Improvements in and appertaining to Cycles and Pneumatic Tyred and such like Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 21st Aug., 1897-Accepted, 20th Nov., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION."
Improvements in and appertaining to Cycles and Pneumatic Tyred
and such like Vehicles.
.
I ARTHUR THOMAS ELLIS of No. 5, Upper Sackville Street Dublin, Law
Student do hereby declare tho nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Improvements firstly relating to means for tightening or adjusting chains
Secondly to an improved gearing or back pedalling device. Thirdly to an improved
adjustable ball bearing dovice. Fourthly relates to an improved spring pedal and
lastly to menus for automatically inflating the Pneumatic tyres of cycles or other air
chambers through thereof for intercepting vibration in cycles and other vehicles
whether motor or otherwise. My improvements in chain tightening and adjusting ap-
paratus are as follows:-I have a larger bracket than is usual, screwed or otherwise
secured thereto is a disc having a lug thereto, across the centre of this disc there is
a slot or opening. Pivotally secured to the lug I have another disc or equivalent
with a circular opening, to around or about this circular opening I secure a ball
bearing cup or a bearing case, or the ends of this bearing case may be split and the
split parts turned upward and downward and so shaped as to form lugs or wings,
one of these wings is pivotally attached to the lug of the bracket disc. The cups,
balls, cones and axle lie within the bearing case. Normally the bearing case
lies within the bracket at the part thereof nearest to the driven wheel. For adjust-
ing the chain the bracket disc has to the face of its upper part a number of small
threaded holes. The pivoted disc or upper wing has also one or more holes, a screw
being passed through one of them into one of the holes in the bracket disc effectually
locks both together, when the chain has been adjusted. This arrangement is dupli-
cated at each end of the bracket. Pulling the bearing case along the slot in the
bracket disc will tighten or loosen the chain.
I may attach a brako rod to the pivoted disc or equivalent and by operating
the usual brake lever cause the bearing case to move forward within the bracket or
slotted disc and so tighten the chain and impede the revolution of the driven wheel.
In such case the two discs would not be attached by the small screw, the chain
adjustment being effected by the screwing up of the brake rod.
In a modification I may vary the means of adjusting by having to the bracket or
dise a second lug through which would pass a bolt one end thereof would be cou-
nected with the pivoted disc or equivalent and the other be threaded to take an
adjusting nut.
In cases I may also dispense with the slotted disc and have the lugs in one
with the bracket.
A further improvement consists in a device whereby the pedals can be rotated
in a backward direction and the driven wheel thereby rotated in a forward direc-
tion. To attain such effect I have to the chain side of the machine and behind
the driven wheel pinion a second pinion working on ball bearings on n stud
attached to an extension of the fork ends which may be integral therewith or in
the form of an attachment to such fork ends, the particular form of such attach-

page_text: ment depending more or less upon the particular build of machine. I would pre-
ferably have such attachment V shaped, having a hole or slot for the loose
pinion stud at the ond, a hole or slot towards the centre for attachment to the
driven wheel spindle and holes or equivalents at the broad end to bolt same to clips
or equivalente attached to the fork or stay, or both. The wheel would be driven by
the outside of the chuin pressing agaiust the pinion thereof thereby giving it a
reverse direction to that of the chain and loose pinion the latter being driven by
the inner side of the chain as is usual.
The chain may be adjusted in the usual manner by sliding the loose pinion
axle along the end slot, or by sliding the entire attachment.
My improvements in adjustable ball bearings are as follows. I provide a tubular
collar and to one end have a ball bearing cone which may be integral therewith or
secured thereto, the outer end of this collar is threaded to receive a nut. This
collar with cone slides upon the axle, not turning upon same and to prevent turning
I may have when expedient such collar and axle keyed together but so that the sliding
movement is not interfered with. To the outer eul of the collar I screw a nut. This
nut has a shoulder threaded exteriorly at the end. Over the shoulder I pass a loose
washer, and then a uut to keep the washor in place. The axle is threaded and
takes a nut which bears against the collar. Through a hole in this nut there passes
a screw which takes into a hole in the washer. If the collar be now turned it will
be found to be incapable of lateral movement, being locked by the washer and
screw to the axle nut, but the turning thereof will communicate a lateral or sliding
movement to the cone collar, or I may dispense with the shoulder to the collar mut
and consequent washer and locknut and instead thereof have the collar nut with
small adjusting holes all around into which the screw from the axle nut may take.
