Improvements in Gear Cases for Cycles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 21st Aug., 1897
Improvements in Gear Cases for Cycles.
I, LOUIS A. CENTLIVRE, of Fort Wayne, Allen County, State of Indiana, one of
the United States of America, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in dust-proof cases or shields for the chain
driving gear of bicycles or other cycles.
It is well known that the driving gear of bicycles and other cycles is so located
relative to the supporting wheels, as to collect and retain dust and mud when in
use unless securely inclosed, thereby unavoidably impairing the efficiency, security,
and ease of operation of the vehicle by increasing the friction of the driving gear
and subjecting it to increased wear.
The object, therefore, of my invention is to provide a two-part, detachable case
or shield for the driving gear of cycles, of simple and economical construction,
having a clamping closer upon its perimeter, adapted to rigidly and securely bind
the case sections together, the said case or shield being conveniently removed or
replaced in position.
My invention comprises a light, neat, and substantial two-part gear-case of
sheet aluminium or other suitable material, having a peripheral dust-proof closer,
adapted to bind the separable sections together, the said case having an extended
longitudinal opening in the centre thereof for the two-fold purpose of lessening the
weight thereof and to admit the horizontal brace rod between the supporting
wheels.
Similar reference numerals of the drawings indicate similar parts throughout
the several views.
Fig. 1 is a side view of my improvement partly in section, in position for use
showing the relative arrangement of the inclosed driving gear.
Fig. is a detail of the same in longitudinal central' section showing the
arrangement of the interlocking edges, and of the transverse stays or braces for
the outer edges thereof.
Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of the lower case-section showing the relative
arrangement of the means for securing it to the vehicle frame.
Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line A-A of Fig. 2, showing the over-
lapping flanges of the peripheral closer, and also the inner transverse bridges or
braces fixed thereon.
Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line -- of Fig. 2.
Fig. 6 is a cross section of a modified form of my invention.
Fig. 7 is a detail of the means for securing my improvement in position.
Fig. 8 is a detail of a modified form of the interlocking closer in cross section.
My improved gear-case is preferably stamped or pressed from sheet aluminium
of sufficient thickness to give the case firmness and durability, and at the same
time preserve the greatest degree of lightness possible, and is formed of two
approximately equal parts or sections 9 and 10 substantially identical in con-

page_text: struction and outline, the lower section 10 preferably having its lower side slightly
convex to permit a limited amount of slack in the driving chain 8 without
liability of friction or rattling contact therewith.
My improved case is bisected by a longitudinal line substantially midway of the
upper and lower sides thereof, each section being adapted to be pressed or stamped
from a single sheet of aluminium. Their parallel sides are so arranged as to
provide a space of sufficient width to contain with proper clearance the cycle
driving gear comprising the sprocket-wheel 7 on the crank-shaft 6, the small
sprocket-wheel 14 on the rear axle 1, and the driving chain 8 connecting said
sprocket-wheels, Fig. 1.
The said parallel sides of each section are united upon their inner edges by an
integral transverse portion 101 Figs. 2, 3 and 4. A modified construction is shown
in Fig. 6 in which the said portion 10' is formed in two equal sections which are
firmly secured together by an interlocking sheet metal strip 26 which is then
pressed or rolled into a compact form.
The meeting edges of the case sections are adapted for an interlocking union
by means of an inner flange 27 which may be upon the upper or the lower
case-section.
When the case-sections 9 and 10 are united with their meeting edges thus inter-
locked, they are rigidly secured together by the peripheral closer 11 formed of a
single piece of aluminium, or other sheet-metal.
The closer 11 is adapted to form an interlocking union with the free outer and
parallel edges of said case-sections and has its ends rigidly connected by a proper
holding screw 25 Figs. 1 and 2.
The closer 11 may be variously constructed without departing from the scope of
my invention. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the said closer is provided with opposite
lateral flanges adapted to fit over and tightly embrace the said outer free edges
of said sections, and may be provided upon its inner face with a series of transverse
braces 28 having upon their opposite ends upright flanges 29. The braces 28 are
rigidly fixed to said closer by rivets or otherwise, Fig. 5, and serve to securely
brace the outer edges of the case against inward lateral pressure.
