An Improved Driving Gear for Velocipedes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Jan., 1892-Accepted, 5th Mar., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Driving Gear for Velocipedes.
I, LOUIS MAX KLUGE, of 92 Düner Strasse, Dresden, Saxony in the German
Empire, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to construct a driving gear for velocipedes
whereby the action of the thighs is utilised in aiding the propulsion of the
velocipede.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and
ascertained reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which
similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, my invention being shown
as applied to a safety bicycle.
Fig. 1 is a side view and Figs. 2 and 3 are front views of my improved driving
gear.
.
Figs. 4 to 13 are detail views of parts of the mechanism.
My invention consists essentially of two arms or levers a, pivoted at b, to the
framework of the saddle. These arms a are provided with cushions or flaps c,
capable of being turned on their pivots out of action when not required for use, as
shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 7.
Jointed connecting rods d are attached to the arms a at e, for the purpose
of conveying the motion of the arms a to the cranks, attached to the gear
wheel h, the gear wheel being supported in suitable bearings fitted to the frame
as shown.
The chain passes over this gear wheel h, and thence round the usual gear
wheels at the crank-bracket and hub, and serves as the driving medium.
In use, the thighs of the rider rest on the flaps c and pressure being applied
rotates the gear wheel while simultaneously therewith the feet of the rider
rotates the gear wheel by means of the usual cranks and pedals. When the
thigh-gear is not required for use the flaps care turned on their pivots and the
arnis a are drawn together by means of the lever l, connecting rods m, and levers n
pivoted to the frame of the saddle as shown Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 13 the action
being readily understood by reference to the drawings. In some cases the gear
wheel may be disconnected from the thigh-driving gear and allowed to run
freely when such thigh-driving gear is not required for use.
In Figs. 8 and 9 a form of adjustment is shown for adjusting the length of
the connecting rod d when required; for instance when the saddle is raised or
lowered.
Figs. 10, 11 and 12 show details of the construction of the joint in the connecting
rod d.
It is obvious, that, although I have shown and described my invention applied
to a safety bicycle, it is equally applicable to any other form of cycle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 'I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a velocipede the application and use of an auxiliary driving gear to be
operated by the thighs of the rider, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the drawings.
2. In a velocipede the application and use of an auxiliary driving gear, operated
by the thighs of the rider, in combination with the ordinary chain or other driving
gear, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings..

page_text: 3. The general construction, combination and arrangement of parts together
constituting my improved driving gear for velocipedes substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by the drawings.
Dated 22nd January 1892.
GEO.
DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.