Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Velocipedes and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 29th Jan., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Velocipedes and the like.
I, KARL EDLER VON RUEBER, Doctor, of 12, Pstrossgasse, Prague, Austria,
Councillor of Police, 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:
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This invention relates to a new driving mechanism for velocipedes and the like,
which differs from such mechanism as is used at present, by the treading move-
ment being upward and downward and therefore better suited to the human body
than the usual mechanism in which the foot has to describe a circular movement.
In order that this invention may be the better understood, I now proceed to
describe the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the
letters and figures marked thereon.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the new mechanism.
Figure 2 is a plan thereof.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 show details.
An axle crests in a ball bearing a of the frame A of the velocipede. To the
axle is wedged a treadle crank e, secured by a screw d, and an arm fat right
angles to the treadle c. A second treadle crank h is also situated on the axle c in
a ball bearing and carries a short arm i bent at a right angle. Two draw
bars 1m, made of several parts and connected by joints k, are pivotted to the
levers f.i.
A cog wheel o is supported in a second ball bearing n of the frame A. The
axle p of the cog wheel o carries an arm q which is connected by means of a pin r
with the other end of the draw bar 1. On the inner side of the cog wheel o is
situated a pin s to which is pivotted the other end of the draw bar m.
The cog wheel o transmits its motion to the driving wheel t; Figures 3 and 4,
which is keyed to the axle u of the rear wheel v.
The driving wheel t (shown in Figure 3 in elevation and in Figure 4 in section
on the line, Figure 3) consists of two discs having holes near the peri-
phery, which correspond to one another, and which are formed as supports for ball
bearings in which revolve round bars y on balls =. In order to prevent the balls >
from falling out, the discs are provided with covers B B'.
The action of this driving mechanism is as follows:
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The upward and downward motion produced by treading on the pedals of the
cranks eh is transmitted to the arms f and i which transmit this motion by means
of the draw bars and m to the arm q, and the pins of the cog wheel, causing the
rotation of the latter. The teeth of the cog wheel engage with the round pins y
ot the driving wheel thus causing the rotation of the rear wheel.
In consequence of the peculiar construction of the driving wheel t, and as all
bearings are formed as ball bearings, friction is considerably decreased and easy
movement of the velocipede is ensured, and by reason of the easy treading move-

page_text: ment required from the rider, the latter is less tired than by ordinary constructions
of driving mechanism.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is: —
1st. A driving mechanism for velocipedes consisting of an axle e running in a
ball bearing a and carrying a rigidly fixed treading crank ƒ and a treading crank h
revolving loosely around the axle the crank h having an angular arm jointed
draw bars m pivotted to the angular arms fi on the one hand and the crank
lever and a più s of a cog wheel on the other hand so as to transmit the treading
motion from the treadle cranks to the cog wheel o and driving wheel fixed to the
rear wheel axle, to drive the rear wheel, substantially as described.
2nd. In driving mechanism for velocipedes as claimed in Claim 1, a driving
wheel, consisting of two discs we wel, having holes or recesses near the circumference,
which correspond with one another and which serve as supports for ball bearings
in which revolve round pins y, the discs being provided with covers BB', sub-
stantially as described.
FELL & JAMES,
Agents for the Applicant.