Improvements in Bicycles and other Vehicles.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Feb., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 7th Nov., 1892-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycles and other Vehicles.
CORNELIUS MUNDY 385 Sauchiehall Street Glasgow County of Lanark,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates primarily, to that class of bicycle, known as the "front
driving," or "geared ordinary."
The object is, to provide a bicycle, upon which the rider, by driving it from
the center, of a highly geared front wheel, may sit as low, as upon any other class
of machine.
To provide a light, easy running, and differential speed bicycle; upon which
the rider, may mount hills, with comparative ease.
To provide a bicycle, driven and steered by the front wheel, which may be
ridden, with greater comfort, and safety, than hitherto.
The frame work of the said bicycle, consists of the usual front fork, decending
to the center of the front wheel, and extending upwards through a steering socket,
to the handle bar; with a backbone extending from the said socket, to the back
wheel; and a seat pillar, rising up from the backbone, and surpported by a stay,
also connected to the said socket.
A dust proof gear case, is mounted in plain, or ball bearings, attached to the
ends of the front fork, a sleeve is fitted into, or made solid with the said case,
which passes through the hub of the front wheel, to its bearings on the opposite
side. A removable cap, is also fitted to the said case, which enters the bearings
on the opposite side, to the said sleeve. The gear case is further divided, in order
to insert one, or more, double back gears, which it is intended to carry. The front
wheel is mounted with ball bearings, upon the sleeve of the gear case, while the
crank shaft in turn, passes through the said case, to separate bearings, also at the
ends of the front fork. By a novel arrangement, the bearings of the crank shaft,
the gear case, and the front wheel, are simultaneously adjusted, by merely turning
one screw. By another arrangement, the bearings of the crank shaft, and the gear
case, are separately adjusted.
The driving is effected by means of a spur wheel, solid with, or fixed upon the
crank shaft, which gears with one, or more double back gears fixed in the gear
case. The said gears in turn, act upon a spur wheel, fitted in, or solid with hub of
the driving wheel. The possition of the said back gear, or gears, may be adjusted,
so as to compansate for variations in size, and effects of wear.
It will be obvious, that by this novel method of gearing, any desired proportion
of speeds, may be obtained, however small the driving wheel may be. Further it
will be observed, that the gear case is constructed, so that when desired, it may
revolve with the crank shaft, and driving wheel, in which event it merely locks the
two together, and causes each to revolve at the same speed.
A spring lever bolt is used for this purpose, when desired, on the other hand,
a bolt passes down the inner side of the front fork, into the gear case, and is
actuated by a lever on the hand bar, for the purpose of keeping the said case
stationary. By this arrangement of the gear case, the rider, has the advantage

page_text: of a high, or low speed gear at will, and may change from one to the other, while
the machine is in motion.
In cases where this arrangement is not desired, the gear case may be fixed too,
or made solid with the front fork; and the driving wheel mounted upon the crank
shaft, instead of upon the gear case. The crank shaft may also have the advantage,
of a double set of ball bearings, at each end, if desired. The system of differential
back gearing here described, is also applied to other makes of bicycles, and other
vehicles, which may, or may not, be driven from the center of the driving wheel, in
such cases chain gearing, or other equevilents are used, to transfer the driving
power, to the machine driving wheel.
The hub of the driving wheel, is constructed, to suit the application of a band
brake, on the side opposite to the gear case. The said brake is actuated by a rod,
connected to the same lever on the handle bar, that is used for bolting, or
unbolting the gear case.
The said brake rod, passes down inside the front fork steering tube, through
suitable guides to the brake; about midway, it is connected with the gear case
bolt, in such a manner, that by an upward pull, of the lever on the handle bar,
the said brake is applied, without interfering with the gear case bolt; and by a
downward thrust, of the said lever, the gear case is unbolted in like manner,
without desturbing the brake. By this arrangement, the front fork, is quite clear
of the steering socket, and may turn a complete circle if required.
