Improvements in Gear Cases, particularly applicable for Use on Bicycles, Tricycles and similar Vehicles to Enclose and Protect the Gearing which Couples the Crank Shaft and Driving Wheel.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Feb., 1897
Complete Specification Loft 1ot Nov 1807 Accented 12th Feb.
1898
Improvements in Gear Cases, particularly applicable for Use
on
Bicycles, Tricycles and similar Vehicles to Enclose and Protect
the Gearing which Couples the Crank Shaft and Driving Wheel.
I, NORMAN ARTER PHILLIPS, New Castle, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United
States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
more
My invention relates to improvements in gear cases in general and
particularly to that class intended for use on bicycles and tricycles or similar vehicles,
in order to enclose and protect the gearing which couples the crank shaft and driving
wheel, the objects of the invention being to provide a gear case of exceedingly light
and simple design which will be noiseless, easily and cheaply applied and which will
not in any way interfere with the adjustment of the parts to take up wear or to com-
pensate for strains and elongation of the chain in a chain gear. Primarily I provide
a housing for the gear wheel on the crank shaft and a housing for the gear wheel on
the drive wheel and connect these two housings by a flexible tube or tubes for enclos-
ing and protecting the gearing or connections between the wheels.
gear
I contemplate the use of several different styles of housings for the respective gear
wheels in general characteristics however, they comprise a casing which surrounds the
gear wheels and is supported from the frame in the one instance, and from the axle in
the other instance, so as to be independently adjustable with the parts to which they
are attached, said casings having openings at the proper points; where the gearing is
a chain gearing, at points tangential to the peripheries of the respective gear wheels
and directed toward the periphery of the cooperating gear wheel for the passage
the chain. The openings between the casings are connected by flexible tubes.
of
In the most improved structure, the tubes connecting the casings I make elastic as
well as flexible, and preferably of rubber which may be stretched between the casings
and properly secured at each end, permitting of a ready adjustment of the casings
and parts carrying the same with relation to each other as will be readily understood,
for instance, in moving the rear wheel backward to take up wear and stretch in the
chain.
In some instances, it is found desirable to employ a flexible and elastic casing
which surrounds the sprocket wheel, and when this is done the elastic bag or casing
proper may be supported by a mere skeleton frame work extending around the
sprocket wheel and in applying the casing one of the openings through which
the shaft works may be stretched and a frame work passed there through or the bag
or casing drawn over the frame-work and the tubular extensions thereof, drawn over
to the cooperating casing or framing at the other gear wheel in the line of the chain.
Obviously in applying the casing in this way, the chain must have been removed and
the ends of the chain passed through the tubular extensions which connect the casing
and united as ordinarily.
For the purpose of retaining the flexible casing when it surrounds the gear wheel
the frame which holds it in place has annular recesses for the edges of the opening'in

page_text: the casing to seat in, thereby preventing the entry of dust and holding the casing in
place.
The framing for holding this flexible casing in place usually has an aperture therein
of a length corresponding to the diameter of the gear wheel to permit of the inser-
tion of the gear wheel when the parts of the bicycle are assembled, thereby enabling
the framing to be made in one piece, although in many instances, the framing and
the casing, where a rigid casing around the gear wheel is employed, may be made
in sections properly united by bolts and secured by cleats or bands to the framing of
the machine.
Where it is desired to support the flexible tubes or extensions uniting the gear
wheel housings, at a central point, I do so by means of internal expanders and
external brackets connected to the frame in any suitable way and such expanders
preferably deflect one wall of the flexible tubing or casing downward in the direction
the sag of the chain would normally take place, thereby preventing the chain from
contacting with the tubing and the expanders thus employed may be lined with felt
or other soft material for preventing noise or wear should excessive vibration of the
same cause the same to contact therewith.
In some instances, a single flexible and elastic tube or casing may extend between
the two gear wheels and be of sufficient diameter to accommodate the chain at both
top and bottom of the wheels, or in other words, the flexible and elastic casing in
this instance is in the form of a large bag which is drawn over the gear wheels or
chain and held out of contact therewith by appropriate framing.
The invention is used on tandems by the employment of double casings one
extending over the front gear wheel back to the middle gear wheel and the other
extending over the middle gear wheel and back to the gear wheel on the
driving wheel, the specific construction of the casing being as before described.
In lieu of a solid casing, enclosing the gear wheels, the gear wheels may be pro-
vided with lateral annular flanges projecting beyond the peripheries of the teeth and
chain and the casing in this instance, will simply bridge the flanges and flexible tubes
may be connected with the casing so formed, and enclose the chain at all points
between the gear wheels.
One flange only may be employed on the gear wheel, on the outer side and
the casing then in the form of a disk will be attached to the shaft hanger on the inside
of the gear wheel and be provided with an annular peripheral ring surrounding the
gear wheel and coming in proximity to the flange thereon to completely house the
chain and teeth of the wheel. A flange rotating with the gear wheel forming a
portion of the casing for enclosing the teeth and chain forms one feature of this
invention.
Dated this 15th day of February 1897
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Gear Cases, particularly applicable for Use on
Bicycles, Tricycles and similar Vehicles to Enclose and Protect
the Gearing which Couples the Crank Shaft and Driving Wheel.
I, NORMAN ARTER PHILLIPS, of New Castle, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania,
United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the saine is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to gear cases in general and more particularly to that class

