Improvements in Driving Gear for Cycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 7th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 19th June, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Driving Gear for Cycles.
I, WILHELM HAMMACHER, of Via Montebello 25, Milan, Italy, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in driving gear for cycles and has for its
object to supplement the power derived from the pedal axle by the employment of
manually driven gear, while at the same time the steering of the machine may be
rendered easy and effective.
In carrying my invention into effect as applied to a safety bicycle, I provide a
frame of the usual construction and immediately below the under-extremity of the
head socket of the frame, upon the steering bar or spindle, I provide a double bevel
wheel having a row of teeth on each of the oblique faces thereof. This double bevel
wheel is freely mounted in ball bearings and is capable of rotation independently.
of the front steering bar or spindle upon which it is mounted. This double bevel
wheel is utilised for communicating motion derived from the reciprocating action
of the handle bars, suitably provided for this purpose, through the intermediate
means of a lateral bevel wheel in gear with one of the rows of teeth of the double
bevel wheel, such lateral wheel being suitably provided upon a transversely disposed
spindle mounted upon the steering bar or fork, and having motion communicated
thereto at each extremity thereof, a crank being provided at each end and receiving
motion from lateral connecting rods the opposite ends of which are suitably secured
to the handle bar.
The other row of teeth of the double bevel wheel gears with a small bevel pinion
secured at the extremity of an obliquely disposed spindle mounted from the oblique
member of the frame the opposite end of which spindle has another pinion secured
thereto and in gear with a bevel wheel mounted upon the driving pedal axle of the
machine, so that on the rotation of the double bevel wheel by the reciprocating action
of the handle bars, motion is communicated to the obliquely disposed spindle which in
turn augments the velocity of rotation of the driving axle.
For the purpose of conveniently applying reciprocating motion from the handle
bars to the spindle carrying the lateral bevel wheel, I provide an extended frame
upon the steering bar or head of the machine immediately in front thereof, such
extended frame carrying a spindle at the extremities of which are secured two
handle bars in a proper convenient position upon either side of the main line of the
machine; the action of the handle bars in relation to the pedal cranks being
sympathetic and corresponding thereto.
I may provide for the driving of the cycle from the front wheel by suitably
mounting a chain-wheel upon the axle thereof, and also upon the spindle mounted
immediately above, an endless chain being provided thereupon, so that motion to the
front wheel may be derived from the ordinary pedal axle as also from such spindle
driven from the handle bars of the machine..
I may provide my double bevel wheel in two parts so that one part may be
disengaged when it is not required for the supplementary gear to be in operation,
and I may provide any suitable clutch arrangement for rapidly disengaging or
engaging the one part with the other.
Dated this 7th day of July 180s.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.

page_text: Improvements in Driving Gear for Cycles.
I, WILHELM HAMMACHER, of Via Montebello 25, Milan, Italy, Engineer, 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 certain improvements in the means for propelling cycles.
Heretofore, in propelling cycles, the combination of hand and foot power has not
produced satisfactory results for the reason that the steering of the cycle by the
combination of the two powers is rendered less effective. The objects of this
invention is to furnish, a cycle in which the propulsion is accomplished by hand
and foot-power without impairing the easy steering of the cycle; and the invention
consists in the propelling device for cycles to be hereinafter and finally ascertained in
the claims.
In the accompanying drawings-
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a bicycle, made in accordance with my
invention.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same,
Figure 3 is a plan of the front part,
Figure 4 is a detail vertical transverse section of the double bevel gear wheel on
the front fork, and the connections of the same with the adjacent parts.
Figure 5 is a plan view of the lower half of the doublé bevel wheel.
Figure 6 is, a vertical transverse section; showing a modified form of the motion
transmitting double bevel gear wheel on the front fork, in which the wheel is shown
of one piece.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of the clutch mechanism used in connection with the
double bevel gear wheel.
Figure 8 is a plan view of Figure 7, partly in section.
Figure 9 is a sectional view, showing the stop mechanism.
Figure 10 is the stop pin of the same.
Figure 11 is a plan view of the shaft A.
