Improvements in or relating to Cycle Driving Gear and Brake Mechanism.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Cycle Driving Gear and Brake
Mechanism.
I, ARTHUR CUTHBERT, temporarily residing at the Hotel du Pavillon, Cannes,
in the Republic of France, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to cycle driving gear and brake mechanism and has for
its object to enable the cycle to be provided with a "free wheel," that is to say
to enable the rotation of the pedals to be stopped while the machine continues
running. This invention also provides for a brake which is operated by back
pedalling action.
According to this invention a ring provided with a flange and conveniently
formed conical is mounted rigidly upon the exterior of the sprocket end of the
hub of the driving wheel. Opposite this flanged ring and fixed upon the axle
is arranged another ring similarly provided with a flange. Enclosing these two
rings is a cylindrical casing upon the exterior of which are formed the teeth of
the sprocket wheel, while upon the interior are formed a series of slots arranged
helically. In each slot is carried a roller so arranged that its axis is at right
angles to the axis of the driving wheel. These rollers are of sufficient length
to project inwardly in a radial manner from the slots in the cylindrical casing,
the inner ends of the rollers lying in the annular groove formed between the
flanges of the fixed and revolving rings above mentioned. On the end of the
cylindrical casing nearest to the hub is formed an inwardly directed flange which
lies on the inside of the flanged ring mounted on the end of the hub.
innermost end or face of the cylindrical casing is formed a braking surface
adapted under certain conditions to be brought in contact with a second braking
surface formed upon the hub, one or other or both of these surfaces being pre-
ferably faced with leather rubber or other similar material. The operation of
the device is as follows:
At the
Upon forward rotation of the pedals the cylindrical casing forming the sprocket
wheel is rotated, the rollers by this movement being at first left behind, the
effect of this is to cause the casing to move slightly outwards in an axial direction.
This movement ceases as soon as the inside flange comes in contact with the
flanged ring upon the hub when the latter will be jammed between the rollers
in their inclined slots and the flange on the cylindrical casing, this arrangement
forming an effective clutch which will cause the rotation of the pedals to operate
the driving wheel. Upon stopping the movement of the pedals the clutch is
thrown out of action and upon reversing the pedal movement the rollers move
along the inclined slots in the cylindrical casing until they come in contact with
the flange on the fixed ring, when the casing is moved axially inwards until its
brake surface comes in contact with the brake surface on the hub.
If desired the fixed flanged ring may be so mounted that it cannot rotate, but

page_text: can be moved axially by the movement of the cylindrical casing on back
pedalling, this movement being utilized through suitable links and
rods, to operate other forms of brake such as a rim tyre or road brake.
In order to obtain increased power the brake may be constructed to operate
upon both sides of the hub. For this purpose a similar brake surface is formed
upon the opposite side of the hub and facing it is arranged a fixed brake ring
carried upon the axle of the machine. In this construction the cones
of the bearing are mounted upon a sleeve which can slide freely in an axial
direction upon the axle but is constantly pressed towards the sprocket side by
spring action. Upon operating the brake by back pedalling in the above described
manner, the whole hub is moved axially so that the brake surface upon the side
opposite to the sprocket is brought in contact with the fixed brake ring, the
brake surface upon the cylindrical casing forming the sprocket wheel being at
the same time brought into contact with the corresponding brake surface upon
the hub.
Another method of arranging the brake so that it will operate upon both ends
of the hub is to form the axle hollow and arrange a rod within it which will be
pulled upon by the reversing action of the cylindrical casing, the rod being con-
nected to the flanged ring which in the first described arrangement was men-
tioned as being fixed upon the axle; the opposite end of the rod carries a brake
ring which can be brought against the brake surface on the hub.
In yet another construction the brake surfaces on either side of the hub are so
mounted that they can travel axially while being compelled to rotate with the
hub. These brake surfaces are also connected together by rods or pillars pass-
ing between the spokes of the wheel, these rods being spring-controlled so as to
constantly force the brake surfaces axially towards the sprocket wheel brake
surfaces. It will be seen that with the cylindrical casing carrying the sprocket
wheel and the clutch mechanism arranged as first above described; upon back
pedalling, the brake surface on the cylindrical casing will be brought in contact
with the corresponding brake surface on the hub, this contact causing the latter
to move axially and consequently the brake surface on the opposite side of the
hub to also move axially until it is brought in contact with the fixed brake ring.
It is to be understood that the details of this invention may be varied in
accordance with requirements and to meet the varying constructions of hub,
wheel or cycle to which the apparatus may be applied.
Dated this 16th day of December 1898.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Cycle Driving Gear and Brake
Mechanism.