In a modification I have the outer ends of the axle of smaller diameter than the
central part so as to form a shoulder, or have a projection or such like means
thereon for the purpose of proventing a loose aut from moving inwardly along
the axle further than such shoulder or equivalent. This nut lies loosely upon the
axle but has its inner side hollowed out and screw threaded to screw on the cone
collar. A lock nut on the axle locks the collar nut against the shoulder and pre-
vents rotating movement. I may also have side holes in both of these nuts and
connect them when adjustment is effected by a screw as above mentioned for the
purpose of more securely locking the cone collar.
The cup I form with an outer collar or flange to the inner end, against this I
place a wnsher to prevent escape of oil, the cup is then laced in the hearing into
which I screw a locking ring which screws up against the washer and cup flange, 1
may also further lock the cup by a piu or screw from the bearing case.
In connection with the hub bearing and the attachment of the pinion I have the
cup locking ring with an outer flango to bear against and lock the pinion and both
may have reverse threads and be connected together by a small screw or screws
passing side ways from one to the other.
As the essential part of this improvement is in the mode of cone adjusting same
may be used in conjunction with any well known means of securing the cups or
chain wheels.
The fourth part of this invention consists of an improved spring pedal frame to
make which I take a flat piece of steel or other suitable material and in the centre
slit it, neross and along, a little from each eud forming two lugs which I bend
downwards. The two end pieces I also slit across bending one semi-circularly
upwards and another downwards both forming a circle at each end through which
the pedal pin or tube is passed. Each side of the end pieces aro extended to form
four wings and these are shaped at the ends to act as hinge pieces, to these the
block or mt-trap plates (which are adapted to hinge on the aforesaid wings), are
attached. The two downward lugs firstly mentioned carry a bar in line with the
tube to this bar is fastened one or more springs preferably of flat spring steel, which
press the hinged blocks or plates at an upwird angle.
In some cases the semi-circular pieces may bo to the contre of the pin and the

page_text: Cownward lugs towards the sides and the semi-circular pieces noed not he in oue
but of two or more pieces bolted or otherwise secured together, or these pieces may
be dispensed with and equivalents such as lugs made in one with the tube used
instead.
My object in this part of my invention is to provide an improved means of
automatically filling pneumatic chambers of cycles and other vehicles with com-
pressed air and in the attainment of such object I attach to the wheel a single or
double air pump with suitable attachments automatically operated by working
against the side of the forks, stays or other non-rotary part of the machine or
attachments thereto. The pump is secured to the wheel or spokes one end being
connected to a valve, the further end or handle being adapted as may be found most
expedient according to the formation of the frame with regard to the wheel but
preferably by having an arm or arms therefrom with a roller end to work against
a non-rotary part of the machine or to engage with a suitably bent arm or arms or
dise attached to the frame or to the wheel spindle, this arm or disc or equivalent
being more or less eccentric to the wheel centre. When the pump is exhausted
reciprocating movement is caused by the travel of the arm around the eccentric
disc or may be co ased by a suitably connected spring. That the pumping action
may cease altogether or partially I may have the disc or equivalent or the pump
head or arm so attached that they may be thrown out of connection or partial
connection.
In a modification I have a double or connected pumps the end or ends attached to
a valve and the head or handle having arms to work against the frame or other-
wise alternately so that while the air is being forced from one pump the other is
receiving air or the reciprocating movement may be caused by a spring.
I secure the pump to the wheel or spokes by suitable clips which I would prefer-
ably have detachable so as to be carried or attached to either wheel.
That a tyre cannot be too fully inflated I may provide it with a pressure valve
which can be closed in case of puncture and I may also provide a pressure valve
attachment adjustable between the end of the pump and the valve on the wheel.
I have a short tubular case having thereto to one side an air escape hole, within
I place a hollow thimble like plug fitting closely therein and closing the escape
hole, over the thimble I have a spring. Through a hole in the centre of the thimble
I pass a short hollow tube which is enlarged at the upper end and hollowed out, it
is screwed within the case and serves to keep the spring in position. Within this
hollow tube I screw a collar, dome shaped at the end and having a hollow through
its centre through which passes a stem with a dome shaped head.