The case sections thus united and surmounted by said interlocking peripheral
closer form a strong, firm and dust-proof case. Instead of employing the said
hraces 28 I prefer to construct the said closer as shown in Fig. 8. In this
modification the closer is provided upon its inner face and immediately adjacent
to the said lateral flanges with channels or grooves adapted to snugly receive and
contain the said free edges of said case-sections. This is the preferred
construction.
The meeting ends of the said closer are each provided with a rearwardly projecting
lug 15 having a vertical screw-threaded perforation therein adapted to receive a
screw or bolt 25 by means of which the said closer can be properly adjusted and
securely tightened in its interlocking engagement with the outer edges of said
case-sections. The said case-sections at the junction of their meeting edges are
provided with suitable lateral openings 20 and 21, the former for the axle 1 of the
rear wheel 2 and the latter for the hub or journal of the crank-shaft 6.
When the said gear-case is placed in position the tubular brace-rod 12 will pass
diagonally through the opening 31 in the said closer 11, the rear end of said case
being arranged between the rear wheel 2 and the seat-supporting rod 3, and the
outer end thereof being arranged between the frame sections 4 and 5 and pedal-
crank. The said gear-case thus arranged is rigidly secured to the said rod 12
near the extremities thereof by the two-part clips 24 identical in construction, or
other proper manner. The said clips Fig. 7 have their base vertically slotted to
receive the screws 30 fixed in the sides of said sections as shown, whereby the
clamp sections have a limited vertical adjustment to tightly fit and embrace the
said rod 12. They are then rigidly secured in position on said screws by proper
holding nuts, not shown, and they are firmly clamped together on said rod by the
screws 251

page_text: Referring now to the preferred form of construction; the manner of placing my
improvement in position for use and of detaching the same is, briefly stated as
follows:
The operator places the case-sections over the said sprocket wheels and driving
chain with their meeting edges interlocked as described, and with the rod 12
passing diagonally through the opening 31 in said case. The closer 11 is then
sprung into position upon the free outer edges of said sections, and is firmly drawn
together and rigidly secured by the screw 25. The two-part case is
then rigidly fixed to the rod 12 by the said clip 24, as described. The driving gear
will thus be securely inclosed in a dust-proof case.
It is obvious that to remove the gear-case it is only necessary to remove the
screw 25, the peripheral closer 11, and the screws 25¹ when the two sections can
readily be detached.
It is also obvious that access to the driving gear for oiling or other purposes may
be secured by simply removing the said closer without detaching the interlocking
case-sections from their position on said rod 12.
I do not hereby limit myself to the precise construction shown, as my improve-
ment may be variously modified in details without departing from the spirit of
my invention which consists in providing a two-part dust-proof gear-case whose
interlocking sections are closed and rigidly clamped together by a peripheral
closer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
1 claim is:-
1. A dust-proof gear-case for cycles comprising two separable interlocking
sections, each section formed of a single piece of sheet-metal as shown; an inter-
locking peripheral closer formed of a single piece of sheet-metal folded upon itself,
and adapted to form an interlocking union with the outer edges of said sections
and to firmly clamp said sections together, as described; and means for detachably
securing said case-sections to the cycle frame.
2. In a dust-proof gear-case for cycles the combination of the separable inter-
locking sections 9 and 10, each section being formed of a single piece of
sheet-metal; a peripheral closer 11 folded upon itself, adapted to close the outer
and open faces of the said case-sections by an interlocking engagement with the
sides thereof, and to rigidly clamp the said sections together, substantially as
described.
3. The combination in a gear-case for cycles of two separable sections stamped
or pressed from a single piece of sheet-metal: a peripheral closer adapted to
securely close the outer and open faces of said case-sections and to firmly clamp
the said sections together; means for securing the meeting ends of said closer;
and means for detachably securing said two-part case in position on the vehicle,
all substantially as described.
.ג נגד
1
P
L
100x
Χάρης του.
J. C. CHAPMAN,
Chartered Patent Agent,
70 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Associate agent for the Applicant.
: