Improved Driving Mechanism for Cycles and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 15th May, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Driving Mechanism for Cycles and the like.
I, JAMES WELSH, of King Street, Newcastle, in the Colony of New South Wales,
Grocer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention for "Improved driving
mechanism for cycles and the like," 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 driving mechanism for cycles and the like by means of
which the motion of the driving spindle is transmitted to the driving wheel or
wheels in an easy and sure manner without the interposition of a pitch or other
chain or of bevel toothed wheels. Though specially suitable for what are known
as "safety" bicycles yet these improvements are applicable to multicycles and such
kinds of velocipedes and to power driven cycles and the like.
This improved driving mechanism for cycles and the like consist essentially of
frusto-helical or screw wheels on the driving spindle and the axle of the driving
wheel respectively and other frusto-helical or screw wheels (gearing with the first
mentioned) on either end of a longitudinally set spindle in bearings conveniently and
preferably adjustably affixed to the cycle frame. And this invention consists further
in the particular combinations and arrangements. of mechanical parts hereinafter
described and specifically claimed.
But in order that this invention may be clearly understood reference will now
be made to the drawing herewith. Figure 1 is a side elevation of a "safety" or rear
driving wheel bicycle to which this invention is applied. The other figures are details
thereof on a larger scale Figure 2 being a plan of the driving spindle end of the
driving mechanism and Figure 5 a similar view of driving axle end of the same both
showing such portions of the bicycle frame as are necessary to illustrate one method
of affixing the mechanism thereto. Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the
driving spindle end of the mechanism showing the bearing of the longitudinally set
spindle of the intermediate frusto-helical or screw wheels hereinafter termed the
gear" spindle and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the gear spindle bearing attach-
ment to the frame. Figure 6 is a vertical section of the junction of the back fork
and side stays of the bicycle showing the bearing of the driving axle and the gear
spindle bearing attachment thereto.
"
As illustrated the bicycle is constructed as ordinarily with a "diamond" frame a
front steering wheel and a rear driving wheel. The pedal or driving spindle a is
in hearings at the junction of the front stay and side stays c and at this junction
which has brazed thereto an angle piece or strap B (or which may be forged solid
or otherwise for the purpose) is adjustably affixed one bearing C (preferably a ball
bearing as shown in Figure 3) of the gear spindle A. At the junction of the back fork d
and the side stays c forged solid as shown (or having brazed thereto an angle piece
or strap for the purpose) is adjustably affixed the other bearing D (preferably also
a ball bearing) of said gear spindle A. In the angle piece or strap B are slots B¹
through which passes the screwed end or tang C₁ of bearing Chaving thereon
nuts CC and the middle one for strengthening the strap B and stiffening the
tang C and the other two for holding and jambing said tang C¹ and the bearing C in
the desired adjusted position. The slots B₁ allow of adjustment to regulate the "bite"
of the frusto-helical or screw wheels and also allow within limits for the use of
different sizes of said wheels. The bearing D has a screw end or tang D' which
passes through slot D' in the junction piece DX and is fastened to said piece in the
[Pine Rd1

page_text: desired adjusted position by jamb nuts D³. The slot D' serves exactly similar purpose
to the slots B' hereinbefore mentioned. The bearings C and D are both preferably
constructed alike, and in describing the former (shown in Figure 3) the latter will
be understood. The spindle A is screwed preferably in reverse direction to its
go-a-head revolution and the balls C set in race-ways against which they are adjusted
by the cone the other cone C' serving as a stop and adjuster for the position of
the frusto-helical or screw wheel as hereinafter mentioned.
The pedal or driving spindle has keyed or otherwise firmly affixed thereon the
frusto-helical or screw wheel E while similarly fixed upon the driving axle (or axle
of the rear wheel) is a like frusto-helical or screw wheel H. Frusto-helical or screw
wheels or pinions F and G are adjusted on the screw ends of gear spindle A by
screwing thereon as against cone C (Figure 3) and taking as well as with key or
feather G on a flat on said spindle and being further jambed by nuts G' and F.
It will be seen that the position and bite of the wheels or pinions F and G on the
wheels and H may be varied and accurately adjusted by the fastenings on the tangs
or screw ends of the bearings hereinbefore described. And further if desired the
same devices will allow within limits of the use of smaller or larger screw wheels or
pinions as F and G on the gear spindle at either end or of larger or smaller screw
wheels as E and H on the driving spindle and driving axle respectively so that with
a set of change screw wheels or pinions the cycle might be "geared" as it is termed
to different sizes of driving wheels. These screw wheels, may, when desired, have
their faces reversed and so prolong their life after one set of contact parts have worn
out. It will be seen that the mechanism being fixed in order, as hereinbefore
described, the power exerted in revolving the pedal or driving spindle is transmitted
to the driving axle by the frusto-helical or screw wheels and so propels the velocipede
or cycle or the like.
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. Improved driving mechanism for cycles and the like consisting of two sets of
frusto-helical or screw wheels one of which is upon the driving spindle and one on
the axle of the driving wheel and of two such wheels one on each end of a
longitudinally arranged gear spindle affixed to the frame substantially as herein
described.
2. In a cycle or the like the combination and arrangement with a driving spindle
having a frusto-helical or screw wheel E thereon and a driving axle having a similar
frusto-helical cr screw wheel H thereon of a gear spindle A in bearings C and D
adjustably fixed to the frame of the cycle and frusto-helical or screw pinions or
wheels and G on the gear spindle A substantially as herein described and as
illustrated in the drawings.
3. In a cycle or the liko the combination and arrangement with the driving
mechanism as set out in the preceding second claim f the bearings C and D having
screw ends or tangs C and D and slots B' and 12 in the frame or in pieces B and D
on or forming part of said frame substantially as herein described and as illustrated in
the drawings.
Dated this 16th day of February 1897
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.