Improved Driving Mechanism for Cycles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Aug., 1898-Accepted, 12th Nov., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Driving Mechanism for Cycles.
I, CARL GLUTH, of No. 269A, Barmbecker Strasse, Hamburg, in the German
Empire, Manufacturer, 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 present invention relates to an improved driving mechanism for cycles
devised with the object of replacing the application of the usual sprocket wheels
and chains, by utilizing lazy-tongs which are preferably arranged in horizontal
plane on both sides of the machine, so as to be worked to and fro by bell-crank
levers or the like for the purpose of rotating bevelled gears communicating the
motion to the axle of the rear wheel. The aforesaid wheels engage with the teeth
of a crown wheel placed horizontally above the same, so that the driving movement
of each lazy-tong or bevelled gear is transported to the other, causing the same
to rotate backward out of contact with the axle till by the pressure of the foot upon
the lever, its movement is reversed.
The application of the new driving device permits a stronger and a more
advantageous construction of the cycle-frame than is possible with the constructions
now in use.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which the same letters of reference
indicate like parts in all views.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the new apparatus.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the rear part of the cycle.
The improved driving device consists of two lazy-tongs 6, one on each side of the
frame. 5 indicates a pivot, by means of which the lazy tongs are connected to the
front part of the frame, whilst the rear part of the lazy tongs are provided with
chains which pass over and are fastened to bevelled gears arranged on the axle
and which can rotate freely upon the same in one direction only. On the outer
surfaces of the said wheels small levers 9 are attached swinging loosely upon a pin.
These levers each engage with the teeth of ratchet wheels, rigidly connected to
the rear axle of the wheel. The bevel wheels 8, 81, gear with a crown wheel 11
rotatably arranged on a vertical pin of the axle 12.
Rectangular levers 2 pivoted to the frame at 3 are connected to the lazy-tongs at 4
with their vertical arms, whereas their other horizontal arms are provided with
pedals 1.
The operation of the new device is as follows:-
Levers 2, are rotated to and fro by the rider of the wheel which actions cause the
lazy-tongs 6, to be intermittently extended and contracted. These movements of
the lazy-tongs cause the bevelled-gears 8, 81, to be partly rotated, say for instance
the wheel 8 makes a forward movement driving the cycle onward, it will be obvious
that the bevelled wheel 81 will be rotated backward according to the reverse move-
ment of the lazy-tong on that side by the gear 11 which engages with the teeth
of the wheel 8. Still the backward movement of 8' has no effect upon the axle 12
as the pawl on that side is out of contact with the teeth of the ratchet wheel. After
the bevelled gear 8 has completed the forward movement i.e., when the movement

page_text: of the lazy-tong 6 is reversed it will be obvious that the movement of the other lazy-
tong is also reversed, rotating the bevelled gear 81 in the opposite direction and
bringing the corresponding pawl in contact with the ratchet wheel, so that the same
is rotated forward by wheel S', while the wheel 11 drives the wheel 8 backward
out of contact with its ratchet wheel. Although my improved driving
mechanism is especially adapted for use in the construction of tricycles it is not
limited thereto, but with suitable modifications may be employed in other forms of
cycles; nor am I limited to frames of any particular shape so long as they are
adapted in form and material to be employed with my present invention.
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 a driving mechanism for cycles especially tricycles the arrangement of lazy-
tongs on both sides of the same each pivoted to the front part of the frame and
connected with chains or the like passing over and fastened to bevelled gears
loosely rotatable on the rear axle for the purpose of being partly and simultaneously
rotated by the forward and backward movement of said lazy-tongs driven by the
rider by means of bell-crank levers pressed by the foot, substantially as described
and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a driving mechanism for cycles especially tricycles the arrangement of
bevelled gears rotatable upon the rear axle, and worked by chains or the like
connected to lazy-tongs, which gears carry small levers engaging with the teeth of
ratchet wheels rigidly attached to the rear axle when the gears are rotated in a
certain direction, but come out of contact when their movement is reversed for the
purpose that when one bevelled gear is driving the cycle forward the other rotates
backwards without interfering with the movement of the axle substantially as
described and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a driving mechanism the arrangement of a bevelled gear rotating on a
vertical pin attached to the rear axle between and meshing with the teeth of two
bevelled gears driven by chains or the like fastened to lazy-tongs for the purpose of
driving one bevelled gear reversely out of contact with the axle when the other is
driving the cycle forward, i.e., is in contact with the axle by its lever engaging with
the teeth of the ratchet wheel, substantially as described, and for the purpose
set forth.
4. In a driving mechanism the combination with lazy-tongs pivoted on both
sides of a cycle, driven by bell-crank-levers- connected to chains or equivalents of
bevelled gears simultaneously driven by said lazy-tongs and chains running partly
over the periphery of the same, a crown wheel rotating on a vertical pin of the
axle, and engaging with the teeth of the bevelled gears, ratchet wheels rigidly
connected to the axle and driven forward by the levers of the bevelled gears
engaging with the teeth of the same, substantially as described and for the purpose
Bet forth.
Dated the 2nd day of August 1898.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.