Improvements in Mechanism for Varying the Speed of Machinery.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 19th May, 1895-Accepted. 15th Aug., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanism for Varying the Speed of
Machinery.
I HILAIRE WILLIAM FREDERIC EMILE AUGEREAU of 21 Boulevard
Poissonnière; Paris, in the Republic of France, Merchant, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The improvements in mechanism for varying the speed of machinery forming
the subject of this invention, enables the machine to which it is applied to be
operated at will at any intermediate rate of speed between the initial maximum
and minimum velocities.
The improved speed varying mechanism constructed according to this invention
is based on the application of the following principle:
It is assumed that a toothed wheel is in gear with a pinion and that the spindle
carrying such toothed wheel is supported by an arm which in its turn is revolvably
supported by a spindle or pivot concentric with the said pinion but independent
of the spindle of the same. At a point on the said toothed wheel I will suppose
that a rod is secured which may or may not serve as a spindle for a small wheel or
roller, but which in any case is adapted to slide within a circular groove eccentric
in relation to the spindles and of the arm and pinion respectively. The result of
such an arrangement will be that if the said arm be turned upon its spindle the
wheel which will be taken round by the same movement but the motion of which
is checked to a certain extent by the friction roller travelling within the eccentric
groove will move the pinion along with it and the movement which it will thus
impart to the pinion may vary to an extent proportionate to the greater or less
eccentricity of the said groove, so that such movement may become uniform and
equal in speed to the rotary notion of the arm whenever the centre of the groove
should become concentric with the spindle of the pinion.
Now if there be fixed on to the spindle of the pinion two or more arrangements
similar to that already described taking care to mount upon ratchet wheels
either the pinions or the toothed wheels (in which case one single pinion may be
made to engage with all the ratchet wheels which the mechanism comprises) the
said spindle will through the medium of the ratchet wheels referred to receive the
sum total of the maximum velocities of the several mechanisms jointly operated.
Therefore when the groove becomes concentric to the said spindle the speed
obtained will be equal only to that of the spindle or pivot of the arms.
This speed
will consequently pass through all the intermediate stages from the maximum to the
minimum velocity starting from the path where the groove is most eccentric to the
point where it becomes concentric. It will be understood that this groove may be
curved in any convenient manner according to the nature or extent of the changes
of speed which it is desired to provide for, or instead of a groove a small eccentric
disc might be employed which would have to be fitted with a pivotted lever arm
having its pivot implanted in the wheel. This eccentric would then recede from
or approach as the case may be the centre or axis of the pivot from the position of
maximum eccentricity down to the point of concentricity.
According as the mechanism is caused to be operated either by the arms or by
the pinion, either an increase of the speed of the pinion (in the former case)

page_text: or a reduction of the axial speed of the arm (in the latter case) will be obtained as
a result.
From the foregoing statement of the principle of my invention it will readily
be seen that in proportion as the groove (or its equivalent) is caused to move
farther away from, or nearer to, the centre, by means of a regulator or governor
driven by any suitable motor or source of motive power the improved mechanism
will perform an amount of work proportionate to the amount of power developed
at any given mement by the said motor.
I will now describe how my invention is applied to practical purposes, taking by
way of example the case of a cycle, for instance a bicycle.
In one arrangement the improved mechanism is applied to the driving wheel of
the bicycle the operation being performed by arms (speed increased) (the bicycle
being supposed to be driven by means of a chain): or the improved mechanism
may be applied to the driving wheel of the bicycle, the operation being here
controlled by means of a gear wheel or pinion (speed reduced): or the mechanism
may be applied to the driving wheel of a bicycle wherein the operation is again
controlled by arms (speed increased); but the cycle is here unprovided with a pitch
chain, being driven from the hub direct.
In the first arrangement a case is secured to the bicycle frame enclosing the
whole of the mechanism.
A fixed spindle is employed integral or rigidly connected with the said frame
encased by a hollow shaft connected with the chain-wheel, upon which shaft is
mounted the treble arm serving for the transmission of speed through the toothed
wheels. These toothed wheels are the means of increasing the speed, and they are
connected to counter wheels being ratchet wheels provided with resistance studs
eugaging within the circular groove. A pinion is rigidly connected with the
spindle, which may be the hub of the bicycle wheel, and the teeth of which, which
may consist of rollers, are adapted to engage with the teeth of the aforesaid
toothed wheels.