Figure 12 is a plan view of a modified form of bevel gear wheel H.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Referring to the drawings a a' are the handle bars which turn on a horizontal
shaft A. This shaft is supported in journal bearings at the upper ends of two
inclined braces bb and also in bearings of the upper end of the horizontal stop rod c,
as shown in Figure 3. On the front fork is arranged at the left hand side a bevel
gear wheel d which is keyed to a shaft D journaled in the fork and which is
operated by a connecting rode that is hinged at its upper end to one of the handle
bars a and connected at its lower end with a crank pin on the bevel gear wheel d
which bevel wheel is set in rotary motion by the raising or lowering of the handle
At the opposite end of the shaft D is applied a crank which is shown in
Figures 2, 3, 4 and,6, and which is arranged at an angle of 120° to the crank pin e
on the bevel gear wheel d. The crank is connected by a connecting rod e with the
second handle bar a as shown in Figure 3.
bar a.
For transmitting the rotary motion of the bevel gear wheel d to the sprocket
wheel on the rear axle, from the spindle of the front fork, without impairing the
steering capacity of the cycles a bevel gear wheel H is arranged as shown in
Figures 1, 2 and 3, on the steering tube so that it can freely turn around the
same. This bevel gear wheel H can either be made solid in one piece and provided
with two series of teeth arranged at suitable angles of inclination to each other, as
shown in Figure 6, 'ór it can be made of two sections h h' as shown in Figures 4 and 7,
which are locked together by a suitable clutch mechanism and which forms the main
novel feature of my invention. The geometrical centre of the bevel gear wheel H is

page_text: located in line with the axis of the tube of the front fork of the bicycle. When:
the bevel gear wheel H is made of two sections h h an inverted cone is screwed
upon the tube 1 of the front fork, as shown in Figure 4, and provided in its upper
surface with an annular groove, in which anti-friction balls that serve for the support
of the upper half of the double bevel gear wheel, are supported, while on the upper
side of the bevel gear wheel a collar i is secured to the tube l and furnishes a groove.
on its under surface which forms a ball bearing for the upper surface of the upper
part h of the double bevel wheel.
The lower section of the double bevel-gear wheel H rests on a clutch ring q
between which and the lower section 'h is arranged a third series of anti-friction balls.
By the clutch ring 9 of the lower section h of the double bevel-gear wheel H can be
interlocked with the upper section h or removed from the same, so that the parts are
either placed in or out of gear, whereby the power of the arms of the rider can be
either transmitted or not, as required.
The double bevel gear wheel H being arranged loosely on the tube of the front fork.
has a perfectly smooth and easy motion owing to the arrangement of the anti-friction,
balls between the different parts and permits the unimpeded turning of the front tube
and its fork. Instead of the clutch ring 9 a supporting collar q is used in the
modification shown in Figure 6. The double gear wheel H serves to transmit the
power exerted by the arins of the rider on the handle bars a a from the front part 'to.
the rear part of the bicycle, inasmuch as the lower section of said double bevel gear"
wheel gears with the bevel gear wheel d and the upper section gears with, the iteeth
of a small pinion m. which is arranged at the upper end of a tubular or other shaft m
that turns in bearings carried by the frame F and which carries at the lower end a.
pinion n, which gears with a bevel gear wheel n' on the sprocket wheel o of the pedal
crank shaft.
By the arrangement described the power of the arms, as well as the power of the
legs is transmitted to the sprocket wheel o from which both powers are transmitted by
the usual sprocket chain and sprocket wheel to the rear wheel.
'gear-
For permitting and facilitating the use of the hand power, the double bevel g
wheel H is, as before stated, preferably divided into two parts h.. These two parts
are respectively provided at their circumference with teeth and are coupled by means
of three projections r, which are arranged on the lower section and which engage
three. corresponding recesses in the adjacent surface of the upper section has shown
in Figures 4 and 5. The projections r as well as the recesses with which they engage,
are made of triangular cross section at the points of contact with each other.
When the clutch ring 9 is lowered, the section 4 is compelled, by means of "the"
angular connecting pins h to follow this motion whereby the projections r are removed
from the corresponding recesses in the upper section h, so that the upper section of
the double bevel gear wheel remains stationary even when the lower section"
continues rotary motion. The lower section is annularly grooved at its interior™
so that the pins h which project thereinto will permit the rotation of said section!
For avoiding any unnecessary motion when the hand power is not to be used a stop
device is provided which is only called into action when the two handle bars are on a
level with each other. For this purpose the bevel gear wheel d is provided with a
hole d' at its rear side, which is engaged by one end of a stop pin y as shown in
Figures 8 9 and 10 as soon as the clutch ring g is lowered, so that not only a further
rotary motion of the double bevel gear wheel, but also the oscillating motion of the
handle bars connected therewith for imparting a propelling motion to the bicycle is '
prevented.
"
The motion of the clutch ring 9 and the motion of the stop pin y connected"
therewith is accomplished by the lever rods which is connected at t rigidly with 'the
horizontal fork u. In the ends u' u² of the fork u is suspended a clutch ring 9 so that"
the same can move in upward and downward direction and also in a lateral direction
being guided by the bevel teeth of the wheel d. The fork u of the clutch ring is
supported on a vertical pivot pin w located on a rock shaft v which turns by its pivot
pins in bearings of the inclined braces bb as shown clearly in Figure 8.
"

page_text: The lower section of the bevel wheel H is not entirely withdrawn in downward
direction so that it is possible to return the lower section when it is to be coupled
with the upper section h, to the former position towards the bevel wheel d, as well as
towards the upper section h occupied before the uncoupling or in other words, the
position of the handle bars remains in the same harmonic relation to the cranks before
and after the coupling and uncoupling of the sections h h of the double bevel-gear
wheel H.
At the lower end of the rod s is arranged a rock arm s' which is connected with the
angle lever that turns on a fixed pivot ³. The angle lever x has an enlargement
or boss which engages a recess of the stop bolt y so as to compel such bolt to follow
its motion. When the lower section h' of the double bevel gear wheel H is. uncoupled
the upward motion of the rod s produces the motion of the lower end of the latter, so
that the arm s' is rocked so that the angle lover a is moved in the forward direction,
whereby the engagement of the stop pin y in the hole d' effected as soon as the one is
brought into coincidence with the other. The stop pin is actuated by means of a
helical spring, as shown in Figure 9, the tension of which operates normally to press
the lower section h' of the bevel wheel H against the upper section h.
Figure 12 illustrate a modification in which the double bevel gear wheel H is
replaced by a ring which instead of two series of teeth has provided a series of small
cylinders or rollers z. In the intermediate spaces the teeth of the wheels m and d
engage respectively from above and below as illustrated.
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.) In propelling mechanism for cycles, the combination with pivotted handle bars,
of a double bevel gear wheel located on the front fork a gear wheel gearing with one
series of bevel teeth thereof means for connecting said latter gear wheel with the
handle bars to effect rotation thereof a shaft provided with a bevel pinion gearing with
the other series of teeth of the double bevel gear wheel, and means for transmitting
motion from the said shaft to the driving wheel substantially as set forth.
(2.) In propelling mechanism for cycles, the combination with pivotted handle
bars of a double bevel gear wheel located on the front fork a gear wheel gearing
with one series of bevel teeth thereof and driven directly from the handle bars, a
pinion gearing with the second series of teeth of the double bevel gear wheel and
mounted on a shaft journaled in bearings on the main frame a bevel gear wheel
on the rear end of said shaft, and a bevel gear wheel on the pedal shaft substantially
as set forth.
(3.) In propelling mechanism for cycles the combination with double bevel gear
wheel consisting of two suitably mounted and independent sections each having a
series of bevel teeth, mechanism for rotating the wheel from the handle bars, and
means for transmitting motion from the double wheel to the driving wheel of the
cycle, a clutch mechanism for coupling or uncoupling the two sections of the
double bevel gear wheel substantially as set forth.
(4.) In propelling mechanism for cycles, the combination with a double bevel
gear wheel consisting of two independent interlocking sections mounted on the
front fork, mechanism for rotating said double wheel from the handle bars, and
means for transmitting motion from the double wheel to the driving wheel of the
cycle, of a clutch ring for withdrawing the lower section from the upper section
of the double bevel gear wheel, and a rod connected with the clutch ring and
extending upward towards the handle bars, substantially as set forth.
(5.) In propelling mechanism for cycles, the combination with a double bevel
gear wheel formed of two independent toothed sections adapted to be coupled.
mechanism for rotating said double wheel from the handle bars, and means for
transmitting motion from the double wheel to the driving wheel of the cycle of a
hand operated rod, means for connecting the same with the lower section of the

page_text: double wheel and a stop pin operated by said rod, and adapted to lock on
disconnection of hand operating gear substantially as set forth.
(6.) Propelling mechanism for cycles substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
1
11007
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.