The backbone is provided, at the junction of the back wheel fork, with a novel
springing device, by which the rider, is not only freed from oblique shocks, arising
from the back wheel, but is also enabled, to vary his relation to the front wheel,
by throwing his weight back, to depress the backbone, when riding down hill, and
thus render his riding much safer; or forward to raise the backbone, when riding
up hill, and thus enable him to exert greater driving power. To attain this object,
the backbone is hinged, at the junction of the back wheel fork, and provided with
one, or more radial acting coil, or other form of springs, which may be adjusted to
give any desired tension, to the backbone, or otherwise the back wheel fork, is
constructed with one, or more coils, in each side. A stop, or lock is provided, to
stop the action in part, or entirely, of the said hinge, or other equivlent when
desired.
The saddle stroke, handle bar, and brake and gear case bolt rod, are made
adjustable when desired. The driving wheel is constructed, with a novel rim, and
pneumatic tyre, which tyre when difflated, may be removed from the rim, either
one side only, or entirely, in a very few seconds. A further novel feature of this
tyre, is, that it requires no separate air tube. The said rim is constructed, with a
centeral outward curve, on each side of which, there is an inward curve, and again
on each side of these, the edges of the rim are turned outward, to prevent it
cutting the tyre. The said rim joins with the tyre, and forms a part of the air
space, any tendancy for air to escape at the spoke holes, is obviated, by a covering
of rubber gelatine, or other material over the said holes. When desired, the
central part of the rim, may be made in the form, of a hollow triangle, or other
shape, in which case, the spoke holes do not pass through into the air space.
The tyre is composed, of an outer covering of prepared rubber, or other
material, the inside of which is lined with tape, folded transversely, or other woven
fabric, or other material; this lining is covered inside, with rubber gelatine, or
other material, to render it impervious. The outer edges of the tyre, are so con-
structed, that a cane, or cord, or compressed air, or metal tube, or other material,
may be placed in between the folds of the lining; to produce a light, bulky, but
substantial bulge, at the edges of the tyre, by means of which it may be secured
to the rim; and thus complete the air space. To attain this, the edges of the
tyre, are placed in the inward curves of the rim; then a light outward curved
rim, or clamp, which may be made solid, jointed, or in separate parts; and capable
of being expanded, or otherwise, is pressed firmly over the edge of the tyre. The
said rim, or clamp, may be constructed so that it will press upon both edges of the

page_text: tyre, or one, or more rims, or clamps may be provided, for each edge of the tyre.
To fix the tyre thus, gives great stability to the rim, and renders the joint more
impervious, as the pressure upon it is increased;-while the tyre is held more
firmly, in its position. When it is desired, to make the tyre more resilient, and
less liable to lift mud, from the ground, and to give a greater depth of air column,
with greater sidesteadyment :-The lining of the tyre is constructed, with one or
more webbings, stretched across from one side of the tyre to the other; to
prevent it expanding sideways, when it is being depressed.
The said webbings, may be made in the form of a net work, to allow the air to
pass freely on either side, or in the form of one, or more solid webs, coated with
rubber gelatine, or other material, to render them impervious, & to thus divide the
tyre, into two, or inore separate compartments, each of which, may be filled with
air, at different pressures. Instead of the webbing, attached to the lining of the
tyre, as here described, one, or more separate air tubes, may be used when
desired. To meet these conditions, one, or more double acting valves are used. It
will be readily understood, that this tyre may, or may not, always be used upon
one, or more wheels, in the construction of the herein described, improved
bicycle; while on the other hand, it may be employed, in a similar manner, and
construction, upon other vehicles.
A novel pneumatic saddle, with fixing and clamping device, is provided for the
said improved bicycle, which is constructed, substantially in the same manner, as
the wheel rim, and pneumatic tyre, herein described.
Dated this Sixth day of February 1892.
CORNELIUS MUNDY.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycles and other Vehicles.
1, CORNELIUS MUNDY of 385 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, Mechanic, 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 which relates to improvements in bicycles has for its object to
provide a light easy running and differential speed bicycle upon which the rider
may mount hills with comparative ease, the said bicycle being driven and steered
by the front wheel and the construction being such that its use will be attended
with the greatest comfort and safety.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a front driven geared ordinary bicycle as
constructed in accordance with my invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section through the front wheel of the bicycle
showing the interchangeable driving gear.
Figure 3 is a similar view showing a modification of said driving gear
corresponding to that represented in outline applied to the bicycle shown in
Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a cross section of part of the framing of a chain driven safety bicycle
showing the interchangeable driving gear applied thereto and Figure 5 is a
sectional side elevation of the same.
