An Improved Gear Case for Velocipedes and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th July, 1896
Complete Specification Left. 30th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 19th June, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Gear Case for Velocipedes and the like.
I, TIMOTHY SHEPHERD, of Kenilworth, Oakfield Road, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:--
My invention relates to gear cases for velocipedes and the like.
By my invention I provide a segmental gear case which is capable of being
attached to, or detached from, the machine without interfering with the main body
or part thereof. My improved gear case, moreover, is applicable to any shape or
size of back stay without any alterations to the case being rendered necessary, and
it is longitudinally adjustable and can he applied to machines wherein the distance
between the crank axle centre and that of the back axle varies considerably.
I provide, likewise, an attachment clip that will suit all kinds of back stays of
velocipedes no matter to what extent the angles at which they may be placed
relatively to the frame may vary.
According to my said invention I construct a case of two separated metallic or other
tubular chain-ways or runs, connected at one end by a metal or other box or casing
to receive the crank chain or sprocket wheel and which is fitted at one side with a
lever lid suitably pierced to receive the crank axle and having one or two slides to
facilitate its removal. This chain or sprocket wheel box with the tubular'chain-
ways, attached thereto form the main part of the case, and the back stays of the
velocipede will pass between the said separated chain runs or ways in an oblique
direction when the case is fixed in position. At the point where the case, or an
adjustable slide fitted therein, would come into contact with the back stay of the
velocipede I may provide a suitable slot and so attach leather or other flexible
material by fixing its edges in a frame, or grooves, or by rivetting, or in any other
suitable manner, that it will give readily to the varying shapes and sizes of the said
stays whilst forming a dust-tight joint.
In order to admit of longitudinal adjustment of the gear-case I provide an
adjustable slide which reaches from the back to the front of the case, and has two
holes or slots for the reception of the back axle. On the back of this slide l'attach
or form two projecting lips, flanges, or telescopic pieces so shaped and arranged as
to fit into the open ends of the tubular chain-ways already mentioned. These
projecting lips or flanges are of sufficient length to allow for longitudinal adjustment
of the slide for adaptation of the gear case to varying centres. To enclose the
second chain or sprocket wheel, and complete the case I provide a half circular
metal or other cap, with flanges to fit into the chain ways and so arranged as to
come flush with the above described adjustable slide. This cap may be fixed to
the case by thumb screws or in any other convenient manner. I sometimes provide
additional slides on the outside of this half circular cap to follow and compensate
for the movement of the principal adjustable slide.
To form an attachment or clip capable of being applied to a back stay at any
angle I provide two arms of suitable length pivotally connected to the chain ruus
and coupled or connected at their free ends by a half circular or other clip-piece
intended to receive the back stay of the velocipede. In this bracket or crosspiece
I form two holes for the reception of two screwed wires or studs, upon which I place

page_text: another half circular clip-piece which can be clamped or fixed by means of nuts on
the said studs so as to firmly grip the said back stay. Instead of the above described
screwed studs and second clip-piece I may employ a single U-shaped piece of wire
screwed at each end and so arranged that its ends can be passed through holes in
the bracket or crosspiece and tightened by means of nuts.
At that part where sufficient room between the chain runs can be obtained
I form a simple adjusting clip by fixing to the case two arms each carrying a
projecting screwed wire or stud. Upon each of these studs I first place a nut and
then the perforated ends of two half circular or other suitably shaped clip pieces, a
second nut being next placed upon each of the studs so as to force the said clip
pieces together. It will be seen that by screwing the first-mentioned nuts along
the studs suitable lateral adjustment of the clip can be obtained.
Dated this 14th day of July 1896.
A. F. SPOONER,
124 Chancery Lane, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
I, TIMOTHY SHEPHERD, of Kenilworth, Oakfield Road, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, 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 relates to gear cases for velocipedes and the like.
By my invention I provide a gear case which is capable of being attached to, or
detached from, the machine without interfering with the main body or part thereof.
My improved gear case, moreover, is applicable to any shape or size of back stay
without any alterations to the case being rendered necessary, and it is longitudinally
adjustable and can be applied to machines wherein the distance between the crank
axle centre and that of the back axle varies considerably. I provide, likewise, an
attachment clip that will suit all kinds of back stays of velocipedes no matter to
what extent the angles at which they may be placed relatively to the frame
may vary.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figure 1 is a view showing one side of a gear case constructed according to my
said invention.
Figure 2 is a view showing the other side thereof, and
Figure 3 is a portion of Figure 1 with the end cover or cap and sliding plates or
pieces removed.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing.
According to my said invention I construct my improved gear case of two
separated metallic or other tubular chain-ways or runs a, a', connected at one end
by a metal or other box or casing a² to receive the crank chain or sprocket wheel.
The box or casing a² is pierced or perforated at one side as indicated at a³, and
recessed as indicated at 6 and is fitted at the other side with a lever lid 6 provided
with an elongated hole or perforation as indicated in dotted lines at ', to receive
the crank axle, sliding plates 2 being also provided to form a dust tight joint and
to facilitate its removal. This chain or sprocket wheel box a² with the tubular
chain ways a, a¹ attached thereto form the main part of the case, and the back
stays of the velocipede will pass between the said separated chain runs or ways in
. an oblique direction when the case is fixed in position. At the point where the
case, or an adjustable slide fitted therein, would come into contact with the back

page_text: stay of the velocipede I may provide a suitable slot and so attach leather or other
flexible material by fixing its edges in a frame, or grooves, or by rivetting, or in
any other suitable manner, that it will give readily to the varying shapes and sizes
of the said stays whilst forming a dust-tight joint. In some cases I may form
radial cuts in the said leather or other material at the elge of the hole for the stay
so as to facilitate the insertion of the latter.
In order to admit of longitudinal adjustment of the gear-case I provide an
adjustable slide c which reaches from the back to the front of the case, and has two
holes or slots c, c for the reception of the back axle. On the back of this slide
I attach or form two projecting lips, flanges, or telescopic pieces so shape and
arranged as to slide upon the inner sides of the open ends of the tubular chain
ways a, a for a sufficient length to allow for longitudinal adjustment of the said
slide: for adaptation of the gear case to varying centres.
To enclose the second chain. or sprocket wheels, an'l complete the case I provide
a half circular metal or other cap or end piece d arranged to fit upon the ends of,
and to come flush with, the above described chain ways a, a'. The cap d may be
fixed to the case by thumb screws e, e or in any other convenient manner. I also
provide an additional slide f on the outside of one side of the half circular cap d,
and a corresponding slide upon the ends of the tubular chain ways a, a', which slides
are so cut away or perforated that when abutting they will leave a circular hole or
aperture, and moreover, will admit of following and compensating for the movement
of the principal adjusting slide.
To form an attachment or clip capable of being applied to a back stay I provide
two brackets or cross pieces g of suitable length fixed to the chain runs and so
bent or curved as to receive the said back stay, which latter is clamped or clipped
thereto by half circular or other clip-pieces gl secured to the said brackets or cross
pieces g by screws so as to firmly grip the said back stay.
Instead of the above described second clip-pieces g' and clamping screws h, I may
employ single U-shaped pieces of wire screwed at each end and so arranged. that
their ends can be passed through holes in the brackets or crosspiece g and tightened
by means of nuts.
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. An improved gear case comprising two tubular chain ways or runs connected
at one end by a box or casing having a suitable lever lid, and at the other by a
removable half circular cap or end piece, and having an end wise or laterally
adjustable main slide piece arranged to slide upon and between the said tubular
ways or runs and having suitable holes or perforations with or without an
edging of leather or other flexible material, and slides or plates, substantially as
specified.
2. The improved gear case constructed substantially as described with reference
to the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 20th 1...
A. F. SPOONER,
323, High Holborn, London, Agent for the Applicant.