The end of the case is adapted to be screwed on to the usual valve and the head
is adapted to screw on to the pump.
Dated this 19th day of November 1896
ARTHUR THOMAS ELLIS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and appertaining to Cycles and Pneumatic Tyred
and such like Vehicles.
ARTHUR THOMAS ELLIS of No. 5 Upper Sackville Street, Dublin, Law
Student 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 tho
following statement:-
My improvements as referred to in my Provisional Specification firstly relate to
means for tightening or adjusting chains, secondly to an improved gearing or back-

page_text: an improved spring pedal (which I hereby disclaim and alraudon) and lastly to
means for automatically inflating the pneumatic tyres of cycles and other vehicles
whether motor or otherwise, and in order that the tenor of my said improvements
may be fully understood and ascertained reference is made to the accompanying
drawings.
Figures 1 to 5 relates to means of carrying my first improvement, relating to
chain tightening into effect.
Fig. 1, front of slotted disc with lugs "a" and a³ and slott "aa."
Fig. 2, pivotal plate "C" which supports spindle and bearings through central
hole.
Fig. 3, front view showing disc "A" secured to bracket B with pivoted plate "C"
secured thereto.
Fig. 4, section showing bearing in working order.
Fig. 5, pivotal plate "C" with brake rod thereto.
Fig. 1 shows form of slotted disc which may be screwed into the bottom bracket
but which may be locked thereto by a bolt as at 6 Fig. 3, passing through the
lugs a, as this disc has a lug "a" to which the pivotal plate "C" is pivotally
attached by a pin passing through holes "d." The further end of this plate has
nhole or slot "" through which is passed an adjusting pin "f" which takes
into one of the holes "" in the disc "A." The centre of the pivotal plate has a hole h
within which is supported the bearing case or ball cups, preferably the cups as
shown at Fig. 4. The cups to each end of the bearing are connected together by
a tube or bearing case, preferably screwed together as shown at Fig. 4.
To tighten the chain the pin "f" in withdrawn and the plate "C" moved forward
drawing the bearings and spindle with it till the chain is at the required tension.
The pivoted plate and dise are then locked together by re-screwing the pin "f"
therein.
Instead of locking the pivoted plate to the bracket disc I may have the further
end attached to a brake rod as shown at Fig. 5. The brake rod may be in two
parts bolted together, or screwed together as at m Fig. 5, and the further end
attached in any ordinary or well known mammer to the brake lever. To tighten
the chain the brake rod is shortened by screwing up the two parts, thereby drawing
the pivotal plate with the spindle nearer the front. By operating the brake lever
the rod or equivalent is drawn forward thus pulling the pivoted plate, bearings and
chain wheel also forward and abnormally tightening the chain and impeding its
progress.
It will be understood that the slotted disc may be dispensed with and the bracket
so adapted at either end, that the plate "C" may be pivoted and locked thereto.
The above described apparatus would be duplicated, so far as necessary, to each
end of the bracket.
My second improvement consists in a device whereby the pedals can be driven
in a backward direction and thereby rotating the driving wheel in a reverse or for-
ward direction. To attain such effect I have the chain side of the machine formed
with an extension of the fork end preferably as shown at a Fig. 6. The driving
wheel spindle lying within the hole 6'. Within the slotted end of this extension
I secure a stud C on which a pinion wheel d rotates on ball bearings. This stud
and the pinion thereon are secured together and to the fork end in any usual
manner. The chain passes around the front chain wheel as is usual the further end
passing around the stud pinion, the top of the chain engaging with the lower teeth
of the driving wheel pinion as shown at el Figures 6 and 8 thereby giving it a
reverse direction to the front chain wheel.
Or I may have a separate attachment to carry the stud and pinion preferably as
shown by Fig. 7 which I attach to the fork end of machines as at present in use.
I support this attachment on the spindle of the driving wheel which passes through
the hole f' Fig. 7 & 8 into the usual fork slot and is locked thereto by a nut in
usual manner, the upper end g' I bolt to the machine stay h¹ by an ordinary clip j¹

page_text: Fig. 8. Adjustment of the chain may be effected in a usual manner by sliding
the stud and pinion d' along the end slot of the attachment or by sliding the entire
attachment.