I. ARTHUR CUTHBERT, temporarily residing at the Hotel du Pavillon, Cannes,
in the Republic of France, Gentleman, 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 cycle driving gear and brake mechanism and has for
its object to enable the cycle to be provided with a "free wheel," that is to say
to enable the rotation of the pedals to be stopped while the machine continues
running. This invention also provides for a brake which is operated by back
pedalling action.

page_text: According to this invention a ring provided with a flange and conveniently
formed conical is mounted rigidly upon the exterior of the sprocket end of the
hub of the driving wheel. Opposite this flanged ring and fixed upon the axle
is arranged another ring similarly provided with a flange. Enclosing these two
rings is a cylindrical casing upon the exterior of which are formed the teeth of
the sprocket wheel, while upon the interior are formed a series of slots arranged
helically. In each slot is carried a roller so arranged that its axis is at right
angles to the axis of the driving wheel. These rollers are of sufficient length
to project inwardly in a radial manner from the slots in the cylindrical casing,
the inner ends of the rollers lying in the annular groove formed between the
flanges of the fixed and revolving rings above mentioned. On the end of the
cylindrical casing nearest to the hub is formed an inwardly directed flange which
lies on the inside of the flanged ring mounted on the end of the hub. At the
innermost end or face of the cylindrical casing is formed a braking surface
adapted under certain conditions to be brought in contact with a second braking
surface formed upon the hub one or other or both of these surfaces being pre-
ferably faced with leather rubber or other similar material. The operation of
the device is as follows:-
Upon forward rotation of the pedals the cylindrical casing forming the sprocket
wheel is rotated, the rollers by this movement being at first left behind, the
effect of this is to cause the casing to move slightly outwards in an axial direction.
This movement ceases as soon as the inside flange comes in contact with the
flanged ring upon the hub when the latter will be jammed between the rollers
in their inclined slots and the flange on the cylindrical casing, this arrangement
forming an effective clutch which will cause the rotation of the pedals to operate
the driving wheel. Upon stopping the movement of the pedals the clutch is
thrown out of action and upon reversing the pedal movement the rollers move
along the inclined slots in the cylindrical casing until they come in contact with
the flange on the fixed ring, when the casing is moved axially inwards until its
brake surface comes in contact with the brake surface on the hub.
In order to obtain increased power the brake may be constructed to operate
upon both sides of the hub. For this purpose a similar brake surface is formed
upon the opposite side of the hub and facing is arranged a fixed brake ring
carried upon the axle or frame of the machine. In this construction the cones
of the bearing are mounted upon a sleeve which can slide freely in an axial
direction upon the axle but is constantly pressed towards the sprocket side by
spring motion. Upon operating the brake pedalling in the above described
manner, the whole hub is moved axially so that the brake surface upon the side
opposite to the sprocket is brought in contact with the fixed brake ring, the
brake surface upon the cylindrical casing forming the sprocket wheel being at
the same time brought into contact with the corresponding brake surface upon
the hub.
In another construction the brake surfaces on either side of the hub are so
mounted that they can travel axially while being compelled to rotate with the
hub. These brake surfaces are also connected together by rods or pillars pass-
ing between the spokes of the wheel, these rods being spring-controlled so as to
constantly force the brake surfaces axially towards the sprocket wheel brake
surfaces. It will be seen that with the cylindrical casing carrying the sprocket
wheel and the clutch mechanism arranged as first above described, upon back
pedalling, the brake surface on the cylindrical casing will be brought in contact
with the corresponding brake surface on the hub, this contact causing the latter
to move axially and consequently the brake surface on the opposite side of the
hub to also move axially until it is brought in contact with the fixed brake ring.
It is to be understood that the details of this invention may be varied in
accordance with requirements and to meet the varying constructions of hub,
wheel or cycle to which the apparatus may be applied.

page_text: Figure 18 a longitudinal section of the improved driving gear and DIAKE
mechanism,
Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 on a plane at
right angles to that of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a view half in longitudinal section and half in elevation of a
modification, and
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of a second modification.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
One or conveniently both of the flanges A¹ and A2 of the driving wheel hub A
are made somewhat deeper than usual, and one A' is faced with leather or other
material A3 to form a brake surface. Upon the outer end of the hub on
the sprocket wheel side is rigidly mounted a ring B, with a flange B. The
ring B may be secured on the hub by any convenient means not shown in the
drawings, as for instance, by screwing it on to the hub and fixing it by a locknut
or other device. Opposite to this ring, and fixed upon the axle, is arranged a
ring C having a flange C. Enclosing the rings B and C is a cylindrical casing
or sprocket ring D, having teeth D formed on its exterior, and at its inner side
an inwardly directed flange D2 constituting part of a brake surface D³ situated
so that it can be brought in contact with the brake surface on the flange A of
the hub by longitudinal movement of the sprocket ring D, brought about in
the manner hereafter described. The sprocket ring I in the construction shown
has secured within it preferably by means of rivets or screws a liner D*, in which
are cut several helical slots or grooves D³. In each of the latter lies a roller E,
a portion of which projects from the inner side of the sprocket ring, and lies in
the groove E' formed between the flanges B and C of the rings B and C.
The operation of the device is as follows:-
When the pedals of the machine are propelled in the forward direction the
sprocket ring D with its lining D4 is rotated in the direction of the arrows on
Figures 2 and 3. The rollers E, when this movement takes place, lag behind in
the slots D until they come in contact with the flange B¹ of the ring 1, when
the sprocket ring D is caused to move in an axial direction outwards until its
flange D comes against the inner side of the flange B1, which is then jammed
between the flange D and the rollers E. By this means the driving wheel is
propelled forwards. Upon ceasing to rotate the pedals the rollers E move for-
ward, the clutch is thrown out of gear, and the wheel is free to continue to
rotate. If now the pedals be rotated backwards, the rollers E move down towards
the outer ends of the slots D in the sprocket ring D until they come in contact
with the flange C of the fixed ring C. When this occurs the sprocket ring D
commences to move longitudinally inwards until the brake surface 1 comes
in contact with the brake surface on the flange A¹ of the hub, thus checking the
rotation of the driving wheel.
If it is desired to apply the brake to one side of the hub only, the above
described construction may be used by itself without further altering the con-
struction of the hub, but if increased braking power is required, the hub may be
arranged in the following manner, so as to enable the brake to be applied to
both sides at the same time, both flanges A' A2 being faced with material A³ for
this purpose. The cones F¹ of the bearings are mounted upon a sleeve F', which
is free to move longitudinally upon the axle G. Upon the sprocket end of the
axle is formed or rigidly mounted a shoulder G₁, against which the cone on that
side is constantly pressed by a coiled spring H, arranged upon the axle between
the cone at the other side and a nut J fixed upon the latter. The nut J carries,
connected to it by suitable arms, a brake ring J' situated opposite to the brake
surface A³ formed on the flange A2 of the hub. If now the brake be applied by
back pedalling in the manner above described, the sprocket ring D is moved
longitudinally until the brake surface D³ comes in contact with the brake surface

page_text: on the flange A¹ of the hub, when the whole of the latter and of course the wheel
also moves longitudinally upon the axle until the brake surface on the flange A³
comes in contact with the fixed brake ring J'.
In order to enable the fixed ring C to be adjusted and held in the required
position, it may be screwed upon the end of the axle G, and locked in any position
by means of a set screw C³, whose end bears against flats or depressions formed
on or in the outer side of the shoulder G¹ on the axle.
As it is most desirable that oil should not be allowed to find its way from
the ball bearings of the wheel to the clutch rollers E, a ring such as K is mounted
upon the outer end of the hub A. This ring K projects in such a manner as to
intercept any oil which may escape from the bearing, and conduct it from the
lip or ridge K into an annular groove C3 formed in the inner side of the fixed
ring C, whence the oil can escape through a passage C to the outer side of this
ring.
In Figure 4 is shown another arrangement for enabling the brake to be applied
to both sides of the wheel at the same time. In this construction, in place of
forming the brake surfaces on the flanges of the hub, special brake rings L L'
are mounted upon the outer end of the hub in such a manner that while being
compelled to rotate with the hub they can move longitudinally upon it. These
rings are connected together by several rods L2, which pass between the spokes and
through collars M, carried either upon the spokes or upon the flanges of the
hub. Coiled springs M¹ are carried upon the rods L2 between the collars M and
collars L³, the springs tending constantly to force the rings towards the sprocket
side of the wheel. The sprocket ring is arranged to operate as previously
described, its brake surface D3 lying opposite the brake surface on the brake
ring L, the fixed brake ring J' on the opposite side of the wheel being arranged
opposite to the brake ring L. When the pedals are rotated backwards and the
sprocket wheel moved as before mentioned so as to bring the brake surface 1)³
against the brake surface on the ring L, the whole cage formed by the rings L L
and the rods L2 is moved longitudinally upon the hub until the brake surface on
the ring L comes against the brake ring J. In this construction the bearing
cones may be mounted as usual directly upon the axle.
The liner D may be fixed within the sprocket ring 1) as found most con-
venient, either by screws or rivets passing through the sprocket ring and engaging
with the poles D* in the liner (Fig. 2); or as shown in Figure 1 by screwing
upon the outer side of the sprocket ring a flanged ring N, through whose flange N
are several set screws N2, which engage with and lock together the edges of the
liner and sprocket ring.
