Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Bicycles, Tricycles, and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Aug., 1897
Complete Specification Left 6th May 1898-Accepted 9th July 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Bicycles, Tricycles, and
the like.
I, EDWARD JAMES WARMINGTON, of Dengie Rectory, Southminster, in the
County of Essex, Clerk in Holy Orders, do hereby declare the nature of this in-
vention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the driving mechanism of bicycles, tricycles and the
like and consists in constructing the same in such a manner that either pedal
can be made to travel to and fro over a limited arc of any suitable angle at a
position clear of dead points; and I may make it to travel on into the same arc
for onward motion or towards it into another suitable are free from dead points
for slowing stopping or reversing as desired; by means of a suitable gripping
and releasing device.
This I effect by forming the connections between the pedal cranks and the
chain or other driving wheel by means of a friction or other suitable device cap-
able of engaging the driving gear when pressure is exerted on a pedal and
instantly disengaging the same when the pressure is removed.
In carrying out my invention I place the pedal cranks loosely on the spindle
carrying the driving gear and form on each crank arm one or more pawls to
engage teeth on a suitably shaped disc connected to the driving wheel; or in
lieu of the said pawl or pawls I may use a suitable frictional device to engage
the disc. Spring or other suitable means are used to cause the said pedals to
retrace their path and a stop may be employed to limit their travel. I may
make either pedal if preferred revolve on to or towards the arc referred to for
onward motion or meanwhile for slowing, stopping or reversing as desired.
The pedals may be operated in unison with each other or at different relative
positions or one pedal only can be used if desired.
111
1
1007
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
7, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Bicycles, Tricycles, and
the like.
I, EDWARD JAMES WARMINGTON, of Dengie Rectory, Southminster, in the
County of Essex, Clerk in Holy Orders, do hereby declare the nature of this in-
677

page_text: vention 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 driving mechanism for bicycles, tricycles and the like.
It consists in constructing the same in such a manner that the pedals are caused
to travel to and fro over a limited arc of any suitable angle at a position clear of
dead points; the connections between the pedals and the chain or other driving
wheel being such that by suitable gripping and releasing devices the said wheel
is engaged only on the effective part of its revolution.
In order that the invention may be readily understood reference is made to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which-1
Figure 1, illustrates my invention applied to a bicycle,
Figure 2, shews an enlarged side view of the driving mechanism in which a
frictional gripping and releasing device is employed.
Figure 3, is a sectional plan of the same, and
Figure 4, is a side view shewing a ratchet wheel and pawl for imparting
motion to the chain wheel.
In carrying out my invention I connect with the axle (A) of the chain
wheel (B) the discs (C) and (C). These discs are arranged in close proximity to
the crank arms (D) and (D) so that they can be engaged by the actuating gear
hereinafter mentioned attached to the said arms for imparting motion to the
chain wheel. (E) and (E) are side levers to which the pedals (F) and (F) are
fastened. (G) and (G) are links for connecting the crank arms to the said
levers; the length of these links being in proportion to the arc traversed by the
crank arms.
A chain or cord (H) arranged over a pulley (I) secured to the frame
of the machine, is fastened at its ends to the crank arms so that when one pedal
is forced down the other pedal is raised.
The connection between the crank arms and the discs beforementioned may
be formed in a variety of ways, Figure 2, shews one form of a frictional device.
This consists of a movable block (J) arranged loosely upon the crank arm, and
a fixed roller (K) connected with the crank arm. The said block may be slotted
and the crank arm movable in the same, or the block may pass through a slot
in the arm.
A spiral spring (L) is fastened at one end to the said block and at
the other end with a rigid bar carried by the hollow axle (A) for the driving
wheel so that when pressure is exerted on the pedal the roller is caused to bind
upon the block and force it against the disc, but when the pressure is removed
the said block is released and can retrace its path without touching the disc.
In Figure 4 the disc is furnished with suitable teeth in which a spring pawl (M)
connected with the crank arm, engages on the downward movement of the pedal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
Firstly. In driving mechanism for bicycles and the like, the means for impart-
ing an up and down movement to the pedals in combination with devices for
gripping and releasing the discs (C) connected with the chain or other driving
wheel (B) so that power is only applied on the effective part of its revolution,
substantially as herein set forth.
Secondly. The driving mechanism for bicycles and the like substantially as
herein described and as illustrated.
Dated the th
1000
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
7, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.