IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES, TRICYCLES, AND VELOCIPEDES, IN PART APPLICABLE TO OTHER MACHINERY
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James William Golding at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st January 1882.
JAMES WILLIAM GOLDING of 14 Bonchurch Road, Kensington, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLES, TRICYCLES,
AND VELOCIPEDES, IN PART APPLICABLE TO OTHER MACHINERY."
The first part of this Invention relates to certain " gripping actions," by which
the driving wheels of bicycles, tricycles, & other machinery, can be locked fast,
or thrown out of gear, or can automatically overrun their axles whenever
necessary.
In applying these various arrangements to velocipedes, one method is to make
the hub or hubs of the driving wheel, or wheels, (which run free on their axles)
cylindrical in shape so as to form a box or recess. On the inner face of such
recess, sockets are formed so as to hold or support detachable automatic catches or
clutches, which latter are so shaped & arranged, that upon the axle, or a disc or
other suitable plate attached thereto being turned by the action of the pedals or
other driving gear, they (the catches), become firmly wedged between the plate
& the hub, thus locking the wheel & causing it to drive.
Again the hub may be tubular as before and to the axle may be keyed or
otherwise attached a curvelincar, oval, or other suitably shaped plate, around
which are held in one of the methods mentioned below, two or more discs,
cylinders, or segmental plates, so placed that immediately the axle is turned by
means of the pedals or other driving gear, the axle plate before mentioned forces,
the discs or wedging pieces against the hub, and the wheel thus being held fast,"
drives. This class of action admits of both forward & backward pedalling.
Again, the hub may be tubular as before, and to the axle may be attached a
toothed wheel. Around this latter, are held. (by rivets or otherwise), one or more
correspondingly toothed catches so arranged that immediately pressure is put upon
the pedals the toothed wheel in question forces the catches against the hub, &
thus locks the wheel, which accordingly drives. This arrangement will also permit
of forward & backward pedalling.
Altho' sockets are mentioned as holding the catches or wedging pieces, they are
not absolutely necessary, as the actions may be so modified that the catches may

page_text: be loose, or may be held in position by rivets, pivots, screws, springs, or other
suitable appliances. Moreover, the sockets may be formed on the outer edge or on
the side faces of the plate attached to the axle, instead of to the inner side of the
hub or hub-box, & the curvelinear faces before mentioned, may be formed on
the inner side of the hub-box, instead of the plate attached to the axle. In any
case the result is the same, viz: the locking fast of the wheel upon the requisite
action being applied to the crank, or whatever method is employed for driving.
In applying any of the foregoing arrangements or their modifications, the hub-
box or recess, the plate attached to the axle & the catches or wedging pieces
may have smooth faces, or to facilitate their becoming wedged or locked, some or
all of them may be roughened, milled, serrated, undulated, toothed, grooved, curved
or similarly dealt with.
Again, the hub of the wheel may have a flange or drum attached to it, round
which is held by a short arm or otherwise, a metal or other band, which so long
as there is no pressure upon it remains slack. Immediately, however, pressure is
brought to bear upon the band, (through the agency of the treadles or other
driving gear), it draws tightly round the drum, firmly gripping it, and thus the
wheel drives.
The foregoing actions may be applied to or fitted in recesses formed in or attached
to the hubs of one, or more, of the driving wheels, or they may be attached to the
crank, or other suitable parts.
Although these "gripping" or "locking" arrangements are applicable to veloci-
pedes generally, in applying them to tricyles, I employ a special form of framework.
I place the steering wheel in front and support it by a front arm springing from
the middle of the machine, & running between the legs of the rider, the object
being to decrease the amount of framework, & at the same time permit of a single
and central set of driving gear being used, which being midway between the
driving wheels, distributes the power equally to both of them. Moreover, this
arrangement combines simplicity with lightness & strength, & permits of bicycle
treadles being used. On machines that are required to be geared for either speed
or power, I attach to the axle, (or the crank),. two, (or more) moveable toothed
wheels or druins of different sizes, & hold them in position by screws, bolts, levers,
or some similar contrivance. When speed is required, I connect the "speed
wheel with the crank, (thro' the medium of the chain, band, or other method
employed for driving), and when power is required, the "speed" wheel is ungeared
and the "power" wheel connected in its stead.
"
The second part of this Invention relates to an improved driving band applicable
to velocipedes & other machinery. It consists of a pliablo metal band, to which
is attached a covering of leather, indiarubber, or other suitable substance that will
stand wear.
It is intended to work on wood, metal, or other faces.