It must be understood that the slots or grooves D may be formed in the sub-
stance of the sprocket ring instead of in a liner as above described and illustrated,
the liner being then dispensed with.
-
:
Figure 5 shows a modified construction of a single acting back pedal brake
mechanism, the modifications relating to the particular construction of the parts
already described with reference to Figure 1. In this device the flanges A' A³
of the hub A are made smaller than those shown in Figure 1, and the part D2
of the brake flange on the sprocket ring D is made integral with the lining 14.
The lining at that end nearest the wheel hub is provided with a fine thread
adapted to engage with a corresponding thread within the sprocket ring D, so
that the lining can be secured to the ring D by screwing it within the same
until it is brought against its turned over or flanged end 16. The ring B with
its flange B' formerly screwed or otherwise fixed rigidly on the outside of the
hub A, is in this construction secured to the hub by means of an extension
screwed within the same, and carries on it a flange or brake piece A. The
material A³ for forming the braking surface is fixed upon or within the part A4
by any convenient means. That part of the ring B which carries the brake.
part A is preferably made hexagonal in form to fit a correspondingly shaped hole
within the part A so that the brake part cannot revolve about the ring B, and

page_text: when the ring B is screwed home within the hub, the part A is gripped firmly
between the end of the hub A and a shoulder formed on the ring. To further
secure the part A in position one or more screws A5 may be passed through the
flange A of the hub, into the brake ring A. The oil ring K, shown as a separate
part in Figure 1, made integral with the ring B, the two rings B and K, together
forming the cup for the ball bearing at that end of the hub.
To avoid unnecessary friction and burring of the rings B and C or the sprocket
ring D, the rollers E¹ are rounded at the top to suit the curve of the ring D, the
lower edge of the rollers being also rounded to prevent cutting of the rings B
and C. Each of the rollers is also provided with a central circumferential groove
so that the edges of the slots D5 in the lining 1' and of the rings B and C may
not be burred by the friction of the rollers against them.
For a similar purpose and for compactness, the sides of the part D and the
ring B which face one another, are sloped off so that the ring B at that part
becomes conical in form and fits within the correspondingly formed part of
the ring D².
It is unnecessary to describe the operation of this device as it is identical with
that already described with reference to Figure 1. It is also obvious that the
corresponding parts in Figure 1 may be constructed upon the same lines as those
described with reference to this figure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In cycle driving gear and brake mechanism the combination with an internally
slotted sprocket ring such as D D of movable bodies in the slots whose contact
with either a rotating or a fixed flange causes the sprocket ring to move axially
and operate either as a clutch or as a brake, substantially as described.
2. In cycle driving gear and brake mechanism an axially operating combined
clutch and brake ring such as D D1 D2 D3 D4 D³, substantially as described.
3. In cycle driving gear and brake mechanism the combination with one or
more inclined grooves such as D³ in the sprocket ring of an annular groove such
as E¹ and one or more rollers or equivalent engaging with both grooves.
4. In cycle driving gear and brake mechanism an annular groove such as El
formed in a rotating portion such as B B and a fixed portion such as CC
substantially as described.
5. In cycle driving gear and brake mechanism the combination with an axially
movable sprocket ring having a brake surface and internal helical slots of rollers
lying in and projecting from these slots into a groove formed by flanges on fixed
and rotating rings such as B B and C C¹ respectively for the purpose described.
6. In cycle driving gear and brake mechanism effecting the braking of the
road wheel by applying a temporarily non-rotating brake surface to one end of
the hub which moves the hub in an axial direction causing it to engage with a
second non-rotating brake surface substantially as described.
7. In cycle driving gear and brake mechanism effecting the braking of the road
wheel by applying a temporarily non-rotating brake surface to one end of a cage
movable endwise upon the hub but rotating with it so that it moves the cage in
an axial direction causing it to engage with a second non-rotating brake surface.
8. In cycle driving gear and brake mechanism the combination with a wheel
movable longitudinally upon the axle and having brake surfaces on both sides of
a fixed brake ring such as J' and a sprocket ring whose axial movement causes
similar movement of the wheel substantially as and for the purpose described.
9. In cycle driving gear and brake mechanism the combination with a wheel
carrying brake rings such as L L' connected together and movable longitudinally
upon the hub of a fixed brake ring such as J and a sprocket ring whose axial
movement causes similar movement of the brake rings L L' substantially as and
for the purpose described.

page_text: 10. The complete clutch and brake mechanism substantially as described or
illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 or Figure 4 or Figure 5 of the accompanying
drawings.
ARTHUR CUTHBERT.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.