Improvements in Variable Speed Gear, more especially applicable to Velocipedes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 18th June, 1895.
Complete Specification Left, 18th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 16th May, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Variable Speed Gear, more especially applicable
to Velocipedes.
I, JOHN FREDERICK CHARLES ABELSPIES, of 18, Tyndale Place, Upper
Street, Islington, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates more especially to variable speed gear used in velocipedes
of different kinds, by which, whilst the speed of the pedals driven by the rider
remains approximately the same, the speed of the driving wheel or wheels is varied
as desired, being either reduced and the. power acting upon the wheel being
proportionately increased, as may be advantageous in ascending hills, or the speed
being increased but the power acting upon the wheels being proportionately
reduced, as for instance in descending hills or running on level roads.
Supposing that my invention is to be applied to an ordinary "safety" bicycle,
I use a pedal axle of the usual kind revolving (preferably with the intervention of
friction balls or rollers) in a tubular axle itself revolving (also with the intervention
of friction balls) in a socket or bearing forming part of the frame of the machine.
A chain wheel, round which passes an endless chain operating the driving wheel
in the usual way, is fixed upon one end of this tubular axle between the pedal and
the bearing, and between the other pedal and the other end of the bearing is arranged
my improved gear. Upon the end of the tubular axle is formed or fixed a bevelled
toothed wheel, and upon the pedal axle, adjoining it, is fixed a central boss carrying
one, two, three, or more radial arms, but preferably two, upon the inner ends of
which are fitted bevilled toothed wheels gearing with the toothed wheel first
described, and revolving freely upon the radial arms. To the outer sides of these
last mentioned toothed wheels are attached or formed at sufficient distances apart,
one, two, or more additional bevilled toothed wheels of the same diameter, which
gear respectively with corresponding separate bevilled toothed rings, the angles of
the teeth being properly arranged to suit the different diameters of the toothed
rings. These toothed rings revolve freely in circular grooves or guides formed by
suitably shaped rings attached to radial arms or frames, the central boss of which
fits freely round the pedal axle, inside and adjoining the pedal crank, whilst their
outer ends are firmly and securely attached to suitable brackets or a cylindrical
projection forming part of or attached firmly to the pedal axle bearing or to the
frame of the machine.
upon
.It is evident, therefore, that if the toothed rings are free to revolve in their
guides and the pedal axle is made to revolve, the bevilled toothed wheels the
radial arms, which gear with the toothed wheel upon the tubular axle, are made to
revolve at a speed varying according to whether the tubular axle and the chain
wheel carried by it are at rest, or according to the speed at which they may be
revolving, and they carry the toothed rings freely round with them in the same
direction but at increased speeds varying with the diameter of the toothed
rings.
If the pedal shaft be not revolving, but the tubular axle and chain wheel are
revolving (the machine being in motion) the toothed rings are made to revolve at
different speeds and in the opposite direction to that of the tubular axle.

page_text: If either of the toothed rings be prevented from revolving in its guide, and the
pedal shaft be driven round, then the radial arms will be carried round with the
latter, and the tubular axle and chain wheel will be driven round at an increased
speed, the increase being proportioned to the diameter of the toothed ring which
has been locked as described. The other toothed rings which are not locked, at
the same time revolve freely in their guides.
In order to fix as described either of the toothed rings as may be desired, I make
at the back of each of thein one or more projecting studs, which pass round behin
the guides and in recesses in the outer fixed radial arms which carry the latter, and
in one of these fixed radial arms (preferably the upper vertical one), I fit a spindle
or bar which can be moved up or down by the rider as he may desire by a handle,
and fixed in any desired position. This bar carries a lateral projection, which when
brought into a position corresponding with the path of the projection behind either
of the toothed rings forms a stop and prevents the said ring from moving round.
Under such condition as has been already explained, the tubular axle and chain
wheel are driven by the pedal axle at an increased speed, the ratio of which is
dependent upon the increase of diameter of the toothed ring above that of the
toothed wheel fixed upon the tubular axle.
By moving the bar until its projection arrests the movement of any desired one
of the toothed rings, any desired variation of speed is attained.
In order to prevent any injurious shock from the sudden stoppage of the
revolution of the toothed rings, such stoppage may be effected by friction against
the back of the ring. For instance, a vertical shaft may be used (instead of the
moveable bar carrying a projection, as above described) the shaft being capable of
being turned through a sufficient angle by a handle under the control of the rider,
and upon the shaft three cams or excentrics being carried, one opposite to each
ring. If the shaft be turned so that either cam presses against its corresponding
ring, the revolution of the latter can be gradually stopped without shock. The
handle is retained in the necessary position until it is desired to vary the speed of
the machine, or to interrupt the connection between the pedal shaft and the tubular
shaft and chain wheel.
It is evident that my invention may be applied not only to velocipedes, but to
other machinery or apparatus in which it may be desired that a revolving shaft
should be capable of driving another concentric shaft at variable speeds.
