards
himself in order to impart to the lever B an oscillating movement, taking care at
first to exert little pressure with the fingers on a small lever t carried on the end
of the elbow lever; by this movement the lever is first released from a spring grip u,
by which it is held when not in action, and then by the depression of a collar 1,
effected by a rod, a, which is pushed down by the pressure of the hand on the
small levert of the elbow lever. The rack o of the rod E which loosely engages

page_text: .
in an eye or slot in the end of the lever B is firmly connected with the latter.
The result is that the rod E remains connected and hinged to the lever B, and
whilst the oscillating movement is continued produces a considerable increase of
speed or power of propulsion of the velocipede.
When it is desired to arrest the action of the lever, it suffices to push it against
the spring grip u, at the same time releasing it. It then remains held by this grip.
The application of this improved mechanism to an ordinary velocipede, as
shown by successive experiments on a large scale, ensures a remarkable propelling
power for the velocipede to be obtained, enabling steep gradients such as are
scarcely accessible to cyclists of even exceptional strength, to be ridden up. On
a flat or level ground the useful effect of this mechanism as a powerful auxiliary
force is also indisputable, either in combination with the pedals when an extra-
ordinary velocity is attained, or alone, which enables the cyclist to travel by simply
working the lever with his right hand, and resting his legs on the foot rests of the
machine. It has been shown, and it is certainly a fact, that the propelling power
of the lever by itself is practically equal to that produced by the two pedals
together.
In order that the working of the mechanism herein before described and shown
on the accompanying drawings may be perfect, it is necessary for the bicycle
saddle to be arranged if possible at the distances shown in Sheet I of the
drawings, both as regards the axis of the pedals and the lever B and elbowed
lever D.
With reference to Sheet II of the drawings-Figure 3 shows details of the
crank F; Figure 4 sectional front elevation of the oscillating lever B ; Figures 5, 6
and 7 front and side elevations and plan respectively of the levers D and B;
Figure 8 details of same; Figures 9, 10 and 11 plan, elevation and detail views of
the rod E; Figure 12 detail views of the support A; Figure 13 section of lower
extremity of lever B. The upright of the support A (Figure 12) is of such a
width m as to enable it to take any diameter of cross bar à; (maximum *025 metres)
of a velocipede, and the distance of such a height as to enable a point to be
arranged for each velocipede to which it is desired to fit the mechanism, where
the said cross bar must cross the upright, in order that the lower extremity of the
lever B does not strike against the mud guard of the steering wheel.
Figure 13 shows a section at S S¹ (Fig. 6) of the lever B with the extremity o
of the rod E inserted and retained in place by the collar which is lowered or
let down.
The total weight of the mechanism is about 2.5 kilos.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is
1. In an ordinary bicycle or velocipede the application of a mechanism producing
a powerful auxiliary force by which the initial propulsive velocity is increased at
the will of the cyclist, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown on the
accompanying drawings.
2. In a mechanism of the kind described, a metallic support (substantially such
as A) fitted to the upper cross bar of the velocipede and to the sheath or socket b
of the steering bar of the front wheel, without boring or altering any part of the
velocipede, substantially as described and shown.
3. In a mechanism of the kind described a lever (substantially such as B)
oscillating under the hand of the cyclist, and capable of being lengthened at the
will of the latter, substantially as described and shown.
4. In a mechanism of the kind described the combination with an oscillating
lever of a connecting rod, (substantially such as E) connecting the lower extremity
of said lever (B) with a crank (F) for the purpose of enabling the manual force
of the lever to be employed for assisting the initial force of the pedals, substantially
as described and shown.

page_text: 5. In a mechanism of the kind described, the combination with an oscillating
lever and a connecting rod, of means for releasing and throwing into action said
lever consisting of a spring grip (such as u); substantially as hereinbefore
described and shown.
6. In a mechanism of the kind described the combination with an oscillating
lever and a connecting rod, of a crank (substantially such as F) taking the place
of the right pedal of the velocipede, and having a pin (d) on which the extremity
of the adjustable rod (E) revolves, and to which pin the pedal (e) is fixed, the
whole substantially as herein before described and shown on the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 1st day of June 1895.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.