Figure 6 is a plan of the handle bar and combined gear locking and brake lever.
Figure 7 is a vertical section of the front fork of the bicycle also showing the
combined gear locking and brake lever.
Figures 8 and 9 are sections at right angles to each other illustrating a spring
joint with which the back bone of the bicycle is furnished.
Figures 10 to 19 inclusive are views hereinafter referred to showing under
several modifications the improved construction of pneumatic tyre I apply to the
front wheel or to both wheels of the bicycle and to other vehicles, and Figure 20

page_text: No text detected.

page_text: the notch the gearing is locked and the gear case 1 revolves with the chain
wheel.
The hub B' of the driving wheel is constructed to suit the application of a
band brake O on the side opposite to the gear case I. The said brake O is
actuated by a rod P connected to the lever M on the handle bar D that is used for
bolting or unbolting the gear case. The said brake rod P passes down inside the
front fork steering tube (as shown at Figure 7 through suitable guides to the
brake. About midway it is connected with the gear case bolt L by a cross bar p
resting on a collar p₁ on a part P₁ the brake rod and under a collar p² on the
bolt L so that by an upward pull of the lever M on the handle bar the said brake
is applied without interfering with the gear case bolt and by a downward
thrust of the said lever, the gear case is unbolted in like manner without dis-
turbing the brake. By this arrangement the front fork is quite clear of the
steering sockets and may turn a complete circle as required. The backbone E is
provided at the junction of the back wheel fork F¹ with a novel spring joint or
device, shown detached at Figures 8 and 9 by which the rider is not only freed
from oblique skocks arising from the back wheel but is also enabled to vary his
relation to the front wheel by throwing his weight back to depress the back bone
when riding down hill and thus render his riding much safer, or by throwing his
weight forward to raise the backbone when riding up hill and thus enable him to
exert greater driving power. To attain this object the backbone is hinged at the
junction of the back wheel fork and provided with one or more radial acting
coils Qor other form of springs which may be adjusted to give any desired tension
to the backbone, or otherwise the back wheel fork is constructed with one or more
coils in each side. A stop or lock q is provided to stop the action in part or
entirely of the said hinge or other equivalent when desired. The saddle stock,
handle bar and brake and gear case bolt rod are made adjustable when desired.
The driving wheel is constructed with a novel rim and pneumatic tyre which
tyre when deflated may be removed from the rim R either one side only or entirely
in a very few seconds." A further novel feature of this tyre is that it requires no
separate air tube. As shown at Figures 10 and 11 the said rim R is constructed
with a central outward curve at on each side of which there is an inward curve
and again on each side of these the edges of the rim are turned outward to prevent it
cutting the tyre. The said rim joins with the tyre and forms a part of the air
space. Any tendency for air to escape at the spoke holes is obviated by a
covering S of rubber, gelatine or other material over the said holes. When desired
the central part of the rim may be made in the form of a hollow triangle or similar
shape as shewn at Figures 14 and 16 in which case the spoke holes do not pass
through into the air space.
The tyre is composed of an outer covering T of prepared rubber or other material
the inside of which is lined with woven fabric or other material. This lining is
covered inside with rubber, gelatine or other material to render it impervious. The
outer edges of the tyre are so constructed that a cane or cord, a metal tube or other
material may be placed or compressed air admitted in between the folds of the
lining to produce a light bulky but substantial bulge t at the edges of the tyre by
means of which it may be secured to the rim and thus complete the air space. To
attain this the edges of the tyre are placed in the inward curves of the rim, then a
light outward curved ring or clamp U shown detailed at Figures 17, 18 and 19
which may be made solid, jointed or in separate parts and capable of being expanded
or compressed is pressed firmly over the edge of the tyre. The said ring or
clamp U may be constructed so that it will pass upon both edges of the tyre or one
or more rings or clamps may be provided for each edge of the tyre. In Figures 10
and 11 the rings or clamps U are shown applied inside the wheel rim R and bearing
on the bulged edges of the tyre. Figure 17 shows the clamp U as it appears after
being expanded over the bulged edge of the tyre and Figure 18 as seen before
being put on. Figure 19 shows a modified form of the clamp U in which the

page_text: meeting ends are secured by pins u. Figure 12 shows the clamp fitted over the
bulged edges of the tyre within the air space. Figures 13 and 14 show a single
clamp U fitted within the air space and engaging both bulged edges of the tyre, the
mecting ends of the clamp being overlapped and secured together by a ring w
engaging with notches in projecting catches formed on the ends of the clamp.