I do not confine myself to the precise details and proportion of the parts of
my improved apparatus, which may be varied more or less as may be found
advisable.
For instance, instead of bevilled toothed wheels, ordinary toothed wheels and
pinions may be used. In this case the loose rings are arranged side by side in a
projection or cylindrical case attached to the bearing or frame, annular guides
(preferably provided with friction balls).being carried by it, and the loose rings
being provided with teeth on their inner circumference, the diameters of which are
different in the different rings. The pedal crank fixed to the axle carries on its
inner side a disc or frame forming an outer revolving cover or end to the fixed
cylindrical frame or projection, and this disc or frame has attached to it rings or
frames revolving in the spaces between the loose rings, and themselves carrying two
or more sets of pins or studs, at different distances from the centre, and having
running loose upon them toothed pinions the outer circumference of which gears
with the several loose rings, whilst their inner circumference gears with a toothed
pinion of sufficient width formed upon or fixed to the tubular axle which carries the
chain wheel.
The pinions between the outer rings and the toothed pinion last described
are of different diameters to suit the different diameters of the teeth in the loose
rings.
Provision is made, of a kind similar to that already described, by which either of
the loose toothed rings may be held fast and prevented from revolving, as may be
desired.

page_text: The action of the apparatus is of a kind similar to that first described, but this
method of arrangement allows more gradual differences of relative speed between
the pedal axle and the driving wheel.
Dated thin 17th da Ր L1005
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Variable Speed Gear, more especially applicable
to Velocipedes.
I, JOHN FREDERICK CHARLES ABELSPIES, of 18, Tyndale Place, Upper
Street, Islington, in the County of Middlesex, 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, and
accompanying drawings, that is to say :-
My invention relates more especially to variable speed gear used in velocipedes
of different kinds, by which, whilst the speed of the pedals driven by the rider
remains approximately the same, the speed of the driving wheel or wheels can be
varied more or less as desired, being either reduced and the power acting upon the
wheel being proportionally increased,- as may be advantageous in ascending hills;
or the speed being increased but the power acting upon the wheels being pro-
portionally reduced, as for instance in descending hills or running on level
roads.
My invention may be applied not only to bicycles and other velocipedes, but also
to locomotive carriages running upon roads, and in other cases where it is desired
to vary the speed of a shaft, driven by another shaft which revolves at an
approximately uniform speed.
The accompanying drawings are in illustration of methods in which my invention
may be applied to an ordinary "safety" bicycle, Figure 1 being a longitudinal
vertical section through the improved apparatus, and Figure
a similar section
through a somewhat modified arrangement. Figure 3 is a front view of Figure 1,
and Figures 4 and 5 are detailed views of the coupling and disengaging gear.
Figures 6 and 7 shew a somewhat modified form of the latter.
a, Figures 1 and 2, is a pedal axle of the usual kind revolving (preferably with
the intervention of friction balls or rollers b, b) in a tubular axle c itself revolving
(also with the intervention of friction balls d, d) in a socket or bearing e forming
part of the frame of the machine. A chain wheel, round which passes an endless
chain (not shewn in the drawing) operating the driving wheel of the machine in the
usual way, is fixed upon one end of this tubular axle e between the pedal g' and the
bearing e, and between the other pedal 9 and the other end of the bearing e is
arranged my improved gear, as follows. Upon the end of the tubular axle c is
formed or fixed a bevelled toothed wheel h, and upon the pedal axle a, adjoining it,
is fixed a central boss i carrying one, two, three, or more radial arms k, but
preferably two, (one only being shewn in the figure), upon the inner end of which
are fitted bevilled toothed wheels 7, gearing with the toothed wheel first described
and having a tubular bearing m revolving freely upon the radial arm k. Upon the
outer part of the tubular bearing m carrying the toothed wheels are attached or
formed at sufficient distances apart, one, two, or more additional bevilled toothed
wheels n, n', n², of the same diameter, which gear respectively with corresponding
separate bevilled toothed rings o, 01, 02, the angles of the teeth being properly
arranged to suit the different diameters of the toothed rings o. y represents a ring
connected by arms to the centre i, and serving to carry the outer ends of the arms k.
(Instead of fixed radial arms k upon which a tubular bearing m revolves, the toothed
wheels I, n, n', n³, may be fixed upon the arms k, the ends of which turn in bearings

page_text: in the boss i and the ring y, respectively.) These toothed rings o, o¹, o³ revolve
freely in circular grooves or guides formed by suitably shaped rings p attached to
radial arms or frames r, the central boss s attached to which fits freely round the
pedal axle a, inside and adjoining the pedal crank g, whilst their outer ends are
firmly and securely attached to suitable brackets or a cylindrical projection t
forming part of or attached firmly to the pedal axle bearing e or to the frame of
the machine.
