Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Velocipedes.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 17th Dec., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Velocipedes.
I, GIACINTO FRASCARA, of Piazza della Pilotta, Rome, 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:
My invention has for its object improvements in velocipedes whereby the
velocipede may be driven by hand as well as by the feet, either in conjunction
with one another or independently of each other.
And in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and
carried into practical effect I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings upon
which:
-
Fig. 1 is a side view of a bicycle provided with my improved hand and foot
driving gear.
Fig. 2 is a front view of a bicycle showing the gear for working by hand.
Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 show details on an enlarged scale.
The handle bar (B) is cranked as seen in Fig. 2 and is so mounted as to
revolve or rotate in ball bearings (A) (see Fig. 3) and these bearings are so made
that the action of the handle rotating does not interfere with the steering rod (P)
which is preferably straight but may be suitably curved when so desired.
Upon the handle bar (B) I mount a toothed or chain wheel (D) which is geared
with a smaller toothed wheel (d) upon the axle of the front or driving wheel (H).
In cases when the rider does not wish to use this hand drive I have provided a
friction clutch (E) (see Figs. 4 and 5) which may be connected to act in con-
junction with either the wheels (D) or (d), this dis-connecting mechanism or
friction clutch (E) supposing it is attached with wheel (d), acts as follows:
The hub or collar (S) which is connected to the shaft of the steering gear is
provided with two or more cavities (Q) having a cuneiform shape (Figs. 4 and 5)
wherein are located the small cylinders or rollers (R), so that when the wheel (d)
rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow (F) it is loose on the hub (S) and
the driving chain out of gear, but when the wheel (d) rotates in the opposite
lirection the small cylinders or rollers (R) are forced towards the narrowest
art of the cuneiform cavities and the hub (S) and wheel (d) are locked together
and the driving chain is in gear. This disconnecting mechanism or friction
lutch (E) may be applied when desired to either the chain wheel (K) or (M)
f the ordinary gear which is worked by the feet by means of pedals (P).
To keep the hand driving chain (C) from interfering with the steering rod (P)
provide a pinion (Z) (see Figs. 6 and 7) mounted in a U shaped bracket (U)
ecured to the steering pillar, the chain (C) passing over this pinion (Z) between
he arms of the bracket (U).
It will thus be seen that the rider can when required drive the bicycle either
ith the hand and foot driving gear in conjunction with one another or inde-
endently.

page_text: Having thus 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 Driving gear for velocipedes consisting of a chain wheel mounted upon
the handle bar and geared with the front wheel of a velocipede and which gear
is worked by hand in addition to the ordinary driving gear of velocipedes sub-
stantially as and for the purposes herein set forth and illustrated on the accom-
panying drawings.
2: In connection with the driving gear of velocipedes, the connecting and dis-
connecting mechanism substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of October 1898.
GIACINTO FRASCARA,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.