By reversing the direction of the fork extension or attachment the stud pinion
may be so carried that the bottom of the chain works against the upper part of
the driving wheel pinion.
My 3rd improvement is in connection with adjustable ball bearings and is
referred to in Figures 9 10 14 inclusive. Fig. 9 shows ball cone D with tubular
collar internally hollowed having thereto the internal projection d³ which forms
a key to work in a slot d formed along the external surface of the spindle as shown
in Fig. 10. The outer end of the collar is screw threaded to receive an adjusting
nut E Fig. 11 which has a shoulder es externally threaded. On the shoulder I
pass a loose washer having one or more pin holes to the side thereof this washer
lying against the nut head-which has one or more threaded pin holes to the fuce
thereof. To prevent the washer from working off the rotating nut shoulder I
screw to the end of the shoulder a small nut e'. On the end of the spindle I have
a lock nut the thread of which may be reverse to the threaded end of the tubular
collar. This lock nut is pinned to the loose washer by a small screw passing
through a side hole therein into one of the holes in the face of the washer and
adjusting nut.
The adjusting nut E cannot move radially as the loose washer keeps it practically
locked to the reversly threaded lock nut F but if it be rotated it will communicate
a sliding movement to the tubular collar and cone thereon.
I may modify the above described arrangement by dispensing with the shoulder
to the rotating nut together with the washer and nut thereof and pin the rotating
nut directly to the lock nut and may also dispense with the lock nut and pin the
rotating nut directly to the crank or equivalent.
In a further modification I also dispense with rotating nut washer and shoulder
nut above mentioned and have in lieu thereof the screw nut G Figs. 12 and 13.
This nut is bored so as to have the outer end g of the hole of smaller diameter
than the inner end g³ thereof and this inner end is screw threaded to screw! onto
the cone end the narrower end lying on the spindle and abutting against a
shoulder Fig. 13, or projection thereon which prevents it from moving along
towards the centre of the spindle. The spindle shoulder may be formed by having
the ends of the spindle for the necessary distance of less diameter than the central
or inner part as shown in Fig. 13. The spindle ends may be reversely threaded
(to the cone end) for the purpose of taking a lock nut F which abutts against and
locks the rotating nut G but I may more effectually lock them against rotation by
having one or more holes thereto into or through which I pass a screw pin.
I may use the above described arrangements for adjusting the bearings in con-
nection with any well known means of securing the cups or chain wheels but that
my intention may be more thoroughly understood and not otherwise I show in
Figs. 11, 13 and 14 means of securing same. The cup H being 'formed with a
flange or shoulder h over which I pass a washer of felt leather or such like
tightening same against the cup by the ring J which is screwed within the outer
bearing case K. The lub pinion L is shown as screwed to the hub and further
locked thereto by a pin passing into a pinhole therein from the flange which
is formed on the outside of the cup locking ring J.
Although I have in Figs 9, 11, 13 & 14 of the drawings shown the cone within
the bearing with the ball race facing outwardly I do not limit myself to such con-
etruction as the race of the cone may face inwardly, thereby necessitating that the
cups should be within the bearing and facing outwardly such construction fairly
coming within the scope of my invention. I may also have the axle projection
adapted by a groove or such like to take a detenting pin from the rotating nut.
It will be understood that I do not confine myself to the details above set forth or
illustrated in annexed drawings but reserve to myself the right to make such

page_text: Between the spokes of the wheel Figs. 15 & 16 I have the pump M securing same
to the hub by the clip N Figs. 15 and 17 and securing the end of the pump by
securing same to the valve O.
To the head or handle m' of the pump I attach a clip which has thereto a pin ma
on the end of which there is a small roller m³. This pin passes between the spokes
outside the wheel and the roller end engages at times against the flange p of the
plate Figs. 15 and 16 thereby forcing the piston end m of the handle within
the pump and pumping air into the tyre. When the roller has passed the point pl
of the plate flange the handle m' and piston are forced outwardly by the releasing
of the spring m which has been compressed during the passage of the roller along
the plate flange.