page_text: adapted for application to the chain and sprockets of a bicycle, tricycle or similar
vehicle, and has for its object to provide such a construction as will prevent
contamination of the parts in question and which will at the same time be light,
ornamental and cheap of construction, and which, moreover, will not hinder in any
inanner the adjustment of the rear wheel and its sprocket in tightening or loosening
the chain.
In carrying out this invention I form a framework around say, the front sprocket
wheel of a bicycle and upon the framework I stretch a covering of india rubber or
other elastic material having two extensions forming channels or tubes for the chain
and connected to a rigid casing which encloses the rear sprocket, or I form a light
casing or framework around and enclosing the two sprocket wheels and unite these
casings by means of closed channels tubes or troughs formed wholly or in part of
elastic or flexible material such as india rubber or leather these tubes serving to
protect the chain.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of a bicycle, showing the location and
arrangement of the sprockets, chain and case with respect thereto.
Figures 2 and 3 show in perspective one form of casing for the front and rear
sprockets respectively.
Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 showing the front
sprocket casing with the outer covering adjusted thereupon.
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing one form of say rubber covering for the
driving wheel having extensions for that part of the chain which is between the two
chain or sprocket wheels.
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, showing a different form of cover and
chain-enclosing tubes.
Figure 7 shows a further alternative form of cover.
Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Figure 6.
Figure 9 is a side view of an alternative form of casing for the forward sprocket
wheel and
Figure 10 is a section on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.
Figure 11 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the application of my invention to
the driving mechanism of a tandem bicycle the dotted lines indicating alternative
forms.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
Referring now to Fig. 1 F F2 F3 F are members of a bicycle frame of well known
construction: A is the front and B the rear sprocket wheel, and C the chain of the
bicycle, these parts being enclosed by the gear case as will hereinafter be described
and shown in dotted lines. Part of the casing of the front sprocket wheel is shown
cut away to allow of clear reference to the various parts. D is a light fraine-work of
any suitable constructions of metal, celluloid or other rigid material having
extensions D1 and D2 which form openings through which the chain C can pass. The
side walls of this case frame may be made as shown in full lines, or it may be
perforated as shown by dotted lines with openings such as Do or Ds leaving arms such
as D' for the sake of lightness. One entire side preferably the outer may be
removed to secure lightness the stretched rubber or other covering needing no other
support than would be provided at the circumference and the centre. This frame
may be fitted over the sprocket wheel and held in any convenient manner but I
prefer to form this casing as is shown in Fig. 2 where the casing is shown made in
two pieces D and D³ such that one of the pieces, say D, can be slipped on over the
wheel and chain without disturbing these when already in position on the machine,
and the piece D³ then be placed in position; the extension of the piece D³ fitting
into the gap formed in the piece D to receive it, and the two pieces fitting well
together to make a compact and firm case. A similar case for the rear sprocket is
shown in Fig. 3 and marked G, G³.
Both of these cases can obviously be placed in position or removed without in any
way disturbing the sprocket wheels and chain or their adjustments, the elastic cover-