The resistance studs engage in the circular groove as aforesaid and the position
of which may be altered at will by means of the frame in which it is fitted. A rod
toothed at the top engages with a hand-wheel retained upon the frame by a sleeve
such hand wheel serving to operate the rod and also consequently the frame which
in its turn serves to change the position of the groove as aforesaid; and bent or
arc shaped pieces connected to the groove by rods are adapted to serve as brakes
by pressing upon the lining embedded in a groove provided in the hub of the
bicycle wheel.
The above described mechanism receives motion from the chain-wheel and
transmits it, through the medium of the arms, toothed wheels and pinion to the hub
of the driving wheels. Any displacement of the groove will result in a corresponding
alteration of speed, as has already been stated.
In the second arrangement, the same parts as those above described will be
found to exist, with the only difference that the set of arms is here secured to the
hub and that the gear wheel or pinion is fixed to the hollow shaft aud that the
are shaped brakes are in this case independent of the groove and subjected to
the action of a separate rod. The transmission of motion here takes place by
means of the gear wheel or pinion, the toothed wheels and the arms but the
required changes of speed are, as in the first case, obtained, by the displacement of
the groove.
In the third arrangement wherein the improved mechanism is supposed to be
applied to directly operated chainless bicycles, the series of arms forming part of
the new mechanism, is secured to the treadle shaft whilst the gear wheel or pinion
is secured on to the hub of the wheel.
Motion is here transmitted through the arms, toothed wheels and pinion and
the desired changes of speed are, here again, obtained through the displacement of
the groove.
The machines are provided with other accessory devices, which, however, have

page_text: no direct bearing upon the speed changing mechanism; they need not therefore be
here specified in detail, as they mainly consist of the ordinary means of operation
and control.
Dated this 19th day of August 1895
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
.47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, Loudon, W.C.
Improvements in Mechanism for Varying the Speed of
Machinery.
1, HILAIRE WILLIAM FREDERIC EMILE AUGEREAU of 21 Boulevard
Poissonnière, Paris, in the Republic of France, Merchant, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The improvements in mechanism for varying the speed of machinery forming
the subject of this invention, enables the machine to which it is applied, to be
operated, at will, at any intermediate rate of speed between the initial maximum
and minimum velocities.
The improved speed-varying mechanism, constructed accor ling to this invention,
is based on the application of the following principle, reference being made to the
diagrams X and Y in the accompanying drawings.
It is assumed that a toothed wheel E (Figure X) is in gear with a pinion G and
that the spindle carrying such toothed wheel E is supported by an arm D which in
its turn is revolvably supported by a spindle or pivot C, concentric with the said
pinien G, but independent of the spindle M of the same. At a point on the said
toothed wheel E, 1 will suppose that a rod is secured, which may, or may not,
serve as a spindle for a small wheel or roller, sliding within a circular groove H
eccentric in relation to the spindles C and M of the arın D and pinion G,
respectively. The result of such an arrangement will be that, if the said arm D
be turned upon its spindle C, the wheel E, which will be taken round by the same
movement, but the motion of which is checked to a certain extent by the friction
roller travelling within the eccentric groove H, will give motion to the pinion G
and the movement which it will thus impart to the pinion may vary to an extent
proportionate to the greater or less eccentricity of the said groove H; so that such
movement may become uniform and equal in speed to the rotary motion of the
arm D whenever the centre of the groove H should become concentric with the
spindle C of the pinion G. With this arrangement when the wheel E is in gear
with an externally toothed pinion G there is an increase of speed, and when in gear
with an internally toothed wheel, a diminution of speed.
Now if there be fixed on to the spindle M of the pinion G, two or more arrange-
ments similar to that already described (see Figure Y), taking care to mount the
wheels E upon ratchet wheels, the said spindle M will, through the medium of the
ratchet wheels referred to, receive the maximum velocities of the several
mechanisms jointly operated. Therefore, when the groove H becomes concentric
to the said spindle, the speed obtained will be equal only to that of the spindle or
pivot C of the arins D. This speed will consequently pass through all the inter-
mediate stages from the maximum to the minimum velocity, starting from the path
where the groove is most eccentric to the point where it becomes substantially
concentric. It will be understood that this groove may be curved in any convenient
manner according to the nature or extent of the changes of speed which it is
desired to provide for; or, instead of a groove, a small eccentric disc might be
employed, which would have to be fitted with a pivotted lever arm, having its..
pivot implanted in the wheel. This eccentric would then recede from or approach,

page_text: as the case may be, the centre or axis of the pivot, between the position of maximum
eccentricity and the point of concentricity.