The plate is shown as clipped to the fork and stay at p and but may be
shaped so as to attach to the fork only.
Instead of having a spring to cause the reciprocating movement I may have the
plate flange or equivalent so shaped eccentrically or otherwise that the roller end
of the head clip with piston may be pulled out as well as pushed forward into the
pump by contact therewith.
I may vary my arrangement by having the heads of two such pumps connected
together such as by clips or such like, the end of each pump being in an opposite
direction to the other, and being worked by the roller attached to the one of them
so that the action of forcing the piston into one pump also withdraws the piston
of the other, or by having a double ended pump with double ended piston with cen-
tral handle, such pumps or pump having à valve at each end or tubular connection
from one end to convey the air to the other end.
So that a continuous pumping action may not be kept up while the machine is
in motion I may have the roller wheel pin hinged to the clip so that it may be
turned aside so as to be clear of the plate flange or I may have the plate with an
arm or arms thereto which slide within the clip by which they are secured to the
fork or other part of the machine or I may have the plato hinged to such an arm
or arms.
I may also provide the end of the pump with a pressure valve, the further end
of which would be screwed to the tyre valve, the plug of which would be removed
so that the air would pass freely therethrough from the pressure valve. Such a
valve is shown at O Fig. 18. I provide a tubular case O having at the end the
shoulder 0 screw threaded internally, to one side of the case a little over the
shoulder I have an air escape hole 03 within the case and resting over the shoulder.
I have a loosely fitting thimble like case 03 having a small central hole 0 and
resting upon this a spring 0. Into the outer case 0 I screw a hollow plug 06

page_text: the end O' of which passes into the thimble hole O' this plug serving to keep the
spring in position. Within this hollow plug I screw a hollow collar having a
dome shaped end 0 lying within this dome I have the head 10 of a closure piece
the stem O" of which lies loosely within the hollow of the collar Os the slank ()
whereof is externally screw threaded. When using this valve I first take the plug
or equivalent out of the usual tyre valve leaving only the outer case secured to
the rim. To this case I screw the shoulder O of the pressure valve and screw
the further end thereof, the shank (18, to the pump. On the pump piston being
operated air is forced from the pump through the hollow shank and collar (5, the
pressure thereof forcing the closure head 10 sufliciently inwardly to allow the air to
pass beyond it into the case (and thus into the tyre. When the pump is at rest
the pressure of air from the tyre keeps the closure head 10 pressed against the
dome 0 preventing escape of air. Should the pressure of air in the tyre be suffi-
ciently strong it forces the loose case 0 against the spring 05 compressing it so
that the case is moved past the escape hole 0. When a sufficient quantity of air
has escaped the spring forces the case into its normal position thereby closing the
escape hole.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The improvements referred to in the first part of my invention being means
of tightening and adjusting chains of cycles and such like vehicles, particularly as
illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, or described in the herein before men-
tioned writings or in a substantially similar mauner.
2. In a cycle or such like vehicle the meaus hereinbefore referred to or described,
and set forth in Figures 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings, for rotating the driving wheel
in a forward direction by the backward rotation of the pedals, or in a substantially
similar manner.
3. The improvements referred to in the third part of my invention whereby the
cone is caused to slide along the axle by the rotation of a nut outside of the bearing
case, which nut is locked against radial movement by a detent on the axle.
4. In a cycle or such like vehicle the improvements in adjustable ball bearings
substantially as referred to in the herein before mentioned writings and as particu-
larly illustrated in Figures 9 to 14 of the drawings.
5. The improvements in meaus of attaching an ordinary or detachable pump to
the wheel of a pneumatic tyred vehicle whereby air is forced into the tyre while
the wheel is being rotated substantially as referred to in the hereinbefore mentioned
writings.
6. Clipping a detachable, or adjustably attaching, to a vehicle wheel an ordinary
air pump whereby while such a wheel is in motion air is forced by such a pump
into the air chamber of such a wheel.
7. The improvements referred to in the fifth part of my invention and in the
above mentioned writings for automatically inflating air chambers of wheels, more
particularly as set forth in Figures 15 to 18 of the drawings or substantially similar
thereto.
Dated this 10th Aust 1807
ARTHUR THOMAS ELLIS,
Applicant.