Improvements in Alarm Bells for Cycles and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 4th June, 1898--Accepted, 9th July, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Alarm Bells for Cycles and the like.
I, PHILIP HENRY JAMES SCRIVENER, of 44, High Street, Kettering, in the
County of Northampton, Jeweller, 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..
This invention relates to a new or improved alarum for cycles and other
vehicles, which alarum will prove particulaily of service to bicyclists who when
traversing a crowded thoroughfare, or when about to turn a busy corner, desire
to signal their approach to pedestrians or the occupants of other vehicles, with
a view to obtain a clear road. With the ordinary alarm bells hitherto fitted to,
and in use upon, bicycles, it is necessary in order to sound a continuous alarm
(so frequently necessary) that the rider remove one hand from the handle of the
machine and continuously press the actuating trigger or lever of the alarm bell
This, more especially in the case of inexpert riders, is a source of danger both
to the rider and the foot passenger, as if not properly warned of the approach
of the bicycle, the foot passenger may inadvertently be the cause of a collision
and both rider and pedestrian receive injury therefrom, or whilst endeavouring
to signal his approach with the hand removed from the steering handle the rider
may lose control of the bicycle and thereby risk a fall or collision and consequent
injury.
By my invention this danger and risk is entirely obviated as by the employ-
ment of a clockwork mechanism in conjunction with an alarm bell or bells, I am
enabled by a slight and momentary touch of the actuating lever or trigger
to maintain a continuous alarum so long as may be necessary. An equally slight
and momentary touch of the lever or trigger stops the alarm when no longer
required.
And in order that this invention may be fully understood, I will describe same
with reference to the accompanying drawings, upon which Fig. 1, is an eleva-
tional view of the alarum constructed in accordance therewith and shewn open so
that the mechanism may be seen Fig. 2, is a plan of the alatum; and Fig. 3,
to a reduced scale, shews the alarum affixed in position to a cycle handle bar
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts wherever occurring.
a 18 a box or casing of metal or other suitable material which may have one
of its sides (say a¹) attachable and detachable, or hinged as shewn in Fig. 1
For attachment to the cycle handle 6 Fig. 3, this box or casing a may be provided
with spring clips c, or other suitable fastenings Upon the top of the casing a
I mount a gong or gongs d which is or are struck by the vibrating hammer or
clapper e when it is desired to sound an alarm. The box or casing a encloses an
ordinary clockwork mechanism actuated by means of a main spring f which is
wound up by means of a key such as g Fig. 2, fitted upon the winding stem
or pin h A suitable aperture h¹ is provided in the face a¹, of the casing a to
permit of the insertion and withdrawal of the key g when required, and a slot i
(see particularly Fig 2) is made in the top of the box or casing a in which
works the stem of the vibrating hammer e. is the actuating lever or trigger

page_text: pivotted at ¹ to the underside of top of casing a, and which when operated causes
the gongs to be sounded The face plate al is suitably slotted at to permit of
the requisite travel of the lever when turned upon its pivot k¹ It will be
obvious however that a slide, push and pull, or other suitable action, may be
substituted for the pivotted lever if preferred.
In operation, the main spring is first wound up and its action is checked by
pressing the lever or its equivalent against the stem e¹ of the vibrating ham-
mer e thereby holding same up (as shown particularly in Fig 1) in such position
that the check pawl m² of the escapement m engages with the toothed wheel n,
and stops the unwinding of the spring f The lower end of stem e¹ is connected
to the arbor o which carries the escapement m. When it 18 desired to sound
an alarm the lever is pressed and takes the position shewn in dotted lines,
Fig. 2, and the vibrating hammer is released and with it the check pawl m
of the escapement, thus freeing the toothed wheel n, which then revolves and
each tooth coming in contact with the end m³, of the escapement m vibrates the
arbor o and with it the hammer e causing the gongs d to be struck and an alarm
sounded, so long as the mechanism is at work It will be readily seen that after
putting the clockwork in action, the rider may devote his whole attention to, and
use both hands for, steering his bicycle. A reverse action of the lever or its
equivalent stops the alarm and the removal of the hand from the handle bar in
either case, need be but momentary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.-
CLAIMS.
1 In alarums for cycles and other vehicles, the combination of sounding bells
with a clockwork mechanism for giving a continued alarm without a continuous
pressure of the hand upon the operating lever or trigger, substantially as here-
inbefore described and shewn
2 The casing a provided with fastening media for attachment to the handle
bar of a bicycle, or other vehicle and containing a clockwork mechanism actuated
by means of a main spring f, in combination with the gongs d, vibrating
hammer e and its stem e¹, and the operating lever or trigger & or its equivalent
all constructed and arranged substantially as herein before described and shewn,
and forming my new or improved alarum for cycles and other vehicles, as set
forth
D-4.1
L 1
T
1000
HUGHES & YOUNG,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, W.C, Agents for Applicant