From the foregoing statement of the principle of my invention, it will readily
be seen that, in proportion as the groove H (or its equivalent) is caused to move
farther away from, or nearer to, the centre, by means of a regulator or governor
driven by any suitable motor, or source of motive power, the improved mechanism
will perform an amount of work proportionate to the amount of power developed
at any given moment by the said motor.
I will now describe how my invention is applied to practical purposes, taking, by
way of example, the case of a cycle, for instance, a bicycle.
Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings illustrate the mauner of applying the improved
mechanism to the driving wheel of a bicycle, the operation being performed by
armis (speed increased); Figure 1 being a vertical section, and Figure 2 a front
view of the mechanism (the bicycle being supposed to be driven by means of
chains).
Figure 3 shows in vertical section the manner in which the improved mechanism
may be applied to the driving wheel of a bicycle, the operation being here controlled
by means of a gear wheel or pinion.
And Figure 4 demonstrates in vertical section the application of the mechanism
to the driving wheel of a bicycle wherein the operation is again controlled by
arms D (speed increased); but the bicycle is here unprovided with a pitch-chain,
being driven from the hub direct.
Figures 5 and 6 shew in front view and vertical section respectively a modified
form of mechanism having an internally toothed wheel for giving a diminution of
speed.
Figures 7 and 8 shew other modified forms of mechanism, the one applied to the
pedal shaft and the other to the driving wheel of a velocipede.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, A is a case secured to the bicycle frame, enclosing
the whole of the mechanism.
་
B is a fixed spindle integral or rigidly connected with the said frame. C is a
hollow shaft connected with the chain wheel K, upon which shaft is mounted the
set of three arms D serving for the transmission of motion through the wheels E.
These wheels E are the means of increasing the speed, and they are connected to
ratchet wheels F provided with resistance studs f engaging within a circular
groove H. G is a pinion rigidly connected with the spindle M, which may be the
hub of the bicycle wheel, and the teeth of which, which may consist of rollers,―
are adapted to engage with the teeth of the wheels E. H is the circular groove
wherein as aforesaid the studs f engage, the position of which may be altered at
will by means of the frame I in which it is fitted. O is a rod toothed at the top
engaging with a haud-wheel V retained upon the frame by a sleeve R, the said
hand wheel serving to operate the rod O and also consequently the frame U which,
in its turn, serves to change the position of the groove H; PP are bent or arc-
shaped pieces connected rigidly to the groove H by rods hh adapted to serve as
brakes by pressing upon the lining P¹ embedded in a groove provided in the hub M
of the bicycle wheel.
The machine is provided with other accessory devices, which, however, have no
direct bearing upon the speed changing mechanism; they need not therefore be
here specified in detail as they mainly consist of the ordinary means of operation
and control.
4"
The above described mechanism as shewn in Figures 1 and 2 receives motion
from the chain-wheel K and transmits it, through the medium of the arms D,
wheels E and pinion G,-to the hub M of the driving wheel. Any displacement
of the grove H will result in a corresponding alteration of speed, as has already
been stated.
In the arrangement shewn in Figure 3, the same parts as those above described
will be found to exist, with the only differences that the set of arms D is here
secured to the hub M-and that the gear wheel or pinion G is fixed to the hollow

page_text: shaft C and that the arc-shaped brakes P are in this case independent of the groove
and subjected to the action of a separate rod 01. The transmission of motion here
takes place by means of the wheel G, the wheels E and the arms D; but the
required changes of speed are, as in the first case, obtained by the displacement of
the groove H.
In the arrangement shewn in Figure 4,-wherein the improved mechanism is
supposed to be applied to directly operated chainless bicycles, the series of
arms D, forming part of the new mechanism, is secured to the treadle shaft Q,
whilst the wheel G is secured on to the hub M of the wheel.
Motion is here transmitted through the arms D, wheels E and pinion G, and the
desired changes of speed are, here again, obtained through the displacement of the
groove H.
In the modification shewn in elevation and vertical section in Figures 5 and 6
respectively the three wheels E, only one of which is shewn in the drawings,
engage with the gear wheel or pinion G which is shewn here as internally toothed,
and they are kept in position as in the arrangements already described by a
roller taking in a groove or cain H which, instead of being circular as shewn,
may be of any other shape such as epicycloidal, or sinuous, according to the
modifications or variations in movement, which it is desired to impart to the
wheel.
