Year: 1897

page_text: We, GEORGE JOHN BOXES, of Fink's Buildings, corner of Elizabeth and Flinders
Streets, Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria, Importer, and LOUIS HENRY HART,
of No. 28, Market Street, Melbourne, as aforesaid, Manufacturer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists of a cycle racing or exercising machine in which cycles
of the ordinary type are so supported on a carriage, that, upon the rider giving the
requisite number of revolutions to the pedals which would ordinarily cause the cycle
to travel on a road a given distance, say for instance one mile, the carriage support-
ing the cycle is propelled and carries the cycle an actual distance of about twelve
yards. Said carriage being arranged to run on a straight track formed of rails
and is impelled by a system of reducing gears operated from the driving wheel
of cycle.
The type of cycle employed is preferably that of a bicycle and it is supported vertic-
ally upon a frame which carries two large pulleys, one under each wheel of the cycle,
and such pulleys are driven by the cycle driving wheel and by a belt which passes
over both pulleys. The pulleys are each carried on a separate spindle supported
in bearings upon the carriage frame. Upon one of the said spindles is a small
spur pinion which gears with a large spur wheel secured on the central carriage
axle and upon each end of which small flange or truck wheels are secured which
run on the rails as also do other pairs of flange or truck wheels secured on the
forward and rearward axles.
For racing purposes two or more tracks with carriages having cycles mounted
thereon as described and arranged side by side and the whole of the gearing below
the bottom line of cycle wheels is boxed or housed in, save and except a straight
slot through which the cycle wheels pass and hence the cycle has an appearance as
of travelling as ordinarily on a road.
To provide a means for starting at the end of the track a transverse shaft is pro-
vided which has arms or cans on it to simultaneously operate on weighted lever
devices one of which is attached to each carriage such levers being designed to tilt
or lift one end of the carriage and allow the track wheels to rotate idly, should the
pedals be worked; whilst immediately the wheels are lowered to the rails the
machine moves forward; a similar device is arranged at the other end of track to
stop the carriage when it reaches the winning post. Further an electric enunciator
and bell or gong is provided to indicate the number of the cycle which wins the
race by which, when one number has been exhibited, the other electric connections
are thrown out of gear; though, if desired, the first, second and third competitors
can be recorded.
Although the machine has been described as travelling on a straight track it

page_text: may also be arranged on a circular track and especially when used only as an
exercising machine.
Dated this 20th dov of Sontombar 1907
GEORGE J. BONES.
L. H. HART.
A Cycle Racing or Exercising Machine.
We, GEORGE JOHN BONES, of Fink's Buildings, corner of Elizabeth and Flinders
Streets, Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria, Importer, and LOUIS HENRY HART,
of No. 28, Market Street, Melbourne, as aforesaid, 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 consists of a cycle racing or exercising machine or apparatus in
which cycles of the ordinary type are so supported on a carriage, that, upon the
rider giving the requisite number of revolutions to the pedals which would
ordinarily cause the cycle to travel on a road a given distance, say for instance one
mile, the carriage supporting the cycle is propelled and carries the cycle an actual
distance of about twelve yards; the said carriage being arranged to run on a straight
or other track formed of rails and being impelled by a system of reducing gears
operated from the driving wheel of cycle as hereinafter more fully described.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a plan,
Figure 2 is a side elevation, and
Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line a, a Figures 1 and 2 showing our
improved machine or apparatus.
Figures 4 to 12 are various views illustrating details of construction hereinafter
described.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A, A are the cycles, which consist preferably of the usual type of chain safety
bicycles, and B is the track or course. Each of the cycles A is supported vertically
as hereinafter described upon a carriage A, carrying two large pulleys C, C', having
each a flange or groove c¹, and one of which pulleys is arranged under each wheel
of the cycle A. The pulleys C, C₁ are connected by a belt or band which passes
over both the said pulleys and the latter are driven thereby and by the driving
wheel of the cycle A. The pulleys C, C, are carried respectively on separate
spindles C, and C supported in bearings A* upon the carriage A¹. Upon the
spindle C is mounted a small spur or toothed wheel or, pinion which gears or
meshes with a large spur wheel D secured on the central axle D' of the carriage A¹
and upon each end of which small flange or truck wheels D² are secured which run
on rails O provided on the track or course B. d, dare like flange or truck wheels
mounted upon the forward and rearward axles d of the carriage and likewise
adapted to run on the said rails 01. The central pair of truck wheels are made
slightly larger in diameter than those near each end in order that a proper grip
of the rails may be obtained.
When intended for racing purposes two tracks, as shown in the drawings, or any
other convenient number thereof with carriages A¹ having cycles A mounted thereon
as described are arranged side by side, and the whole of the gearing situated below
the bottom line of the cycle wheels is boxed or housed in save and except a straight
:

page_text: slot M for each cycle A through which the wheels of the said cycle pass, thus giving
all the appearance of the cycles travelling as is ordinarily the case on a road.
Each, cycle A is supported in a vertical or upright position by supports or
uprights A secured to the carriage A. The supports or uprights A2 are stayed
to the carriage A by rods or bars a'. The tyres of the bicycle wheels rest on the
two pulleys and C₁ and the centres of the pulleys are slightly in advance of those
of the cycle wheels in order to ensure of a good tyre grip being obtained. The
upper part of each support or upright A2 is cut away to allow of a cast iron socket
piece K being secured by set screws as shown in Figure 9 to the said support A
and the said socket piece has an opening at its extremity to receive a spindle K
the head of which carries the clips and stays which secure the bicycle in position.
The said spindle K fits freely within the socket 'K' to allow of its upward or down-
ward movement caused by the varying pressure on the pneumatic tyres of the
bicycle when ridden. The head of the spindle K has a hole in it to receive a
horizontal rod K2 which is fixed in. position by a set screw K³.
The inner end of the rod K2 "has al. two part clip K, K³ formed
on it such parts being secured together by a bolt as shewn and the said clip K+, K³
is designed to grip the lower part of the front and back bicycle wheel, forks on
either side. The outer end of each bar K2 is. reduced and provided with a nut (+
which secures the stay K in position the upper end of said stay having a hollowed
tee end and the said ends of each opposite stay when placed together grip the
front tube of the bicycle just above the fork and immediately below the boss of
the bicycle frame and are thereat secured by bolts passing through holes
shown. The clips K, K on the bar K2 at the rear of the bicycle are similarly
secured to the spindle K but one half of the clip straps 15 is formed on each side
stay K in order. that when both straps are bolted together they grip the two
tubes of the rear wheel fork as shewn in Figure 10. The lower end of stays K'
are secured in a manner similar to the front stays K".
as
To provide means for running the carriage backwards or to allow the driving
truck wheel to rotate idly, should the gear wheels be worked, a lever E having
forked arms E¹ is attached to the carriage, said lever being centred on the front axle.
Projecting outwardly from each arm E of the lever E to under the carriage A' is
a'pin e having sufficient throw that when the lever is lifted to a vertical position
as shown in Figure 11 the carriage will be tilted just enough to raise the driving
truck wheels D³ clear of the rails and thus prevent the onward movement of the
carriage.
Each carriage A¹ runs on rails O₁ supported on longitudinal sleepers O bolted
as shown to the vertical props P of the framed supports carrying the platform P
which is provided with the central track groove M as shewn in the drawings. Any
number of platforms with a track and groove M may be arranged side by side and
the tracks may be of any desired length, also the distance the carriage will travel
at a greater or less speed depends on the gearing which may be adjusted to repre-
sent a mile, in a given length of track or more or less. At the starting end of the
framing is a platform P2 provided with steps, and similar steps are shewn at the
finishing end. To provide a means for the simultaneous starting of the bicycles
when racing a transverse shaft N is supported in suitable bearings N¹ on the plat-
form uprights and on the said shaft iron hooks are secured with set screw's h',
one opposite each track. These hooks are designed to engage the carriages A¹ and
prevent their forward movement when the starting lever 2 is vertical, but when
the lever is pulled over, the hooks release the carriages and at the same time a
projection on the lever h² presses an electric button on the platform which causes
a bell to ring and starts the clock R timing the race. At the finishing or winning
end of the track is a transverse bar 13 which acts as a buffer to prevent the forward
movement of the carriage and attached to said buffer is a spring bell-push Q on
which the front of the carriage presses at the finishing of the race.
This said bell-
push is connected by an electric circuit with the clock and the enunciator board S
so that when it is closed together by the pressure of the carriage it stops the clock

page_text: which registers the exact time the winning competitor completed the distance in
and, at the same time a numbered plate or shutter on the enunciator falls and
exhibits the number of the winning machine. If so desired. the enunciator can
be arranged to record the number of the first, second and third competitors in a
race.
Although the machine has been herein before described and is illustrated as
travelling on a straight track or course B it may obviously be also arranged on a
circular track, the latter being especially desirable when it is intended to be used
only as an exercising machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is;-
-
1. A straight, circular, or other slotted track or course upon which one or more
cycles are so arranged that each of them is mounted upon a carriage adapted to
run upon rails beneath the platform, and to drive the said carriage at a greatly
reduced rate of speed through an endless belt or band and toothed gearing, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. The combination, in a cycle racing or exercising machine or apparatus, of
a travelling carriage adapted to run upon rails, means for attaching the cycle to
the said carriage, and means for communicating motion from the cycle to the truck
wheels of the carriage.
3. The combination, in a cycle racing or exercising machine or apparatus, of a
slotted platform containing a railed track or course and a carriage adapted to run
thereon, means for attaching the cycle to the said carriage, and means for com-
municating motion from the cycle to the truck wheels of the carriage.
4. In a cycle racing or exercising machine or apparatus, the means for sup-
porting the cycle on the travelling carriage substantially as described with refer-
ence to the accompanying drawings.
5. In a cycle racing or exercising machine or apparatus, means, substantially
as set forth, to enable the truck driving wheels to be rotated idly.
6. The combination, with a cycle racing or exercising machine or apparatus, of
the electrical indicating arrangement substantially as described with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
7. The improved cycle racing or exercising machine or apparatus constructed
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A. F. SPOONER,
323, High Holborn, London, Agent for the Applicants.