It is evident, therefore, that if the toothed rings o, o¹, o², are free to revolve in
their guides
and the pedal axle a is made to revolve, the bevilled toothed
wheels 1, n, n', n², upon the radial arms, of which gears with the toothed wheel /
upon the tubular axle c, are made to revolve at a speed varying according to
whether the tubular axle c and the chain wheel f carried by it are at rest, or
according to the speed at which they may be revolving, and they carry the
toothed rings o, 0, 0, freely round with them in the same direction, but at increased
speeds varying with the diameter of the toothed rings.
If the pedal shaft a be not revolving, but the tubular axle c and chain wheel ƒ
are revolving (the machine being in motion) the toothed rings o, o', o², are made to
revolve at different speeds and in the opposite direction to that of the tubular
axle c.
If either of the toothed rings o, o¹, o², be prevented from revolving in its guide,
and the pedal shaft a be driven round, then the radial arms will be carried round
with the latter, and the tubular axle c and chain wheel will be driven round
at an increased speed, the increase being proportioned to the diameter of the toothed
ring o which has been locked as described. The other toothed rings o which are
not locked, at the same time revolve freely in their guides ».
Figure 2 shews an arrangement similar in principle to Figure 1, but having the
moveable rings and guides, on the inner instead of the outer side of the wheels n.
In this arrangement the chain wheel will be driven in the direction opposite to
that in Figure 1. In both arrangements any other suitable number of toothed
wheels n may be used, instead of three as shewn.
In order to fix as described either of the toothed rings o, o', or o², as may be
desired, make at the back of each of them one or more projecting studs u,
(Figures 3, 4, and 5), which pass round behind the guides and in recesses in the
outer fixed radial arms which carry the guides, and in one of these fixed radial
arms (preferably the upper vertical one), I fit a spindle or bar w (Figures 3, 4
and 5) which can be moved up or down by the rider as he may desire by a handle,
and fixed in any desired position. This bar carries a lateral projection, which
when brought into a position corresponding with the path of the projection behind
either of the toothed rings o, o¹, or 02, (o' in Figure 4, and 2 in Figure 5) forms a
stop and prevents the said ring from moving round in its guide. Under such
conditions,-
-as has been already explained, the tubular axle c and chain wheel
are driven by the pedal axle a at an increased speed, the ratio of which is
dependent upon the increase of diameter of the toothed ring o above that of the
toothed wheel fixed upon the tubular axle c.
By moving the bar w radially until its projection ac arrests the movement of any
desired one of the toothed rings o, o¹, or o³, any desired variation of speed is
attained.
In order to prevent any injurious shock from the sudden stoppage of the
revolution of the toothed rings o, by the means just described, such stoppage may
be effected by friction against the back of the ring. For instance, (as illustrated
in Figures 6 and 7), a vertical shaft I may be used (instead of the moveable bar w
carrying a projection a, as above described) the shaft 1 being capable of being
turned through a sufficient angle by a handle 2 under the control of the rider,
whilst upon the shaft 1 three cams or excentrics 3, 4, and 5, are carried, one
opposite to each ring o, the cams being arranged at equal distances apart in plan,
as shewn in Figure 7. If the shaft 1 be turned so that either cam presses against
its corresponding ring. o, the revolution of the latter can be gradually stopped

page_text: without shock. The handle 1 is retained in the necessary position until it is desired
to vary the speed of the machine, or to interrupt the connection between the pedal
shaft and the tubular shaft and chain wheel.
It is evident that my invention may be applied not only to velocipedes, and other
automatic wheel carriages, but to other machinery or apparatus in which it may be
desired that a revolving shaft should be capable of driving another concentric
shaft at variable speeds, the necessary modifications in the details of construction,
of the apparatus being made to suit the purpose to which it is to be applied; and.
I do not confine myself to the precise details and proportion of the parts of my
improved apparatus, which may be varied more or less as may be found advisable..
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. In variable speed gear, the combination of a driving axle, a concentric
separate tubular axle carrying a toothed wheel, one or more radial shafts carrying
at their inner ends, toothed wheels gearing with the said toothed wheel fixed upon.
the separate tubular axle, and also a number of toothed wheels, gearing with
corresponding toothed rings revolving in guides, provision being made for
preventing either of such toothed rings from revolving, whilst leaving the
remainder free, substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of
the accompanying drawings.
2. In combination with the variable speed gear described and claimed in Claim 1,.
the apparatus for preventing as desired the rotation of either of the toothed
rings o, o, o², consisting of a radial sliding bar w provided with a projection *,.
serving as a stop to one or other of the corresponding projections upon the
revolving toothed rings o, o¹, 0%, substantially as described, and illustrated in.
Figures 3, 4, and 5, of the accompanying drawings.
3. In combination with the variable speed gear described and claimed in Claim 1,.
the apparatus for preventing as desired the rotation of either of the toothed
rings o, o¹, o², consisting of a spindle 1 turning in bearings and provided with a.
handle 2, and having cams 3, 4, 5 corresponding respectively with the toothed
rings o, o¹, o, so that the rotation of either ring can be stopped by turning round
the spindle 1 until the corresponding cam presses against its back, substantially as.
described, and illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.
Dated this 18th day of March 1806
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant..