Driving Mechanism for Velocipedes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Jan., 1891-Accepted, 7th Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Driving Mechanism for Velocipedes.
CAMPBELL WILLIAM FERGUSON Farmer High Street Cromarty Scotland,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
:-
The mechanism consists of a rack a having two sets of teeth either as shewn in
drawing, or bevelled. One set on the upper the other on the lower side, but to the
right and left of one another, so that the space directly above and below each set is
clear.
.
Two pinions b. b either with teeth on their faces at right angles to their diameter
as shewn in drawing or bevelled, in gear with the rack a and revolving loosely on
the axle e.
These pinions have clutches or catches fitting with clutches or catches
on the two round blocks c. c. These blocks c. e have key beds fitting on keys on
the axle e on which they can move longitudinally, but while revolving carry
the axle round with them.
Two springs d. d fitted on the axle e press c. c against b. b. and while the rack a
proceeds in one direction it compels the pinions to cause the blocks c c to revolve
and with them the axle e but while going in the opposite direction the pinions slip
past the blocks c c.
The arms gg
f is a lever having two arms 9 y resting on the round bar k.
are attached by two bars h h to the levers ii which latter are fixed on the round
bar j.
By pressing alternately on the levers i in forward, and backward motion is
given to the rack a which produces a continual forward circulating motion in the
axle e
CLAIMS.
I claim the invention of the form of the rack, and the entire principle of the
mechanism, comprising the arrangement of the rack, pinions, blocks, levers and
springs as shewn in the drawing accompanying this document, and as explained in
CAMPBELL WILLIAM FERGUSON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Driving Mechanism for Velocipedes.
CAMPBELL WILLIAM FERGUSON Farmer High Street Cromarty Scotland
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:-
The mechanism consists of a rack, a, with two sets of teeth either as shewn in
drawing or bevelled preferably the latter, one set on the upper, the other on the
lower part but to right and left of one another so that the spaces above the lower
set and below the upper set are clear. This part of the mechanism may be so far
modified that the upper part of the rack may be omitted, in which case two of the
lower racks (with their parts, f,, g', g' in one piece or rigidly fixed together) will
be required.
Two pinions, b, b, as shewn in drawing (one partially) or bevelled preferably the
latter in gear with the racks a, and revolving loosly on the axle e. These two pinions
have each attached to them, a pawl or detent, and spring, together marked d, which
TD 81

page_text: are applied to the teeth of the ratchet wheels c, c, which ratchet wheels c, c, are
situated one on each of the outer sides of the pinions b. b. The ratchet wheels are
fixed immovably on the axle e. In place of the ratchet wheels, with their pawls
and springs d, any ordinary ratchet and pawl device, with internal, crown, or other
teeth may be used.
i
Two levers, part of, or firmly attached to the rack a, having two arms y¹,¸Ø²,
resting on the round bolt . The arms ',, are attached by two rods or chains,
having forked ends to the levers i, i, which levers, are fixed by the bolt j. k is a
part to which may be attached the piston or connecting rod of any steam, gas, or
other engine by which the rack may be operated.
The
But the
When instead of the upper rack, (or set of teeth) two lower racks are used with
their parts,g, these parts will remain the same, and be attached in the same
way as shewn in drawing, regarding these racks with their parts as right and left.
The right arm g² will be attached to the right lever by the rod or chain h.
left similar arm will be attached in the same way to the left lever i.
right will be attached in a suitable way by its connection to the left lever ", while
the left similar arm will be connected to the right lever. The outer ends of the
levers, i, can have any suitable form to afford a place for the feet of the
driver.
The mode of action of the mechanism shewn in drawing is as follows. On one
of the levers i, being pressed down, the rack is set in motion together with the
pinions. The pawl d, on one of the pinions takes into the teeth of its ratchet wheel
and the axle e. carrying the velocipede wheels or pinions for chains is made to
revolve. During the descent of the first lever i, the other rises. The other lever
is then pressed down, and the same effects are produced as by the first, while the
first pawl referred to slips past its ratchet wheel. When two lower racks are used,
as previously described like effects are produced.
The best size and proportion of parts have not been determined nor the best
position of the arms, but the position of all the parts in the drawing and the
following dimensions will make the invention sufficiently clear. Racks segments of
circles, upper of 26", lower 18" diameter. Pinions 4" diameter. Levers f, 1, 9" long.
Arms g', 33, 3, 4" from 1. to connections. Connections, 4", h², 6". "Levers,,
20" long.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I déclare that what I
claim is
1. The invention of the mechanism shewn in drawing, and described in the fore-
going Specification, that is the combined arrangement of racks, levers, arms, and
connections.
2. The position and points of fixture of these parts and their mode of operating
the racks.
3. Especially the arrangement and points of fixture of the arms g', g², with
their connections h¹, 2, and the levers i, i fixed at j.
4. The application of the mechanism to the driving of velocipedes.
CAMPBELL WILLIAM FERGUSON.