Figure 15 shows a tyre fitted as in Figures 10 and 11 but having a solid rubber tyre
fitted to the wheel rim R within the air space. In Figure 16 the tyre is formed
and fitted as in Figures 13 and 14 excepting that the clamp U is secured at
intervals around the wheel rim by bolts x. Fixing the tyre thus gives great
stability to the rim and renders the joint more impervious as the pressure upon it is
increased while the tyre is held more firmly in its position. When it is desired to
make the tyre more resilient and less liable to lift mud from the ground and to
give a greater depth of air bottom with greater resistance to side pressure the lining
of the tyre is constructed with one or more webbings stretched across from one side
of the tyre to the other as shown at Figure 14 to prevent it expanding sideways
when it is being depressed. The said webbings may be made in the form of a
net-work to allow the air to pass freely on either side or in the form of one or more
solid webs coated with rubber, gelatine or other material to render them impervious
thus dividing the tyre into two or more separate compartments each of which may
be filled with air at different pressures. Instead of the webbings attached to the
lining of the tyre as above described one or more separate air tubes may be used
when desired. To meet these conditions one or more double acting valves are
used. It will be readily understood that this tyre may or may not always be used
upon one or more wheels in the construction of the herein described improved
bicycle, whilst on the other hand a tyre of such construction may be employed in a
similar manner upon other vehicles.
A novel pneumatic saddle V as shewn at Figures 1 and 20 with fixing and
clamping devices is provided for the said improved bicycle the saddle being inflated
and the covering constructed, clamped and secured substantially in any of the ways
described as applied to the wheel rim and pneumatic tyre above described. As
shewn in Figures 1 and 20 the saddle cover V is formed with a bulged edge v by
means of which it is secured between the saddle plate V' and a clamp V2 secured
to it by bolts. The saddle cover V is caught at its middle part by a pin or bolt
to maintain its shape whilst under pressure.
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. A bicycle the parts of which are constructed arranged and combined substan-
tially as herein described with reference to the annexed drawings.
2. In a bicycle the combination with the crank shaft and the driving wheel of a
gearing case and gear wheels operating substantially as described with reference to
Figure 2 of the annexed drawings.
3. In a bicycle the combination with the crank shaft and the driving wheel of a
gearing case carried on the wheel fork and gear wheels arranged to operate sub-
stantially as described with reference to Figure 3 of the annexed drawings.
4. In a bicycle the combination with the crank shaft and the driving wheel of a
gearing case and gears connecting the shaft to the wheel and means such as a
sliding bolt for locking or unlocking the gear case and permitting of interchange
from direct driving to gear driving substantially as described with reference to
Figure 2 of the annexed drawings.
5. In a chain driven cycle the combination with the crank shaft and the chain
wheel of a gearing case and gears connecting the shaft to said wheel and devices
for locking and unlocking the wheel and the gear case substantially as and for the
purpose set forth with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the annexed drawings.
6. In a geared bicycle a combined brake lever and gear locking and releasing

page_text: bolt jointed to the handle bar or other fixed part and arranged to operate substan-
tially as described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the annexed
drawings.
7. In a bicycle a backbone or frame having a spring hinge joint formed at its
junction with the rear wheel fork substantially as and for the purpose set forth
with reference to Figures 1, 8 and 9 of the annexed drawings.
8. A pneumatic tyre for bicycles or other vehicles constructed and secured to
the rim substantially as described under several modifications with reference
to Figures 10 to 19 of the annexed drawings.
9. As means for securing to their rims the pneumatic tyres of bicycles or other
vehicles ring clamps constructed and fitted substantially as described with reference
to Figures 10 to 19 of the annexed drawings.
10. A pneumatic tyre for a bicycle or other vehicle, formed with dividing webs
providing for separate air spaces in the tyre substantially as described with
reference to Figure 14 of the annexed drawings.
11. A pneumatic saddle for bicycles constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figures 1 and 20 of the annexed drawings.
DL: AL 1. of Nambon 1902
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.