page_text: ing serving at once to exclude dust and dirt and to maintain the parts of each cas
in their respective juxta-positions.
From the section given in Fig. 4 it will be seen that the opening in the case or
the side next the frame of the bicycle is made of larger diameter to receive the crank
bracket or barrel as at D5, the outer opening fitting closely over, but not so as to grip
the crank axle at D', the case D being thus carried and supported by the crank
bracket and crank axle. Over the whole of this front case I place a covering made
preferably of rubber and shown in one form in Fig. 5. This covering may be made
in one piece and slipped over the case by virtue of its elasticity, in which event the
chain would have to be divided and the two ends passed into the inner hole E' of the
disc-like portions, and out through the extensions E¹ E² respectively, and the peda
and crank then passed through both holes E and E5. The hole or opening E5 would then
be distended sufficiently to pass over the case and would fit tightly upon the crank
bracket as shown at E5 in Fig. 4, the edge of the hole E embracing the crank axle
as shown, the edges of the holes being strengthened by beadings as shown in Figures
4 and 5.
The two ends E and E' would be then slipped over the extensions G1 G2 of the
rear case G (the chain having first been passed over the rear sprocket and its ends
re-united which they tightly embrace and so hold together, or to which they may be
clamped as indicated in Fig. 1. The entire case thus formed would have the appear-
ance shown in Fig. 1. To obviate the necessity of distending the opening E³ to so
great an extent as is required to pass it over the front sprocket wheel case frame I
may divide one or both sides of the outer covering along the whole or part of the line
xy, shown in Fig. 5, the opening thus formed permitting the easy entry of the case
frame and being closed by buttoning lacing or the like.
In order, however to facilitate the placing in position and removal of this outer
covering I prefer to form a division along, say, the inner edge as shown at Es in
Fig. 6, thus providing an opening by which the chain can enter the tubes E E2 and
the outer covering be placed in position without dividing the chain. And I may by
this construction make of one piece a covering to enclose both sprocket wheels and
the chain between as in Figure 7.
A thickening or bending is formed along each edge as shown at E in Fig. 8 and
the lap is made by allowing the upper edge to overlap the lower. This together with
the beading as shown forms an effective and raintight joint.
The opening E³ may be closed by buttoning or lacing or in any other convenient
manner and inay follow any convenient course such as that shown; or along the
outer edge or in any direction which will readily allow of its removal and placing in
position over the parts.
In Figs. 9 and 10 is shown an alternative construction for the casing of the front
sprocket wheel of which the following is a description.
The
On either side of the rim of the wheel A, I form a flange A' in the groove between
which are the teeth A2 upon which the chain C runs in the usual manner.
case D is in this instance formed as a simple band constituting a top or covering
closing in the groove between the two flanges A' and completely housing in that
part of the chain which is on the wheel; tubular extensions I) and D2 are provided
as before for the protection of the chain as it approaches and leaves the sprocket
wheel A. These extensions may be connected with those of the rear wheel case by
rubber tubes of preferably rectangular shape in cross section secured at both ends by
beads on the extensions as shown in Fig. 3 or by clamps as in Fig. 9 or in any suitable
manner.
In order to avoid excessive friction between the peripheries of the flanges A¹ and
the band D to take the pull due to the elastic portions of the case I place upon the
member F of the bicycle frame a bracket, collar, or the like, F', to which the case
D is secured, and I may, if desired, form similar attachments to the members F2 and F3.
A further variation may be made in which I employ tubes of celluloid or any light
and rigid material to enclose those portions of the chain which are between the

page_text: wheels instead of the long elastic tubes E¹ E Fig. 5 which in this case would be
shortened to about the lengths marked by the dotted lines E9 E10 and these short
tubes would be fitted over and caused to grip the respective ends of the celluloid
or like tubes, the other ends of these tubes connected respectively to the exten-
sions G1 G2 by short elastic tubes as will be readily understood.
When applied to the gear of a tandem bicycle the gear case the subject of this
invention, may take some such form as that shown in Fig. 11 or that shown in
dotted lines in the same figure. The construction in either of these cases does not
differ materially from that herein before described and no further explanation is
therefore necessary.
It should be understood that I may employ any desired form, in construction and
arrangement, of the front sprocket casing and that the same remarks apply to the
rear sprocket casing, with the exception that the latter must be adjustable with the
rear sprocket.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a gear case for cycles and the like the combination with a framework
wholly or partly encasing the rear sprocket wheel and framework wholly or partly
encasing the front sprocket wheel of a covering made wholly or in part of elastic
or flexible material enclosing both said framework and having tubular portions such
as E E substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In a gear case for cycles and the like the combination with a rear sprocket
case and a framework wholly or partly encasing the front sprocket wheel of a covering
made wholly or in part of elastic or flexible material enclosing the said framework
and having extensions such as E¹ and E for the chain substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. In a gear case for cycles and the like the combination with a framework enclosing
a sprocket wheel of a covering of elastic or flexible material enclosing the framework
and having extensions such as E¹ E the covering and its extensions being split or
divided substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in Figure 5 or
Figures 6 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
4. In a gear case for cycles and the like the combination with cases for the sprocket
wheels each formed in two or more pieces and removable or replacable without disturb
ing the sprocket wheels, chain or their adjustments, of a covering or coverings wholly
or in part of elastic or flexible material substantially as and for the purpose
described.
5. In a gear-case for cycles and the like the combination with cases for the sprocket
wheels each formed in two or more pieces and removable or replaceable without dis-
turbing the sprocket wheels, chain or their adjustments, of a covering or coverings
wholly or in part of elastic or flexible material and pipes of rigid material in the
place of extensions such as E1 and E2 substantially as described.
6. In cycles and the like a sprocket wheel having one or more flanges such as A¹
for the purpose described.
7. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete gear-case
for cycles and the like substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 4,
or in Figures 2, 3 and 5, or in Figures 2, 3 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
8. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete gear-case
substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.
9. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the sprocket wheel
case substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 2 or in Figure 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
10. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the case for the
sprocket wheel substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 of the
accompanying drawings.
11. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete gear-case

page_text: for multicycles and the like substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 11 of
the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 1st day of November 1897.
NORMAN ARTER PHILLIPS.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.