Improvement in Double-speed Gearing for Velocipedes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Sept., 1896
Improvement in Double-speed Gearing for Velocipedes.
I, LEON CHARNIAUX, of Montigny s/Sambre Belgium, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object a mechanical contrivance for changing the
multiplication of a velocipede instantaneously and without obliging the rider to
dismount.
On the axle of the cranks are keyed two chain-wheels, one on each side, of
different diameter, constituting the larger and the smaller multiplication. On the
axis of the drive-wheel, two pinions are secured in such a manner as to turn freely.
These pinions are connected with the toothed wheels by two chains, for transmission
of motion, and they are hollowed-out in the middle so that there remains only a
rim furnished with two inside teeth opposite each other, each of which fills a
quarter of the circumference. This rim is intended to engage with the enlarged
extremity of the nave, which carries on the outside two opposing teeth, corres-
ponding with the inside teeth of the toothed pinions.
The pinions are fixed externally to a grooved pulley, sliding on the axle of the
drive-wheel, and internally to another grooved pulley, sliding on the teeth of the-
enlarged end of the nave, or hub.
The ends of a fork-link, the top of which is connected by a rod with another
one opposite, engage in the groove of each of the interior pulleys.
In consequence of this arrangement, one of the pinions may be thrown out of
gear, while the other is still engaged, or both may be thrown out of gear to release
the nave of the drive-wheel and to allow the machine to travel by its own weight,
without working the pedal-cranks, when going down-hill.
In a groove or gorge of one of the outside pulleys, either right or left, are
engaged the ends of a fork-link the handle of which turns upon a pivot, at a
suitable point on the frame. This fork-link is connected with a governing
mechanism comprising two rods connected by two corner-plates pivoting to suit-
able points of the frame and terminating in an operating lever, placed within reach
of the cyclist's hand.
Dated this 17th day of September 1806
L. DUVINAGE,
Agent for Applicant.
I, LEON CHARNIAUX, of Montigny s/Sambre, Belgium, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
[Price 8d.]

page_text: The object of the present invention is a speed-changing mechanism or double
speed gearing for cycles allowing the instantaneous changing of its speed without
stopping the machine."
In the annexed drawing:
-
Fig. 1. is a view of the bicycle in elevation.
Fig. 2 a plan-view.
Fig. 3 a view of the axle of the mainwheel and sprockets.
Fig. 4 a view of the bracket in elevation sideways and front.
Fig. 5 is an end view of the bulged part of the hub.
Fig. 6 is an upper view of the chain-wheels with cranks and pedals.
Fig. 7 is a side view of the same.
.
The above machine has a horizontal ordinary frame, and differs only from the
others by its double transmission gear which afford the cyclist the privilege of
having two prime-movers at his disposal.
On to the shaft A of the cranks B C, two chain-wheels D E are wedged, one at
each side, of different diameter, constituting the large and little gearing. The
small evolution serving to mount slopes and the large one to pass over flat surfaces.
On to the axle F of the mainwheel two sprockets G H are freely applied; secured
to the cogwheels D E by two chains I K for the transmission of the motion.
These two sprockets G H are internally hollowed so that there remains only a
rim, which is provided on the inside with two opposed teeth M & M', each covering
a quarter of the circumference. This rim is destined to catch into the extremity
of the hub N which is bulged and bears externally two opposed teeth O & O¹
corresponding with the interior teeth M & M of the sprockets. These sprockets
are fixed with their outer face to a grooved pulley P, sliding on to the axle F of
the mainwheel and with their inside face to an other grooved pulley P₁ sliding on
the surface of the teeth of the bulged extremity of the hub N. On the inner face
of the pulleys P are secured boxes R" sliding with their inside wall on the hub N.
In the groove of each of the interior pulleys are the extremities of a fork or
prong R the top of which is secured by a rod S to the opposed fork R. This
arrangement being intended to allow the putting out of gear of one of the sprockets,
whilst the other is in gear, or of putting both out of gear to loosen the hub of
the main-wheel and letting the machine descend by its own weight, without moving
the pedal-cranks, when on a declivity.
In the groove of one of the external pulleys to right or left, the extremities of
a fork T are secured the haft V of which revolves upon a pivot at an appropriate
point of the frame and which is attached to a driving-mechanism comprising two
rods y z fastened by, two squares a b applied at appropriate parts of the frame and
completed by a driving lever f, placed within reach of the cyclist's hand.
This machine offers great advantages for with the little evolution one may com-
fortably and with rapidity mount slopes; as to descents and flat surfaces one may
with the great gearing easily attain a considerable speed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
J
""
A changing speed mechanism for cycles, characterized by the crankshaft bear-
ing two chainwheels of different gearing and two sprockets fitted on to the hub
of the mainwheel connected by two chains for the transmission of the motion, these
two sprockets being hollowed so as to form a rin provided internally with two
opposed teeth catching into the extremity of the hub likewise bearing two opposed
teeth corresponding with those of the sprockets, these being fixed on to two

page_text: grooved pulleys sliding on to the teeth of the hub and worked by a fitting driving
mechanism arranged on to the frame of the machine.
Dated this 17th day of June 1897
L. DUVINAGE,
Agent for Applicant.