Under these conditions the pinion G is set in motion but it has a diminution of
speed increasing in proportion as the eccentricity of the groove or cam with the
axis of the pinion also increases.
The pinion G may be firmly connected with the set of arms D carrying the
wheels E by means of any suitable ratchet device so as to prevent the said pinion
from having a speed greater than that of the arms.
In both cases of increase or diminution of speed the roller f is applied with
greater pressure on the groove H according as the resistance of the pinion on the
one hand or the eccentricity of the groove on the other hand be greater. The
roller has a tendency to bring the groove concentric with the pinion.
The movement received by the shaft C provided with the chain wheel, is
transmitted to the driving wheel by the arm or arms D, the wheels E, and the
wheel or pinion G which is fast on the hub M.
In Figure 7 I have shewn in vertical section a modification of the arrangement
shewn in Figures 5 and 6 applied to the pedal-shatt. In this case each arm D is
made fast on the pedal-shaft Q and provided with the pinion E taking into the
internally toothed wheel G and having a roller f engaging in the groove H
supported by the frame U whose position may be changed by means of the rod O.
The movement is transmitted to the wheel G which is fast on the hollow shaft C
carrying the chain wheel K¹.
In Figure 8 I have shewn in vertical section precisely the same arrangement
of parts
but applied directly in this case, to the driving wheel of the velocipede.
In conclusion it may be pointed out that my invention is not confined to the
precise arrangements indicated in the drawings, nor is the invention to be
restricted to the use of any of the accessory parts or devices shewn, which may
vary according to the manifold practical applications for which the improved
mechanism is fitted; the principle thereof being applicable to machinery of every
description, wherever the possibility of changing the speed may be a desideratum.
In the case of velocipedes, for example, the mechanism may be placed at any
desired point on the pedal-shaft, for instance at the centre between the two frame
tubes which may terminate in a fork for this purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. Speed-changing mechanism characterized by the combination of an angularly
movable arm carrying a wheel provided with a pin or pivot or the like which is

page_text: adapted to engage in a groove of circular or other shape formed more or less
eccentric to the axis of the said arm; and of a pinion engaging with the said
wheel supported by the arm, such pinion being mounted upon a spindle or shaft
concentric with the pivot of the arm, such mechanism having for its object
to receive motion from the driving mechanism, to alter the speed of such
motion, and to convey it at such altered speed, to the operating or "rolling
parts of the machine to which the mechanism is applied, substantially as
described.
"
2. Arranging the mechanism as described in Claim in such a manner that a
set of arms serves as a substitute for a single arm, each of such arms being
provided with a toothed wheel, the counterpart of which is a ratchet wheel,
carrying a pin or the like, which engages in a more or less eccentric circular
groove, substantially as described..
3. Arranging the mechanism claimed above in such a manner that it may serve
, as a counterpart to the arrangement referred to in the first claim, the single or
multiple arm being adapted to transmit the motion, after the speed has been
.altered, instead of receiving such motion, substantially as described.
4. The arrangement of the speed changing mechanism, in combination with a
frame (such as U) comprising the circular groove (H) for the purpose of varying
the eccentricity of the said groove the frame being displaced by means of a rod
and a hand wheel, and a regulator or governor or any other operating medium,
substantially as described.
5. The general arrangement and combination of parts, wherein motion is
received by the single or multiple arm (such as D) for the purpose of having its
speed increased, being specially intended for bicycles, substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying
drawings.
6. The general arrangement and combination of parts wherein motion is
received by the wheel (G) for the purpose of having its speed varied, such
arrangement being more particularly adapted for use in connection with bicycles,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figure 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
7. The general arrangement and combination of parts wherein motion is
received by the single or multiple arm (D) in order to have its speed increased;
such arrangement being specially intended for use in connection with bicycles
operated direct from the hub, substantially as herein before described with
reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
8. The combination of speed changing mechanism, with a brake device, which
may or may not be separated from, and independent of the circular groove H,
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3 of
the accompanying drawings.
9. The combination of the speed changing mechanism in which the wheels E
'engage with the internally toothed pinion G and are provided with a ratchet for
connecting them to the arms so that they cannot have a greater movement of
rotation than the said arms the whole being arranged so as to obtain a diminution.
of speed substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 5 to 8
of the accompanying drawings.
D
1000
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.