Improvements in Gear Cases for Cycles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 3rd May, 1894-Accepted, 23rd June, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gear Cases for Cycles.
I, WILLIAM BRANSOM of 261 Upper Street, Islington, London, Cycling
Accessories Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an improved, case to enclose the chains of cycles,
protecting them from dust and wet, and has for its object to provide an article of
this description which can be more easily fitted in position and detached than those
commonly in use.
A well known form of case is one formed by a light framing of chanelled iron
encircling the chain, and chain wheels, over which is fitted a leather cover laced
along the ends and lower edge. To put this in position holes have to be cut for the
spindles and the leather slit down to the bottom edge and laced, the leather
allowing for only a very small variation in the distance between the chain wheels.
My gear case is on a somewhat similar plan, using preferably prepared cloth in place of
leather, the improved system of lacing constituting my invention. The case is slit
centrally along the front or outer side, and for a short distance at each end, the cuts
being all horizontal. The slits at the end are preferably furnished with studs of
the well known kind used in boots, by which they are laced, the front slit having
eyelet holes of the usual description.
-
The frame is fixed to the frame of the machine by means of clamps and crossbars,
the clamps being formed by a loop with screwed ends passing through the crossbars,
and having nuts on the ends gripping the rod to which the case is to be attached.
With this arrangement a hole can be cut at each end for the spindles to pass through
without requiring any special adjustment; the slits at the end when opened allow the
case to be slipped over the spindle. This case can thus be more rapidly and easily
fixed than the ordinary leather case and does not require to be specially made
according to the size of machine.
Dated this 3rd day of August 1893,
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gear Cases for Cycles.
I, WILLIAM BRANSOM of 261, Upper Street, Islington, London, Cycling
Accessories 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 :-
This invention relates to an improved case to enclose the chain of cycles,
protecting them from dust and wet, and has for its object to provide an article of
this description which can be more easily fitted in position and detached than those
commonly in use.
A well known form of case is one consisting of a light framing of channelled iron

page_text: encircling the chain, and chain wheels, over which is fitted a leather cover laced
along the ends and lower edge. To put this in position holes have to be cut
for the spindle, and the leather slit down to the bottom edge and laced, the leather
allowing for only a very small variation in the distance between the chain wheels.
My gear case is on a somewhat similar plan, using preferably prepared cloth in
place of leather, the improved system of lacing constituting my invention. The
cloth is japanned textile material of any suitable kind, including oiled and japanned
silks and the like. The case is slit centrally along the front or outer side, and for
a short distance at each end, the cuts being all horizontal.
The frame is fixed to the back stay of the machine by means of clamps and
crossbars. With this arrangement a simple hole can be cut at each end for the
spindles to pass through without requiring any special adjustment. The slits at
the ends when opened allow the case to be slipped over the spindle. This case
can thus be more rapidly and easily fixed than the ordinary leather case, and does
not require to be specially made according to the size of machine.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete gear
case, Fig. 2 is a similar view the light metal frame with the cover removed, Fig. 3
is a cross section, Figs. 4, 5 & 6 are detail views of the end showing a special
method of fastening the ends of the cover, Fig. 7 shows one form of clamp and
Figs. 8 & 9 a modification for attaching the case to the machine.
A is the light metal frame of channel form in cross section, made as usual with
the detachable end a which slides into sockets when the case is fitted on the cycle.
This frame is fitted to the back stay or tube of the cycle frame by the clamps B,
one near the back and the other at the front. As shown in Figs. 2 and 7 the clamps
are formed from two cross pieces, each with a halt loop b at its end, so that the
tube can be held in the clamp formed by the two cross strips, screws b¹ serving to
bind them firmly together.
The modified form of clamp shown in Figs. 8 & 9 can be adapted to various
diameters of tubes, the clamp being formed of two pieces C, C¹ on the cross bar B'.
The block C is formed with two channels or recesses c, one at each side, one being
larger than the other. This block can be reversed so that the tube can lie in
either of the recesses, the larger one serving for tubes of large diameter.
loop C' is tapped and the screws b' fix the parts together and on the tube.
The
The cover D, preferably of prepared cloth, as above described opens at the front,
the slit d extending from end to end, and sufficiently far around the back to allow
of it being slipped over the crank and rear wheel spindles. The slit along the front
is provided with suitable holes for lacing. Instead of lacing the ends a special
means is provided for fastening to obviate the necessity for lacing at the back, thus
reducing the trouble of fixing. Small socket pieces d' are stitched on each side of
the slits, and a split fork E is employed, which when the top and bottom portions
of the case are brought together can be slipped into the sockets.
The ends may,
of course, be laced as well as the front if desired.
To fit the cover on, a round hole only requires to be cut at the rear end, through
the front and back allowing the back spindle to pass. The bottom part of the
cover is folded flat, and passed down between the wheel and frame of the gear case,
then drawn over the frame. This gear case can be fitted to any machine without
removing any part of the latter.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1.) A gear case for cycles consisting of a light metal frame clamped to the
frame of the machine, and a cover slit horizontally along the front and ends at
about the middle and fastened by lacing, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.

page_text: (2.) The improved gear case constructed and fitted substantially in the manner
described and shown in the accompanying drawings, and for the purposes.
specified.
1804
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.