Improvements in Apparatus for the Propulsion of Cycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 8th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 9th Dec., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Propulsion of Cycles.
HENRY, ARTHUR, MORRISS, of 16 Grange Road in the Parish of. Willesden,
London N.W. Chronometer Maker. And, ALFRED, GEORGE, GREEN, of 11 High
Street, Notting Hill Gate, in the Parish of Kensington, London, Corn Merchant.
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
is invention relates to apparatus for the propulsion of cycles and the improve-
.. have for their object the provision in conjunction with chain wheel gears
ud wheel and pinion gears now generally in use, the more easy propulsion of
cycles.
The apparatus consists of two hollow discs or shallow barrels which are rigidly
fixed to and concentric with the crank axis one on each side of the crank bracket with
their hollow sides outwards and the crank axis projecting through them two or three
inches, on these projecting parts of the axis are fitted in each barrel eccentric
dises with their tubes projecting outwards and extending to the end of the crank
axis and turn freely upon it, a nut keeping them in position, on the tubes of these
eccentric discs the cranks and pedals are also firmly attached, on these eccentric
dises wedge pieces are fitted to move freely upon them and extending to the inside
edge of the barrels in both cases, the eccentric discs and the wedge pieces upon
them are in the barrels and in the same plane one with the other, the wedge piece
has a semicircular edge corresponding with the radius of the barrels rim and is
of such a length that the eccentric disc in it is at about right angles, there is also
a small spiral or other spring, one end of which is fastened to the wedge at the
furthest end from the eccentric disc and the other end to an arm projecting from
the eccentric disc and firmly screwed into its edge.
The action is as follows:-
The cranks do not revolve but are caused to move up and down by the rider,
or kept up by springs and only depressed by the feet. When the crank is raised
from its lowest position the eccentric disc to which it is fixed with the wedge piece
fitted upon it turn in the barrel the small spring keeping the wedge piece in con-
tact with its edge and so slides in the barrel offering very little resistance, the
eccentric disc having a tendency to draw the wedge away, while the spring keeps
it in contact with the barrels edge, and thus the crank in its upward motion turns
independently of the chain wheel and crank axis. When the crank is depressed
the eccentric disc presses upon the wedge picce and causes it to butt against the
edge of the barrel and the whole becomes as though it wore solid, thus turning the
chain wheel and propelling the cycle.
Dated 9th day of December 1896.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Propulsion of Cycles.
I HENRY ARTHUR MORRISS of 16 Grange Road in the Parish of Willesden,
London N.W. Watchmaker & Chronometer Maker. ALFRED, GEORGE GREEN, of
Dic 1

page_text: 11 High Street, in the Parish of Kensington, London W. Corn Merchant. 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 improvements in apparatus for the propulsion of cycles
and the improvements have for their object the provision in conjunction with chain
wheel gears, wheel and pinion gears and the like the more easy propulsion of
cycles, The apparatus consists of two hollow discs or shallow barrels which are
rigidly fixed to and concentric with the crank axis, one on each side of the crank
bracket with their hollow sides outwards and the crank axis projecting through
them two or three inches, on these projecting parts of the axis are fitted in each
barrel eccentric dises with their tubes projecting outwards and extending to the
end of the crank axis and turn freely upon it, each having a nut to keep it in
position, on these tubes of the eccentric discs the cranks and pedals are also firmly
attached, on the eccentric discs wedge pieces are fitted to move freely upon them,
and fit into the hollows of the barrels in each case, the wedge pieces extend from
the centre in a fan shape the outer semicircular edge corresponding with the
inside edge of the barrel which is slightly undercut and the edge of the wedge
beveled at the same angle and is of such a length that when the semicircular edge
rests on the edge of the barrel the eccentric disc at right angles, there is also a
small spiral spring one end of which is fastened to the wedge piece at the farthest
end from the eccentric disc and the other end to an arm projecting
from the eccentric disc and firmly screwed into its edge, The action is as
follows:as represented in accompanying drawings-The cranks C Fig 1 and 2
do not revolve but are caused to move up and down by the rider, being kept in
tension by springs or connected by bevel toothed wheels, in the latter case the
whole mechanism would require to be inverted. When the crank C is raised from
its lowest position the eccentric disc 1 to which it is fixed, with the wedge piece W
fitted upon it turns in the barrel B the small spiral spring S keeping the wedge
piece W in contact with its edge and so slides in the barrel B offering very little
resistance, and thus the crank C in its upward motion turns independently of the
chain wheel and the crank axis A. When the crank C is depressed the eccentric
disc E presses upon the wedge piece W and causes it to butt against the edge of
the barrel B and the whole becomes as though it were solid.
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, Apparatus constructed and operated as described for the propulsion of cycles
by means of reciprocating crank action.
2, In apparatus of the class set forth in combination of chain wheel gears, wheel
and pinion gears, and the like, the eccentric disc, E the wedge piece, W the
barrel B and accessories for producing a locking of the crank in its downward
motion and a free and independent motion upwards substantially as described.
Dated this 8th day of September 1897.
HENRY, ARTHUR, MORRISS
ALFRED G. GREEN.